Track Refinement from Off-Nominal Break-Up

A missile will sometimes break into smaller pieces, either by design or as a result of a malfunction or collision. The latter cases are called off-nominal, and can be difficult to analyze, especially if not observed directly. Before break-up there is a single parent object. After break-up there are multiple child objects, likely on very different trajectories. A radar is assumed to track the parent object, but to not hold contact when the break-up occurs. After the break-up (within 30 seconds of loss of contact), the radar collects data on at least some of the child objects. This project addresses the problem of estimating the break-up time and the child objects velocity vectors. Approved for Public Release 14-MDA-8047 (14 Nov 14)