Title: A study of second and third order models for the tracking subsystem of a radar guided missile
Description: This thesis is a study of missile and target parameters used in second and third order modeling of the tracking subsystem used in radar guided guided missiles. Guidance methods are analyzed to determine which method is optimum in a search for an ideal missile. Target parameters which have an effect on the missile tracking system are analyzed and a target acceleration probability model is discussed. A two dimensional third order tracking model is simulated utilizing a Kalman filter for target parameter estimation and prediction. Linear second and third order tracking models are simulated and compared with the third order Kalman filter tracker. This thesis concludes that a proportional navigation guidance method, with a non linear third order tracking Kalman filter, is the better model. Benefits of using a non linear third order Kalman filter may not overide the cost and complexity of implementation of the model.