All-Weather Feature-Based Combat Identification Navy SBIR FY2005.1 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2005.1 Topic No.: N05-030 Topic Title: All-Weather Feature-Based Combat Identification Proposal No.: N051-030-0999 Firm: SET Associates Corporation 3811 N. Fairfax Drive Suite 350 Arlington, Virginia 22203 Contact: Bob Douglass Phone: (703) 738-6273 Web Site: www.setassociates.com Abstract: Developers of ATR systems for SAR imagery have begun exploring the use of features to reduce the computational complexity of pixel based pattern matching approaches, and to improve ATR performance in challenging target regimes. In addition, model based ATR approaches are emerging as a viable means of coping with the combinatorics of real world operating conditions. Rather than rely on massive databases of pre-stored, and often incomplete, signature exemplars, these approaches use target models and computational electromagnetic code to predict target signatures "on the fly." This effort will investigate the impact on model based ATR performance of various topographic SAR features. Experiments will be conducted under a range of realistic F-18 sensing, environment, and target conditions related to Combat ID missions. Optionally, the effort will design and deterministically assess the real-time processing performance of an F-18 model based SAR ATR system for implementation in Phase II. Benefits: This research will identify a set of SAR features that may dramatically improve the performance of ATR systems under realistic operating conditions. The research will also yield a real time SAR ATR design for the Navy's premier fighter aircraft, creating the commercial opportunity to license this technology to a wide variety of U.S. military aircraft manufacturers. Return