Optimal Joint Search and Sensor Management

Joint Search and Sensor management of dispersed and disparate EO/IR sensors presents a daunting theoretical and practical challenge. Scientific Systems Company, Inc. of Woburn MA and its subcontractor, Lockheed Martin MS2 Tactical Systems (LMTS) of Eagan MN, propose a foundational, control-theoretic approach that is based on four innovations: (1) a multisensor-multitarget likelihood function which encapsulates all relevant information regarding the characteristics of the various sensors; (2) a "dynamic situational significance map" that mathematically specifies the meaning of "tactical significance" for a given theater at a given moment; (3) an intuitively meaningful and potentially computationally tractable objective function, namely the expected number of targets of tactical significance; and (4) integration of these concepts with approximate multitarget filters. Phase I showed the feasibility assessment by simulating satellite trajectories, and demonstrated: (1) a tractable search and sensor management (SM) objective function for the Space-Based Visible (SBV) sensor, (2) objective functions can be expressed in terms of the azimuth-elevation angles of the satellites streaks, and (3) excellent search and SM performance for the reduced complexity scenarios considered. The primary focus of the Phase II will be to design and develop advanced approaches for search and sensor management capable of real time managing of multiple sensors on board constellations of LEO satellites with the ability of providing a 4 Pi, 24 hours a day maximum coverage of GEO space objects. Specific Phase II tasks are: (1) further enhancements of the joint search & SM algorithms; (2) new extensions to multi-sensor on a single LEO satellite; (3) new extensions to constellations of multi-sensor LEO satellites; (4) incorporating specifics of other sensors (other than SBV); (5) fusion with other ground-based sensors and/or sources; (6) incorporating physical constraints, power limits, and inter-satellite communications; (7) characterizing the effectiveness, strengths, and limitations of the algorithms; and (8) identifying programs for Phase III transitioning, technology transfer, and commercialization. The project team includes Dr. Ronald Mahler of Lockheed Martin. Lockheed Martin will provide both technical and commercialization support in the application of sensor management technologies.