Detecting Target Maneuvers with the Radar Range Rate Measurement

Currently, tracking systems cannot accurately determine when to switch algorithm classes of motion models: one for maneuvering targets and one for non-maneuvering (constant velocity and acceleration) targets, which results in tracking errors. These errors from the estimate target position relative to the targets absolute position can be very large when an incorrect motion model is applied. However, this error can be reduced by exploiting the radar range rate information to identify when a target begins a maneuver to improve target tracking. If this characterization can be successfully applied, then a tracking system can determine when to switch the applied algorithms from a non-maneuvering set to the maneuvering set to increase its accuracy and to provide a more realistic image to the radar operator. To determine the feasibility and potential benefits of using the radar range rate measurement, a prototype E-2C radar simulation will be developed. The successful development of this simulator will enable the design and build of a validated prototype maneuver detection algorithms and software.