Tri-mode seeker

Abstract

A single receiving aperture used, for example, in an airborne seeker system collects energy for three discrete energy sensors/receivers including a laser spot tracker, an RF (millimeter wave) transmitter/receiver, and an infrared detector. The RF transmitter/receiver is located at the focus of a primary reflector located on a gimbal assembly. A selectively coated dichroic element is located in the path of the millimeter wave energy which reflects infrared energy from the primary reflector to an optical system which re-images the infrared energy on the infrared detector. The outer edge or rim of the primary reflector is deformed so that the incoming laser energy focuses to a location beyond the RF transmitter/receiver. The laser sensor is positioned adjacent the RF transmitter/receiver at this location in a back-to-back orientation. The laser energy is then detected using a secondary reflector and an optical system which directs the laser energy from the secondary reflector to a laser detector.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.