Counter UAS Detection and Discrimination (CU D&D)

Countering Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) is an ever-increasing challenge due to the variety of threat UAS airframes, materials, propulsion types, and control systems. Further, the control systems in particular are continually evolving which complicates detection, identification, and tracking. A robust and reliable means of completing these steps in the kill chain is required. Even significant technology advancements will not substantially change the optical signature of the airframe. Polaris Sensor Technologies thus proposes to enhance the optical signatures over that of standard sensors with polarization sensitive cameras operating in the visible and the infrared as a multi-modal, multi-spectral sensor suite and to implement algorithms that take advantage of the multi-modal sensing for optimal contrast and detection, identification, and tracking performance. The Counter UAS Detection and Discrimation (CU D&D) system is a passive approach with the added sensing mode of polarization that will provide good performance for day and night and for ranges relevant for C-UAS and is future-proof for many technological advances. Polaris will also work vigorously to meet the intent of this Special Topic by engaging the government early to identity relevant programs, customers, and transition paths for the proposed technology.