The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 26, 2012
Filed:
Apr. 25, 2006
Richard P. Mcconville, Melrose, MA (US);
Ralph Nardone, Billerica, MA (US);
Richard P. McConville, Melrose, MA (US);
Ralph Nardone, Billerica, MA (US);
Textron Systems Corporation, Wilmington, MA (US);
Abstract
In a sensor-fuzed munition system and method, the munition is provided with an additional laser designator/repeater mode of operation. In the laser designator/repeater mode, the munition has the option of initiating a target strike additionally based on whether a laser appointer energy is detected as being present on the target. The laser appointer energy signal is generated at a wavelength that is consistent with the wavelength of the laser rangefinder of the munition, and is generated based on the detected presence of a designator signal at a designator spot on the target. The laser appointer signal is directed to the designator spot and detected by the munition laser rangefinder receiver. In one embodiment, the repeater system for detecting the designator signal and for generating the appointer signal is provided on the delivery vehicle for the submunition. This additional mode of operation is preferably achieved using the existing laser receiver of the rangefinder hardware, with minimal additional hardware and software systems for detecting and processing the additional laser appointer signal energy. In this manner, collateral damage and false-target firings are decreased to near-zero probability.