N121-012 TITLE: Sensor Exploitation Management System

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Air Platform, Sensors, Human Systems

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMA 290

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 an innovative automated system that analyzes, and exploits radar sensor data in real time.

DESCRIPTION: Detection, tracking, and identification of targets in a complex environment is very difficult. The ability to prosecute agile maritime or overland threats amid rapidly changing conditions requires sensor operators to optimally use the capabilities of their airborne radar systems. This requires sensor operators to very quickly analyze and assess the situation based on the sensor returns, distill and convey the actionable information, and then modify the sensor tasking based on evolving conditions. The resulting workload can easily overwhelm the sensor operator as it is difficult to function effectively in such a situation.

The goal of this project is to develop innovative automated analysis and exploitation tools to support sensor information collection and resource management tools for existing naval airborne radar systems. The exploitation tools should provide an integrated human�machine processing approach to support sensor information analysis and exploitation methodologies along with data visualization, threat behavior analysis, and hypothesis testing. In order to maximize mission success, these tools should also identify and recommend sensor short-term (a few minutes) and long-term (tens of minutes) resourcing options based on general mission collection priorities and evolving conditions.

An innovative automated sensor exploitation management system can result in potential dramatic improvements in real-time sensor operator performance and mission planning.

PHASE I: Determine the technical feasibility of creating an automated system of sensor exploitation tools for existing naval airborne radar systems. Identify the specific nature of the analysis and exploitation algorithms and the human�machine interfaces to be used, establish interfaces with the sensor resource management framework and decision logic, and develop a detailed implementation plan.

PHASE II: Develop the sensor exploitation management system for the candidate sensor suite. Demonstrate non real�time processing using government-provided data with sufficient fidelity to enable assessment of operator workload reduction, algorithm tuning, and sensor utilization. Demonstrate the functionality, performance, and correctness of all components. Prepare an integration plan to complete the development and transition of the toolset into the candidate sensor suite.

PHASE III: Transition the developed sensor exploitation management system to appropriate platforms and interested commercial entities.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: There is a growing need for real-time automated sensor information analysis and planning tools. The ability to analyze and assess sensor information intelligently in time-critical scenarios is crucial for many commercial endeavors.

REFERENCES:
1. Miller, J. E., & Dussault, J. (2006). Accessing and sharing: Facets of addressing information overload. Proceedings of the 11th International Command and Control Research and Technology Symposium. Available at www.dodccrp.org/events/11th_ICCRTS/html/papers/045.pdf

2. Farmilo, A., Whitworth, I. R., & Hone, G. (2007). Adapting C2 to the 21st century: Using the HTA TOOL for agile mission planning. Proceedings of the 12th International Command and Control Research and Technology Symposium. Available at www.dodccrp.org/events/12th_ICCRTS/CD/html/papers/027.pdf

3. Varaiya, P. (2004). Hierarchical control of semi-autonomous teams under uncertainty (HICST) (Final report of DARPA Contract F33615-01-C-3150). Available at http://paleale.eecs.berkeley.edu/~varaiya/papers_ps.dir/mica_final.pdf

KEYWORDS: Mission Planning; Information Exploitation; Human-Machine Interface; Resource Management; Operator Workload; optimization

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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