Guided munition systems for detecting off-axis targets

Abstract

Systems are disclosed for navigating a missile to a target using a fixed sensor onboard the missile. In an embodiment, a system includes a launch platform traveling a pre-programmed route to deliver the missile within an area. The missile travels a first flight path through the area in effort to detect targets. If no targets are detected along the first flight path, the missile transitions to a second flight path, different from the first flight path, to locate targets off-axis relative to the first flight path. While the missile travels the second flight path, the sensor receives signal identifying a target located at a position off-axis relative to the first flight path. The missile then adjusts the second flight path to direct the missile to the target. In an example embodiment, the first flight path is straight or arced, while the second flight path is u-shaped, corkscrew-shaped, or spiral-shaped.