Enhancement of Littoral Zone Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) through Multi-Spectral and Infrared (IR) Image Processing

Techniques to retrieve militarily relevant parameters of the nearshore region using panchromatic or single-channel electro-optical (EO) data have been demonstrated. However, airborne sensors are being developed and fielded that collect multi-spectral data and the present-day methods do not take advantage of the added information contained in the multi-channel data. In addition, EO systems are restricted to daylight operations; a limitation overcome by infrared (IR) systems. Therefore, under this Phase I effort, existing data of the littoral zone from multi-spectral and IR imagers will be used to study the improvements for bathymetry and current retrievals using multi-spectral and IR processing compared to results obtained using panchromatic, EO imagery. In addition, a state-of-the art ocean-imaging model will be exercised to determine the expected SNR from observing the ocean surface with a multi-spectral imaging system. The overall objective of this SBIR program is to develop algorithms that utilize multi-spectral and / or IR imagery for enhanced ISR products in the littoral zone.