Tactical Model of Hyperspectral Imagery in Support of Theater Ballistic Missile

Abstract

This thesis presents techniques for simulating hyperspectral imagery (HSI) in an effort to counter the threat of mobile theater ballistic missiles. Using Predator and Global Hawk Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) as air platforms for the spectral imagers, this study presents a stochastic model of a search and destroy mission using the Sensor Search/Precision Strike (SS/PS) simulation model. A fractional factorial design was utilized to study six variables: the different UAVs conducting the search, the number of bands selected for the spectral imagers, the number of killer assets available for targeting the tranporter erector launchers (TELs), the uncamouflaged time spent by the TELs, the number of TELs in the area of operation, and the number of decoys used by the enemy. In addition, two different scenarios were modeled using the cueing assets from HSI-mounted tactical satellites in one and cueing with an HSI-mounted Global Hawk UAV in the other. The simulation model used a detection and identification probability database derived from recently published field tests, and makes key assumptions about future HSI detection capabilities. This thesis explains numerous interactions between the variables listed above and provides insight on tradeoffs with UAV and sensor settings. Although simplifying assumptions and drastically reduced false detection rates help improve the sensors' results, the findings indicate a greater success from cueing by satellite and from using a higher UAV with more spectral bands.