Open loop seeker aiming guiding system

Abstract

An open loop seeker aiming guiding system for directing a guided missile m its launching to its impact with a target. The system includes a fire control mechanism for initially controlling the flight of missile toward the target. Located on the missile itself is a seeker homing system for homing the missile onto the target signature. The system includes transition means for transferring control of the missile flight from the ground base fire control to the homing guidance control on the missile itself whenever the signal from the fire control is interrupted, the missile has been in flight a predetermined time, or the homing device on the missile itself locks in on the target to an extent predetermined, by comparing the image it receives from the target to an image stored in a storing device on the missile itself. Whenever either of these conditions occur control of the missile is transferred from fire control to the homing device on the missile. Significantly, the seeker is blindly pointed approximately at the target, using information derived from the line of sight guidance during the early portion of the flight. This approximate pointing in flight is what enables seeker target acquisition autonomously later in flight with no area target search required.