Combat Identification for Difficult Targets

Toyon Research Corporation proposes to develop algorithms that will enable Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) pilots to locate and identify ground targets that are difficult to detect due to foliage, camouflage, or partial concealment. Our approach is to fuse information from standoff or other Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) assets with information collected by the JSF sensors. Our approach makes use of new developments with Bayesian Networks that Toyon has recently applied to target tracking. We also employ feature-aided tracking algorithms so that measurements created by the ISR assets can be correctly associated with JSF sensor measurements. We propose to develop an algorithm in Phase I that proves the feasibility of our approach using a scenario that is of interest to the Air Force. We will interface the fusion algorithm developed on this effort with dynamic sensor tasking algorithms that we are currently developing in support of the Navy, the JSF Program Office, and Lockheed-Martin. We will finish Phase I with a demonstration of the interfaced algorithms and a plan for how we will further develop the algorithms in Phase II and III efforts.