Laser initiated ordnance systems

Apparatus for ordnance initiation comprising:

• means for generating command control signals;
• means for initiating a charge;
• and
• means responsive to said command control signals for firing laser energy into said charge initiating means, wherein said laser firing means includes a plurality of laser channels each with respective laser pumping means, said laser pumping means being activated by a high energy switch.

Apparatus for ordnance initiation comprising:

• means for generating command control signals;
• means for initiating a charge;
• means responsive to said command control signals for firing laser energy into said charge initiating means;
• and
• safe/arm means for arming said laser firing means, wherein said safe/arm includes an electrical safe/arm device for controlling pumping energy for said laser firing means.

System for controlling a launch vehicle having at least one ordnance device comprising:

• means for generating control signals;
• means for producing laser energy in response to a command from said control signal generating means, said laser energy activating said at least one ordnance;
• and
• means for interfacing said control signals with said laser energy producing means, wherein said interfacing means further includes:
• means for electrically and mechanically inhibiting laser energy activation of said at least one ordnance.

System for controlling a launch vehicle having at least one ordnance device comprising:

• means for generating control signals;
• means for producing laser energy in response to a command from said control signal generating means, said laser energy activating said at least one ordnance;
• and
• means for interfacing said control signals with said laser energy producing means, wherein said interfacing means further includes:
• means for electrically and mechanically inhibiting laser energy activation of said at least one ordnance, wherein said electrical inhibiting means further includes means for supplying power to said electrical inhibiting means, said power supplying means including:
• a bus;
• and
• a switch in series with said bus, said switch being a non-electric control element.

Apparatus for activating an ordnance device comprising:

• a plurality of lasers;
• means for supplying energy for activating said lasers;
• means for storing said energy;
• means for pumping said lasers with said stored energy;
• means for forming pulses of said stored energy to activate said pumping means;
• and
• means for triggering said pulse forming means, said triggering means including a high energy switch for activating said plurality of lasers.

System for activating a launch vehicle comprising:

• means for propelling the launch vehicle;
• means for redundantly activating said propelling means via a plurality of laser energy channels;
• and
• means for redundantly activating said plurality of laser energy channels, said redundant activating means including redundant means for generating command signals and redundant means for interfacing said command signals with said laser energy channels.

Method for controlling activation of a launch vehicle having at least one laser initiated ordnance comprising the steps of:

• selecting a test or launch mode of the launch vehicle;
• selecting a laser path continuity test once said test mode has been selected;
• executing said laser continuity test for all laser firing channels included in the launch vehicle and;
• selecting a laser energy test mode for each of said laser firing channels.

Method for controlling activation of a launch vehicle having at least one laser initiated ordnance comprising the steps of:

• selecting a test or launch mode of the launch vehicle;
• selecting a laser path continuity test once said test mode has been selected;
• and
• executing said laser continuity test for all laser firing channels included in the launch vehicle, wherein said continuity test can only be performed in the absence of voltage used to pump lasers in said laser firing channels.

Method for controlling activation of a launch vehicle having at least one laser initiated ordnance comprising the steps of:

• selecting a test or launch mode of the launch vehicle;
• selecting a laser path continuity test once said test mode has been selected;
• and
• executing said laser continuity test for all laser firing channels included in the launch vehicle, wherein selection of the launch mode further includes the steps of:
• mechanically enabling each laser firing channel in a portion of the launch vehicle;
• and
• electrically enabling each laser firing channel in a portion of the launch vehicle.