Description:
OBJECTIVE: To develop system optimization algorithms to enable effective fire control solutions in challenging environments. Design a procedure to task the right sensor at the right time for a selected target. DESCRIPTION: Given a diverse inventory of missile assets, as well as a sensor suite that may be able to view the target from different viewing angles, phenomenologies, accuracies and timelines, determine which sensor(s) can best obtain the required track quality for a selected interceptor. Of particular interest are raid scenarios where multiple targets need to be engaged, sensor assets may be heavily loaded and must be managed efficiently and interceptor inventory must be utilized wisely. The intelligent sensor - weapon pairing will enable the collection of requisite information for launch, track, and discrimination given the missile system capability, flyout profile and timeline. For the Phased Adaptive Approach, the BMDS is focusing on more complex engagements to achieve capabilities against MRBMs, IRBMS and LRBMs using Aegis Weapon System missiles or GBI, as well as sensors including AN/TPY-2 and PTSS. The system, with a small number of sensors, will be required to handle potentially hundreds of objects and it is critical that the sensors be tasked to provide quality launch information for a given target to the weapon system to enable efficient threat destruction with minimal wastage of resources. This effort addresses the sensor tasking assignment and raid resource optimization needs of C2BMC. Asset pairing is related to sensor resource management, weapon resource management, resource optimization and fire control. However, for this solicitation, we are looking for increased efficiencies when the sensor selection is a function of the weapons and their geometries, capabilities and timelines. Sensor resource management has been exhaustively studied with respect to obtaining adequate track quality, when a weapon has been selected and the timeline is known. This development has led to a performance gap, with sensors and weapons being optimized separately instead of jointly. This task seeks to wring out greater efficiencies when optimizing for the engagement instead of compartmentalizing the functions to optimize separately. This joint optimization approach has not been investigated for the missile defense arena, and we seek to develop innovative solutions, as well as leverage past efforts, to expand the scope to optimizing system performance. The researcher may assume that, although the targets are dynamic, their positions can be estimated to a given degree of accuracy. Some sensors may be stationary, and some may be dynamic, but any motions will be known. The flyout basket for a given interceptor and weapon system can be assumed known. Some sensors will view one target, some will be able to view many, but Field of View (FOV) will be known for each sensor, as well as response time. Given a window of potential engagement, the researcher can decide when to engage within that timeline. It can also be assumed that the tracks will be successfully correlated between sensors. PHASE I: Develop and demonstrate feasibility of the proposed sensor weapon pairing algorithms for fixed site radar sensors and a simple satellite constellation, and a moderate number of tracked objects. The algorithm shall take a given set of target trajectories, sensors and weapon systems, with flyout windows for each missile (ownship) and engagement type, and determine which sensors are assigned to which weapon systems (multiple Aegis ships) to engage which targets with timing optimized for track quality and engagement. PHASE II: Refine and update concept(s) based on Phase I results and demonstrate the proof of principle technology in a realistic environment using agency provided engagements. Demonstrate the technology"s ability real-time in a stressed environment; with few sensors, and many targets. A government testbed will be available at no cost if the scientist wishes to utilize the facility for high fidelity testing. PHASE III: Demonstrate the new technologies via operation as part of a complete system or operation in a system-level test bed to allow for testing and evaluation in realistic scenarios. Market technologies developed under this solicitation to relevant missile defense elements directly, or transition them through vendors. COMMERICALIZATION: The contractor will pursue commercialization of the various technologies and optimization components developed in Phase II for potential commercial and military uses in many areas such as automated processing, robotics, medical industry, and in manufacturing processes.
