Passive Ground Moving Target Indication for Gunship Aircraft Using Unmanned Airborne Vehicles (UAV-PGMTI)

The AC-130 Gunship is extremely vulnerable to MANPAD attacks/other enemy ground fire when operationally employed. A solution is needed to reduce aircraft/aircrew risk while maintaining operational effectiveness. Through AFRL/SN initiatives, DRA has developed/demonstrated a Passive Ground Moving Target Indication (PGMTI) concept that detects/tracks ground moving targets with low false declaration rates. Phase II PGMTI will extend the Phase I effort by incorporating a video data remote processing capability onboard a surrogate UAV. Utilizing existing sensors onboard UAVs (like Predator), Phase II will add processors which detect/track/display ground moving targets to an appropriate operator. Technical advantages are: • Real-time Information, not raw data, is forwarded for human interpretation • Every pixel of data in view of the sensor is scrutinized by the PGMTI system, not just what an observer could see on a monitor • Minimal transmission bandwidth is required for PGMTI as raw data is processed onboard the UAV. Only moving targets are down-linked to an operator Operational advantages are: • Shorter engagement times/reduced exposure to hostile fire for AC-130 Gunships as the UAV detects/tracks moving targets/enemy fire, then passes this data to the Gunship for immediate targeting • PGMTI capabilities on UAVs can greatly assist with all operational missions