Combined Optimization of Aircraft Maneuvers and RF Measurements for Passive Air-Air Ranging

: When a tactical aircraft sets out on a mission in dense airborne and surface RF (radio frequency) emitter environment, the pilot desires to minimize the use of the onboard fire control radar to remain "silent." Consequently, the pilot heavily relies on the onboard passive sensors and offboard reports received from wingmen and other sources. The onboard sensors may include a RWR (radar warning receiver) and an IRST (infrared search and track) sensor. The RWR detects RF (radio frequency) emissions from airborne target fire control radars and land/sea radars that are a part of complex weapon systems such as SAM (surface-to-air missiles) and AAA (antiaircraft-artillery) guns. The IRST detects hot emissions from airborne targets such as target aircraft exhaust and thermal airframe heating. The critical need for the pilot is to have timely "situation awareness" of the targets (friendly or unfriendly) within a certain airspace (upper and lower hemispherical coverage) a...

• Type: Journal
• Year: 2009
• Where: GI
• Authors: Ronald Matthew Yannone, Melvin Carroll
• Keywords: Airborne Targets, Aircraft, GI 2009, Onboard, Theoretical Computer Science