Enhanced range profiles for radar-based target classification using monopulse tracking statistics

Small radar detection and tracking systems, in particular radar guided missile systems, are of great utility because of their all-weather performance and their long range capabilities. A major drawback with these systems results from the relatively simple data that they collect and the difficulty in using these data for target classification and identification purposes. The authors examine a technique which employs the statistics of the tracking data used by many missile seekers and which creates a cross-range target structure map that can be expressed as a function of the target´s down-range extent. These data consist of ordinary azimuth-elevation angle-of-arrival measurements collected from a small set of (unknown) aspects presented by the target as it maneuvers. The method requires a minimal computational burden and may hold the potential to be used for automatic (machine-based) target classification in realistic (time and data limited) environments