Advanced Fire Control/Fusion Methods

Technological advances in detector arrays, electronically scanned antennas, datalinks, and advanced processing hardware, are forcing sensor system designers, aircraft developers, and Air Force tacticians to rethink traditional sensor functionality and intraflight tactics. Classical mission roles are changing. Where before, surveillance aircraft vectored autonomous interceptors, each relying on its own fire control radar to perfom search, acquisition, track, and weapon guidance functions, now reconnaissance platforms, fighters and attack aircraft operate on a network that gives them the capability to execute stealthier, more cooperative roles. Smart intraflight resource management allows the flight to cooperatively allocate sensor coverages, prioritize targets, mask equipment failures, assess the situation, and then adapt as the engagement evolves. Multisensor fusion and data internets do promise the benefits of quicker acquisition, more accurate tracks, improved weapon delivery, better system integrity, sensor management, and passive fire control. The challenge is to realize them in real time. Integrated Sensors, Incorporated (ISI) proposes optional Phase I plans that develop specific submodes of the internetted fighter mission. For any of the multisensor internetting prorams proposed, ISI will define multisensor system and operational requirements, specific algorithms and software requirements, demonstrate sections of the submode on our real time, multisensor processing testbed to help estimate processing thoughput requirements, and then provide results, analysis, and performance predictions. Each plan is formulated to allow for a seamless transition into Phase II where ISI will deliver fully functional multisensor software and real time demonstration hardware.