Hughes Missile Systems Company

Hugh L Ord

Garry N Hulderman

A system for controlling the arming and firing of a weapon that is suspended from a parachute at an oblique angle and spun so as to be aimed over a spiral rotational scanning pattern on the earth as the parachute descends toward the earth. The weapon is supported by a platform so that the weapon is aimed in a predetermined direction relative to the platform. A detection system is supported by the platform and aimed in the same direction as the weapon for detecting predetermined radiation characteristics from targets of opportunity. A ranging system is supported by the platform and aimed in the same direction as the weapon for determining the range to the earth in such direction. A first circuit is coupled to the ranging system for enabling the weapon to be armed in response to the ranging system determining that the range to the earth in the direction that the weapon is aimed is less than a first predetermined distance; and a second circuit is coupled to the detection system and the ranging system for enabling an armed weapon to be fired in response to either the detection system detecting the predetermined radiation characteristics or the ranging system determining that the range to the earth in the direction that the weapon is aimed is less than a second predetermined distance that is shorter than the first predetermined distance.

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Upland, CA, United States of America

Hugh L Ord