State-Vector Density Functional Method for Kill Assessment

Measuring and characterizing the post-intercept states of a missile intercept event is critical for determination of interceptor effectiveness. System sensors including radar imaging infrared (IR), ultraviolet (UV), and visible wavelength sensors have been used to characterize these events. FreEnt has developed an innovative approach to post-intercept assessment based on mathematical formalisms successfully employed in particle physics. This approach treats the intercept event as one would treat a particle scattering event in a particle accelerator or collider experiment. The initial states of the target and the interceptor are defined by the kinematics of the hit-conditions and the final states are statistical. These are typically determined from radar tracking data and IR and visible spectra, and imaging data which may identify a particular booster type and hence a set of possible target payloads. The method assumes space-based, ground-based, and airborne sensors are capable of measuring specific state variables which determine the intercept conditions. State-vectors are then defined for the initial and final states of the system from which the SVDF quantity can be computed. This quantity is then shown to be proportional to the probability the final state of the system and target is consistent with the target being defeated. Approved for Public Release | 18-MDA-9522 (23 Feb 18)