Satellite imaging and passive acoustics in layered approach for small boat detection and classification

The research being conducted in the Center for Secure and Resilient Maritime Commerce, a Department of Homeland Security National Center of Excellence for Port Security, examines some basic science issues and emerging technologies to improve the security of ports and inland waterways as well as coastal and offshore operations. This research follows a layered approach, utilizing above-water and underwater surveillance techniques. The investigated layers include satellite-based wide-area surveillance, high-frequency radar systems providing over-the-horizon monitoring, and nearshore and harbor passive acoustic surveillance. In this paper, we present a brief review of the Stevens research in passive acoustics aimed at achieving underwater and surface targets detection, classification, and tracking. The passive acoustic data were combined with satellite imagery provided by the University of Miami CSTARS facility's electro-optical and synthetic aperture radar satellite imaging capabilities. Advantages of concurrent use of satellite imaging and passive acoustics for maritime domain awareness are analyzed.