From NTDS to JADC2: The Unsolved Problems of Multi-Sensor Fusion
C4ISR & Sensor Fusion The Unsolved Problems of Multi-Sensor Fusion and What AI Cannot Fix The Naval Tactical Data System's most intractable operational problems — sensor alignment bias, dynamic navigation error, and multi-sensor track association failure — were substantially ameliorated by the E-2C/D Hawkeye's network-derived registration and the Cooperative Engagement Capability's architectural innovation of distributing raw sensor measurements rather than processed tracks. Neither fully solved the problem, and neither transfers completely to the GPS-denied, multi-domain, multi-service environment that JADC2 requires. The AI system at the top of the processing chain receives a track picture corrupted by errors it cannot see, and generates confident engagement recommendations it cannot qualify. Stephen L. Pendergast, IEEE Sr. Member (Ret.) | Senior Engineer Scientist July 2026 Open Sources: GAO, ETHW...