Accurate Angle of Incidence (AOI) Measurement Capability

ABSTRACT: For certain weapons systems, lethality is directly correlated to the orientation of the weapon with respect to the target at impact, also known as the angle of incidence (AOI). Accurately measuring AOI is of the utmost importance in developing and advancing state-of-the-art precision weapon systems. Currently, there is no commercially available sensor system for measuring AOI to the precision necessary to fully support analysis and development of these weapons systems. A successful AOI measurement sensor system must produce extremely accurate position and orientation estimates for the weapon and target in 3D. Strike warfare presents the added complexity of targeting precise geographic locations requiring a 3D topographic modeling process to enable AOI measurement capability. Recently advances in imaging sensor technology and image processing algorithms have made robust and highly accurate 3D scene reconstruction possible by utilizing small UAV platforms. Toyon Research Corporation proposes leveraging UAV imaging technology, combined with stationary ground tracking sensors, to produce a highly accurate and robust AOI measurement sensor system capable of providing AOI for a multitude weapon/target pairings. Toyon will investigate existing UAV and ground based sensor technologies to develop a sensor system capable of achieving necessary accuracy requirements. BENEFIT: The successful completion of this research will result in the development of a sensor concept that provides accurate 3D tracking and modeling capabilities for accurately measuring AOI. This sensor concept will prove invaluable for developing, testing, and analyzing current and future military weapons systems. Successful development of a sensor system would also provide higher fidelity tracking for non-weapons related testing where highly accurate 3D tracking is necessary.