COMPUTER PROG TO REDUCE HUMAN ERROR WITH INFUSION SY

Not Available Infrared guided missiles generally use two distinct optical systems to intercept enemy targets - a guidance system and a fusing system. The guidance system usually consists of a moderate field of view (FOV), moderate resolution optical system. The fusing system usually covers a significantly larger FOV at coarser resolution. A hand-off' or cueing from guidance to fusing is required. In addition, while some research has been implemented toward utilizing domes with aerodynamic shapes, little implementation has taken place. OPTICS 1 proposes the use of a single zoom optical system for both guidance and fusing, eliminating the need for multiple optical systems and saving system cost and complexity. Such an optical system, if used with newly developed foveal vision focal plane arrays (FPAs) and on-chip signal processing, can likely perform all of the functions of the currently implemented systems. This technology, combined with aerodynamic dome shapes will allow operation over the existing flight envelopes of today's missiles with a single optical system. In this phase of the program, OPTICS 1 will leverage from work performed under previous programs including F08630-98-C-0022 (wide angle and zoom IR optics) and F08630-91-C-005 1 (aerodynamic dome shapes). In addition, O~CS 1 would propose investigating combination of this technology with smart FPA technology under development by NOVA Research and Amherst Technologies (see proposal titled Focal Geometric Array Design for Guidance Integrated Fusing submitted under topic number AF99-l80 by Mark Massie of NOVA Research).