The Design of a CW Passive Missile Trajectory Measuring System

Several tests have provided data sufficient to demonstrate the feasibility of tracking missiles with a CW passive Doppler system. Initial experiments utilized a local television station as a target illuminator; later tests examined the capability of such a system as a terminal trajectory measuring device. These latter tests showed that the system could be designed to have a multiple-target capability. An interim high-power system is being installed to determine if the techniques established for a low-power system can be extended to provide reliable coverage of White Sands Missile Range (WSMR). Some improvement of these techniques is anticipated, and, in addition, certain tests will employ spaced receivers operated as radio interferometers.