Unique Model of Plume RF Signatures for Missile Detection, Identification, Characterization, and Tracking

"To provide the Air Force with new space-borne intelligence gathering techniques for the detection, identification, characterization, and tracking (DICT) of hostile ballistic and cruise missiles and other advanced systems, we propose innovative and uniquephysical models that allow for the interpretation of radio frequency (RF) signatures of missile plumes in a way that is directly traceable to the radiating source. The signature is the result of both thermal and nonthermal radiation: the calculation ofnonthermal radiation from plumes has never been done before; the usual thermal radiation theory must be expanded to include our unique model of electric charge separation in hot, ionized combustion gases in order to calculate accurately the electricalconductivity within the plume and, therefore, of the radiation from the plume. We also provide preliminary estimates of where in the RF frequency range satellite sensors should be sensing. Inasmuch as the radiation phenomena have no effect on plume flowfield, whereas the latter determines the former, the output of any appropriate plume flow field computer code becomes the input to our proposed post-processor 3-dimensional radiation code RFPLUME. Previously, we applied the theoretical model of electriccharge separation to the nonthermal RF radiation from detonating explosives/warheads. Physical model can be used to detect, identify, characterize, and track missile plumes and therefore the mi