Kinematic Contact Tracking Using Hybrid Features -- 22-122

The Navy envisions future conflicts with a peer competitor involving multiple targets in the midst of large amounts of clutter and high ambient noise. ĀIn these situations, current operational trackers produce large numbers of false tracks, broken tracks, and incorrectly associated tracks, which can lead to false alerts and missed or delayed true alerts. ĀThe objective of this effort is to develop Feature-aided Tracking-Classification (FATC) algorithms and feature extraction methods to improve tracking and classification in such situations. ĀMetron and its subcontractors, L3Harris and Serco, propose to develop, test, and integrate a FATC capability for High-Duty Cycle (HDC) waveforms. ĀThe proposed capability will extend the concept designed in the Phase I effort to exploit novel features to improve tracking and classification. ĀThe Metron team is targeting initial transition to the AN/SQQ-89 Continuous Active Sonar (CAS) Combat System using the Advanced Capability Build (ACB) process. ĀBuilding upon the Phase I work, we can start to take advantage of the FATC framework and physics-based joint domain feature processing to improve active sonar automation. ĀIn Phase II we propose expanding the FATC and feature exploitation algorithms for application to at-sea field data. ĀAs a capability deployed for the AN/SQQ-89 Continuous Active Sonar (CAS) Combat System, it has the potential to significantly improve CAS automation.