US 3,946,233 AGranted

Weapon system for the detection of and use against stationary or moving objects

AssigneeMesserschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm GmbH

InventorsKlaus Dieter Erben, Walter Kroy, Walter Erich Mehnert

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Abstract

Weapons system for both detection and affecting of stationary or moving objects. A laser beam is generated at a relatively low power level and caused to monitor, as by sweeping, a predetermined zone or space. Said laser beam or a portion thereof is reflected by and from an object appearing within said zone or space and is sensed by suitable detection means. The detection means provides the input to a computer which then locks the generator onto said object and simultaneously increases the power emitted therefrom to a predetermined higher, as destructive, value. Friendly objects operating within the same area can be caused to emanate a signal beam which is sensed simultaneously with the sensing of the reflected laser beam and prevents the actuation of the computer.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A system for detecting the presence of and inflicting damage on a stationary or moving object, comprising:

controllable carbon dioxide gas infrared laser means for producing an output beam of infrared radiation in the wave range of 8 to 11 microns, the magnitude of power contained in said output beam being controllable between a low output power level for a scanning and a high output power level for inflicting damage;
adjustable lense means in the path of said infrared radiation for controllably directing said infrared radiation for scanning a given zone;
detector means for locating said object in said zone by detecting infrared radiation reflected from said object and producing a signal;
control means for (1) effecting an adjustment of said adjustable lense means in response to said signal to maintain a directing of said infrared radiation at said object and for (2) effecting a change of the power level of said laser means from said low power level to said high power level to inflict damage on said object.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 05/020,788Filed 18 Mar 1970
Priority: DT 191425020 Mar 1969
Granted: 23 Mar 1976
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification9 codes

F41H 13/0062
The high-energy beam being a laser beam: causing structural damage to the target
G01S 17/66
Systems using the reflection or reradiation of electromagnetic waves other than radio waves, e.g. lidar systems: tracking systems using…
H01S 3/034
Of gas laser discharge tubes: optical devices within, or forming part of, the tube, e.g. windows, mirrors
H01S 3/0343
Optical devices within, or forming part of, the tube, e.g. windows, mirrors: aerodynamic windows