Passive Techniques for Flight Reconstruction Data

In our Phase I effort, we propose to develop a technique for passively enhancing target scene object orientation detection for support of post-flight reconstruction. This passive solution will enable dynamic rate reconstruction for pitch, yaw, and roll at rates that range from sub-Hz to 100s of Hz. The solution that we propose provides a way to get accurate truth data on the orientation and rotation of each target object without having to provide on-board electronic instrumentation and telemetry. We propose to use a small set of narrowband reflectors tuned to different wavelengths for each object. We propose to place these reflectors in longitudinal and latitudinal patterns on each target object. These reflectors will be small enough such that they do not affect the object"s radar, optical nor IR signature, but could be illuminated from an airborne platform. A platform, such as HALO, will illuminate the reflectors using a narrowband, tuned wavelength laser that can serially project light at the different reflector wavelengths. The platform will record the visible/IR reflections for later post mission analysis to yield the rotational truth data. This system has the benefit of operating both in day and night time, provide the rotational information, and also discriminate between the different objects since they will have different wavelength reflectors on each object.