Exploitation-Enabled Small UAVs for Enhanced Surveillance

SET Corporation proposes to rapidly integrate, test and evaluate a system that uses camera-equipped small UAVs to assist soldiers in performing persistent site surveillance tasks and also in detecting and tracking moving vehicles and persons. SET will develop an operator laptop station that processes real-time video using SET’s integrated video exploitation tools for video stabilization, moving target indication, and target tracking. The operator graphical user interface allows soldiers to command and control UAVs and sensor systems for quality data collection. Video feedback and real-time analytical capabilities give the soldier an unprecedented capability to see and understand the battlefield in real-time. SET’s partner , Applied Research Associates, offers extensive flight test and evaluation experience, as well as their Nighthawk UAV system. Working in intense collaboration with AFRL sponsors, we will test, evaluate and demonstrate the system using ARA’s Nighthawk UAV at Eglin Air Force Base. The integration design approach will be for easy portability to other UAVs. SET’s video expertise is partially derived from technology development and participation in DARPA’s VIVID (Video Verification of Identity), IBC (Integrated Battle Command), and CounterBomber programs and AFRL’s AngelFire, PGMTI (Passive Ground Moving Target Indicator), MAV stabilization and Real-Time Aerial Video Exploitation Station (RAVES).