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Increased Target Selectivity Harpoon Seeker
Navy SBIR 2010.2 - Topic N102-131 NAVAIR - Mrs. Janet McGovern - [email protected] Opens: May 19, 2010 - Closes: June 23, 2010 N102-131 TITLE: Increased Target Selectivity Harpoon Seeker TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Sensors, Weapons ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMA-201, Precision Strike Weapons, ACAT II RESTRICTION ON PERFORMANCE BY FOREIGN CITIZENS (i.e., those holding non-U.S. Passports): This topic is "ITAR Restricted." The information and materials provided pursuant to or resulting from this topic are restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120 - 130, which control the export of defense-related material and services, including the export of sensitive technical data. Foreign Citizens may perform work under an award resulting from this topic only if they hold the "Permanent Resident Card", or are designated as "Protected Individuals" as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). If a proposal for this topic contains participation by a foreign citizen who is not in one of the above two categories, the proposal will be rejected. OBJECTIVE: Develop a low-cost approach that will significantly improve a sequential search radar seekers probability of acquiring the intended target in a target-rich environment. DESCRIPTION: The current Harpoon weapon uses a radar seeker that sequentially searches an Area of Uncertainty (AOU). This method starts by searching for targets within an assigned search area (in both azimuth and elevation) and when it gets a return it determines if the return is clutter or a target. If the return is determined to be a target, the seeker will start tracking the return/target. The current Harpoon guidance control unit (GCU) has sufficient processing power to implement a basic target mapping capability, but does not have sufficient data and control using the current seeker interface. Implementation of the appropriate algorithms in the GCU with only minor modifications to the seeker and/or its interface as well as improved target selectivity is desired. Several engineering studies have been performed over the last 25 years along with hardware demonstrations showing the benefits of using track-while-scan (TWS) algorithms to improve target selection accuracy in a target-rich environment. These demonstrations have assumed that these algorithms would be performed within the seeker where the target detection information is most readily accessible. While most would agree with this logic, its implementation would require a major modification to a large portion of the Harpoon seeker inventory. The cost of such a major seeker upgrade has proven to be cost-prohibitive. While the newer service life extension program (SLEP) seeker was designed with this requirement in mind, it represents only a small portion of the overall seeker population. An alternative that could increase target selection capability without major modifications to the radar seeker is desired. The above studies showed there is a benefit of using a TWS seeker in a target-rich environment to improve target selectivity, not how to implement them outside the radar seeker. This SBIR effort will address the implementation of the necessary algorithms outside the radar seeker. The overall conclusion from these studies, that TWS seekers provide increased target selectivity, should be used as an assumption for this SBIR. Given this assumption, this effort will develop new TWS algorithms that run outside the radar seeker with less data available while maintaining current system performance. This approach is required in order to provide a cost effective way to increase the Harpoon weapon systems target selectivity. This effort will determine the impact of going from a sequential search radar seeker to a TWS radar seeker that would increase target selectivity. The sequential radar seeker, described above, relies on certain features to meet performance requirements (e.g. probability of false alarm, search times, and dwell times). Representative unclassified performance figures will be provided to support Phase I of this SBIR. The TWS system would start searching for targets and when it gets a return, it would determine if it is a target or clutter. If it is determined to be a target, a track file would be generated and the seeker would continue searching for other targets. PHASE I: Determine and demonstrate the feasibility of developing a low-cost approach to increasing the target selection capability of a sequential search seeker in a target-rich environment. PHASE II: Develop a prototype and demonstrate the improved target selection capability of the technology on actual hardware of the contractors choosing. PHASE III: Transition the increased target selectivity seeker upgrade to the Harpoon platform. PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: The algorithms developed would be applicable to non-military radar systems such as those used by the FAA and U.S. Coast Guard. There is also a potential to use these algorithms in a collision avoidance system for automobiles. REFERENCES: 2. Theodoridis, S. & Koutroumbas, K.(2009). Pattern Recognition. Burlington: Academic Press 3. Skolnik, M. (2008). Radar Handbook, 3rd Edition. 4. Skolnik, M. (2002). Introduction to Radar Systems. McGraw-Hill. 5. Stimson, G. (2000). Introduction to Airborne Radar 2nd Edition KEYWORDS: Harpoon Weapon System; Guidance Control Unit; Target Selectivity; Track While Scan Algorithm; RF Seeker; Surface Warfare
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