Autonomous precision weapon delivery using synthetic array radar

An autonomous weapon targeting and guidance system for identifying a non-moving target and guiding a weapon to the target, said system comprising:

• a global positioning system (GPS) comprising a plurality of satellites that broadcast position data to provide a coordinate reference frame;
• an airborne platform comprising a synthetic array radar (SAR) system adapted to detect a non-moving target, a navigation subsystem that utilizes a global positioning system (GPS) satellite system and which is adapted to respond to signals provided by the GPS satellite system to permit the platform to navigate relative thereto, and processing means for processing SAR data and navigation data to compute the position of the target and an optimum weapon flight path from the platform to the target using a predetermined computational procedure;
• and
• a weapon comprising a navigation subsystem that is adapted to utilize the GPS satellite system and which responds to signals provided by the GPS satellite system and data transferred to it by the platform to permit it to navigate relative to the GPS satellite system and autonomously navigate to the location of the target along the optimum weapon flight path.

A method for detecting a non-moving target and guiding an airborne weapon to the target, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing a global positioning system comprised of a plurality of satellites that each broadcast coordinate reference data for use in navigation;
• flying an airborne platform over a target area and navigating using a navigation system that utilizes the GPS satellite system which provides the coordinate reference frame;
• mapping the target area using a synthetic array radar (SAR) system located on the airborne platform to produce an original SAR map of the target area;
• designating a target on the SAR map;
• re-mapping the target area a predetermined number of additional times at different angles relative to the target using the synthetic array radar system to produce a predetermine number of additional SAR maps of the target area;
• computing a precise target location and flight path in the coordinate system provided by the global positioning system using the navigation data and the information from each of the SAR maps;
• transferring selected information to the weapon prior to its launch comprising data indicative of an optimum flight path to the target that should be flown by the weapon, navigation system initialization information that permits the weapon to acquire the satellites used by the platform for navigation, and target position information;
• and
• launching the weapon using a navigation system in the weapon to acquire the satellites used by the platform for navigation and guide the weapon to the target based on the optimum flight path computed in the platform.

A method for detecting a non-moving target and guiding an airborne weapon to the target, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing a global positioning system comprised of a plurality of satellites that each broadcast coordinate reference data for use in navigation;
• flying an airborne platform over a target area and navigating using a navigation system that utilizes the GPS satellite system which provides the coordinate reference frame;
• mapping the target area using a synthetic array radar (SAR) system located on the airborne platform to produce an original SAR map of the target area;
• designating a target on the SAR map;
• re-mapping the target area a predetermined number of additional times at different angles relative to the target using the synthetic array radar system to produce a predetermine number of additional SAR maps of the target area;
• correlating the images from the additional SAR maps with the original SAR map to eliminate the need for repeated target designation;
• computing a precise target location and flight path in the coordinate system provided by the global positioning system using the navigation data and the information from each of the SAR maps;
• transferring selected information to the weapon prior to its launch comprising data indicative of an optimum flight path to the target that should be flown by the weapon, navigation system initialization information that permits the weapon to acquire the satellites used by the platform for navigation, and target position information;
• and
• launching the weapon using a navigation system in the weapon to acquire the satellites used by the platform for navigation and guide the weapon to the target based on the optimum flight path computed in the platform.