ATR Research

Abstract

This Project fosters research for automatic target recognition (ATR) concepts to enhance the effectiveness of Army systems while simultaneously reducing the workload on the Soldier. This Project focuses on the fundamental underpinnings of aided and unaided target detection and identification techniques for land warfare scenarios. This research enables Army systems that can act independently of the human operator to detect and track targets including clandestine tracking of non-cooperative targets. Such capabilities are needed for smart munitions, unattended ground sensors, and as replacements for existing systems. Critical technology issues include low depression angle, relatively short range, and highly competing background clutter. The resulting research will provide a fundamental capability to predict, explain, and characterize target and background signature content, and reduce the workload on the analyst. This research is aimed at determining the complexity and variability of target and clutter signatures and ultimately utilizing that knowledge to conceptualize and design advanced ATR paradigms to enhance robustness and effectiveness of land warfare systems. ATR research strategies include emerging sensor modalities such as spectral and multi-sensor imaging. Research in this Project builds knowledge for several technology efforts including multi-domain smart sensors, third generation Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR), and advanced multi-function laser radar (LADAR). Work in this Project complements and is fully coordinated with the United States (U.S.) Army Armaments Research, Development, and Engineering Center (ARDEC); the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Research, Development, and Engineering Center (CERDEC); and the U.S. Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Center (ECBC). Work is this Project supports key Army needs and provides the technical underpinnings to Program Element (PE) 0602270A (Electronic Warfare Technology)/Project 906 (Tactical Electronic Warfare Applied Research). The cited work is consistent with the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Science and Technology focus areas and the Army Modernization Strategy.

Document Details

• Document Type: Project
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2019
• Source ID: 305_0601102A_1_2040_PB_2019

Tags

Fields of Study

• Engineering

Readers

• Military Science and Technology Research and Modernization.
• Sensor Fusion and Tracking Systems.

Technology Areas

• Directed Energy
• Microelectronics