Real-Time Specification of Battlespace Environment

A system is proposed for real-time specification of the Battlespace Environment and integrated sensor management designed to optimize the joint operational capabilities of radio-frequency (RF), electro-optical (EO) and infrared (IR) sensors in the detection, tracking, surveillance, characterization of space objects. Techniques to assimilate real-time data will be developed, and these data will be used to generate nowcasts of current conditions that reduce sensor capabilities. Techniques will also be developed to forecast sensor impairment conditions at future times. Atmospheric features will be properly located in the global/geophysical environment, accounting for the dependence of real world phenomena on time, latitude, and season, in order to ensure real world fidelity. The approach outlined in this phase I proposal will demonstrate the feasibility of the integrated sensor management concept and the ability to assess and predict the effects of a wide range of environmental phenomena on the efficacy of sensors, operating both individually and in concert. While our Phase I effort will focus on a limited number of proof-of-concept demonstrations, the design concepts can be extended to encompass a large variety of sensors and phenomena to achieve the goal of automated optimal sensor management.