The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is soliciting innovative proposals in the following technical areas: synthetic aperture radar (SAR); SAR processing and algorithms; and ground moving target detection, geolocation, imaging, and automatic target recognition (ATR). The program, Moving Target Recognition (MTR), is a vital part of the Mosaic Warfare end-state vision. Proposed research should investigate innovative approaches that enable revolutionary advances in science, devices, or systems. Specifically excluded is research that primarily results in evolutionary improvements to the existing state of practice.
The BAA Classified Addendum contains additional details. See APPENDIX 2 of this BAA for instructions on how to request the Classified Addendum as well as the Security Classification Guide (SCG) for the MTR program.
A. Program Overview
Under the MTR program, performers will develop algorithms and collection techniques to enable SAR sensors to detect, geolocate, and image moving ground targets. Emphasis is on military vehicle targets, including slow moving vehicles whose SAR signatures are superimposed on clutter. If the goals of moving target detection, geolocation, and imaging are successfully achieved, the MTR program will proceed to develop ATR algorithms for the moving target images.
MTR will include airborne data collect experiments to test and evaluate the algorithms. Performers will be responsible for the airborne radar sensors and flight services. The Government team will be responsible for designing experiments involving moving ground vehicles, instrumented to provide ground truth.
The MTR program will be executed in two phases:
Phase 1, solicited by this BAA, will focus on SAR moving target detection, geolocation, and imaging. Phase 1 consists of a 24-month Base Period and a 6-month Option Period. Proposers to this BAA must submit proposals for the Phase 1 Base Period and Option Period. It is anticipated that awards to multiple performer teams will be made for Phase 1.
Phase 2, not solicited by this BAA, will focus on ATR for the moving target images. Prior to the end of the Phase 1 Base Period, proposal instructions for Phase 2 will be issued to the Phase 1 performers.
