Rocket launch detection and tracking using EO sensor

With the increasing role of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in military operations, their role in a missile defense operation is yet to be defined. This paper explores an idea of utilizing UAVs to patrol a potential Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) launch area to detect the launch event and track ICBM trajectory using an onboard electro-optical (EO) sensor. The ultimate goal is to assess parameters of ICBM ascent and provide aiming information to bring the attacking UAV onto the intercept course to deploy a hit-to-kill interceptor missile. The paper presents the preliminary results of testing developed algorithms to process a video footage of the amateur rocket launches taken by a stationary EO camera.