Method and apparatus for avoiding an undesired firing of a weapon

Abstract

A system for automatically firing or discharing a weapon, such as a mine, comprises acoustical sensors for the preliminary adjustment and firing of the weapon. An optical sensor is used in conjunction with the acoustical sensors. In a first step, prior to the first acoustical target acquisition, the target background is optically scanned to store first optical image values defining an optical image of the target background to determine a firing range and a firing horizon. Thereafter, an acoustical ranging is performed for the target acquisition. Then the optical scanning and storing is repeated with regard to a firing horizon and when a target approaches the firing horizon, to provide second optical image values which are compared with the first image values to provide, by signal differentiation, proof of the presence of a target at the firing horizon. The resulting signal is used to control the weapon. The steps of optical scanning, signal storing, and comparing may be repeated for a target zone, which is larger than the target, whereby a target profile or silhouette is produced. The respective electrical signal is used for the fine adjustment of the weapon prior to firing by the target presence signal.