Iceberg Detection and Monitoring in Support of Naval Operations
Abstract
Iceberg detection and monitoring with synthetic aperture radar (SAR) remains a formidable technical challenge more than twenty years after it was first introduced for this purpose. This proposal is intended to advance the state of the art along several different fronts. The first is development of detection algorithms which accept a single SAR image as input. The vast majority of prior work done by the iceberg detection community falls within this category, but much progress remains to be made. The second front for advancement is the development of algorithms and methodologies which combine two or more sequential SAR images to improve iceberg detections over single-image, or to create entirely new iceberg monitoring products. The third focus will be to derive marine surface wind and currents from SAR images to estimate the driving forces on icebergs and then compute iceberg drift velocity vectors. Last, we will also apply novel approaches using machine learning techniques to not only detect icebergs, but also estimate information about their volume, mass, and population size, which in addition to being useful for determining iceberg threat. CSTARS, as a satellite ground station with relationships with multiple SAR satellite vendors, is in a unique position to make contributions in this arena. Finally, this proposal seeks to leverage our relationships with and our positions within both the ocean prediction and polar oceanography communities to advance methods for integrating forecasts from operational numerical modeling of the Arctic into the SAR iceberg monitoring process, and to provide those communities with iceberg products that have a scientific value beyond their hazard mitigation utility.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Dec 04, 2020
- Source ID
- N000142112068
Entities
People
- Hans Graber
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of Miami