SAR-to-LADAR Data Fusion for LADAR Precision Guided Munitions

New LADAR air-to-ground weapon seekers generate precision, three-dimensional data that support high-confidence target discrimination and matching for search and terminal guidance. Targets of interest include fixed buildings and bunkers as well as re-locatable and moving targets. At the same time, X-band and UHF SAR and moving target radar (GMTI) is now, and will continue to be, a primary modality for battlefield reconnaissance and situation awareness. SAR and LADAR are largely complementary technologies because SAR works well at long range and captures synoptic views for large area search, cueing, and detection. LADAR data improves as the range decreases and is well-suited to target matching in a seeker. In Phase I we developed a specific target transfer approach to SAR-LADAR fusion which demonstrated the feasibility of the concept. In Phase II, we propose to extend this investigation to other fusion options including evidence fusion and cueing. We plan a trade study to understand the performance tradeoffs of the different approaches and understand their benefits and limitations. Finally we plan to implement a demonstration system based on the most promising techniques and conduct an extensive analysis on simulated and actual SAR and LADAR imagery covering a broad range of operating conditions.