A new performance metric for search and track missions

The joint optimization of conflicting objectives is usually challenging because there is no clear-cut way to do so. When planning for search and track missions, one must choose between the conflicting objectives of detecting new targets and tracking previously detected targets. This paper proposes a novel metric that integrates the objectives of target detection, target tracking, and vehicle survivability nicely into an integrated single scalar index that can be used to optimize paths for joint detection and tracking. The cornerstone is the introduction of a new performance index, that is, information gain, which permits joint optimization of the objectives for search and track missions. Several examples are provided to illustrate how to use our proposed metric.