Investigation of the Effects of Target Feature Variations on Ballistic Missile Rcs Thesis

Uncertainties in certain features of target geometries result in a loss of confidence in the signature assessment of the target. Knowledge of the impact to a target’s radar cross section (RCS) due to changes to specific target features can assist to identify whether uncertainty in a certain target feature warrants a loss of confidence in the target signature. This study will allow a development of a general “rule-of-thumb” on how the radar signature of a target varies as a function of the target’s specific target features. The targets of interest which this study is centered around are fictitious ballistic missiles. Four target features that were investigated: fin size, nosecone shape, effect of panel riveting along the sides of the missile and the effects of heat shielding on the nosecone. By varying each of the four target features into a missile configuration and comparing to another configuration, a relationship between specific target features and its effect on the radar cross section of a ballistic missile can be obtained. Based on the range of possible configurations that target’s feature can take, it is possible to estimate a range of possible values of the radar signature. This will enable the user of the signature data to have a better understanding of the target being assessed and target characteristics when a complete knowledge of target configuration is unavailable.