An EKF Based Generalized Estimation Approach for Evasive Targets

A generalized approach is presented in this paper for accurately estimating the states of the targets, which can either be non-maneuvering or undergoing various maneuvers, including the most evasive ‘barrel roll maneuver'. A nine state Extended Kalman filter (EKF) formulation is presented here with three relative positions, three relative velocities, barrel frequency of aircraft, axial acceleration and maneuvering coefficient. A significant advantage of present model is that it is quite generic in nature and can capture barrel roll as well as other maneuvers (including no maneuver) without any change of estimation formulation or tuning parameters. Extensive simulation studies with a predictive guidance shows that the new estimation formulation can lead to very good engagement performance with noisy RF seeker measurement parameters, namely gimbal angles, gimbal angle rates, range and range rate.