Model-based Hyperspectral Exploitation Algorithm Development

Hyperspectral data has become a critical tool for use by military analysts and planners. The capture of fine spectral information enables the generation of information products which could not be produced using traditional imaging means. The challenge facing hyperspectral technology, as an operational capability, is with conversion of the raw sensor data into a useful information product that is accurate and reliable. Traditional approaches for processing hyperspectral data have largely focused on the use of statistical tools to process a hypercube, with little regard for other data that may describe the physical phenomena under which the data was collected. The long-term goal of this project has been to develop a new generation of hyperspectral processing algorithms that take advantage of underlying physics of hyperspectral image data while utilizing statistical processing techniques to generate final information products.