3D Automatic Target Recognition for UAV Platforms

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) using a Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) sensor can afford high quality 3D Automatic Target Recognition in complex environments. Considering the progress of object recognition algorithms in the computer vision domain, this paper evaluates current local based 3D descriptors on highly credible simulated military UAV reconnaissance scenarios. Trials involve a single and a multi template scheme while the UAV is flying at various flight parameters, the UAV - target distance is concerned and in parallel atmospheric perturbations are taken into account.