SBIR-STTR Award

Ascendant Engineering Solutions (AES) proposes to highly leverage their development of the NIIRS 9 Gimbal and previous experience developing their proven MSGLPS 5� technology gimbal (and other stabilized gimbals) for FIDAS. Based on their modeling and empirical verification for the NIIRS 9 work, AES will develop an improved imaging system capable of Facial Identification (FID) by a human observer. This longer EFL system will be packaged longitudinally in the CLT-UAV and will utilize a stabilized headmirror in combination with a stabilized roll axis to provide the required FOR and FOV. A separate wide FOV camera will be employed for situational awareness and target detection. Phase I modeling will optimize the configuration, especially the FID lens to achieve FID capability at long slant ranges while balancing the tight Size Weight, Power, and Cost (SWaP-C).

Ascendant Engineering Solutions (AES) proposes to complete the design and demonstration of the Facial IDentification Aerial System (FIDAS). This FIDAS gimbal is compatible with a 6” Common Launch Tube (CLT) and is capable of providing imagery suitable for facial identification (FID) at a standoff range of 1500ft. The unique architecture of the design offers enhanced image stabilization over present CLT gimbals and associated payloads. AES will leverage present development with high resolution Electro-Optic (EO) gimbals from the Common Launch Tube Gimbal – Long Range program to produce a gimbal and payload with imaging performance beyond NIIRS 9 capability. Phase 2 will implement the design architecture determined in Phase 1 and will demonstrate performance through initial testing.