Smart Sensor Web - Web-based exploitation of sensor fusion for visualization of the tactical battle field

Smart Sensor Web (SSW) is a recent DUSD (S&T) initiative inspired by extrao rdinary technological advances in sensors and microelectronics and by the e mergence of the Internet as a real time communication tool. The overall vis ion for SSW is an intelligent, web-centric distribution and fusion of senso r information that provides greatly enhanced situational awareness, on dema nd, to Warfighters at lower echelons. Emphasis is on multi-sensor fusion of large arrays of local sensors, joined with other assets, to provide real-t ime imagery, weather, targeting information, mission planning, and simulati ons for military operations on land, sea, and air. This paper gives an over view of this new initiative, highlights some of the technology challenges i n Sensor/lnformation Fusion, and presents a program approach for near-term demonstrations and long-term solutions, involving the DoD, National Labs, c ommercial industry, and academia.