Automatic Target Recognition (ATR) is one of the most difficult problems in Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data interpretation. In recent years, the model-based SAR target recognition method has attracted much attention because of its good performance in the extended operation condition. Based on the research of a few domestic research institutes, this paper briefly introduces the preliminary research results and gives some thoughts about SAR ATR problem. First of all, the development of parametric scattering model are discussed from three aspects. Next, two ways to model the parametric electromagnetic scattering for complex target are put forward. Finally, we propose a new framework for a Three-Dimensional (3D) parametric scattering model based SAR ATR. In the end, the future research direction of model-based SAR target recognition is prospected.
