A Spectral-Temporal Sensor for Rocket Motor ID

We propose to design a unique sensor that will be capable of providing detection and real-time classification of rocket-propelled and explosive projectile threats from airborne platforms. The approach will take advantage of the simultaneous temporal andspectral signature data already acquired using an existing chromotomographic hyperspectral imaging sensor to identify and exploit relevant spectral-temporal discriminants for real-time rocket motor identification. The new sensor will be designed tounambiguously acquire the spectral-temporal signature of rocket motors for use as the input to current classification algorithms, and be configured for optimal spectral resolution around the phenomenologically important spectral regions identified duringthe analysis of existing data. The sensor will also be able to passively locate and track the projectile threat throughout its flight from launch inception. It will have no moving parts and a small physical form factor. The design and development ofthis sensor represents a unique opportunity in spectral-temporal sensing.This effort will benefit the development of compact sensors for exploiting time-evolving spectral signatures of point-like events. This spectral imager will be able to sample the data at rates in excess of 200 spectral signatures per second for un-cuedevents within a wide field of view. The proposed sensor will be capable of extracting the spectral-temporal signatures for a wide range of dynamic events due to the simple opto-mechanical design and optimization in phenomenologically rich spectral bands. In addition to tactical defenseagainst explosive projectile threats to aircraft, this technology will lead to advancements in strategic missile threat warning, directed energy detection and warning, bomb damage assessment, and automatic location and identification of artillery andsmall-arms fire. The ability of the new sensor concept to rapidly acquire spectral signatures should provide an unprecedented opportunity to further investigate algorithms for dynamic event classification based on spectral-temporal signatures. Inaddition, the small physical size of the sensor will demonstrate the possibility of placing an advanced spectral-temporal sensing capability in unconventional vehicles and locations, thus providing tactical missile tail warning for both military andcommercial aircraft. It is further anticipated that the new sensor will find utility in bomb damage assessment and situational awareness of battlespace dynamic events.