Radar target classification in littoral environment with HMMs combined with a track based classifier

One of the challenges of maritime radar applications is to address new kinds of threats, the so called anti asymmetric warfare role, which happens in the littoral environment. Besides the asymmetric warfare also the symmetric warfare is transformed more and more from the blue sea scenario into this environment. To realize information superiority one has to be able to deal with air, sea and land targets simultaneously. To fulfil the operational requirements (proportionality of counter measures, prevent collateral damage, etc.) the capability for a detailed classification of sea, land and air targets is of extraordinary importance (persons vs. vehicles, buoys vs. ships).