Development and evaluation of a real time SAR ATR system

This paper describes the development, testing, and subsequent flight demonstration of a real-time automatic target detection and cueing (ATD/C) system implemented in a single R5000-based Silicon Graphics/sup TM/ IRIX workstation coupled to a modified ultra-high resolution SAR version of the AN/APG-76 multi-mode strike fighter radar system with a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) signal processor. The ATD/C system, operating at an input pixel rate in excess of 250,000 picture elements per second, was able to correctly detect and classify several types of armored military vehicles located among natural and cultural clutter that included other non-target vehicles. Measured false alarm rates were consistent with expectations and detection rates were deemed adequate to reliably detect and recognize typical tactical vehicle deployments. The program clearly demonstrated the feasibility of a fighter-cockpit-based ATR system.