What is involved in "target tracking" in RADAR systems?

Target tracking in RADAR systems primarily involves continuously monitoring the position of moving objects. This process includes gathering data from multiple radar returns over time to analyze how an object is moving through space. It is not sufficient to just detect an object; for effective tracking, a system must be able to assess its trajectory and provide updates on its position with respect to time.

This tracking capability allows for real-time awareness of the object's movements, which is essential for various applications such as air traffic control, missile guidance, and navigation systems. By keeping a vigilant watch on the target's position, RADAR systems can predict future positions based on its current path and speed, thus improving situational awareness and response times in critical scenarios.

While estimating speed and measuring distance are integral components of the overall RADAR operation, the defining characteristic of target tracking specifically emphasizes the ongoing observation of an object's location as it moves. Analyzing environmental conditions, while important for optimizing RADAR performance, is not a direct component of the tracking process itself.