Abstract:
A guidance head (8) for use in directing a beam (16) of energy towards a target comprises one or more beam-steering elements (30,32) for directing a beam of energy towards a projected position on an object in a scene, one or more beam-steering element sensors (38,40), a display (26), and a processing resource (24), wherein each beam-steering element has a corresponding beam-steering configuration, each beam-steering element sensor is configured to generate an electrical signal representative of the beam-steering configuration of the corresponding beam-steering element, and the processing resource is configured to receive image data representative of the scene and cause the display to display an image of the scene that is based on the received image data and which includes an aiming mark displayed at a position in the image of the scene based at least in part on the one or more electrical signals representative of the beam-steering configuration of the one or more beam-steering elements. The guidance head may be suitable for a weapon system such as a guided missile weapon system, a directed energy weapon system, a dazzle weapon system, or may be suitable for a target designator.
Abstract:
The presently disclosed subject matter includes an active protection system and a method, dedicated for detecting, locating, and incapacitating beam-riding missiles and in that way protecting an asset from being targeted by the missile. According to some examples following receipt of a threat-indication, the active protection system estimates a location of a beam used for directing a threat (e.g., ATGM) to the target and launches an aerial platform that flies in the opposite direction along the beam until it meets and incapacitates the incoming threat.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method of guiding a salvo of guided projectiles to a target. The method comprises the steps of generating a beam defining a common reference coordinate system, determining the position of each projectile relative to the beam, and providing to each projectile: position information of other projectiles. Further, the method includes the step of associating dispersion parameters to the salvo of guided projectiles. In addition, the method comprises the step of determining numerical values of the dispersion parameters based on accuracy uncertainty. Also, the method includes the step of controlling the projectiles to an optimal dispersion by using a swarming technique based on the position information of the projectiles and on the numerical values of the dispersion parameters.
Abstract:
An optical seeker assembly having an optical detector located within the wing or canards of a precision guided munition. The optical seeker provides on-wing processing that generates low bandwidth detection data that can be easily transferred to a primary CPU located within the main body or fuselage of the precision guided munition. The on-wing processing reduces or eliminates the need for optical fibers extending between an optical wedge and an optical detector to reduce the likelihood of optical fibers from impeding in the mechanical deployment of the wing and reduces losses. The reduction or elimination of optical fibers between the optical wedge and the optical detector further enables the optical detection assembly to have a higher pixel ratio or transmitting raw data between the wedge and the detector by sending sampled detection data across a low bandwidth link to a CPU in the main body.
Abstract:
Laser light source geolocation. The system includes two spaced-apart ground based sensors for receiving light from a laser source that has been off-axis scattered by air molecules and particulates to form scattered light imagery. A processor operates on the imagery from the two sensors to geolocate the laser light source on the ground.
Abstract:
A guidance system for a projectile having a mid-body. The guidance system having a mid-body semi-active laser seeker. The seeker has an objective lens assembly and a sensor array that reads laser energy and transmits data to determine the direction of the laser energy. A glint management unit is connected to mid-body in such a manner that glint laser energy is prevented from passing to the objective lens assembly and sensor array so as to enhance determination of the location of the target.
Abstract:
A laser lead designator (320) for guiding a laser guided weapon (LGW) to strike a moving target includes a laser source (321) for providing a laser beam (322) and a controller (328) coupled to receive a position and a velocity of the moving target from a target tracker (310). Using a laser lead table (330) as a look-up table, the controller provides a control signal (323) for pointing the laser beam a specified lead distance ahead of the position of the moving target to position a laser spot on a ground location ahead of the moving target. The lead distance compensates for an impact shortfall value that is a function of at least one shortfall parameter including a speed of the moving target so that the LGW shortfalls the laser spot on the moving target. The laser designator is separate from the LGW.
Abstract:
A laser lead designator (320) for guiding a laser guided weapon (LGW) to strike a moving target includes a laser source (321) for providing a laser beam (322) and a controller (328) coupled to receive a position and a velocity of the moving target from a target tracker (310). Using a laser lead table (330) as a look-up table, the controller provides a control signal (323) for pointing the laser beam a specified lead distance ahead of the position of the moving target to position a laser spot on a ground location ahead of the moving target. The lead distance compensates for an impact shortfall value that is a function of at least one shortfall parameter including a speed of the moving target so that the LGW shortfalls the laser spot on the moving target. The laser designator is separate from the LGW.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method and an arrangement for guiding a missile. In accordance with the prior art, the angle position of a target (9) when the missile (3) is expected to reach the target is predicted on the basis of the angular velocity determined in a preceding time period. In order to improve the strike accuracy, the operator, in a second subsequent time period, tracks the actual position of the missile in relation to the predicted angle position of the target. If a deviation is observed, a correction command is transmitted to the missile in order to correct the missile trajectory. For this purpose, a communications link is provided to transmit the correction command given by the operator.