Variable Remapping of Airborne Imagery

Recent enabling technologies are allowing Navy F18 strike aircraft and UAVs to work together fist-in-glove for close-quarters urban combat. Our proposal for TV2 (Targeting Video from VIVID) ties together these assets ever more effectively. TV2 remaps UAV target imagery into targeting imagery as will be seen from the F18’s targeting pod. This speeds F18 visual cueing and target confirmation. Aerodyne’s innovative approach side-steps need for online signature code computations, enabling TV2 real-time execution on COTS hardware, yet producing high-fidelity imagery. Two key modules comprise TV2. (1) View extrapolation, involving inference of target geometry, represents view-dependent illumination and shadowing effects not possible from image-warping or conventional IBR. (2) Atmospheric correction employs pre-computed physics, correcting color balance and saturation loss without needing non-portable hardware acceleration. Our Phase 1 effort will confirm the TV2 and transit case processor (TCP) ConOps with NAVAIR. Employing focused algorithm prototyping and testing, we will determine the best candidate view extrapolation algorithm and validate our pre-computed atmospheric correction scheme, all using efficient tools and methodologies in-hand. In Phase 2 we will fully implement and integrate TV2 with the VIVID algorithms on the TCP. The delivered TCP will be ready for Phase 3 T&E demonstration and subsequent operational transition.