Target tracking and identification issues when using real data

Since 1991, the Research and Development (R&D) group at Lockheed Martin Canada (LM Canada) has been developing and demonstrating the application of Multi-Source Data Fusion (MSDF) techniques for target tracking and identification within the Naval Command and Control (C2) for the HALIFAX Class frigates. The current C2 as well as the sensor suite of the HALIFAX Class were designed in the early 80s and based around a proprietary hardware architecture. The sensor data is pre-processed and provided to the C2 in real time. Considering the late 70s and 80s design of the sensor interfaces, where a data fusion within the C2 was not a commonality, not all of the information beneficial for a data fusion system is provided to the C2. After a sequence of simulation and modelling efforts for an MSDF capability within the HALIFAX Class C2, this project is now at a point where real data captured from a ship trial on the HALIFAX Class is being injected into the MSDF. This is an ongoing activity and a number of iterations are foreseen before the MSDF becomes part of HALIFAX Class C2. This paper provides a summary of lessons learned in this exercise.