Tracking system exploiting over-the-horizon burst communications via hypersonic vehicle ionization trails

Abstract

A system and method may include a manmade hypersonic object that generates a plasma stream in the atmosphere in response to the manmade hypersonic object moving at a hypersonic speed. There may be a first over-the-horizon (OTH) communication system at a first location. There may be a second OTH communication system at a second location that is over the horizon relative to the first OTH communication system at the first location. The first OTH communication system may be configured to transmit a signal to the plasma stream that is then reflected to the second OTH communication system. The system and method may also be utilized to track the object. The first OTH communication system may be self-localized with other communications located on the same side of the horizon.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.