Lockheed Martin Corporation

Timothy E Macklin

Susan E Hall

Allen T Hicks

Dennis L Carter

Alan F Lindsay

Charles T Knorr

Daniel E Laird

Danny E Brown

An apparatus for combining electro-optical infrared threat warning, and proactive and reactive countermeasures includes a laser which generates a laser beam. A tracking module is included in the apparatus which scans a field of regard with the laser beam and collects threat signals generated from objects of interest. A passive warning module observes the threat signals in the field of regard and generates passive warning operational signals. A proactive module also observes the threat signals in the field of regard with the laser beam and generates proactive operational signals. A reactive module directs the laser beam at the objects of interest in said field of regard, and generates reactive operational signals. The modules exchange the operational signals therebetween and with the laser and the tracking module to at least monitor the objects of interest.

Apparatus utilizing electro-optical/infrared threat warning, proactive and reactive countermeasures

An optical tracking device, includes an azimuth sub-assembly providing a 360-degree range of motion and a transducer sensing the azimuth position within this range of motion; and an elevation sub-assembly coupled to the azimuth sub-assembly and providing at least a &#x2212;30-degree to +100-degree range of motion and a transducer sensing the elevation position. A cross-elevation sub-assembly is coupled to the elevation sub-assembly and provides at least a &#xb1;14-degree optical range of motion and a transducer sensing the cross-elevation position. An elevation gyroscope is affixed to the elevation sub-assembly and generates an elevation rate signal; and a cross-elevation gyroscope is affixed to the elevation sub-assembly and generates a cross-elevation rate signal. A controller receives the azimuth, elevation, and cross-elevation position signals, and the elevation and cross-elevation rate signals and sends command signals to the sub-assemblies to initiate movement to allow inertially stabilized tracking of an object.

Optical tracking device employing a three-axis gimbal

A missile tracking and deflection system for protecting a platform includes a missile warning system for detecting the presence of a missile and generating a warning signal. A countermeasure processor receives the warning signal and analyzes characteristics of the missile to prioritize a trajectory signal. A track processor receives the trajectory signal and generates a pointer signal. The system also includes a receiver, which is positioned by a pointer that receives the pointer signal, for receiving a passive and/or active signature of the missile to confirm the presence thereof. The countermeasure processor then directs a laser beam at the missile to determine its operational parameters and receives an active signature from the missile. The receiver delivers the passive and/or active signatures to the countermeasure processor and the track processor, wherein the track processor updates the pointer signal and the countermeasure processor generates a jam code delivered by the laser beam to divert the trajectory of the missile away from the platform. A nulling or blanking signal may be used during generation of the laser beam to improve reception of the active signature.

Closed-loop infrared countermeasure system using a high frame rate infrared receiver with nulling sequence

A missile tracking and deflection system for protecting a platform includes a missile warning system for detecting the presence of a missile and generating a warning signal. A countermeasure processor receives the warning signal and analyzes characteristics of the missile to prioritize a trajectory signal. A track processor receives the trajectory signal and generates a pointer signal. The system also includes a receiver, which is positioned by a pointer that receives the pointer signal, for receiving a passive and/or active signature of the missile to confirm the presence thereof. The countermeasure processor then directs a laser beam at the missile to determine its operational parameters and receives an active signature from the missile. The receiver delivers the passive and/or active signatures to the countermeasure processor and the track processor, wherein the track processor updates the pointer signal and the countermeasure processor generates a jam code delivered by the laser beam to divert the trajectory of the missile away from the platform.

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Newton Falls, OH, United States of America

Timothy E Macklin