SPectral and In-band Radiometric Imaging of Targets and Scenes

In 2022, ATA Engineering (ATA) assumed the role of Industry Coordinator (IC) for SPIRITS (SPectral and In-band Radiometric Imaging of Targets and Scenes), the US Government’s reference standard code for electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) signature modeling of aircraft. As the IC, ATA is responsible for maintaining the software’s source code and integrating updates. Johns Hopkins University Whiting School of Engineering’s Energetics Research Group (ERG) continues to be responsible for the distribution of SPIRITS.

The Joint Army Navy NASA Air Force (JANNAF) software tool SPIRITS is a system of computer codes that predicts the hyperspectral EO/IR signatures of complete hardbody/plume aircraft configurations in the 0.2 to 25 μm spectral region. The software generates spectral and in-band intensities and in-band images at both the source and the observer, determines the contrast signature with the background, and identifies signature components by their source—including exhaust plumes, thermal emissions, reflected sunshine, reflected skyshine, reflected earthshine, and secondary reflections.

The development of SPIRITS is driven heavily by data, in particular an extensive Air Force in-flight measurement program at Hanscom Air Force Base in Massachusetts. Analyses of such data guided the selection of phenomena for inclusion in the software. Additionally, all source code upgrades are tested and validated via quantitative comparisons to data.

SPIRITS can be applied to modeling susceptibility, camouflage, tactics, coatings, countermeasure effectiveness, and sensor effectiveness, and it can also be used for data analysis and test planning.

SPIRITS runs on Windows, Linux, and Unix systems. It is run from the command line, as there is currently no official GUI. Source code is included with delivery of the software – please see below for the process of obtaining SPIRITS.

How to Obtain SPIRITS

• Contact ERG to obtain the necessary forms and instructions (see contact info below)
  • Return signed form with registration/maintenance fee
  • After ERG verifies your registration, ERG will deliver the software, documentation, and sample cases via the JANNAF portal
• If desired, your organization can also obtain validated and documented SPIRITS aircraft input sets from ERG
• Contact ATA Engineering for installation support, if needed

The maintenance fee covers support of the initial installation only.  ATA is authorized by JANNAF to offer further optional training and additional support.

Contact Information

For additional information on the distribution of SPIRITS, please contact:

Ms. Mary Gannaway, ERG, Johns Hopkins University
410-992-7304, ext. 211
[email protected].

For technical support and additional information on SPIRITS, please contact ATA using the form below.