Individual SOF Operator Combined Sensor System

PVPAEO proposes to build on the successful development of a head worn sensor package providing and displaying simultaneous images from LWIR and NIR sensors using a single aperture. The enhanced system will incorporate a higher resolution LWIR sensor andan image intensified camera. Pixel level sensor fusion demonstrated in a laboratory environment as part of the phase I effort will be incorporated as part of the integrated system.As part of the development effort PVPAEO will integrate range finding, target location and target image/data transmission capabilities into the system. The system form factor and human factors considerations will also be further refined.During the first portion of the program the PVPAEO team will rapidly develop a brass board system to demonstrate the new sensors, real time fusion capability and target data acquisition and transmission functions. After the demonstration of this system,three hardened systems will be prepared to support an extensive field evaluation. These systems will be based on the final design form factor and include a lightweight, low power fusion processor. The results of the field evaluation will beincorporated in the final production design data package. The proposed system will provide SOF operators with the ability to examine, locate and engage targets during darkness and limited visibility conditions. The system will also allow the operator to share target imagery and data with other team members.The system will provide real time fusion of the image data to provide optimum image characteristics in all conditions. The combination of these advanced features will provide the SOF operator with a significant operational advantage over current singlesensor systems