Recon/optical, Inc.

John G Lecuyer

James P Quinn

James P Smith

Apparatus and methods for stabilizing a line of sight of an optical system without the use of gimbals. The apparatus includes a fixed plano-concave lens element mounted in a frame and a moveable plano-convex lens element mounted in a carriage. The frame mounts onto a preexisting optical system such that the lens elements are nominally aligned with the line of sight of the preexisting optical system. A motor driving unit is provided in the frame which moves the plano-convex lens element back and forth relative to the fixed plano-concave lens element about two orthogonal movement axes in response to small amplitude disturbances imparted to the optical system. The line of sight stabilization apparatus is suitable for retrofit installation onto preexisting optical systems, and in particular, to missile tracking guidance and sighting systems which were originally manufactured or installed without line of sight stabilization capability.

Retrofit line of sight stabilization apparatus and method

An electro-optic targeting system for use with a surface-to-air or air-to-air missile launching system is disclosed. The targeting system provides, in a head-up display type system, the capability of sight observation of a target object and video observation of the target object, including magnified visible and thermal spectrum video, in combination with the display of an aiming mark indicating alignment of the weapon system. The targeting system incorporates a combining glass assembly through which the gunner observes the target object and upon which the video image is displayed. The combining glass includes an optically variable density cell of selectively changeable opacity. When the targeting system is operated in a sight mode, the cell is substantially clear, enabling the gunner to see the aiming mark superimposed on the combining glass with sight observation of the forward scene. When the gunner selects video mode, the cell turns opaque, blocking out the forward scene, and permitting a video signal, normal or magnified, to be reflected off the combing glass towards the gunner. In video mode, the gunner sees a video image of the target with the aiming mark superimposed. The cell automatically changes opacity when the gunner selects sight mode or video mode.

Electro-optic targeting system

A missile aiming sight for use in a man-portable missile launching system which includes an adaptor section for connection between a conventional grip-stock and missile launching tube. The aiming sight monitors the electrical communication between the launching tube and grip-stock in order to drive a pair of sighting reticles. The reticles are positioned in the image plane of a telescopic viewing system for providing a visual indication by the intersection of the reticles as to the point of regard of the missile. A separate visual indicator is positioned at the center of the image plane to indicate that the missile electronics has locked on to a target. Additional indication is provided in the image plane to indicate out-of-tolerance and other sighting conditions to alert the operator to restart the missile firing process.

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Crystal Lake, IL, United States of America

John G Lecuyer