Detection and Identification of Colored Smoke 1

Abstract

A field study was conducted to determine the rates of detection, identification, and location of colored smokes by ground and aerial observers. Distances from observers to smoke varied between 500-10,000 meters. Red, yellow, green, violet and white smokes were generated by initiating U.S. Army Standard M8 and M18 smoke grenades. Nine volume-duration combinations of smoke were tested. Volume of smoke was controlled by initiating various numbers of grenades (1, 2, or 3) simultaneously. Duration was controlled by initiating various numbers of grenades in succession so as to give a continuous smoke. The larger volume-duration combinations (e.g., 2-3.and 3-3) yielded the highest rates of detection, identification, and smoke location. In terms of overall effectiveness, the best volume-duration combination was 2-3. The most effective color was white, then red, while violet was the poorest.