SBIR-STTR Award

The technical objectives of Phase I are to: (1) demonstrate potential EKV TOM (Target Object Map) metric and IR/visible discriminants available from simultaneously collected multi-spectral data, and (2) demonstrate the feasibility of improving TOM metric and discrimination algorithm performance attributable to the simultaneous collection of GBR-P and AMOS AEOS IR and visible observations. Ryan Associates proposes to use simulated IFT-8 target complex IR observations in combination with actual GBR-P collected data to demonstrate potential metric improvements to the TOM, as well as improvements in IR discriminants in the EKV sensor bands. We are doing this by using the Ryan Associates SIMTAS (Space-based Infrared Missile Track Analysis Software) tool to combine the metric observations potentially available from the two sensors. We propose to use our EROS (Emitted and Reflected Optical Signatures) tool to simulate the IFT-8 target complex signature histories available during the data overlap period to provide in-band thermal features potentially available to the EKV sensor during intercept homing.

Ryan Associates will improve potential benefits of its Phase I data fusion algorithms on EKV discriminants by exercising the integrated system simulation using real data that combines radar (metric data, features) and optical (metric data, features) from simultaneous sensor coverage of a selected Glory Trip Mission or MDA risk reduction flight. These results will then be entered into the Hercules algorithm process to demonstrate the quantitative improvements of working fusion algorithms for EKV GTOM association, handover, and discrimination. The primary Phase II objectives are: 1) Demonstrate the utility of the track-based convex combination data fusion metric algorithm for improving the target handover state vector to the EKV. 2) Demonstrate the utility of an algorithm that combines early detection of target dynamics (by the EO sensor) with radar feature analysis. 3) Demonstrate the utility an algorithm that uses early estimation of target length combined with dynamics as a key feature to cue early allocation of radar resources in support of EKV TOM updates. The algorithms will be formatted and implemented either in the Project Hercules discrimination algorithm development process or the Boeing Pacific Fusion Testbed (BPFT) at the MHPCC