Hostile Fire Indicator for Remotely Piloted Aircraft

ABSTRACT: Solid State Scientific Corporation (SSSC) is pleased to propose the design of a multi-threat hostile fire indication (HFI) system for remotely-piloted aircraft (RPA). The HFI system consist of a wide field of view sensor head that employs small multi-spectral imagers in the short-wave infrared (SWIR), with the spectral bands selected specifically for detection of small arms fire (SAF), mortars, rocket-propelled grenades (RPG"s) and man-portable missiles (MANPADS). The system will feature innovative extensions of recently-developed HFI capabilities and incorporate new focal plane array technologies to extend the spectral band pass in the SWIR for the RPA application. The spectral imaging system will capitalize on existing algorithm strategies for SAF as well as exploiting spectral-temporal data already obtained by SSSC in order to model and design the system to classify energetic events based on their spectral, temporal, and spatial profiles. The entire system will be uncooled and occupy a small size, weight, and power envelope without a refrigerator. The development of this sensor represents a unique opportunity in the development of advanced aircraft survivability equipment. BENEFIT: The new sensor combines staring imaging technology, miniature spectral imaging technology, recent developments in digital signal processing and focal plane array technology, and commercially available products to produce an innovative multispectral imaging system. The ability of the new sensor to rapidly acquire temporally and spatially co-registered spectral data in the extended SWIR will provide an unprecedented opportunity to investigate algorithms for real-time event detection and classification based on spatial, spectral, and temporal signatures. In addition, the small physical size of the sensor will demonstrate the possibility of portable spectral imaging as well as the ability to integrate onto helicopter, UAV and other airborne platforms. Finally, the sensor will demonstrate the ability to replace multiple stand-alone systems with a single, integrated sensor, saving size, weight, power, inefficiency, and cost. Specific applications for the proposed sensor include specific reconnaissance and cueing for RPA applications as well as self-protection for pilots and crew of rotorcraft from a broad spectrum of threats including guided missiles, unguided rockets, anti-aircraft artillery, and small arms fire. By combining sensor data with onboard navigation data, the sensor can provide real-time situational awareness, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance for other air and ground crew in the vicinity. Other potential applications of the spectral imaging technology for defense purposes include real-time bomb damage assessment, airborne and distant target tracking, and remote chemical analysis of engine exhaust. In addition, we anticipate possible applications in law enforcement, homeland defense, industrial process monitoring, medical diagnostics, and medical imaging.