Aerial bogey discrimination technique

A computer-implemented analysis method executed on an automated processor for determining whether a flight trajectory of a bogey relative to Earth's surface constitutes either a ballistic projectile or else a non-ballistic projectile, said method comprising:

• obtaining first and second positions of the bogey separated by a first time interval;
• calculating a first difference between said first and second positions divided by said first time interval to obtain a first velocity vector;
• obtaining a third position of the bogey separated from said second position by a second time interval;
• calculating a second difference between said second and third positions divided by said second time interval to obtain a second velocity vector;
• calculating a third difference between said first and second velocity vectors divided by said second time interval to obtain an acceleration vector;
• determining a negative flight path state of whether said first velocity vector exceeds said second velocity vector as being valid;
• determining a negative acceleration path state of whether said acceleration vector is negative and substantially perpendicular to the Earth's surface as being valid;
• and
• reporting an identified threat that the bogey represents the ballistic projectile in response to said negative flight path and negative acceleration path states are both valid, and as the non-ballistic projectile otherwise.