SH-PMHT for RF/IR Data Correlation

In this Phase I SBIR project for MDA, Vectraxx of Glen Allen, Virginia will address the critical problem of correlating tracks from RF to IR sensors. This is an essential element to the sea-based component of the MDA"s Ballistic Missile Defense System. The objective of this R & D effort is to leverage frequency features of both RF and IR sensors in order to advance correlation, association, and lethal object selection against threats containing countermeasures, decoys, debris, and other objects of interest. Spectral frequency features that occur in a RF signature will then be observable in the IR signature. Our plan is to leverage this by using the Spectral-Histogram Probabilistic Multi-Hypothesis Tracker (SH-PMHT). The advantages which the SH-PMHT will provide include the advances in correlation, association, and lethal object selection, but also will be effective in identifying and correlating closely-spaced unresolved objects. These advances will provide earlier and more effective identification and tracking of lethal objects. In Phase I, Vectraxx will demonstrate the value of using SH-PMHT within the BMD Benchmark simulation. In Phase II, the goal will be to fully test the SH-PMHT implementation with simulated scenarios and recorded ground tests in order to advance the capability to TRL-6.