In radar target detection, an optimum processor needs to automatically adapt its weights to the environment change. Conventionally, the optimum weights are obtained by substantial independently and identically distributed (i.i.d.) interference samplings, which is not always realistic in an inhomogeneous clutter background of airborne radar. The lack of i.i.d. samplings will inevitably lead to performance deterioration for optimum processing. In this paper, a novel parametric adaptive processing method is proposed for airborne radar target detection based on the modified Doppler distributed clutter (DDC) model with contribution of clutter’s internal motion. It is different from the conventional methods in that the adaptive weights are determined by two parameters of DDC model, i.e., angular center and spread. A low-complexity nonlinear operators approach is also proposed to estimate these parameters. Simulation and performance analysis are also provided to show that the proposed method can remarkably redu In principle, the optimum weights are obtained by substantially independently and identically distributed (iid) interference samplings, which is not always realistic in an inhomogeneous clutter background of airborne radar. The lack of iid samplings will inevitably lead to performance deterioration for optimum processing. In this paper, a novel parametric adaptive processing method is proposed for airborne radar target detection based on the modified Doppler distributed clutter (DDC) model with contribution of clutter’s internal It is different from the conventional methods in that the adaptive weights are determined by two parameters of DDC model, ie, angular center and spread. A low-complexity nonlinear operators approach is also to estimate these parameters. Simulation and performance analysis are also provided to show that the proposed method can remarkably redu