A new interacting multiple model particle filter based ballistic missile tracking method

Abstract

This paper proposes a new method for tracking the whole trajectory of a ballistic missile from launch to impact on the ground. Multiple state models are applied for the ballistic missile movement descriptions during different phases, while the transition probabilities are modelled in a state-dependent way. A radar sensor is applied to obtain the missile range, azimuth angle and elevation angle measurements. Based on the state models and measurements, an interacting multiple model based particle filter method is applied for tracking. Simulation studies show that the proposed method outperforms the widely-applied extended Kalman filtering based interacting multiple model for tracking the ballistic missile.