In the sensor-to-solution chain, how do detection and identification differ?

• A. Detection is determining contact type; identification is sensing a contact.
• B. Detection is sensing a contact; identification determines who/what the contact is.
• C. Detection is locating the ship; identification is classifying weather.
• D. Detection quickly defeats threats; identification calculates speed.

Answer: (B)

Detection is about sensing that something is present. Identification goes further to determine who or what that contact is. In the sensor-to-solution chain, you first detect to know there’s something to consider, then identify to understand its identity and significance so you can decide on an appropriate response. For example, a radar might detect a contact showing up on screen, and then identification uses signatures, databases, and context to determine whether it’s a friend, a neutral vessel, or a potential threat.

The other statements mix up these roles. Detection is not about determining the contact’s type, and identification isn’t just sensing the contact. Locating a ship or classifying weather aren’t the defining tasks of these steps, and defeating threats or calculating speed are actions that come after detection and identification.