Accurate Simulations of Clouds and Optical Turbulence

Target detection and tracking by missile defense sensor systems on an airborne platform is affected by clouds and atmospheric turbulence. Clouds interfere with detection and tracking for viewing scenarios when clouds are in the foreground of the target. Turbulence phenomena can interfere with tracking throughout ascent. In addition to turbulence induced image dancing and blurring effects, turbulence induces fluctuations in propagated target radiance intensity and in the background and foreground atmospheric radiance. Spectral Sciences, Inc. (SSI) proposes in this Phase I SBIR to develop first principles, software modules for the accurate determination of backgrounds containing broken clouds and turbulence and for propagation images through turbulence. The cloud model will utilize a fast cloud and terrain module that is based on data bases derived by Monte Carlo techniques. The turbulence modules will build upon SAMM modules and utilize a 3-D model of turbulence fluctuations. A design of the Phase II architecture and integration will be performed. The modules will be designed to be integrated into MDA target simulations or scene generation applications to provide an accurate, efficient description of the battlespace.