What is the altitude recommended to search with the MMR for small boat targets (19 - 35ft in overall length)?

• A. At and below 5,000 ft AGL and definitely less than 10,000 ft
• B. At and above 20,000 ft AGL
• C. At 15,000 ft AGL
• D. At 25,000 ft AGL

Answer: (A)

Keep the search very near the water. Small boats present a tiny radar and visual signature, so the MMR is most effective when you’re at a low altitude where sensor resolution is highest and the water surface is sampled over a larger angular footprint. Being close increases the apparent size and detail of the target in the sensor footprint, boosting detection probability and improving dish you can make a positive identification against sea clutter. If you rise to higher altitudes, the target occupies a smaller portion of the image, the range to the target grows, and sea clutter and background noise make small boats harder to detect and track. So, the best approach is to search at a very low altitude, well below higher-altitude search levels.