SBIR-STTR Award

The objective of this SBIR topic is to develop innovative technologies to search anti-submarine warfare (ASW) test ranges for the presence of whales. This proposal offers such methods in the form of a process that is being refined by Brainlike Surveillance, Inc. This research will prove the feasibility of a special-purpose system, based on the Brainlike process, for improving the effectiveness of whale search radar (WSR). Brainlike will develop a prototype for a special-purpose system, based on the Brainlike process, and evaluate its clutter removal potential. The system will be developed by analyzing radar data containing heavy-tailed noise, extracting features within the Brainlike process framework, and evaluating the potential for Brainlike added value in terms of clutter and processing time reduction. As part of the proposed effort, the prototype will be delivered to the Navy in the form of a demonstration, simulation, and research tool. Doing so will allow the Navy to research and evaluate its potential for a variety of other remote sensing applications.

Keywords:
Whale Search Radar, Heavy-Tailed Clutter, Auto-Adaptive Estimation, False Alarm Reduction, Increased Warning Lead Time, Reduced Surveillance Costs

The objective of SBIR Topic N07-019 is to develop innovative technologies to search antisubmarine warfare (ASW) testing and training ranges for the presence of whales and other marine mammals. The research will prove the feasibility of a special-purpose system for detecting whales from an aerial radar platform. Brainlike and its team members will design and develop a system which will include an aircraft, a radar, an ATR process, a tracking and localization system, and an operator console. The system will be developed by gathering and analyzing whale radar returns through various tests, determining hardware specifics, and building a prototype system. As part of the proposed effort, the system will be delivered to the Navy in the form of a demonstration, simulation, and prototype. Doing so will allow the Navy to research and evaluate its potential for a variety of other remote sensing applications.

Keywords:
Whale Detection Radar, Whale-Friendly Asw Testing, Marine Mammal Protection, Whale Mitigation, Clutter Reduction, Auto-Adaptive Estimation, False Alar