Cognitive Multi-Sensor Improvised Explosive Device (IED) Detection Technologies (COMIDT)

ABSTRACT:The proposed Phase II effort will develop an end-to-end prototype Broad Area Maritime IED Detection (BAMID) system to enhance situational awareness and countermeasures against maritime IEDs. To provide an initial counter-maritime IED capability, the prototype BAMID system will leverage TSCs previous designs on the AFRL Sea Dragon program relative to modular SAR-EO/IR sensor suites and the AFRL RRMMS program for affordable, persistent ISR platforms. Data fusion core development will leverage an existing software product (AquaQuIPS) developed under SPAWAR funding. The proposed BAMID system will provide the following capabilities: 1. Provide low-cost, persistent aerial surveillance of maritime choke points which are targets for maritime IEDs 2. Operate for up to 24 hours continuously in a maritime environment 3. Provide detection and geo-location of maritime IEDs 4. Receive and respond to satellite-based cues from an off-site data fusion core 5. Provide dark contact reporting to the data fusion core and display a simple, complete maritime domain awareness picture to the operator. BENEFIT:There is significant commercialization potential for BAMID as globally maritime IEDs pose a threat to commercial shipping vessels, especially in maritime choke points. The Phase II BAMID end product will be of interest to US Government agencies and US coalition partners with responsibility for the protection of free trade along shipping lanes and harbor approaches.