Creating a likelihood vector for ground moving targets in the exo-clutter region of airborne radar signals

An airborne radar sensor operating in Ground Moving Target Indicator (GMTI) mode is able to distinguish between airborne targets and ground moving targets. Further, it is possible to separate stationary from moving ground targets. For military radar applications, it is desirable that the GMTI mode be extended to allow classification of detected ground targets. In addition, such an extension should permit classification of helicopters. A model-based classification algorithm suitable for GMTI processing as well as for Doppler signal evaluation is presented, which outputs a likelihood vector and, because it uses only signals in the exo-clutter region (clutter-free region of the range-Doppler domain), does not require STAP-processing.