Sperry Corporation

Robert E Wilt

Robert S Roeder

W Baldwin Day

Harold W Hunt

An air-to-ground tracking guidance system wherein a tracker/illuminator and a terminally guided seeker are utilized. Target track is initially established by the tracker/illuminator which also provides a target illuminating signal. Semi-active tracking utilizing the reflected target illuminating signal is employed by the seeker after launch. During this period of operation, the seeker is prevented from tracking the tracker/illuminator by means of a unique guard radiation system. The semi-active mode is supplemented by an active mode in which the seeker tracks reflections of a target illumination signal emitted therefrom and a passive mode during which the seeker tracks the radiometric thermal emission from the target. While in the semi-active mode, the seeker establishes a range track that is independent of the semi-active mode of operation. This permits the seeker to automatically convert the mode of operation to active and passive at the desired positions along the seeker's track.

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Clearwater, FL, United States of America

Robert E Wilt