With changing operational requirements and mission objectives in modern warfare, sensor management is an increasingly crucial factor on the battlefield. Charles River Analytics has developed the Mobile Sensor Task Optimization and Real-time Management (STORM) system to meet the demands of a rapidly changing battlefield environment. STORM was created for the US Navy’s Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR).

With STORM, heterogeneous sensor assets can be scheduled, coordinated, planned, and replanned in response to changing conditions. Sensor schedules and routes make optimal use of available resources while accounting for real-time changes in the environment.

STORM employs GIS processing for prioritizing areas to be searched and Ant Colony Optimization (ACO), which is an agent-based approach, for scheduling. Plan execution is monitored for changes and replanned dynamically to prevent disruptions.