Development of imagery sets and performance evaluation methods for MTI using ground-based thermal imagers

摘要

The Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate, in conjunction with the Project Manager for FUR Systems, has committed to the insertion of Automatic Target Recognition algorithms into Second Generation Forward Looking Infrared (2nd Gen FUR) systems. 2nd Gen FUR's are designed, among other things, to be used by scouts in both offensive and defensive scenarios. Evaluation of the ATR algorithms to be included in 2nd Gen FUR systems has produced a number of significant challenges. Among these are the development of a digital image capture system, development of effective image truth methods, development of scoring concepts for an engineering-level evaluation, and development of scoring concepts appropriate for a user-level evaluation. Both the challenges and the NVESD solutions to these problems are described in detail. Finally the scout mission is demonstrated and examples of imagery appropriate for the scout problem are reviewed and aspects of human assisted performance results reported.