This project demonstrates the improvement in forecasting theintensity and motion of tropical cyclones that is possible by applying a high dimensional empirical eigenvector patternrecognition technique to radiation measurements by spaceborne sensors. the objective of the study is to develop a… More

This project will produce the results necessary to determine if ultrhigh temperature fuels produce flames with sufficient emissivity to be considered as a candidate for the dna thermal radiation source test facility. a small torch will be constructed which will burn commercially available chemicals… More

This project demonstrates an effective method for resolving the problem of transient background photon noise (temporial redout variations) caused by an intermediate altitude (40 to125 km) nuclear fireball which affects the functions of bmd optical sensors. the objective of the phase i studies is… More

The proposed innovative research is to design and develop the artificial intelligence (ai) components needed to createa deductively augmented nasa management decision support system (danmds). phase i of the research effort will identify the ai components required for supporting natural language… More

This proposal discusses the design and analysis of a modular system of decoys. the decoys would simulate the visible, infrared, and microwave signatures of a variety of tactical weapons and vehicles. the decoys would be lightweight, inexpensive and easily deployable.

The detection of targets in background clutter with an irst is a key function for supporting u.s. naval surveillance activities. this involves the extraction of targets from background whose radiance means and standard deviations are many times that of the target. a successful approach, in many… More

The analysis of exo and endo atmospheric aerosol data for phenemonology characterization is proposed. the phase i products would be a prioritized list of measured phenomena which contribute to aerosol signatures. the implementation of these phenomena into a simulation code would be a phase ii… More

Open literature sources such as technical journals, trade magazines and newspapers routinely contain information on u.s. strategic missile systems. the information released through these sources when used singly, in combination, or in conjunction with data obtained through monitoring test shorts… More

Nichols research corporation proposes to investigate the mission requirements and the resulting uv sensor requirements for a space surveillance system. from these, we propose to derive the optical requirements. the objective of this topic is to produce at least one specification for a space… More

The soviet capabilities for the weaponization of directed energy assessment effort detailed within will provide for an intelligence assessment of current and projected soviet rf/particle beam/laser technology for use within ballistic missile defense. specifically, this effort will combine… More

The emerging soviet bmd and asat systems of the 1990's and the great discrimination potential of radar and optical sensors used in concert require the development of practical optical countermeasure penaids. these devices must operate in a hostile exoatmospheric environment in the presence of… More

The proposed research will examine the anti-simulation tactic both from the standpoint of the offense and from that of the defense. the offense point of view includes determining the signature features that the anti-simulation tactic attempts to disguise and the degree to which these features can be… More

A feasibility study is proposed on a novel idea for a design of a semi-smart projectile for kinetic energy weapons, and in particular, eml weapons. the technology for this design is currently available. it would be intrinsically hard to the 100000 g accelerations experience by an eml projectile and… More

Nichols research corporation proposes to develop an accurate and usable computer model for predicting the infrared radiance from the surface of the sea as a function of the environmental conditions and the sea state. the model would calculate the thermal radiation emitted from the sea surface and… More

Research into establishing the feasibility of formulating a new theory to predict the angular dependence of scattering from surfaces which are rough compared to the wavelength of incident light is proposed. the research would include identifying anomalies observed in scattering from metallic… More

A novel approach is taken in this proposal for the rigorous treatment of the problem of acoustic wave propagation through shallow water bounded by ice and bottom with rough surfaces. this treatment includes a field-theoretic consideration of wave propagation and a statistical-physics model of rough… More

The effort objective is to develop an interactive model to determine space systems support requirements, enable system operating vulnerability and cost driver assessments, and facilitate trade studies. the concept for the interactive data base is to tie an established expert system shell with an… More

Design constraints on windows for electro-optical (eo) sensors aboard hypervelicity platforms will be established. these constraints are based on the way sensing of infrared (ir) and visible radiation are affected by: (1) near-window turbulence, (2) ir window emission induced by aerodynamic heating,… More

A two dimensional panel whose thermal image (when heated by an external power source) is similar to an operating vehicle when viewed at different aspect and elevation angles is proposed. the panel would act as a decoy for the combat vehicle and should provide a credible image to an ir sensor. in… More

A methodology/model for the calculation of lethality effectiveness equivalency relationships for an evaluation set of specific tactical nuclear, conventional unitary, and icm weapons will be developed. the approach will consist of specific modifications to an existing computer simulation model, the… More

Optical signature analysis will be applied to mass-production quality control of engineering ceramics. adaptation of proven effective optical techniques to mass production requires innovation in rapid data acquisition and processing. the proposed innovation applies strategic defense initiative (sdi)… More

A lighter-than-air vehicle mounted long-range infrared search and track sensor is proposed that utilizes a large-diameter collecting primary mirror. the performance of the ir sensor system would be analyzed in terms of detection range for a variety of operational scenarios and targets.

The acquisition of post boost phase vehicles and/or individual reentry vehicles by an infrared sensor on board a small g hardened projectile which subsequently homes on and impacts its target offers an attractive approach for reentry vehicle kinetic energy kill. the acquisition, tracking,… More

The uss stark and hms sheifield provide graphic demonstrations of current antiship missile effectiveness. providing passive low false alarm rate detection and track of missile targets for us naval surface combatants promises improved attack warning times, stealth and weapons targeting. this effort… More

The combined use of multiple sensors such as visible optics, flirs, and thermal imagers has created a need to control the multi-spectral signatures of high value targets. nrc is proposing a phase i program aimed at the development of a methodology for selecting and controlling the emissivity of… More

The objective of this effort is to develop an expert knowledge based, interactive model for design producibility assessment. the concept for developing the interactive model is to tie an established expert system software shell to an existing data base shell that will accommodate interactive… More