In the modern battlespace, ISTAR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance) provides the means to detect, identify and track threats leading to their effective resolution. ISTAR is dependent on the use of sensors to acquire the raw data and signal processing and distribution to provide information to enable decision making.
BAE Systems is strategically placed to deliver the technology enabling real time information acquisition and distribution,necessary for effective threat resolution in demanding environments. With an extensive background expertise and research portfolio into novel sensors and networked sensor systems,our activities cover the Radio Frequency (RF), visible and Infra-Red (IR) portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. This provides a breadth and depth of expertise on disparate sensing approaches,well suited to addressing the complex environments encountered in current and future ISTAR requirements.
Bringing together outputs from a wide variety of disparate sensors is of increasing importance in both strategic and tactical applications of ISTAR.
We have devised an architecture for networked sensors in which each sensor is wrapped in a common interface and has been used to demonstrate a successful ‘plug and play’ approach to integrating clusters of both long-range sensors such as radar and Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) and short-range sensors such as microphones and cameras. This offers the potential for fusing outputs from a wide variety of sensors to deliver a more detailed and coherent picture to the operator. The “plug and play” approach allows the sensor mix to be changed at will and allows the network to be rapidly extended to meet evolving requirements.
We also research networked sensing techniques for optimum control, synchronisation and exchange of information between mobile sensors.
Theoretical and laboratory analysis is supported with the planning and conduct of networked sensing trials and demonstrations to evaluate novel techniques. The networking technologies covered include; wireless data by RF/millimetrewave and Free Space Optical Communication (FSOC); wired data, including optical fibre; and power, including wireless power transfer and local power scavenging.
Our algorithms enable the effective fusion of data from multiple sensors either on a single platform or distributed across multiple platforms and/or locations. Our work has developed techniques to enable the rapid and effective integration of a multi-sensor data fusion system including radar, Electro-Optic (EO), Electronic Warfare (EW) and location sensors. We also have tools to undertake performance prediction for a specific set of sensors, platforms and targets.
The significant benefit of multifunction systems is that they can be reconfigured or shared between several roles. In the EO domain this may take the form of combining FSOC, laser designation and IR counter measures from a single laser source.
In the RF domain it might involve sharing radar surveillance and tracking, EW, communications and data links through a single aperture. In both cases the operator benefits from significant weight, space and power reduction, operational flexibility, longer operational life, and reduced through-life costs. These are critical operational parameters in ISTAR applications, and we offer outstanding expertise in the field of intelligent sensor management to ensure we deliver on our customers requirements.
- Integrated sensing
- Intelligent sensor management
- Multi-function systems
- Multi-sensor data fusion
- Networked sensing
- Sensor system integration, test and evaluation
