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Joint Mine Detection Technology (JMDT) is a NavyfMarine Corps 6.2 Exploratory Development program that is closely coordinated with the 6.4 Coastal Battlefield Reconnaissance and Analysis (COBRA) acquisition program. The objective of the program is to develop innovative science and technology to enhance future mine detection capabilities. Prior to transition to acquisition, the COBRA Advanced Technology Demonstration (AiD) was extremely successful in demonstrating a passive airborne multispectral video sensor system operating in the tactical Pioneer unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), combined with an integrated ground station subsystem to detect and locate minefields from surf zone to inland areas. JMDT is investigating advanced technology solutions for future enhancements in minefield detection capability beyond the current COBRA ATD demonstrated capabilities. JMDT has recently been delivered next-generation, innovative hardware which was specified by the Coastal Systems Station and developed under contract. This hardware includes an agile-tuning multispectral, polarimetric, digital video camera and advanced multiwavelength laser illumination technologies to extend the same sorts of multispectral detections from an UAV into the night and over shallow water and other difficult littoral regions. One of these illumination devices is an ultra-compact, highly-efficient (currently a single wavelength) near-JR laser diode array. The other is a multi-wavelength range-gateable laser. Additionally, in conjunction with this new technology, algorithm enhancements are being developed in JMDT for future naval capabilities which will outperform the already impressive record of automatic detection of minefields demonstrated by the COBRA ATD.

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This paper presents the results of studies conducted to define GaAs MMIC chips and modules which achieve significant cost, weight and volume savings in electronic warfare (EW) and communication, navigation, and identification (CNI) applations. The studies were motivated by the critical need for redud EWICNI aviWics wiht, volum, an cost for the new LHX, ATF, and ATA aircraft platforms. An overview of the results is presonted, proposing the developmnt of common, functionlly interchangeable, integrated avionics moduls (i.e., standard electronic building blocks) required to successfully integrate avionics advancemnts into new and existing aircraft platforms.

The overall goal of this project is to utilize existing assets to address issues critical to the operational deployment of advanced electro-optic identification (EOID) mine countermeasure (MCM) sensors. EO identification of mines is specified as a requirement for the next generation of Navy MCM systems (e.g., AQS-20(X) and RMS). With maturing sensor technology like the Areté developed Streak Tube Imaging Lidar (STIL), a concerted effort is being undertaken to evaluate optimal sensor performance, predict sensor performance with advanced imaging models, and to make this EO sensor capability available to the fleet. OBJECTIVES This two-year collaborative effort, including teams from Areté Associates, Coastal Systems Station (NAVSEA/CSS), Metron Inc., Raytheon, and Northrop Grumman, will utilize existing sensor and sensor model assets to address issues critical to the operational deployment of subsurface EOID sensors. Under this task, Areté will integrate and field an existing STIL sensor for multiple at-sea experimental collections. STIL collected image data sets, as well as data sets from other participating sensors, will be analyzed and compared to each other and with data sets from previous collections. Actual data sets will then be compared with modeled results for a significant number of targets, backgrounds, and operationally relevant environmental conditions.