Cognitive Approaches to Integrated Intelligence Production

ABSTRACT: The research proposed by the Etegent team will bring to bear our automated/assisted target recognition, data visualization and processing algorithm acceleration capability on the data-overload problem experienced in the ISR community within a rigorous, cognitive framework. We will utilize a new hyperspectral collection and exploitation program-of-record as a case study to research the cognitive challenges faced by analysts and how these tools may be deployed to help meet theses challenges. In this program spectral analysts must exploit data in an operationally relevant manner, both real time and by complete post processing in a matter of hours. This work will be conducted in the context of the additional challenge faced by analysts of having to remotely prioritize and queue data for retrieval from theater for exploitation, due to limited communication bandwidth. Though results from this research will be based on a specific program study they will be broadly relevant. BENEFIT: The proposed work will contribute significantly to developing cognitively efficient tools for analysts to exploit large data sets, potentially remotely with limited communication bandwidth, and under the requirement/opportunity to consider disparate information sources in doing so. In short, this research will help to address the"swimming in sensors, drowning in data"problem experienced throughout the DOD and civilian regimes.