SBIR-STTR Award

The Navy is currently integrating new highly sensitive magnetic anomaly detection (MAD) sensors on small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for maritime surveillance. White River Technologies, Inc. (WRT) in collaboration with teammates from Sensintel Inc. and Raytheon Missile Systems (RMS) propose development of a comprehensive MAD simulation tool that accurately considers a wide array of sensor, environmental, flight system, and mission-level parameters. The team will utilize our extensive experience in airborne magnetometry, UAV magnetic noise estimation, and probabilistic MAD simulation to develop the proposed software. The simulation tool will (1) take advantage of the available information on MAD mission factors, (2) utilize modeling and simulation capability to predict MAD effectiveness, and (3) leverage the power of current computing resources to integrate the multiple system, environmental, and target parameters for effective mission planning and tactical awareness. At the heart of the software are modeling and simulation modules that accurately account for the errors associated with numerous inputs in order to output useful predictive metrics of probabilistic success. This tool may be used pre-flight for predictive analysis and ASW system-level parameter delineation, for training operators, or for optimizing mission configurations.

Benefit:
The proposed effort will develop a comprehensive MAD-equipped predictive analysis and decision support software tool. Benefits of the proposed technology include: 1. Incorporation of multiple submarine or surface target magnetic signature models 2. Methodologies for assessing model selection and parameter evaluation 3. Quantifiable environmental estimation using multiple disparate data sources 4. A robust probabilistic approach ensures appropriate valuation of information 5. Comprehensive estimation of effectiveness that accounts for MAD sensor noise spectra, flight and mission parameters, target characteristics, and background environmental noise 6. A flexible software environment extensible to non-fixed wing UAV assets (e.g., Firescout) as well as unmanned undersea assets (e.g., Sonobuoys, USN Mk-18 UUV's) Phase I development will serve as the basis for further software development and demonstration of the tool for appropriate aircraft and mission systems.

Keywords:
Simulation, Simulation, magnetic modeling, Predictive Analysis, UAV magnetometry

The Navy is currently integrating new highly sensitive magnetic anomaly detection (MAD) sensors on small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for maritime surveillance. White River Technologies, Inc. (WRT) propose the development of a MAD tactical decision aid (TDA) software simulation environment that contains explicit probabilistic modeling of target and background magnetic field signals, systematic consideration of multiple complex environmental and mission-related factors that affect signals, and computation of statistical metrics characterizing MAD sensor performance. The simulation tool will accurately consider a wide array of sensor, environmental, flight system, and mission-level parameters. The team will utilize extensive experience in airborne magnetometry, UAV magnetic noise estimation, and probabilistic MAD simulation to develop and demonstrate the software environment. At the heart of the service oriented software architecture are modeling and simulation modules that accurately account for the errors associated with numerous inputs in order to output useful predictive metrics of probabilistic success. This tool may be used pre-flight for predictive analysis and system-level parameter delineation, for training operators, or for optimizing a variety of UAV-based geophysical sensing mission configurations. Extensions to salvage, search and rescue, buried hazards, and infrastructure characterization may be readily accomplished via the modular coding and user interface design.

Benefit:
The proposed effort will develop a comprehensive MAD-equipped predictive analysis and decision support software tool. Benefits of the proposed technology include: 1. Incorporation of multiple target magnetic signature models; 2. Methodologies for assessing model selection and parameter evaluation; 3. Quantifiable environmental estimation using multiple disparate data sources; 4. A robust probabilistic approach ensuring appropriate valuation of information; 5. Comprehensive estimation of effectiveness that accounts for MAD sensor noise, flight parameters, target characteristics, and background environmental noise; and 6. A flexible software environment extensible to non-fixed wing platforms (e.g., MQ-8C) as well as unmanned undersea assets. Phase II development, testing, and demonstration activities will directly support the need for MAD simulation tools for Navy anti-submarine warfare assets including those associated with the P8-A Poseidon, MQ-8C, and Littoral Combat Ship. The software environment envisioned will form a useful tool for direct integration into the High Altitude Anti-Submarine Warfare Future Naval Capabilities program via incremental engineering change proposals and planned product improvements as well as benefit other defense-related intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions. Extensions to commercial applications in the salvage, search and rescue, geophysical exploration (petroleum, mining, unexploded ordnance), and infrastructure characterization (pipes, cables) may be realized through on-going activities.

Keywords:
aeromagnetic, UAV, Tactical Decision Aid, Predictive Analysis, Simulation, magnetic modeling