Rotator Detection & Exploitation Algorithms Development as an Extension of the Maritime Classification Aids (MCA) Toolkit

MCA is an innovative combination of maritime feature extraction algorithms, target database, and user interface that aid operators in rapidly and effectively classify maritime targets. To date MCA has exploited scattering features that are the result of scattering off static (non-rotating) ship structure returns as well as wake returns in Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar (ISAR) and High Range Resolution (HRR) imagery. This work extends MCA to exploit rotating features such as radars on the maritime targets of interest to provide another set of features that improve the performance of the MCA toolkit. In phase 1, an initial demonstration was performed of our algorithm against maritime ISAR images showing the ability to detect and extract rotating physical scattering properties. Extending and integrating this into MCA will enhance classification the performance and robustness of MCA.