Air to Ground Target System for Engineering Based Airborne Electro-Optics Imaging System Performance

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Sensors, Electronics, Battlespace OBJECTIVE: Develop a ground based target system to enable measurement of sensitivity and spatial resolution of airborne target sensors with long range and full optical spectrum capability. DESCRIPTION: The current state of existing engineering targets on the Edwards AFB precision impact range area (PIRA) would benefit greatly from innovative technology injection. Such upgrades would fulfill a number of current and future requirements while replacing existing limited capability at the end of its life. Research must be performed on how to implement the current requirements, perform system trade-studies, locating suitable system placement on the range, in addition to manufacturing, installing, protecting, sustaining, maintaining and quantifying the limitations, constraints and characteristics of the installed system. The resolution and sensitivity measurements of interest are modulation transfer function (MTF), relative edge response (RER), signal to noise ratio (SNR), noise equivalent delta temperature and (NEDT) noise equivalent delta radiance (NEDL) and any other objective measurements possible. The analysis tools for the metrics are in development (some already mature) by the 775TS/ENVD engineers, though a deeper understanding of optical remote sensing, radiometry, optical system imaging performance and resolution/sensitivity metrics is required for test setup and data analysis. Requirements include a target system which allows measurement of sensitivity and resolution (preferable a knife edge). Capability to measure at long and short range, UV to LWIR (100nm to 12 m ), color capability in the visible spectrum, highly uniform surfaces using the latest technology, fully instrumented for atmospherics, surface temperatures, radiance and turbulence (Cn2), built in protection from the elements, rotatable alignment for solar/lunar/flight path geometry, articulating for long range capability, maintenance schedule and procedures and system performance/limitations quantified. If successful, this research, development, manufacturing and installation will not only provide a key test and analysis capability for efficient, consistent, repeatable, objective airborne electro-optics system imaging performance for any customer with aircraft optical sensors under test. In addition, the developer shall provide a training package for both 775TS/ENVD discipline engineers as well as Test Pilot School (TPS) students. PHASE I: Research in this phase should focus on trade studies for realizing the requirements of the system in terms of hardware and software in addition to our 775TS/ENVD engineers gaining additional expertise in optical remote sensing, radiometry, optical system imaging performance, and more. PHASE II: Research in Phase II should be focused on manufacturing, installation, protection, maintenance, and quantification of system performance of a pre-production prototype. PHASE III: Military Application: This is an enabling target system technology with the potential to provide inputs for airborne electro-optical systems to quantify a number of sensitivity and spatial resolution metrics for test and evaluation of airborne electro-optics systems under test. It will also be useful as a training tool for engineers and test pilots. Commercial Application: Research will be equally useful for any airborne or spaceborne electro-optics system. REFERENCES: 1. C. Liebmann and M. Bennett, Electro-Optic System Imaging Performance Developmental Test and Analysis Techniques Test and Evaluation (Have Light), USAFTPS-TIM-15B-01, 20162. G. Boreman, Modulation Transfer Function in Optical and Electro-optical Systems, ISBN-13: 978-0819441430, SPIE-The International Society for Optical Engineering, 20013. J Silny and L Zellinger, Radiometric Sensitivity Contrast Metrics for Hyperspectral Remote Sensors, SPIE-The International Society for Optical Engineering, 2016 KEYWORDS: Airborne, Electro-optics, Infrared, Targets, Modulation Transfer Function, Relative Edge Response, Noise Equivalent Delta Temperature, Noise Equivalent Delta Radiance