Dark HORSE 2 Quick-Look Report: Real-time Detection of Military Ground Targets Using an Infrared Hyperspectral Imaging Sensor

Researchers at the Naval Research Laboratory NRL have successfully demonstrated autonomous, real time detection of military ground targets using a long-wave infrared hyperspectral imaging sensor. The work was performed under NRLs Dark HORSE effort, the culmination of a four-year Multispectral Overhead IREO Surveillance MOVIES program to develop real-time hyperspectral detection, cueing, target location, and target designation capabilities. The following provides an overview of Dark HORSE 2 DH2, the recently completed second phase of the Dark HORSE effort. The DH2 hyperspectral sensor system is described in detail along with a recent field experiment in which it was employed. The system hardware components, software interface and processing methods are described in detail. In closing, a description of the test flight profiles is given and a preliminary analysis of the collected data is presented.