US 2017/0321994 A1 · MISSILE FOR USE IN A LASER BEAM RIDING MISSILE GUIDANCE SYSTEM

Abstract

A method for aligning a missile with a target in a laser beam riding missile guidance system, the system including a laser transmitter for generating and projecting a laser information field towards the target and an optical sight for aiming the laser beam towards the target, the method comprising: determining a point in the laser information field with which the missile is currently aligned; determining a distance of the target from the missile; determining an angular displacement between the missile's current direction of travel and the direction in which the target lies from the missile; determining, based on said distance and angular displacement, a new point in the laser information field with which the missile should be aligned to reach the target; and controlling missile guidance systems on board the missile to bring the missile into alignment with the new point in the laser information field.

Claims17

Dependent claims

determining, based on light received from the laser beam at the missile, a point in the laser information field with which the missile is currently aligned;
determining a distance of the target from the missile;
determining an angular displacement between the missile's current direction of travel and the direction in which the target lies from the missile;
determining, based on said distance and angular displacement, a new point in the laser information field with which the missile should be aligned to reach the target;
and
controlling missile guidance systems on board the missile to bring the missile into alignment with the new point in the laser information field.

3 more elements

A missile for use in a laser beam riding missile guidance system, the missile comprising:

a light sensor for detecting light in a laser information field generated by a laser transmitter and projected by the laser transmitter towards a target;
a target sensor for sensing an angular displacement between the missile's current direction of travel and the direction in which the target lies from the missile;
a guidance processor unit for determining a distance of the target from the missile, the guidance processor being configured to determine, based on the detected light, a point in the laser information field with which the missile is currently aligned and to determine, based on said distance and angular displacement, a new point in the laser information field with which the missile should be aligned to reach the target;
the missile further comprising a guidance control for controlling the flight of the missile, the guidance control being configured to bring the missile into alignment with the new point in the laser information field.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Missile for use in a laser beam riding missile guidance system

Life of this patent

Missile for use in a laser beam riding missile guidance system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17