Relative targeting architectures for captive-carry HIL missilesimulator experiments

Captive-carry electronic warfare (EW) tests evaluate the response of hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) missile seekers to an actual environment (test-range) including the presence of electronic attack. This paper describes a relative targeting architecture that displays the test-range results in geodetic coordinates using only the sensors available on board the captive-carry platform (GPS, INS, seekers). To derive the target position in geodetic coordinates, a lever-arm correction process is described that determines the position of each seeker and the corresponding pitch and yaw of the simulator. Combining the positional parameters of the seeker with its targeting variables, the seeker track point is displayed in geodetic coordinates, A track tagging algorithm is presented to identify the true target from the EW disruption using the drift angle from the inertial navigation system (INS), To eliminate the scintillation noise present in the track image, a Kalman filter in sensor coordinates is applied to the targeting variables allowing optimization of the track tagging. Experimental results from a recent EW field test using antiship cruise missile simulators are shown to demonstrate the feasibility of the approach for determining EW effectiveness in near real-time. Targeting accuracy is also quantified by comparing the derived target position with the true Global Positioning System (GPS) test-range position of the ship in the absence of electronic attack     

In This Issue - Technically

For a successful enemy maneuver, their most important action is the ability to identify, locate, and track their correct target. High-resolution imaging sensors such as the inverse synthetic aperture radar perform this action in the most effective way and are especially useful against low radar cross-section targets. Once the correct target is acquired and identified, the decision to engage is made and the weapons are selected. Counter-targeting is the attempt to prevent (or degrade) the engage-and-launch-weapons decision by the enemy. This paper describes an all-digital image synthesizer technique capable of generating realistic false-target images for counter-targeting using modern digital radio frequency memory technology. Uses in counter-lock on for coherent seekers in the terminal mode are also discussed. Examples of the output false target image capability are presented.