Electro-Optical (EO) Signal Processing for Detection and Classification of Cruise Missiles

This program evaluates the feasibility of a spaced-based infrared sensor for detecting, tracking, and spectrally classifying cruise missiles that fly over a structured earth background. Recent advances in image processing technology, by SAGE and subcontractors Boeing and DRS, have shown improved suppression of (time varying) structured earth backgrounds, and a capability for multispectral characterization of detected targets. SAGE, and its team members Boeing and DRS, plan to review available SSGM and Air Force optical sensor databases (from previous airborne and space-based missions) and perform trade studies to define the most appropriate spectral bands for a space-based cruise missile detection sensor. Novel image processing algorithms that exploit spatial, temporal (hyper-spatial) and spectral features of the targets and background will be used to detect flying objects and classify them on the basis of spectral surface features and exhaust constituents. The planned space-based IR sensor design uses a fast-sampled large-mosaic infrared detector array in contact with a linear gradient spectral filter, both cryogenically cooled to minimize noise. Clutter suppression and target discrimination performance will be evaluated versus the number of spectral bands in the IR sensor (single color, 2-color, 3-color, or multi-color with up to 20 color bands).