Multi-Target Acquisition Fire Control Simulation

This paper summarizes the development, structure, verification, and applications of the Multi-Target Acquisition System (MTAS) Fire Control (FC) simulation. Development of the simulation began in 1982 as part of the Center for Night Vision and Electro-Optics (CNVEO) "Search and Target Acquisition Radar for Target Location and Engagement" (STARTLE) Program. Originally, a milli-meter wave radar sensor was employed to locate and tract multiple targets. Since then, the simulation has been extended to include a FLIR/ electro-optical sensor, a manual tracking system, and more sophisticated FC algorithms applicable to multiple targets. The purpose of this paper is to describe the beginnings of a generic, multi-target fire control structure that is applicable to armored vehicles, and to illustrate the key error contributors of accurate target location and subsequent motion prediction. Descriptions of the key FC algorithms are provided. Sample results for stationary firer/maneuvering multiple targets for different tracking systems are presented. Also, the time-line characteristics of addressing three targets in succession is presented to illustrate the multi-target analysis capability of the simulation. Finaally, applications to current and future Army programs are discussed.