Airborne Missile Tracking and Characterization System (AMTaCS)

ABSTRACT:In this effort, we will develop the foundations for a Theater Ballistic Missile Defense framework based on sensors and weapons placed on forward based airborne platforms. In the contested battlespace of the future, there may be near-simultaneous missile launches and artillery fire all which may cue missile defense systems. Utilizing forward based airborne platforms will allow rapid detection and tracking of these threats with the potential to engage interceptors in the launch or boost phase. We propose an integrated solution which is based on the composition of an advanced inference framework and an advanced manifold learning based characterization algorithm. Our inference framework is capable of not only performing non-linear, non-Gaussian filtering, but also simultaneously performing tracking and discrimination through kinematic data. Our characterization algorithm operates on complex data in a sensor-agnostic fashion and can easily be extended to perform multi-sensor fusion even across wavelength regimes. Through extensive knowledge of missile defense and air platform systems we intend to deliver recommendations for future sensor capabilities and CONOPS in air-based defense of Theater Ballistic Missile threats.BENEFIT:Through the development of the system proposed here, we will demonstrate a method to track and classify missile launches from an airborne platform. In a contested battlespace of the future, U.S. forward operating bases and other assets, such as aircraft carriers, may be threatened by Theater Ballistic Missiles. Currently, there are not enough anti-missile systems to counter this Theater Ballistic Missile Threat. If these bases and other assets are threatened by missiles, the U.S. Air Force may not be able to obtain complete air-superiority over enemy space. The system developed here will lead to the development of an air-based missile defense layer where forward operating aircraft can detect, characterize, and engage ballistic missile threats. This will allow the forward projection of U.S. Military forces and protect warfighters, U.S. assets, and interests.