A method and apparatus for initializing a radar track are presented. The method includes: detecting a target within a field of view where the target having a detected range, radial velocity and azimuth; initializing values of a Kalman filter upon initial detection of the target based upon the detected range, radial velocity and azimuth; generating a azimuth value and estimated azimuth rate value of the target; determining a first estimated error value associated with the azimuth value and a second estimated error value associated with the estimated azimuth rate value based upon the detected azimuth; estimating a cross track error based upon the first and second estimated errors; in response to the estimated cross track error value being lower than a predetermined threshold value, reinitializing the values of the Kalman filter; and establishing a radar track based upon the reinitialzied values of the Kalman filter.