The Wandering Search
James L. Bagby · Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) · 1979
The aggressive search for a target believed to be remaining within a specified region is analytically modeled. The probability of detection is expressed, both for the random search path and for any deliberate, non- overlapping path. The results are valid for any distribution of target positions in the region, for any lateral range detection curve, and for any target presence probability, provided that the target is not actively observing and dodging the searcher's path. Both the mobile and the stationary targets are considered, and targets having stochastic region-departure times are also considered. Also detection expressions are closed-form and readily calculatable. Some points of strategy are made on selection of the search region and selection of the deliberate versus the random tactic.