Impact point prediction and projectile identification

This paper presents a multiple model procedure to estimate the state of a ballistic object in the atmosphere and identify it using radar measurements. The measurements are taken during the first part of its trajectory and the final state estimate is then predicted to its impact point on earth. This paper uses, for each model, a different extended Kalman filter for state estimation and then uses the model likelihoods to identify the projectile. Simulations are carried out on three mortar trajectories using 7-state models. It is shown from simulations carried out on several ballistic trajectories that the impact point is predicted to a high degree of accuracy and with a consistent covariance and that the projectile can be identified with a high probability.