How does a target's trail help in predicting its future path?

• A. The trail shows weather behind the target.
• B. The trail is ornament.
• C. The trail reveals speed and direction; extrapolating it helps forecast the target's trajectory.
• D. The trail gives target's identity.

Answer: (C)

Radar trails are a motion history, showing where the target has been recently. The spacing between trail marks tells you how fast the target is moving, and the direction of the line formed by the trail shows which way it is heading. By extending that motion line forward, you can estimate where the target will be next if it keeps the same speed and direction. If the trail begins to curve, that indicates a change in direction or speed, so the prediction would need to adjust accordingly. This is how the trail helps forecast near-term trajectory.