TARGET RECOGNITION SYSTEM ENHANCED BY ACTIVE SIGNATURE MEASUREMENTS

A passive electro-optical target recognition system which utilizes additional signature measurements of an active nature to enhance the discrimination of desired targets from detected candidate targets in the field of view thereof is disclosed. Candidate targets are detected by the passive target recognition system from passive image radiation received from the field of view of its one or more passive sensors. A laser beam generated substantially at a predetermined wavelength is positioned to illuminate individually each of the detected candidate targets. An active sensor tuned to the predetermined wavelength receives the active laser radiation separately reflected from the individually illuminated candidate targets. An active signature is derived for each of the detected candidate targets from its received active image radiation. Accordingly, a desired target is discriminated from the detected candidate targets in the field of view of the passive sensor based on the derived active target signatures thereof. To further enhance this discrimination process, polarizing properties of the laser beam may be used as an additional measurement for each candidate target beyond the derived active target signatures thereof.