A system for tracking a moving magnetic target uses a magnetic anomaly
sensing system to continually determine magnetic gradient tensors
associated with the target and converts the magnetic gradient tensors to
gradient contraction scalars. A processor uses the magnetic gradient
tensors and gradient contraction scalars to determine a minimum of
bearing and range to the target. A velocity of the target is determined
using the determined bearing and range at two points in time as the
target is moving. To continually track with the moving target, the
processor determines adjustments in elevation and azimuth using the
magnetic gradient tensors and gradient contraction scalars along with
bearing, range and determined velocities of the target. The processor can
include a routine that determines range while accounting for asphericity
errors introduced by the aspherical nature of constant magnetic gradient
contours associated with the target.