Morphological based target enhancement algorithms

Summary form only given, as follows. A necessary requirement of a strategic defense system is the detection of incoming nuclear warheads in an environment that may include nuclear detonations of undetected or missed target warheads. A computer model that simulates incoming warheads as distant endoatmospheric targets is described. A model of the expected electromagnetic noise present in a nuclear war environment is developed using estimates of the probability distributions. Predicted atmospheric effects are also included. Nonlinear morphological image enhancement algorithms are presented, and their ability to suppress the noise and atmospheric effects of the nuclear environment is discussed. Particular attention is given to the design of structure elements to mitigate the noise effects. These algorithms are then tested, using the combined target and noise models, and evaluated in terms of noise removal and the ability to resolve closely spaced targets