SBIR-STTR Award

False alarms are the primary technical issue with nearly every passive target detection system ever developed, including missile warning systems. This problem prevents these systems from being used to their full potential. The three conventional classes of discrimination algorithms, spatial, spectral, and temporal, have been pressed nearly to their potential limits. DRA developed a more advanced background cancellation algorithm called P-Score Passive Moving Target Detection (PMTD), which is more robust in the presence of noise and less subject to numerical errors than previously tested background cancellation techniques. At the same time, DRA has been studying mixed mode active/passive sensor systems for reducing false alarms. This involves adding a low-cost, optically steerable laser device pointed to the angular bearing of a track and used to confirm target presence and measure its range. Until recently, this was not practical because such a laser device would require a fine tracker system and a very precise gimbal housing. The optimal solution to the false alarm problem combines advanced a background cancellation algorithm with an optional active element to confirm tracks are not false alarms.

Keywords:
Missile Warning, Passive Target Detection, Eo, Ir, Flir, Sense And Avoid

A major challenge in developing a MWS is maintaining a high probability of detection in high clutter environments with a minimum number of false alarms. Three main methods used to detect missiles are spectral filtering, spatial processing, and temporal discrimination. Each of these methods helps with missile declaration and false alarm reduction, but further false alarm rejection is needed. The spectral and spatial characteristics of the MWS are established by the sensor; so the most viable area for system improvement is the use of advanced tracking and declaration algorithms. DRA proposes to use innovative missile and background comparison techniques to help eliminate false alarms. During Phase I and related MWS programs, DRA defined tracker performance metrics, improved missile and background motion comparison techniques, and added missile and background detection feature comparison techniques into the declaration logic. During Phase II, DRA will refine the list of performance metrics to include system performance metrics, optimize the algorithms previously implemented, develop and implement additional algorithms specific to the detection algorithms of the Correlated Dual Waveband sensor, and demonstrate the improved false alarm rejection with the upgraded MWS software.

Keywords:
Visible Missile Warning System, False Alarm Reduction,Missile Warning