Midbody camera/sensor navigation and automatic target recognition

A method of guiding an ordnance with a guidance assembly that operates in a navigation mode and a targeting mode, the method comprising:

• providing on the mid-body of the ordnance a guidance assembly having a single imager/seeker that is pivotable depending on an operating mode of the guidance assembly;
• installing the imager/seeker in a navigation position within the ordnance;
• operating the guidance assembly in the navigation mode;
• determining, with a flight control unit, an attitude of the ordnance;
• controlling, with the flight control unit, a trajectory of the ordnance;
• switching operation of the guidance assembly from the navigation mode of operation to the targeting mode of operation;
• pivoting the imager/seeker from the navigation position to a targeting position;
• capturing and detecting light energy relating to the target with the imager/seeker;
• determining specific target information with the flight control unit;
• and
• guiding the ordnance with the flight control unit to impact with the target;
• wherein the flight control unit, during the navigation mode of operation, collects images from the imager/seeker while the imager/seeker is arranged in the navigation position, the flight control unit scales the collected images based on an altitude of the ordnance and de-warps the images, the flight control unit compares the collected images to a data base of images to determine ground position;
• and
• during a transition from the navigation mode of operation to the targeting mode of operation, the actuator pivots the imager/seeker to the targeting position based on a range of the flight or by detecting the target within the field of view of the imager/seeker.