Proximity fuse/time fuse for missiles

A proximity fuse/time fuse for missiles, comprising:

• an optical distance sensor for forming a distance value, representing flight time until impact, for activation of a warhead;
• measured velocity means for forming a measured velocity value based on a change in said distance value over time;
• programmed velocity means for holding a programmed velocity value based on one of a preprogrammed velocity value or measured velocity value;
• a time delay unit for forming a time value until impact, for activation of a warhead upon the expiration of said time value, said time value being based on said distance value and one of said measured velocity value and said programmed velocity value;
• comparator means for comparing said measured velocity value and said programmed velocity value and upon determining either a same value or a difference within a given range, supplying said measured velocity value to said time delay unit and upon determining a difference outside said given range supplying said programmed velocity value to said time delay unit whereby in the case of disturbances or obstacles appearing at a short distance from the target to be hit data for forming said necessary time delay are preset automatically from data of distance measurements made previously by said optical distance sensor.