Burst on target simulation device for training with rockets

An apparatus for simulating the firing of a weapon at an armored target comprising in combination:

• a reflective display screen;
• a visual scene slide projector spatially disposed from said reflective display screen in such a manner so as to project thereon a background scene, said visual scene slide projector having an input;
• a target projector spatially disposed from said reflective display screen in such a manner so as to project thereon a visual target and an infrared target spot in alignment therewith;
• a two-axis laser spot positioning servo system positioned between said target projector and said reflective display screen in such a manner so as to provide for the movement, in a predetermined direction, of said visual target and the infrared target spot in alignment therewith upon said reflective display screen;
• an imitation weapon having a trigger mechanism for effecting the simulated firing thereof;
• a normally open switch connected to the trigger mechanism of said weapon, said normally open switch having an input and an output for providing a trigger pulse whenever the trigger mechanism of said weapon is activated by a marksman;
• a matrix detector mounted within said weapon, and having an input-output terminal for continuously sensing the position of said infrared target upon said reflective display screen, and for continuously providing at the input-output terminal thereof analog signals indicative of the position of said infrared target spot on said reflective display screen;
• a controller having an input-output terminal connected to the input-output terminal of said matrix detector, and a data output for converting the analog signals provided by said controller to digital data bits indicative of the position of said infrared target spot upon said reflective display screen;
• an interface circuit having a data input connected to the data output of said controller and an input-output terminal for extracting from said matrix detector the digital data bits provided thereby only when said marksman activates the trigger mechanism of said weapon;
• a microprocessor computer having a trigger input effectively connected to the output of said switch, an input-output terminal connected to the input-output terminal of said interface circuit, a first output connected to the input of said two-axis laser spot positioning servo system, a second output connected to the input of said visual scene slide projector, a third output, a fourth output, and a fifth output adapted for supplying to said interface circuit a start pulse in response to the trigger pulse provided by said switch so as to effect the extraction of the digital data bits from said controller by said interface circuit, for processing the digital data bits extracted from said controller by said interface circuit so as to determine the exact position of said infrared target spot only when said marksman activates the trigger mechanism of said weapon, for providing indicator signals indicative of whether said marksman has scored a hit, miss, or near miss upon said visual target, and for providing a position control signal so as to activate said two-axis laser spot positioning servo system and thereby control the movement of said visual target and the infrared target spot in alignment therewith upon said reflective display screen;
• and
• a laser having an input connected to the fifth output of said microprocessor computer adapted for projecting upon said reflective display screen a laser burst pulse whenever said marksman activates the trigger mechanism of said weapon, said laser burst pulse indicating where said marksman has aimed said weapon.