Enhanced Backscattering of Electromagnetic Radiation for Target Tracking

Surface Optics Corporation (SOC) teamed with the University of California, Irvine, proposes an exploratory study aimed at the development of an inexpensive portable optical tagging system with smart retro-reflective tag, encoding, and sensors needed fortracking and identification of U.S. military assets. The encoded tag can be either affixed to, or printed onto, military vehicles. Cost effective lasar radars will be used to provide covert and secure operation. The overall goal of this program is todevelop and demonstrate secure sensors for rapid and accurate tracking and identification of distant objects from aerial and ground locations, which could be used for improved identification of combatants and their weapons within a fusing battle scene.The Phase I program will demonstrate the feasibility of the new conceptual idea, predict and analyze the performance of the specialized optical tag, and define the proposed embedded encoding and sensor implementation approach. During Phase II, theeye-safe and smart laser tagging system will be designed, fabricated, tested, and delivered to the Army. This program will demonstrate the feasibility of tagging, tracking and identification of distant military assets with designer surfaces. This system can also be used to discriminate between friendly and enemy forces during armed combat.