Advanced Airborne Optical Sensing
Abstract
The Advanced Airborne Optical Sensing program is developing electro-optical and infrared sensors and processing technologies for aerial platforms. Significant challenges have arisen as the result of two warfighting trends. First, the ever-changing mix of airborne platforms now includes a greater number of smaller UAVs. Second, the target set is increasingly challenging and now includes vehicles and individual dismounts that operate under foliage and in urban canyons, using camouflage, obscurants, and other means of concealment. In response to these challenges, the Advanced Airborne Optical Sensing program has developed enhanced optical, electro-optical, photonic and other technologies for airborne optical sensing systems. Specific examples of these technologies include: embedded image processors tailored to real-time detection, identification, and tracking of military targets; advanced laser radar technologies; hyper-spectral sensing technologies; flash detection and underwater object detection; advanced digital signal processing to support onboard image reconstruction, atmospheric correction, and system calibration; and adaptive optics techniques, such as deformable mirrors and liquid crystal spatial light modulators. The program has extended these technologies and is making them practical for airborne surveillance systems. Efforts in this program include: - The Standoff Precision ID in 3-D (SPI 3-D) program developed an affordable sensor package capable of high-resolution 3-D imaging for confirmatory target ID at long ranges, as well as full field of view (FOV) ranging to support precise geolocation of targets. The program included a series of ground-based and airborne demonstrations of SPI 3-D capabilities including: (1) high range resolution 3-D imaging; (2) full FOV range to pixel determination; (3) multiple frame-to-frame registration of imagery; and (4) GPS-based cueing from search systems. The program will also produce high speed, ultra-sensitive photo detectors for systems requiring operation at very low photon counts. This supports long-range sensors that can detect highly obscured targets under canopy/camouflage as well as very wide-area searches for submerged targets, including sea mines and semi-submerged mobile vessels. - The HALOE (High Altitude Lidar Operations Experiment) program has demonstrated, in an operational environment, the full capability of a 3-D imaging system. The HALOE system provides support for current and emerging warfighter needs by delivering high-resolution, wide-area 3-D lidar imagery data in the OCONUS environment. This system provides the unprecedented capability to collect accurate, high resolution 3-D data over wide areas to support a wide range of high-value applications, including detailed mission planning, vertical obstruction detection, helicopter landing zone analysis, and imagery geolocation. The pathway to accomplish this goal includes improving the robustness and reliability of the sensor, conducting demonstrations, and training with CONUS flight tests leading to OCONUS operational experimentation in partnership with the Army. HALOE successfully completed the CONUS flight testing phase and was deployed OCONUS for further testing and system checkout to address current and emerging needs of U.S. forces under the direction of commanders in theater during 2011. The completed HALOE system will transition to the U.S. Army. - The Tactical Aircraft to Increase Long Wave Infrared Nighttime Detection (TAILWIND) program developed a system for collecting and processing IR data operating as a framing sensor. The system accepts long wave infrared and color camera images permitting day/night reconnaissance for real-time target detection and tracking. The resulting sensor and processing system will decrease the time required to focus the sensor operator's attention on relevant targets. The TAILWIND system is planned for transition to the U.S. Army.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Accomplishment
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2013
- Source ID
- 1b965d213b94d04922f5e0ba4701bc78
Related Documents
- Root: SENSOR TECHNOLOGY