Visual Targeting System

Foster-Miller contends that with the recent developments in the state of the art in man-machine interfaces, that weapon system developers should start to develop systems that augment the soldier's natural abilities. Research indicates that there is no mechanical tracker now or expected in the far reaching future which can surpass the human eye in acquisition, recognition and tracking. Efforts should be aimed at taking maximum advantage of this capability. Foster-Miller proposes a research and development effort which has the principal objectives of: Fielding an advanced target acquistion and weapon control system which uses the gunner's tracked line of gaze as the man-machine interface and target acquisition method building upon the user's inherent skills. Futher devloping the Visual Trackball System which in recent Navy development programs and testing has proven to be faster and more accurate than conventional systems based on hand and eye coordination skills. Designing the VTS with the intention of integrating advanced options as the state of the art in weapons, battlefield management, and IFF techniques continue to advance. The Foster-Miller Visual Targeting System (VTS) uses a gimbal mounted camera, infrared light source and computer algorithm to determine where on a standard monitor that the gunner is looking and then forms a reticle at that point. The VTS requires that nothing be mounted on the gunner's head and will be feasible for the control of individual, crew served or vehicle mounted line-of-sight weapon systems, as well as indirect fire weapons. The VTS will provide for rapid, on the move target acquistion limited only by the range of the sensor suite used. Development of this type weapon control system was started under a NSWC program for the AEGIS workstation. Tests conducted under this program indicate that this type system, even when not optimized for this task can decrease the reticle positioning time in excess of 50 percent on moving targets.