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Lowering the Probability of an Adversary Recognizing Inverse Synthetic Aperture Dwells While Maintaining Vessel Classification Capabilities
Navy SBIR 2019.2 - Topic N192-054 NAVAIR - Ms. Donna Attick - [email protected] Opens: May 31, 2019 - Closes: July 1, 2019 (8:00 PM ET)
TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Battlespace
ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMA299 (ASW) H-60 Helicopter Program
The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120-130, which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services, including export of sensitive technical data, or the Export Administration Regulation (EAR), 15 CFR Parts 730-774, which controls dual use items. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals (FNs), their country(ies) of origin, the type of visa or work permit possessed, and the statement of work (SOW) tasks intended for accomplishment by the FN(s) in accordance with section 3.5 of the Announcement. Offerors are advised foreign nationals proposed to perform on this topic may be restricted due to the technical data under US Export Control Laws.
OBJECTIVE: Develop an innovative approach to minimize the time a radar spends executing an Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar (ISAR) session without degrading the ability to classify military targets to a fine ship type.
DESCRIPTION: Radars currently enter an ISAR session in response to either a manual operator action or in collaboration with an automated or semi-automated resource management function. The duration of the session is typically either at the control of the operator, or via a preset timeout. Both methods are inefficient in terms of radar resource utilization. The Navy seeks an intelligent and efficient approach to exiting ISAR sessions based on real- time analysis of the received signal, which will determine when the session has reached a point of diminishing returns related to the ability to classify maritime targets. The approach should exit sessions quickly when data quality is poor, and when data quality is good, intelligently end the session when sufficient data has been collected to support target classification. The approach should support robust classification of combatants and non-combatant vessels from a single ISAR dwell. Robust classification generally equates to correct 80% of the time assuming quartering aspects, fully illuminated and signal to clutter ratios greater than twenty decibels (dB).
Work produced in Phase II may become classified. Note: The prospective contractor(s) must be U.S. owned and operated with no foreign influence as defined by DoD 5220.22-M, National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual, unless acceptable mitigating procedures can and have been implemented and approved by the Defense Security Service (DSS). The selected contractor and/or subcontractor must be able to acquire and maintain a secret level facility and Personnel Security Clearances, in order to perform on advanced phases of this project as set forth by DSS and NAVAIR in order to gain access to classified information pertaining to the national defense of the United States and its allies; this will be an inherent requirement. The selected company will be required to safeguard classified material IAW DoD 5220.22-M during the advanced phases of this contract.
PHASE I: Develop an efficient and robust approach that analyzes incoming ISAR data in real time to assess the quality of data being received as it relates to the ability to perform maritime target classification. Develop technical performance metrics (TPMs) to be used in assessing the approach�s ability to trade improved radar resource utilization over probability of correct maritime target classification. Demonstrate the feasibility using a prototype implementation which is either real-time or suitable for transition to a real-time implementation. The Phase I effort will include prototype plans to be developed under Phase II. Note: No ISAR data will be provided by the Government in Phase I. Analyses and demonstrations can be performed with either synthetic or real ISAR data.
PHASE II: Develop and optimize the algorithm developed in Phase I for real-time operation. Work with the Government team to test the algorithms against data collected from candidate sensors relevant to the Navy.
It is probable that the work under this effort will be classified under Phase II (see Description section for details).
PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Integrate the algorithmic approach into the sensor resource control structure within the Navy�s Minotaur command and control application. This is a military specific application that could be part of a commercial military sale. REFERENCES: 1. Berizzi, Fabrizio , Martorella, Marco, and Giusti, Elisa. "Radar Imaging for Maritime Observation." CRC Press: Boca Raton, FL, Aug 22, 2016. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/9781466580824
2. Chen, Victor C. and Martorella, Marco. "Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar Imaging: Principles, Algorithms and Applications." Institution of Engineering and Technology, 2014. https://books.google.com/books/about/Inverse_Synthetic_Aperture_Radar_Imaging.html?id=xWmABAAAQBAJ& source=kp_cover
KEYWORDS: Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar; Maritime Vessel Classification; Low Probability of Intercept; Counter Detection; Radar Resource Management; Automation
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