Simulation Tool to Intercept Multiple Missiles Employing Quick and Random Evasive Flight Path

This proposal is for the development of a versatile, computationally-efficient simulation tool for integrating flight path data from missile interceptors and targets, and analyzing defensive missile scenarios. Innovative cooperative guidance algorithms for multiple interceptors pursuing multiple targets will be developed. These algorithms, based on the framework of virtual bodies and artificial potentials, can be implemented in a systematic and decentralized manner. Using multiple interceptors will also enable improved estimation of target position. A cooperative target estimation strategy will be developed and implemented using unscented Kalman filters. A multiple-model framework for target tracking in all phases will be implemented. The simulation tool will include several models of interceptor and target dynamics, at various fidelity levels. A user-friendly interface will enable easy set-up of missile defense scenarios, sophisticated visualization options, performance analyses and design studies. Furthermore, the simulation tool will be expandable and compatible with third-party missile modeling tools.