Abstract: An automatic thresholding target detection system operable in high clutter, noisy environments provides target recognition through the generation of automatic signal thresholds. Infrared and radar detectors scanning an environment detect radiant energy from manmade and natural sources. The energy received is converted to electrical signals representative of the varying energy intensities which are filtered and compared with a computed target signal threshold. Signal spikes having amplitudes greater than the automatically generated threshold are then evaluated using a shape parameter test. Finally, an automatic region clutter recognition processor confirms that the spike is a true target, clutter or noise.