Aerial reconnaissance film screening using optical matched-filter image-correlator technology

Abstract

The use of aerial photography for reconnaissance and the relatively high costs associated with human photo interpreters are responsible for the continuing interest in the development of automated screening systems. An optical matched-filter image-correlator (OMFIC) system has the inherent capability to perform this task, especially when expanded to include multiple holographic lens-matched filter memory banks. An OMFIC system was investigated in detail, and a projection of its performance for the screening mission was made. This showed that a high probability of detection can be obtained at a low false alarm rate. For example, a memory bank of 23 (orientational) views of an M-60 tank would enable a probability of detection of 98% to be obtained with 1.4% false targets in a complex village scene even though the image scale changed by as much as +/-9.5% (linear scale).