SBIR-STTR Award

dvanced Coherent Technologies, LLC (ACT) proposes to leverage recent ONR projects investigating surf zone dynamics and current programs developing low cost EO/IR imaging systems to show the utility of using an airborne EO/MSI/IR sensor to characterize the near shore and surf zone environments. ACT will utilize recently collected coastal EO/MSI/IR data as well as new data collected by ACTs new turreted MANTIS 4T sensor (EO/MSI/IR) to demonstrate this utility. The MANTIS 4T sensor is a relatively low cost system composed of zoom video, long wave infrared and 3 band (selectable) multispectral systems integrated into a five inch turret compatible with tier 2 UAVs (STUAS). Characterization algorithms will be advanced and new algorithms will be developed. Initial consideration will focus on the surf zone index developed initially during the ONR ROAR program. The algorithm will be extended to use fused EO/MSI/IR data rather than just MSI as originally published.

Benefit:
As a result of this effort we will have determined the feasibility of littoral zone characterization algorithms and identified a plan for development of these algorithms. In addition, we will have documented and designed an approach to remotely collect necessary EO/MSI/IR imagery from a small, unmanned platform to adequately characterize the littoral zone. These efforts will result in remote characterization of the littoral zone which is necessary for adequate mission planning and to aid in the deployment of appropriate assets for littoral zone ISR activities. As the algorithms and data collection methodologies mature, they will directly support the development of future ISR hardware and deployment strategies and be able to transition to programs of record such as EPAS and COBRA as needed. In addition, the MANTIS 4T sensor system will grow in maturity and robustness making it a candidate for an advanced EO/MSI/IR system on Tier II UAV platforms such as STUAS.

Keywords:
Optics, Optics, STUAS, MANTIS, Multispectral, surf zone, long wave infrared

Command of the littoral environment is advantageous for the warfighter. Remote characterization of the littoral region is an asset to mission planners. Characterization includes providing bathymetry, currents, and probability of deployed mines or obstacles deterring beach landings of US Navy personnel or amphibious vehicles. Measurements of properties of the surf zone are difficult due to the variations in the environment, the difficulty of deploying systems, and the accuracy to which the systems can measure. Advanced Coherent Technologies (ACT) has shown that remotely collected multispectral imagery of the surf zone shows promise in developing a quantitative description of the surf zone. The ACT EYE5 sensor has been used to collect surf zone imagery from an airborne platform and has been configured to deploy on Tier II and smaller unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The objective of this project is to extend the utility of small turreted electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) sensors into very shallow water (VSW) and surf zone (SZ) missions. This will be accomplished by tailoring the ACT EYE5 system for surf zone reconnaissance through modification of the camera systems in the turret and the real-time algorithms producing the data products needed for timely decision-making by those operating in the surf zone environment.

Benefit:
Benefits expected from this program are twofold. First, this sensor package is being directly driven by Navy user input and thus should produce both future requirements and data products that have immediate utility. Second, this program is part of a larger NAVAIR effort to extend the expected capabilities of small EO/IR turrets from simply providing battlefield or situational awareness to proving both awareness and specific information (such as target positions, minefields, etc.) that the warfighter can immediately exploit to his advantage. This effort is being done at a cost that allows universities to participate in data exploitation methodologies and allows local communities (law enforcement) to take advantage of the results.

Keywords:
remote sensing, Airborne, Multispectral, surf zone index, Infrared, electro-optical, EOD, surf zone