Passive ranging of boost-phase missiles

Michael Hawks; Glen Perram

doi:10.1117/12.719761

7 May 2007 Passive ranging of boost-phase missiles

Michael Hawks, Glen Perram

Proceedings Volume 6569, Acquisition, Tracking, Pointing, and Laser Systems Technologies XXI; 65690G (2007) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.719761
Event: Defense and Security Symposium, 2007, Orlando, Florida, United States

Abstract

The depth of absorption bands in observed spectra of distant, bright sources can be used to estimate range to the source. Previous efforts in this area relied on Beer's Law to estimate range from observations of infrared CO₂ bands, with disappointing results. A modified approach is presented that uses band models and observations of the O₂ absorption band near 762 nm. This band is spectrally isolated from other atmospheric bands, which enables direct estimation of molecular absorption from observed intensity. Range is estimated by comparing observed values of band-average absorption, (see manuscript), against predicted curves derived from either historical data or model predictions. Accuracy of better than 0.5% has been verified in short-range (up to 3km) experiments using a Fourier transform interferometer at 1cm^-1 resolution. A conceptual design is described for a small, affordable passive ranging sensor suitable for use on tactical aircraft for missile attack warning and time-to-impact estimation. Models are used to extrapolate experimental results (using 1 cm^-1 resolution data) to analyze expected performance of this filter-based system.

Citation Download Citation

Michael Hawks and Glen Perram "Passive ranging of boost-phase missiles", Proc. SPIE 6569, Acquisition, Tracking, Pointing, and Laser Systems Technologies XXI, 65690G (7 May 2007); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.719761

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