Small aircraft detection using deep learning

Purpose The paper aims to address the tracking algorithm based on deep learning and four deep learning tracking models developed. They compared with each other to prevent collision and to obtain target tracking in autonomous aircraft. Design/methodology/approach First, to follow the visual target, the detection methods were used and then the tracking methods were examined. Here, four models (deep convolutional neural networks (DCNN), deep convolutional neural networks with fine-tuning (DCNNFN), transfer learning with deep convolutional neural network (TLDCNN) and fine-tuning deep convolutional neural network with transfer learning (FNDCNNTL)) were developed. Findings The training time of DCNN took 9 min 33 s, while the accuracy percentage was calculated as 84%. In DCNNFN, the training time of the network was calculated as 4 min 26 s and the accuracy percentage was 91%. The training of TLDCNN) took 34 min and 49 s and the accuracy percentage was calculated as 95%. With FNDCNNTL, the training time of the network was calculated as 34 min 33 s and the accuracy percentage was nearly 100%. Originality/value Compared to the results in the literature ranging from 89.4% to 95.6%, using FNDCNNTL, better results were found in the paper.