Fielding of superior electro-optical (EO) sensors will provide force multiplication in (1) Information Superiority—addressed through high-quality, long-range imaging and nonimaging data from sensors digitally interfaced into the C4I infrastructure; (2) Precision Force—addressed through (a) high-resolution multisensor systems for target acquisition and fire control, guided munitions, and aided target processing to drive battle tempo, (b) high-resolution, distributed sensors for large fields of view/regard, and (c) inexpensive ground vehicle day/night imagers; (3) Joint Theater Missile Defense—addressed through long-range passive infrared search and track; (4) Combat Identification—addressed through multifunction and multisensor concepts; and (5) Military Operations in Urban Terrain—addressed through land and littoral unattended, robotic, and individual soldier multispectral sensors. Transition opportunities exist for all future military and commercial space systems. Aircraft applications include F-14, F-15, F-16, F-18, F-22, JSF, E2C, C-130, C-141, V-22, AH-64, SH-60, Comanche, Kiowa Warrior, and the AC-130 gunship. Surface applications include, M1 Main Battle Tank and subsequent improvements, M2/M3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle, Future Scout Cavalry System, Landing Assault Vehicle upgrades, AAAV, Future Scout Vehicle, TOW Missile System, and underwater mine reconnaissance sensors.
3.2.2.1 Goals and Timeframes. The broad goals (shown in Table VII-3) are to provide affordable sensors that enable U.S. forces to maintain a decisive warfighting edge in performing tactical target detection, identification, acquisition, engagement, mobility missions, and battle damage observation. These goals also are to provide superior warfighter capabilities in the detection, discrimination, and tracking of theater ballistic missiles. All goals are based on improving current performance, while paying particular attention to life-cycle ownership cost. Meeting these goals depends on advances in EO technology (3.7), microelectronics (3.8), electronics integration technology (3.10), and electronic materials (3.9) as well as understanding the battlespace environments (3.11, 3.13, and 3.14).
| Fiscal Year | Goal |
|---|---|
| FY97 | Achieve 7x clutter rejection for F-14D IRST. Demonstrate multifunction/multiband laser 2-20-watt multiple wavelength output. |
| FY98 | Assess target ID methods for airborne application-90% probability of ID @ 100 km. Demonstrate ultrawide (40 x 80 degrees) night pilotage system. |
| FY99 | Demonstrate air-air and air-ground target ID at extended ranges (20 nmi). |
| FY00 | Assess high-resolution concept demonstrator with 2,000 x 2,000 elements, 90-deg wide FOV, low-power IR imaging sensor. |
| FY01 | Demonstrate hyperspectral smart sensing. |
| FY02 | Complete testing of multispectral detection and ID for deep hide targets (Pd > 90%/Pfa < 0.01/km2). |
3.2.2.2 Major Technical Challenges. The major technical challenges are to improve the capability of EO sensors and to reduce their size, weight, and power requirements while maintaining affordability. Specific challenges include (1) active (laser-based) sensors—providing robust multifunctionality while maintaining compact size and low-power requirements compatible with existing weapon system platform constraints, and providing compact, efficient laser sources with substantial average powers at multiple wavelengths while accommodating eye-safe operation; (2) individual soldier systems—development of lightweight, affordable system integrated optics; and (3) through the multisensor systems—use of shared or distributed aperture systems in order to control size that will improve drag characteristics and reduce cost, implementation of alternate sensing modes (e.g., polarization) to extract more scene information and reduction of the dependence on spatial resolution, and signal processing to enable multifunction sensing and fusion of multiple sensors.
3.2.2.3 Related Federal and Private Sector Efforts. Advanced EO sensors are primarily developed for government applications. Data from space-based efforts are relevant to, and to be coordinated with, NASA and NOAA research efforts in global change, atmospheric remote sensing, astronomy/astrophysics, and orbital debris tracking, along with numerous private sector spacecraft programs. Surface and airborne tactical technology are coordinated with the Department of Transportation (night driving, ship navigation), FAA (aircraft runway navigation and pilotage), local and federal law enforcement agencies (surveillance, physical security), the medical community (diagnostics, human vision aids), and multiple humanitarian organizations (search and rescue, buried mine detection). Industrial applications of thermal imaging technology involving calibrated measurement of temperatures are also leveraged.
National investments are made to address warfighting needs and to maintain the U.S. force warfighting margin. Particular emphasis is paid to affordability, which is critical in an environment of lower weapon system quantities. Investment in multifunction sensors is also pursued where more than one battlefield capability can be provided through a single system, precluding the need for multiple systems. Key thrusts are in five areas.
Passive EO Sensors. Passive (nonemitting) long-range sensing with high sensitivity and resolution of tactical and strategic targets are being pursued. These are configured to operate either individually or as part of multisensor/multispectral systems. This thrust area supports JWSTP DTOs D.02, D.03, E.02, G.02, G.04, G.11, H.02, H.07, J.03, and J.04.
Active EO Sensors. Technologies are being developed to enable system capabilities for solid-state, eye-safe lasers for long-range precision track and target identification. Multifunction lasers to address multiple platform and operating functions (including ranging, designation, and micro-Doppler, visible, and IR countermeasures) are emphasized. This thrust area supports JWSTP DTOs C.01, C.02, C.04, E.02, and I.02.
Multifunction Sensor Suites. Development of multifunction sensor suites capitalizes on the synergism of individual sensors operating together (to include shared aperture) to allow greater range performance and reduction of target false alarms. This includes agile sensors, multimode FPAs, and multispectral sensors. In addition, this operating mode compensates for the shortcoming of individual sensors due to weather and battlefield obscurants. This thrust area supports JWSTP DTOs B.05, B.06, B.09, C.03, D.02, D.03, G.02, G.04, G.11, H.02, and H.07.
Signal Processing. Signal processing maximizes the performance potential of modern EO sensors through efficient high-speed processing of signals. This allows for alternative modes of operations, affording real-time panoramic battlespace awareness. This thrust area supports JWSTP DTOs D.02, D.03, and G.04.
Modeling and Simulation. Performance and simulation modeling of sensors, targets, and scenes will allow technology assessment, training, and doctrine development through virtual prototyping as a part of the hardware development process. This thrust area supports JWSTP DTOs A.06, A.07, B.02, C.03, E.02, F.01, and F.04.
There are three areas of technology focus.
EO Sensor Fusion and Targeting. This is directed at enhancing targeting capability in an expanded battlespace with improved precision for direct fire, indirect fire, precision-guided weapons, bomb damage assessment, and enhanced location and identification of a wider variety of targets. It capitalizes on the fusion of EO and allied sensors, incorporating advanced FPAs, automatic target recognition, multifunction lasers, radars, and C4I to sharply increase the target acquisition and target ID range, target location accuracy, multiple target tracking capability, and target servicing rates.
Target Signature Measurement, Modeling, and Management. This is directed at acquiring and predicting the EO signatures of adversarial and friendly ground and air targets in support of tactical analyses, developing and evaluating aided target recognizer algorithms, simulations employing virtual prototypes for warfighting tactical assessment, and training in a manner that reduces the overall need for field and flight data acquisition and testing. This will also demonstrate technologies that enable development of signature management and detection systems that deny acquisition of friendly force assets by threat sensors.
Integrated Sensor Modeling and Simulation. Efforts include advancing the state of the art in synergistic modeling and prototyping capabilities to permit end-to-end predictive modeling and hardware tradeoff for performance evaluation of new technologies in a virtual environment. Techniques will include high-resolution synthetic image generation and presentation on tactically relevant displays, distributed operational simulations interfaced with virtual prototyping and stereo lithographic facilities, interactive multimedia for readily accessible training, and digital signal interface format for evaluation of human observer performance with and without aided target recognition processors and algorithms.
3.2.3.1 Technology Demonstrations. EO sensors technology demonstrations will illustrate improved platform pilotage and threat protection.
Advanced Pilotage (DTO SE.07.02). This effort will demonstrate improved night and adverse-weather pilotage. Included will be all-aspect viewing via fixed-mounted sensors providing full-sphere coverage, large staring arrays, and multispectral image fusion. Image intensification and second-generation thermal imaging will be demonstrated to yield a 50% improvement in resolution. A 25% increase in FOV will be demonstrated along with a dual-spectrum system that uses a helmet-mounted display. Low-light-level charged coupled device (CCD) and advanced thermal imaging technology approaches (e.g., DTO SE.33.01, Advanced Focal Plane Array Technologies) will be fused and tested for operations in various light levels. Additional emphasis will be placed on color scene presentation with a helmet-mounted color display.
Advanced Infrared Search and Track Systems (DTO SE.08.01). This effort will develop IRST approaches for TMD, cruise missiles, and aircraft detection. Advanced thermal sensors and digital signal processing technology will be employed, with multiple service capitalization on common components and subsystems. Ground vehicle focus is on on-the-move air defense operations. Fixed-wing focus is on antiair warfare and TMD at ranges beyond 500 km.
3.2.3.2 Technical Developments. Key technical developments will result in capabilities for improved precision targeting, passive TMD, laser functions, and signal processing.
Multifunction Laser (DTO SE.09.02). This effort will develop laser sources and systems for multifunction applications. The approach is to utilize a single laser source embedded in a system to accomplish multiple functions (e.g., rangefinding, designation, identification), thus enhancing affordability and platform size capability. Multiwavelength output of 0.26-12 microns will be demonstrated allowing eye-safe operating modes for more robust training and for minimizing personnel injury. Horizontal technology integration approaches will be investigated across multiple system platforms.
Multifunction EO Sensors and Signal Processing (DTO SE.06.01). This effort will advance development in signal processing and multidimensional target detection, discrimination, and tracking for shipboard, ground vehicle, and airborne applications. This effort will develop IRST approaches for TMD, cruise missile and aircraft detection for ships, air defense from on-the-move ground platforms and fixed-wing antiair, and TMD. TMD ranges are beyond 500 km and cruise missile detection at 13 nmi. Advanced thermal sensors and digital signal processing technology will be employed, with multiple service capitalization on common components and subsystems.
3.2.3.3 Basic Research. Basic research capitalized on in this area includes physics, target acquisition (advanced IR focal plane research and image science); physics, radiation (blue-green lasers); electronics, solid-state and optical electronics (uncooled IR detectors, wide-gap semiconductors, nonlinear optical materials); and electronics, information electronics (IR target recognition and image analysis, sensor fusion, and digital signal processing).
