Application of shipboard sensor fusion to airborne platforms

A set of algorithms which allow the development of a sensor fusion system is described. The algorithms are applicable to airborne platforms. These algorithms are based on the US Navy´s AN/SYS family of integrated automatic detection and tracking (IADT) systems. The algorithms described allow the fusion of radar, identification friend or foe (IFF), electronic surveillance measures (ESMs), and optical sensors. The algorithms were developed based on experience fusing radar and ESM data from US Navy ships including cruisers, destroyers, amphibious ships, aircraft carriers, and frigates. The algorithms process the data from the sensors aboard an aircraft to reject false returns from noise, clutter, interference, and jamming. At the same time these processes rapidly detect the real target in the noisy real-world environment