Program Summary
The Military Imaging and Surveillance Technology (MIST) program seeks to develop a fundamentally new optical Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capability able to provide high-resolution 3-D images to locate and identify a target at much longer ranges than is possible with existing optical systems. Several prototype optical surveillance and observation systems are planned for development, which aim to: (1) demonstrate probabilities of recognition and identification at distances sufficient to allow stand-off engagement; (2) overcome atmospheric turbulence, which now limits the ability of high-resolution optics; and (3) increase target identification confidence to reduce fratricide and/or collateral damage. The program aims to develop and integrate the necessary component technologies including high-energy pulsed lasers, receiver telescopes that have a field of view and depth of field that obviates the need for steering or focusing the optical system, computational imaging algorithms to improve system resolution, and data exploitation and analysis tools. Advances in laser systems, digital imagers, and novel image processing algorithms are being leveraged to reduce the overall size, weight and power of imaging systems, facilitating integration with unmanned aerial vehicles. If successful, the optical ISR technology developed under MIST will transition to the Air Force and U.S. Special Operations Command.