Guided munition and optical assembly with an annular folded optic and beamsplitter

An optical assembly comprising:

• an annular folded optic (AFO) on a device, wherein the AFO has a frontal surface and a rear surface, and a body of the AFO extending between the frontal surface and the rear surface;
• a first imager in optical communication with the frontal surface;
• a second imager in optical communication with rear surface;
• a beamsplitter optically coupled to one of the frontal surface and the rear surface, wherein the beamsplitter splits electromagnetic radiation moving through the body of the AFO into a first portion directed toward the first imager and a second portion directed toward the second imager;
• and
• a guidance kit, wherein the AFO is in operative communication with the guidance kit such that electromagnetic radiation that has passed through the AFO is detected by at least one of the first imager and the second imager that generates at least one signal that is provided to the guidance kit and the signal is utilized to guide the device toward a target.

A method comprising:

• receiving electromagnetic radiation through an inlet aperture of an annular folded optic (AFO), wherein the inlet aperture is located around at least a portion of the periphery of the AFO;
• reflecting the electromagnetic radiation between a frontal surface and a rear surface of the AFO, wherein reflected electromagnetic radiation is directed toward a center of the AFO;
• and
• splitting, via a beamsplitter, the electromagnetic radiation into a first portion and a second portion, wherein the beamsplitter is in optical communication with at least one of the frontal surface and the rear surface of the AFO.