Web Interface for Modeling Fog Oil Dispersion During Training

Abstract : Predicting the dispersion of military camouflage training materials-Smokes and Obscurants (SO)-is a rapidly improving science. The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) developed the Hazard Prediction and Assessment Capability (HPAC), a software package that allows the modeling of the dispersion of several potentially detrimental materials. ERDC/CERL characterized the most commonly used SO material, fog oil in HPAC terminology, to predict the SO dispersion characteristics in various training scenarios that might have an effect on Threatened and Endangered Species (TES) at DoD installations. To make the configuration more user friendly, the researchers implemented an initial web-interface version of HPAC with a modifiable fog-oil component that can be applied at any installation in the world. By this method, an installation SO trainer can plan the location and time of fog oil training activities and is able to predict the degree to which various areas will be effected, particularly important in ensuring the appropriate management of TES on a DoD installation.