Predictive Target Overland Height Estimation Methods for Radar Signal

Airborne standoff radar surveillance systems have become major contributors to battlefield Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance capabilities. Current systems have limited capabilities to provide precise battle field situation awareness of low flying airborne threats due to radar system limitations in measurement of target altitude. Battlefield operations can be vulnerable to certain low flying threats. The proposed research will develop robust predictive models of radar propagation effects for low flying aircraft and will develop a target overland height estimation algorithm applicable to standoff detection and tracking of low flying aircraft. The goal of the proposed research effort will be to develop a technical approach capable of realizing target localization consistent with computing weaponeering solutions. The proposed Phase I effort will establish a fundamental understanding of a new class of nonlinear estimation algorithms that will be critical for engineering development of affordable standoff radar tracking of low flying aircraft.