Stray light baffles for a conformal dome with arch corrector optics

Abstract

Asymmetric rotating stray light baffles are provided for conformal dome two-axis seekers having arch corrector optics mounted on the outer gimbal. A pair of side skirt baffles are mounted on opposite sides of the arch corrector optics on the outer gimbal extending forward beyond the transparent arch adjacent but not touching the inner surface of the dome and extending aft beyond the forward most receiver optic for all fields of regard (FOR). The optical system may also include: (a) an annular objective baffle mounted on and around the receiver optics on the inner gimbal and between the pair of side skirt baffles, the objective baffle extending forward of the receiver optics without interfering with the receiver optics' FOV and without interfering with the transparent arch as the inner gimbal rotates, (b) a plurality of fin baffles mounted between the side skirt baffles on the outer gimbal that extend forward adjacent but not touching the inner surface of the dome and aft of the transparent arch, each fin baffle positioned to reduce the cross-section seen by the receiver optic when rotated in the direction of that fin baffle and (c) central baffles (short or long) along the axis of symmetry that obscure a portion of the receiver optics' FOV at a zero degree angle of rotation about the second axis.