Continuous identification technology

The Air Force Research Laboratory's Sensor Directorate is developing the next step in target recognition, a continuous identification capability. This capability consists of a wide range of algorithms, sensor modes and technologies that work in concert to contribute to the overall goal of identification of moving as well as stationary targets. Three major pieces of this emerging capability are stationary identification, correlation of this information with tracks and the moving target recognition technologies. Although a brief discussion of each of these pieces will be provided in this paper, the concentration will be on the actual algorithms and technologies of the moving target recognition exploiting High Range Resolution (HRR) radar mode and how this complements Ground Moving Target Indication (GMTI) tracking and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Automatic Target Recognition (ATR). This paper will expand on the overall continuous ID vision, work performed under several efforts, new sources of HRR data, and how this data will push the state of the art. The advantages of continuous ID should be obvious to the warfighter in many dimensions. As a command and control structure it is very difficult to identify and target time critical targets especially when the identification process is limited to stationary targets. These technologies will provide a wider range of targeting options so the enemy has no sanctuary in moving, setting up and in hiding.