Signature situational awareness, (ssa), for an aircraft is a natural extension of recently proven techniques. This proposal provides a brief discussion of the physics involved in using the environment to an advantage. Also provided is analytical data to corroborate the concept. The proposal discusses hardware and algorithms already in existencethat can be used as building blocks, and details a systematic work plan for solving the unique problems associated with ssa. This proposalemphasizes the air-to-air encounter, as the most benefit can be derived in that scenario. An air-to-ground encounter represents a simpler subset of the problem due to the lack of stringent time constraints. Tricor's optical encounter, (opec) dynamic detection model, and it's signature analysis development and simulation system, (sadss) are intimately involved in both the design and evaluation of solutions to the problem. Sadss is identical in function to the afwal observables reduction by image processing system, (orips), with all information developed directly usable on either system. Sadss use as a problem visualization and qualitative analysis tool supplemented by opec for quantitative analysis, is described in the proposal
