SBIR-STTR Award

The object of this proposed three-phase SBIR project is to develop the capability to track and discriminate the objects proliferated by ballistic missile launches. This surveillance system will be mobile and deployed early relative to the more extensive missile defense system being developed by MDA. Being mobile also permits location of the sensor platforms (ships and aircraft) so that each missile threat can be tracked early in its trajectory to facilitate shoot-look-shoot. The system uses existing sensors whose data complement each other and thus enhance tracking and discrimination performance. It will undergo field-tests starting September 2004 and be deployed soon thereafter. A major challenge is development and integration of processing methods to fuse data from distributed, disparate sensors. Current sensor data fusion processing methods are inadequate to handle phenomena that distributed sensors exhibit, such as, sensor registration biases, resolution differences, and different detection characteristics. Adequate fusion processing that combines data for each target from well located and well chosen multiple sensors can greatly improve tracking and discrimination performance. We have identified the most critical shortcomings of current fusion processing methods. Then proprietary and potentially patentable methods were devised that are designed to overcome those shortcomings. Anticipated Benefits/Commercial Applications: Provide field-tested algorithms and processing methods that overcome the current limitations in sensor data fusion processing methods. They will efficiently combine data from distributed sensors to provide the improved performance in terms of accuracy and timeliness required for implementation of effective surveillance systems. This will permit the early deployment of a mobile missile surveillance system. In addition, the field testing of this system will provide valuable information for use in the design of the more extensive MDA missile defense system and will also provide a laboratory for testing new sensors and fusion processing methods developed for that missile defense system.

Keywords:
radar, IR, data, fusion, ballistic, tactical, missile, surveillence

The purpose of this project is to develop improved capability to track and discriminate the objects proliferated by ballistic missile launches. Proposed is a mobile midcourse surveillance system that can be deployed early relative to deployment of MDA's advanced missile defense system. Being mobile facilitates location of the sensor platforms (ships and an aircraft) so that each missile threat can be tracked early in its trajectory. To further improve surveillance performance and robustness, the system takes advantage of legacy sensors whose data is complementary. The plan is for system field testing in fall 2004 (or mid-year 2005) and deployment soon thereafter. The major challenge is development of processing methods to fuse data from distributed, disparate sensors. Current data fusion methods are inadequate to handle some phenomena of distributed sensors, such as, sensor registration residual biases, resolution differences, and disparate detection characteristics. Fusion processing that effectively combines all multiple sensor data for each target will improve significantly the surveillance performance and conservation of weapons resources. Prior to this program, we identified the most critical shortcomings of current fusion methods and devised proprietary processing methods to overcome those shortcomings. The SBIR Phase I study confirmed feasibility of these methods. Anticipated Benefits/Commercial Applications: Provide field-tested algorithms and processing methods that overcome the limitations in current data fusion processing methods. Efficiently combining data from distributed sensors will improve the timeliness and accuracy of discrimination of the RV needed for effective surveillance. This will permit early deployment of a mobile missile surveillance system and also that system could be combined with other interim surveillance systems. The field-tested fusion processing methods could be used to significantly improve performance of a variety of other multiple sensor systems. The field testing of the midcourse surveillance system will provide valuable information useful in the design of the MDA advanced missile defense system and could be a laboratory for testing new sensors and processing methods developed for that missile defense system.

Keywords:
Radar, IR, Data, Fusion, Ballistic, Tactical, Missile, Surveillance