Raytheon Company

Liam Skoyles

Jason R Lavine

Justin T Martin

Tyler Layne Hook

Patrick W Clark

Benjamin P Lane

Justin Martin

An apparatus includes imaging optics having an objective lens configured to focus electromagnetic radiation to an intermediate image plane and one or more optical devices configured to generate an optical beam from the electromagnetic radiation. The apparatus also includes at least one imaging sensor configured to capture an image from the optical beam. The apparatus further includes a beam generator configured to generate and transmit an HEL beam through the imaging optics. In addition, the apparatus includes an intermediate alignment target configured to be moveably positioned at the intermediate image plane. The intermediate alignment target includes a first-wavelength target configured to reflect a first spectral band of the HEL beam to a first of the at least one imaging sensor (the first imaging sensor configured to capture a first-wavelength infrared image of the first spectral band) and transmit remaining spectral portions of the HEL beam towards the objective lens.

Beam director intermediate alignment target assembly configuration

A beam director system for a high-energy laser (HEL) weapon includes correction sensors that are able detect misalignments in optical elements throughout the entire optical path traversed by the high-energy laser. The system includes beam correction sensors that sense misalignments in a first part of the optical path, and high-speed track sensors that sense misalignments in a second part of the optical path, with the first part and the second part overlapping. This allows all optics to be sensed by the beam correction sensors and/or the high-speed track sensors. The system can accommodate a wide variety of lasers for the HEL, preferably including a co-boresighted and aligned alignment laser. By having the track sensors further downstream on the optical path than in prior devices, the acquisition and track sensor fields of view of the system may be improved.

Beam director for high-energy laser (HEL) weapon

An apparatus includes a substrate and first and second electrical connectors. The apparatus also includes at least one first conductive trace positioned in, on, or over the substrate. The at least one first conductive trace forms an electrical connection between the first and second electrical connectors. The at least one first conductive trace is configured to be damaged by laser energy to break the electrical connection between the first and second electrical connectors. The apparatus further includes an indicator electrically coupled to the at least one first conductive trace. The indicator is configured to generate feedback based on whether the electrical connection between the first and second electrical connectors has been broken.

Laser damage detection mechanisms for safety interlock and fault detection

Aspects are generally directed to an alignment assembly and method for aligning a multi-spectral optical system. In one example, an alignment assembly includes an illumination source configured to emit illumination in a first spectral band, and a first plate having a plurality of apertures formed in a reflective surface thereof. The reflective surface of the first plate is disposed to reflect the illumination emitted by the illumination source. The alignment assembly may also include a second plate positioned proximate to the first plate and spaced apart from the first plate to define a gap between the first plate and the second plate, the first plate being interposed between the second plate and the illumination source, and a heating element coupled to the second plate and configured to heat the second plate to emit thermal infrared radiation, from the second plate, in a second spectral band.

Alignment assembly and method for multi-spectral optical systems

Aspects are generally directed to multi-sensor boresight alignment methods and systems for a multi-spectral reimaging optical system. In one example, a multi-sensor boresight alignment system includes a system interface to receive a first image frame from a first sensor and a second image frame from a second sensor, the first image frame having a contrast within a first spectral band and including a first image of a plate having a pattern of apertures, and the second image frame having a contrast within a second spectral band and including a second image of the plate. The system includes a field programmable gate array (FPGA) coupled to the system interface, the FPGA configured to spot track each image frame to identify a corresponding centroid of the pattern of apertures and correct an optical alignment between the first and second sensors based on a position of the corresponding centroids.

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Allen, TX, United States of America

Liam Skoyles