Integrated radar, optical surveillance, and sighting system

A protection system, said protection system comprising:

• a. at least one equipment rack assembly capable of receiving and transmitting, and processing, protection system information signals and protection system control signals;
• b. at least one surface search radar, in operational communications with said at least one equipment rack assembly, capable of detecting at least one target object, and of generating and transmitting at least one radar target signal, said at least one radar target signal being at least one of said protection system information signals;
• c. at least one antenna, in operational communications with said at least one equipment rack assembly, for providing wireless communications for said protection system;
• d. at least one electro-optic sensor, in operational communications with said at least one equipment rack assembly, capable of detecting said at least one target object, and of generating and transmitting at least one electro-optic target signal, said at least one electro-optic target signal being at least one of said protection system information signals, and said at least one electro-optic sensor is capable of receiving at least one of said protection system control signals for controlling the positioning of said at least one electro-optic sensor;
• e. at least one weapon mount assembly, in operational communication with said at least one equipment rack assembly, for carrying at least one weapon and for providing a visual aiming signal, said visual aiming signal being at least one of said protection system information signals, and said at least one weapon mount assembly is capable of receiving at least one of said protection system control signals for controlling the positioning of said at least one weapon mount assembly;
• f. at least one illumination device, in operational communications with said at least one equipment rack assembly, said at least one illumination device capable of receiving at least one of said protection system control signals for controlling the positioning of said at least one illumination device;
• g. at least one operator console, in operational communications with said at least one equipment rack assembly, for providing at least one user with the ability to operationally control said protection system;
• and
• h. at least one means, in operational communications with said at least one equipment rack assembly, for intercepting said at least one target object.

A method of providing protection for a ship, said unprotection method comprising the steps of:

• a. providing an operationally active protection system, said protection system comprising:
• (i) a plurality of sensors for detecting a target object and for generating at least one information signal corresponding to said target object;
• (ii) means, in operational communications with said plurality of sensors, for processing said information signal;
• (iii) means, in operational communications with said processing means, for generating a display, wherein said display generating means is capable of incorporating said at least one information signal as part of said display;
• (iv) means, in operational communications with said processing means, for generating a tracking signal for each said target object;
• and
• (v) means, in operational communications with said processing means, for engaging said target object;
• b. establishing boundary areas around said ship;
• c. surveilling said boundary areas for at least one potential threat;
• d. detecting said at least one potential threat;
• and
• e. engaging said at least one potential threat.