New Logic-Based Estimation/Guidance Algorithm for Improved Homing Against Randomly Maneuvering Targets

Abstract

Interceptor missiles designed against aircraft had substantial advantage in speed and maneuverability over their targets. Thus, by exploiting the technological progress even simple guidance concepts yielded satisfactory performance. For the interception of antisurface missiles higher guidance precision is required. Missile defense systems, using conventional guidance and estimation concepts, demonstrated hit-to-kill accuracy against non-maneuvering targets. Guaranteeing a similar performance against maneuvering targets that are expected in the future can be achieved only if estimation errors against such targets are minimized. The paper introduces a new, logic-based estimation/guidance algorithm that explicitly uses the time-to-go in the estimation process. The successful outcome of the new approach is illustrated by means of Monte Carlo simulations of generic interception scenarios. I. Introduction