Fused airborne sensor technology

Delbert C. Summey; Gary J. Kekelis

doi:10.1117/12.241225

31 May 1996 Fused airborne sensor technology

Delbert C. Summey, Gary J. Kekelis

Proceedings Volume 2765, Detection and Remediation Technologies for Mines and Minelike Targets; (1996) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.241225
Event: Aerospace/Defense Sensing and Controls, 1996, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

No rapid (airborne) reconnaissance and survey capability exists to detect, localize, and discriminate buried and partially buried unexploded ordnance and ordnance and explosive waste. In the last decade, several factors point to the need for a new approach in site survey and cleanup methodology including an increasing number of areas being surplused by the Department of Defense (DOD), the continual public awareness of the location and status of formerly used defense sites, and the reduction in DOD budgets. The need for a safe, accurate, economical, and time-expedient land survey and detection capability has never been so great. Fused Airborne Sensor Technology (FAST) is derived from a similar proven multi-sensor fusion approach for mine reconnaissance against buried sea mines, the most difficult mines to detect in underwater environments. The FAST concept will use a single helicopter platform for spatial and temporal co-registration and fusion of sensor data. Sensors will include a superconducting magnetic field gradiometer, a two-color infrared camera, ground-penetrating radar, and a visible spectrum camera. The combination of these sensors allows for detection, identification, and localization of a wide spectrum of targets. Multiple `looks' at the target and associated clutter by sensors detecting different physical phenomena will allow lowering individual sensor thresholds to ensure each sensor detects all targets and clutter of interest. Sensor fusion will then be used to reject the clutter. Since sensor characteristic information is derivable through testing for both targets of interest and known clutter, a `fingerprinting' process can be used to pull the targets from the typically clutter-rich background. The FAST concept will be presented with sensor and fusion methodology for application to a wide variety of buried and partially buried targets.

Citation Download Citation

Delbert C. Summey and Gary J. Kekelis "Fused airborne sensor technology", Proc. SPIE 2765, Detection and Remediation Technologies for Mines and Minelike Targets, (31 May 1996); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.241225

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