System and method for target acquisition, aiming and firing control of kinetic weapon

A target acquisition system for use with a weapon in acquiring at least one target for the weapon, the system comprising:

• a mapping sensor subsystem which forms a controllably scanned electromagnetic wave energy subsystem for illuminating a scene where one or more targets are potentially present with selectively scanned electromagnetic wave energy;
• the mapping sensor subsystem including at least one of:
• a solid state, microelectromechanical system (MEMS) light detection and ranging (Lidar) unit;
• and
• a micropower impulse radar;
• a control subsystem including a target/object recognition software module which uses information supplied by the mapping sensor subsystem to identify at least one target in the scene from a plurality of targets, which forms a valid target to be engaged by the weapon;
• and
• an electronic firing control subsystem at least one of mounted or integrated into the weapon, which is responsive to a fire command signal from the control subsystem to fire a projectile from the weapon, and which limits firing of the weapon until a predetermined degree of aiming accuracy is achieved relative to the valid target.

A target acquisition method for use with a weapon in acquiring at least one target for the weapon to fire at, the method comprising:

• using a mapping sensor subsystem to generate a controllably scanned electromagnetic wave energy beam to illuminate a scene where one or more targets are potentially present;
• using a control subsystem including a target/object recognition software module which uses information supplied by the mapping sensor subsystem to identify at least one target in the scene which forms a valid target to be engaged by the weapon;
• and
• further using the control subsystem to disable firing of the weapon until a predetermined degree of aiming accuracy has been achieved relative to the valid target.