Improvement of miss distance of missiles with imaging seekers by utilizing dynamic image processing
Contributors: Burl, Jeff B.
Publisher: Naval Postgraduate School; Available from the National Technical Information Service
Published: 1993
Place of publication: Monterey, Calif; Springfield, Va
Language: eng
Number of pages: 149
Description: This theses deals with improving the miss distance of a missile, with imaging seeker(s), by utilizing dynamic image processing. In an encounter with a missile, a target tries to avoid the missile by performing a evasive maneuver when the missile is at a relative distance which maximizes the miss distance. Dynamic image processing permits us to identify the evasive maneuver of the target by estimating its acceleration in magnitude and direction. This thesis studies methods of utilizing this additional information about the target's behavior in order to improve the missile's performance. First the proportional navigation guidance law is explored in order to verify its advantages and weaknesses. Then, methods of obtaining the time dependent 3-D movement of a target from its image plane feature point correspondences are derived. The 3-D components of the target's acceleration are obtained by using a Kalman filter. Missiles with two cameras, one camera and one seeker (radar or IR), and only one camera are considered. Methods to get stereo vision by using the one camera plus one seeker setup and the single camera setup are proposed. Advanced guidance laws, namely advanced proportional navigation and optimal guidance, are derived for a 3-D environment. A three dimensional simulation program is developed using classical proportional navigation, advanced proportional navigation, and optimal guidance. The engagement is simulated using state variable design and the performance of the guidance laws is compared.... Tactical missile guidance, Miss distance, Optimal guidance, Dynamic image processing, Missile/Target 3-D engagement, Imaging seeker
Notes: Thesis advisor, Jeffrey B. Burl.

Thesis (Degree of Electrical Engineer and M.S. in Electrical Engineering) Naval Postgraduate School, March 1993.

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