The near space hypersonic maneuvering targets have the motion characteristics of highspeed and highmobility.The collaborative turning model is one of the common models for tracking near space targets.The adaptive grid interaction multiple model (AGIMM) algorithm based on collaborative turning model can better adapt to the motion characteristics of the near space hypersonic targets.Aiming at the problem that AGIMM algorithm is dependent on the central grid model and the model set converges slowly at nonmaneuvering time,a variable structure interactive multi model algorithm based on maneuvering discriminant is proposed.The proposed algorithm adjusts the structure of the tracking model set and the model probability transfer matrix according to the maneuvering characteristics of the targets,which accelerates the convergence speed of the model set at nonmaneuvering time and overcomes the problems of the AGIMM algorithm.Monte Carlo simulations verify that the improved algorithm improves the tracking performance of hypersonic targets in the near space compared with the AGIMM algorithm.