Variable-structured interacting multiple model algorithm for the ballistic coefficient estimation of a re-entry ballistic target

This paper presents the ballistic coefficient β-model based Variable-Structured Interacting Multiple Model (β-VSIMM) algorithm for real-time tracking of an unknown reentry ballistic target (RBT). Recently, RBT tracking has been a quite challenging subject due to the increase of air attacks in the modern battlefield environments. The RBT dynamics show highly nonlinear characteristics due to a sudden change of the ballistic coefficient of the RBT. Thus the ballistic coefficient should be estimated accurately in order to achieve a reliable tracking performance. Various algorithms for RBT tracking have been proposed over several decades, however, the existing algorithms to estimate target states have performance limitations. A comparative assessment of several RBT tracking algorithms is carried out for verifying the tracking performance of the proposed algorithm.