Stereoscopic-Based Mass Properties Estimation for Warhead Fragments

This paper presents a strategy for the mass and moment of inertia estimation of fragments deriving from an explosion event. The presented procedure exploits estimated motion and shape data obtained by processing images acquired multiple stereo-vision system tracking the fragments. Specifically, the mass estimation procedure relies on the second dynamics principle applied at multiple observation instants, whilst the moments of inertia are determined by solving with a least square approach, a linear system based on the expression of the angular momentum vector in the inertial frame. Performance assessment of the presented strategies has been carried out in a numerical simulation environment in which all the relevant perturbations and uncertainties have been included. Also, the accuracy of the mass estimation strategies has also been verified by exploiting two sets of experimental data.