Linearized Lower Bounds on the Discrete Time Miss Distance for a Missile-Borne Radar Seeker under Target-Specific Maneuvers

Miss distance is a critical parameter for assessing the guidance accuracy of missile-borne radar seekers. This paper investigates the greatest lower bounds (GLB) on discrete-time miss distance for missile-borne radar seekers. Within the framework of a linearized missile-target engagement scenario, this paper derives the lower bounds of missile miss distance for targets executing jerk and sinusoidal maneuvers. The Linear Quadratic Gaussian (LQG) method is applied, integrating an optimal estimator and an optimal control law to investigate the lower bound of discrete time miss distance. The theoretical lower bounds of the discrete time miss distance under various target maneuvers are derived and fitted by numerically solving the Riccati equation. These bounds are then compared with the corresponding lower bounds for the continuous time miss distance. The validity of the proposed theory is confirmed through Monte Carlo simulations. Finally, theoretical formulas are used to demonstrate the constraining effect of the seeker’s data rate on the lower bounds of the discrete time miss distance within the guidance system.