Patent ID: 8914253

Claim:
A computer-implemented analysis method executed on an automated processor for determining whether a flight trajectory of a bogey relative to Earth's surface constitutes either a ballistic projectile or else a non-ballistic projectile, said method comprising: obtaining first and second positions of the bogey separated by a first time interval; calculating a first difference between said first and second positions divided by said first time interval to obtain a first velocity vector; obtaining a third position of the bogey separated from said second position by a second time interval; calculating a second difference between said second and third positions divided by said second time interval to obtain a second velocity vector; calculating a third difference between said first and second velocity vectors divided by said second time interval to obtain an acceleration vector; determining a negative flight path state of whether said first velocity vector exceeds said second velocity vector as being valid; determining a negative acceleration path state of whether said acceleration vector is negative and substantially perpendicular to the Earth's surface as being valid; and reporting an identified threat that the bogey represents the ballistic projectile in response to said negative flight path and negative acceleration path states are both valid, and as the non-ballistic projectile otherwise.