Figure 2-8.—Searchlight H hood.
CHEMICAL WARFARE DIRECTIONAL
DETECTOR
LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Explain the
procedures for the use of the chemical warfare
(CW) directional detector, including
installation, maintenance, and operations.
The AN/KAS-1 chemical warfare directional
detector system (fig. 2-9) is a passive IR imaging
sensor that provides U.S. Navy ships with the
capability for detection and identification of chemical
warfare (CW) agent attacks. The AN/KAS-1 can be
used to detect and identify nerve agent attacks against
ships in a task force, against waves of amphibious
assault ships/boats proceeding ashore, or against
assault forces in the vicinity of the landing area.
Chemical warfare agent cloud detection and
identification can be accomplished against a sky
background for all conditions under which CW attacks
may be expected to occur. Detection of CW activity
against a land background can be accomplished less
effectively.
The inherent characteristics of an IR sensor make
the AN/KAS-1 useful in low-visibility/night pilotage
and area surveillance. The AN/KAS-1 operator can
detect and provide relative bearing to prominent land
features (light house, water tower) and buoys.
Detection of personnel on the water surface (man
overboard) can also be provided by the system.
The AN/KAS-1 consists of a sensor unit, a pivot
mount, a power conversion unit (PCU), a
carrying/stowage case, a maintenance kit, and an
overboard lanyard.
The sensor unit is equipped with the following
controls: a field-of-view switch, which enables the
operator to use both a wide field of view (WFOV) and
a narrow field of view (NFOV); a range/focus knob; a
contrast knob; a brightness knob; and a filter wheel
switch. The filter wheel switch allows the operator to
rotate a wheel positioned in the optical chain of the
unit through four positions: filter 1, filter 2, filter 3,
and filter out. These filters are used to identify CW
nerve agent clouds.
The pivot mount provides the mechanical
interface between the sensor unit and the standard
bracket and lock assembly. The pivot mount provides
a minimum elevation of minus 35 degrees to plus 45
degrees and 360 degrees of azimuth; the number of
azimuth rotations is limited only by the length of the
interconnecting cable. Handlebars are provided for
operator positioning of the sensor unit. The
interconnecting cable provides electrical
connection/power transfer from the PCU to the sensor
unit via a coiled, double-shielded cable.
The PCU (fig. 2-10) provides operating power to
the sensor from the ship's 115-Vac, 60-Hz supply.
Press-to-test switches/lights are included to verify the
presence of input and output voltages. The unit
consists of an electronics tray contained in a watertight
protective housing.
2-8
