Bae Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.

Itt Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.

David Anthony Richards

Michael J Choiniere

Mark P Devins

Quang M Lam

William Eric Garris

Jason T Stockwell

George M Horihan

Benjamin Ryan Brown

Robert W Costantino

Kevin D Galli

Charles Dale Willey

Nils Ian Thomas

Robert D Frey, Jr

Brian Frank O'Donnell

William Allen Smith

Derek P Janiak

Brendan P Cirillo

Haijun H Hu

An integrated architecture and its associated sensors and processing software subsystems are defined and developed allowing a conventional unguided bullet to be transformed into a guided bullet without the use of an on-board inertial measurement unit (IMU). Some important SW components of the present disclosure include a target state estimator (TSE); a bullet state estimator (BSE); Multi-Object Tracking and Data Association; NTS GL; and a Data Link. Pre-conversion of two angles and range information of an OI sensor from spherical coordinates into Cartesian coordinates eliminates the Jacobian dependency in the H matrix for the BSE, thus increasing the miss distance performance accuracy of the bullet target engagement system.

IMUless flight control system

The system and method for EO/IR and RF sensor fusion and tracking using a dual extended Kalman filter (EKF) system provides a dynamic mixing scheme leveraging the strength of each individual sensor to adaptively combine both sensors' measurements and dynamically mix them based on the actual relative geometries between the sensors and objects of interest. In some cases the objects are adversarial targets and other times they are assets.

EOIR and RF sensors fusion and tracking using a dual EKFs system

A method and system for nonlinear trajectory shaping guidance law capable of providing a robust guidance solution suitable for multi-mission, multi-mode operations. The nonlinear trajectory shaping guidance law offers (1) a dual layered GL gains calculation: (i) NTS time varying adjustment accounting for engine on/off and L/D variation and (ii) general explicit guidance algorithm based sub-optimal fixed-gain selection while still maintaining its trajectory shaping capability for short range to go missions; (2) flight path angle (FPA) command tracking and following to ensure a high probability of target destruction while minimizing collateral damages; (3) high precision impact point calculation factoring in target location errors or motion and maneuvering uncertainties; and (4) heading error angle minimization.

Multi-mode adaptive nonlinear trajectory shaping (NTS) guidance law

A system for facilitating radio communication using targeting devices is disclosed. In one embodiment, the targeting device includes a wireless microphone. The wireless microphone is wirelessly connected to a communication device. Further, the targeting device includes an activation button to activate the communication device. In this embodiment, the wireless microphone transmits an audio signal to the communication device upon activating the communication device.

Facilitating radio communication using targeting devices

An electrical connector assembly adapted for military use comprising a high-density maintenance connector which supports high bandwidth video export and low level maintenance functions, a lower density I/O connector, the stacking feature allows multiple branches in a distribution center, custom to each user, and the programmability allows for identical cables/stacking connectors to be used in different configurations.

Stacking connector for military applications

A scene correlation-based target system and related methods are provided. A reference image depicts a remotely-positioned object having identifiable characteristics, wherein a reference directional vector is established relative to the reference image. A target image of a general vicinity of the remotely-positioned object has an unknown directional vector, the target image having at least a portion of the identifiable characteristics. An inertial measuring unit has a scene correlation system, wherein the scene correlation system matches the portion of the identifiable characteristics of the target image with the identifiable characteristics of the reference image, wherein a slew angle between the reference image and the target image is calculated. A target image directional vector is derived from the calculated slew angle and the reference directional vector.

Method and apparatus for establishing a north reference for inertial measurement units using scene correlation

An electrical connector assembly adapted for military use comprising a high density maintenance connector which supports high bandwidth video export and low level maintenance functions, a lower density I/O connector, the stacking feature allows multiple branches in distribution center, custom to each user, and the programmability allows for identical cables/stacking connectors to be used in different configurations.

An optical automatic attitude measurement device for a lightweight portable optical system is disclosed. In one embodiment, a first optical device is configured to provide an attitude beam. A second optical device mechanically coupled to the first optical device to a lose tolerance. The second optical device is configured to provide a reference beam and to receive the attitude beam from the first optical device. The second optical device is further configured to obtain an attitude measurement by computing a differential measurement between the reference beam and the attitude beam in x and y planes at room temperature.

Optical automatic attitude measurement for lightweight portable optical systems

A sealing structure for an optical device, such as an image intensifier device, is provided. The optical device includes an evacuated housing and an anode positioned within the evacuated housing. An interior sealing member extends from the anode. An exterior sealing member extends from a component of the image intensifier device, wherein the exterior sealing member is positioned to extend adjacent to and substantially parallel with the interior sealing member such that a gap is defined between the sealing members. A seal cup is positioned for sealing engagement with both the interior sealing member and the exterior sealing member to substantially maintain a vacuum condition within the housing.

Apparatus and method for sealing an image intensifier device

An image intensifier device and a method of fabricating the image intensifier device are disclosed. The image intensifier device includes a microchannel plate (MCP) having a thin-film applied to a surface thereof. An anode assembly comprising an image sensor mounted to a header is positioned adjacent the MCP. A spacer defining a mounting surface is positioned against a mounting surface of the header of the anode assembly for separating the MCP from the anode assembly. A recess is defined in either the header or the spacer at the interface between the header and the spacer. The recess forms a passageway defined between the spacer and the header thru which organic gases pass.

Vented header assembly of an image intensifier device

A mechanism for permitting selective adjustment of the angular position of a head-mounted night vision device is provided. The mechanism comprises a housing positioned adjacent the night vision device. A shaft defining a longitudinal axis is at least partially positioned within or adjacent the housing. The shaft is rotatively coupled to the night vision device, wherein rotation of the shaft induces rotation of the night vision device. A moveable lever is coupled to the shaft for rotating the shaft. Means for selectively limiting rotation of the shaft are provided, wherein the means are moveable between a first position and a second position. In the first position the means permit rotation of the shaft and the optical device, and in the second position the means limit rotation of the shaft and the optical device.

Tilt adjustment locking mechanism for a head-mounted night vision device

A night vision device includes an image intensifier tube and a fiber optic screen disposed in operative relationship to each other. The fiber optic screen includes a longitudinal bundle of multiple optical fibers, where the bundle has an outer surface. A groove is formed in the fiber optic screen and extends transversely to the longitudinal bundle. An indicator is positioned adjacent to the outer surface of the bundle and is proximate to the groove, where the groove is configured to redirect light emitted from the indicator for viewing by a user. The groove may be formed circumferentially around a portion of the outer surface of the longitudinal bundle. The groove includes a surface of end portions of multiple cut optical fibers, and the groove is configured to redirect the light emitted from the indicator toward the user by way of the end portions of the multiple cut optical fibers.

Growing community of inventors

Merrimack, NH, United States of America

David Anthony Richards