This effort provides a physics-based, standardized, portable, low-cost, real-time Infrared (IR) Scene Generator capable of supporting advanced targeting algorithm development efforts being conducted for missile defense programs. The Missile Defense Agency is sponsoring many programs to develop acquisition, tracking, classification, and discrimination algorithms to target missiles while in flight. Physics-based synthetic scene generators play a critical role for these algorithm development activities by producing realistic imagery of the missile as it progresses along its flight path. Algorithm researchers utilize scene generators parametrically by varying sensor viewing parameters, engagement kinematics, missile operational conditions, and countermeasures to establish the accuracy, efficiency, and stability of the algorithm being studied. This innovative concept allows algorithm development and test facilities to generate IR images in real-time by using their own low-cost computational hardware (e.g. single-node PCs or multi-node Beowulf clusters). Standardization ensures consistency of the computed solution necessary for validation, regression testing, and site accreditation. Portability allows the scene generator to be linked directly into the algorithm test-bed to provide a seamless ability to generate images on demand. The product from this effort will foster ideas and concepts to disable inbound ballistic missiles since it will be available to a wide-array of missile defense researchers.
