Dynamic Sensor/Weapon Alignment Algortihms

"Currently deployed electro-magnetic surveillance and weaponsystem sensors lack an ability to compensate for sensor-to-sensorand sensor-to-weapon alignment errors induced through physicalphenomena of ship flexure, mechanical misalignment, navigationsensor latency, ship motion, and beam bending from refraction andducting effects on sensors operating at different wavelengths.The research provides a software method for computing sensor-to-sensor and sensor-to-weapon alignments based on correlationprocessing of multiple sensor tracks such as radar, IFF, and ESsensors. The algorithms apply to legacy sensors and weaponsystems that provide track outputs that can be correlated.Automatic dynamic sensor alignment is accomplished with asoftware solution that derives sensor alignment errors on a real-time basis with a software supplement to legacy systems andimplements software that calculates different biases and dynamicsthat cause sensor misalignments and provides automated alignmentcompensation. Using tightly coupled shipboard multi-sensor trackdata, the alignment compensation is computed in a time framecompatible with single look cueing of sensors and weapon systems.The research includes software development, integration andlaboratory and field testing with a legacy system.BENEFITS: Fleet improvements will result from this low cost COTS processor implementation with improved platform protection, extension of the missile defense battle timelin