Missile having endoatmospheric and exoatmospheric seeker capability

Abstract

A seeker device, such as a seeker head, includes a housing for both a first optical assembly and a second optical assembly. In the preferred embodiment, the first optical assembly is an infrared telescope having a fixed, relatively narrow field of view for receiving incoming energy via a first path through an optical opening through the housing. The second optical assembly may be a pivotable mirror that is pivoted to provide a wide field of regard. The incoming energy that impinges the pivotable mirror enters through a second path through the optical opening. The energy from the pivotable mirror is redirected into the infrared telescope. In the preferred embodiment, the redirection is achieved by a dichroic mirror that has a high transmissivity with respect to long wave infrared energy and a high reflectivity with respect to mid wave infrared energy. In an exoatmospheric mode, the long wave infrared energy that passes through the dichroic mirror from the narrow field of view is utilized, while in an endoatmospheric mode mid wave infrared energy from the wide field of regard is utilized.