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DIRECTED
ENERGY
PROFESSIONAL
SOCIETY
Abstract: 25-Symp-108
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UNCLASSIFIED, PUBLIC RELEASE
Imaging Speed-Limits for Drone Detection Using Mid-Wave Infrared Imaging
High-speed target detection, discrimination and tracking are needed for high-energy laser applications. Fast framing is needed to track distant objects faster than turbulence evolves in order to maintain aimpoints. Passive imaging in the mid-wave infrared (MWIR) band can provide an effective solution during day, night and degraded environments. Thermal emissions and scene contrast ultimately limit how fast a passive tracker can operate on a given target and range. This study experimentally quantifies contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of a drone against a sky background. Through experiment, modelling and analysis we predict the speed limits of passive MWIR tracking a drone at range. We show that performing non-uniformity correction (NUC) at short exposures helps reduce fixed pattern noise and improve CNR. We compare performance predictions against an active SWIR tracker using the Night Vision Integrated Performance Model (NV-IPM).
Keywords: MWIR, drone detection, passive imaging
UNCLASSIFIED, PUBLIC RELEASE
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