Advanced Data Association Algorithms to Address Emerging Threats

The proposed approach provides innovative sensor data association algorithms capable of performing correct data association in multi-target tracking environments with one or more sensors. Current air and missile threats have the ability to fly non-ballistic, highly maneuvering hypersonic trajectories, and the ability to maintain closely spaced trajectories. Improved detection/track association is an enabling technology for enhancing tracking and object identification. Data association is a critical precursor to the track filtering process. If data association is not performed correctly, it becomes problematic to create an accurate track on the correct target of interest. This could potentially lead to track swaps, track drops, or the creation of dual tracks. The data association process is highly coupled to the tracking process. However, there are separate and unique algorithms that perform the data association function, as many track filters are designed assuming perfect data association (which is not a valid assumption for a real-world application). Approved for Public Release | 20-MDA-10398 (2 Mar 20)