System and method for detecting obstacles in aerial systems

1. A method for tracking non-cooperative obstacles, the method comprising:

scanning a first airspace using a radar system to generate radar information having a first resolution;

identifying a non-cooperative obstacle within the first airspace based at least in part on the radar information;

imaging a second airspace using an optical sensor to generate optical information at a second resolution that is higher than the first resolution, wherein the second airspace is within said first airspace and includes an image of the non-cooperative obstacle;

comparing the image to a database of shapes or images to identify a feature of the non-cooperative obstacle; and

tracking the non-cooperative obstacle based at least in part on the radar information and the optical information.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of directing, using the radar information, the optical sensor toward the non-cooperative obstacle to image the second airspace.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of assigning a threat level to the non-cooperative obstacle as a function of the optical information.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:

generating a predicted flight path based at least in part on the radar information and the optical information;

generating an obstacle-avoidance navigational route to avoid the non-cooperative obstacle; and

communicating the obstacle-avoidance navigational route to a flight control system of an aircraft.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:

determining a location of the non-cooperative obstacle in the first airspace using the radar information; and

directing an optical sensor toward the location of the non-cooperative obstacle using the radar information.

6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising the steps of:

calculating a scan angle using the location of the non-cooperative obstacle; and

panning the optical sensor in accordance with the scan angle to image the non-cooperative obstacle.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of determining an azimuthal location of the non-cooperative obstacle within the second airspace using the optical sensor.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of generating a predicted flight path for the non-cooperative obstacle based at least in part on the optical information.

9. A sensor payload to detect a non-cooperative obstacle, the sensor payload comprising:

a radar to scan a first airspace to determine a location of the non-cooperative obstacle;

an optical sensor to image a second airspace within the first airspace to generate optical information; and

a processor operatively coupled with each of the radar and optical sensor, wherein the processor is configured to determine a location of the non-cooperative obstacle in the second airspace using data from the radar to direct the optical sensor toward the location of the non-cooperative obstacle, and to compare an image of the non-cooperative obstacle to a database of shapes or images to identify a feature of the non-cooperative obstacle.

10. The sensor payload of claim 9 , wherein further comprising a thermal sensor to detect a thermal signature of the non-cooperative obstacle.

11. The sensor payload of claim 10 , wherein the processor is configured to classify the non-cooperative obstacle based at least in part on the thermal signature.

12. The sensor payload of claim 10 , wherein the optical sensor is a long wave infrared sensor.

13. The sensor payload of claim 10 , wherein the processor is configured to detect, via one or more machine-learning techniques, an undesirable trend associated with the non-cooperative obstacle and to generate a predictive warning.

14. An obstacle detection system for use in a vehicle, the obstacle detection system comprising:

a radar system coupled to the vehicle and configured to scan a first airspace and generate radar information having a first resolution;

an optical sensor coupled to the vehicle and configured to image a second airspace and generate optical information at a second resolution that is higher than the first resolution, wherein the second airspace is within said first airspace and includes a non-cooperative obstacle; and

a processor configured to identify the non-cooperative obstacle within the first airspace based at least in part on the radar information, to direct the optical sensor toward a location of the non-cooperative obstacle using the radar information, and to compare an image of the non-cooperative obstacle to a database of shapes or images to identify a feature of the non-cooperative obstacle.

15. The obstacle detection system of claim 14 , wherein the optical sensor is configured to pan and tilt.

16. The obstacle detection system of claim 14 , wherein the processor is configured to assign a threat level to the non-cooperative obstacle as a function of the optical information.

17. The obstacle detection system of claim 14 , wherein the processor calculates a scan angle using the location of the non-cooperative obstacle and pans the optical sensor in accordance with the scan angle to image the non-cooperative obstacle.

18. The obstacle detection system of claim 14 , wherein the processor is configured to detect, via one or more machine-learning techniques, an undesirable trend associated with the non-cooperative obstacle and to generate a predictive warning.

19. The obstacle detection system of claim 14 , wherein the optical information includes at least one of a thermal cross section and an optical cross section and the radar information comprises a radar cross section, wherein the processor in configured to combine the optical cross section and the radar cross section to identify the non-cooperative obstacle.

20. The obstacle detection system of claim 14 , wherein the radar information includes a two-dimensional (2D) location of the non-cooperative obstacle within the first airspace, and the optical information includes an azimuthal location of the non-cooperative obstacle within the second airspace.