Sensor Exploitation Management System

Detection, tracking and identification of targets, and subsequent prosecution is very challenging in dynamic environments. Traditional methodologies rely on an operator to analyze all the available information to identify what is actionable, and subsequently modify asset tasking. The operator workload associated with the use of traditional methodologies can rapidly become overwhelming when the sensor contact density increases to levels that are considered modest in comparison to typical littoral environments. Consequently, it is highly desirable to automate the decision processes to the greatest extent possible using the available information from all on-board and off-board platform resources (sensors, DTED, intelligence, etc.). The results of the automated decision processes can range in utility depending on platform capabilities and mission objectives, and in a general sense comprise a tactical decision aid (TDA) with a tiered level of operator involvement. The scope of the automated decision processes that reside within the TDA can range from adjudicating relatively simple target threat profiles to conducting contact behavior analysis for anomaly detection or attention focus filtering via some level of hypothesis testing. All these types of capabilities can be considered attributes of a TDA that ultimately serves the end purpose of maximizing mission success. The combination of a TDA and a dynamic sensor resource manager (RM) can be considered to constitute a sensor exploitation management system (SEMS). The hierarchical organization of autonomous and semi-autonomous control is fundamental to LSI's ongoing efforts to develop a RM for airborne radar applications with the overarching objective of a RM eventually becoming kernelled within a TDA is a component of the bigger picture that guides proposed effort. The attributes of LSI's RM algorithms are guided by overarching OPSIT/TACSIT considerations that in turn motivate the satisfaction of a TDA objective (or a mission objective). Upon specific criteria being satisfied, a TDA/RM or SEMS would automatically adopt the next course of action while minimizing operator workload.