Raytheon Company

Richard A Beckerleg

Barry N Levitt

Richard R LaTorre

Vincent A Grosso

Gordon C MacKenzie

Thomas H Crocker

Benjamin Klaus, Jr

Isaac E Kliger

Mark R Fernald

Daniel O Eyring

An infrared signal processor is provided wherein infrared energy from objects on an area of the ground is directed towards a plurality of detectors disposed in a missile. The plurality of detectors scan the area of the ground and electrical signals produced by the detectors in response to the sensed infrared energy are processed to detect the presence of a ground target, typically a tank. Potential targets are detected, that is, are distinguished from ground clutter, by determining whether electrical pulses produced by the detectors in response to the sensed infrared energy have a proper pulse duration which is consistent with the width of a tank target. In particular, the electrical pulses are passed through a bandpass filter to filter signals produced by both ground clutter infrared energy and noise.

Infrared detection system

A gyroscopically stabilized optical seeker for use in a cannon-launched projectile is shown to include a gimbal arrangement wherein a two-axis rate gyroscope and associated torque motors are utilized to attain the requisite stabilization however such seeker is oriented with respect to such projectile, the two-axis rate gyroscope being arranged so that the complete optical system, including the detector unit, may be mounted on the inner gimbal.

Two-axis gimbal arrangement

An optical system focuses a portion of electromagnetic energy into a spot on a focal plane and rotates the focused spot about an optic axis. A plurality of detectors is disposed in a detector plane. The array of detectors is arranged in a plurality of sets of such detectors. Each one of such sets of detectors is disposed along a different region extending radially from a central region of the array. When the detector and focal planes are skewed, a processor processes signals produced by a selected one of the plurality of sets of detectors. The selected one of the sets is the set disposed in one of the radially extending regions disposed along, or adjacent to, a line formed by the intersection of the skewed detector and focal planes.

Optical system

A control system for a cannon-launched projectile carrying explosive squibs is shown to comprise: (a) a first control computer, responsive to the range and bearing of a selected ground target, to compute an ideal ballistic trajectory between an artillery piece and such target and to calculate the line of sight between the artillery piece and points on such trajectory; (b) an infrared beam generator and scanner for scanning, under the control of a first clock, such beam in a predetermined pattern centered on the calculated line of sight; (c) a sensor carried on the cannon-launched projectile for detecting when the infrared beam irradiates such projectile; a second clock on the cannon-launched projectile operating synchronously with the first clock to indicate the position of the infrared beam when the cannon-launched projectile is irradiated; and (d), a firing controller for selecting and firing one, or more, explosive squibs to force the cannon-launched projectile toward the ideal ballistic trajectory.

Apparatus and method for controlling a cannon-launched projectile

An infrared seeker for use in a spinning projectile is shown to include a Cassegrainian telescope having a tapered optical wedge overlying the entrance aperture, such wedge being rotatably mounted to allow scanning and tracking, and a jettisonable streamlined cover overlying the optical wedge to reduce drag so long as such cover is in place.

Growing community of inventors

Boxford, MA, United States of America

Richard A Beckerleg