Instrumentation Techniques for Tracking Low-Flying Vehicles
Abstract
An analysis and evaluation has been made of available range instrumentation which would permit White Sands Missile Range to measure performance of low-flying missiles and aircraft, with the following accuracy objectives: 10 feet in position, any axis; 5 feet per second, in velocity; and 5 feet per second in acceleration. A configuration was analyzed which used range measurements from ground sites to determine the position of an overflying aircraft, and tracking (measurements of range and pointing angles from the aircraft to the test vehicle) to determine the position of the low-flying vehicle. An inertial measurement unit, an altimeter, and a digital processor in the aircraft would establish attitude of the airborne reference system. No available airborne tracking equipment was found which would meet the White Sands Missile Range requirements. Both millimeter and laser airborne radars were evaluated as candidates for device development programs, to perform the function of airborne tracking. The possibility was examined of using an available Ku band airborne radar to determine altitude with 10 foot accuracy, the assumption being that higher horizontal position errors (approx 50 feet) could be tolerated. A ground based laser radar network, and a multilateration technique were analyzed. The latter would require range measurements from ground sites to the low-flying target, from the ground sites to an overflying aircraft, and from the aircraft to the low-flying target.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 15, 1975
- Accession Number
- ADA015028
Entities
People
- E. K. Reedy
- J. E. Rhodes Jr.
- R. D. Hayes
- R. D. Wetherington
- S. L. Robinette
Organizations
- Georgia Tech