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US 8,284,382 B2Granted
Lookdown and loitering LADAR system
AssigneeLockheed Martin Corporation
InventorNicholas Krasutsky
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A LADAR system and with lookdown and loitering capabilities is disclosed. In one aspect, an apparatus includes a LADAR sensor and a gimbal. The LADAR sensor is mounted to the gimbal, which is capable of scanning in azimuth sufficient to provide a look down and loitering capability. In another aspect, a method includes flying an airborne vehicle through an environment; and scanning a LADAR signal forward and to at least one side into a field of regard.
Claims42
A method, comprising:
- flying an airborne vehicle through an environment;
- loitering over an area within a field of regard for the airborne vehicle;
- scanning a LADAR signal forward and to at least one side and at least 90° off a boresight into the field of regard while loitering;
- and
- tracking a target while loitering.
2 more elements
An apparatus, comprising
- a LADAR sensor;
- a gimbal to which the LADAR sensor is mounted, the gimbal being capable of scanning in azimuth sufficient to provide a look down and loitering capability;
- a platform defining a chamber in which the LADAR sensor and gimbal are housed;
- and
- a faceted window in the platform closing the chamber.
2 more elements
A wide-angle LADAR system, comprising:
- a platform defining a chamber;
- a faceted window closing the chamber;
- and
- a gimbaled LADAR sensor housed in the closed chamber capable of scanning in azimuth substantially through 180° and housed in the chamber to scan through the faceted window.
1 more element
An apparatus, comprising:
- an airborne vehicle defining a chamber in the forward end thereof;
- a faceted window closing the chamber;
- a gimbaled LADAR sensor housed in the closed chamber capable of scanning in azimuth substantially through 180° and housed in the chamber to scan through the faceted window;
- and
- a laser designator mounted on-gimbal with the LADAR sensor.
2 more elements
A method, comprising:
- flying an airborne vehicle through an environment;
- scanning a LADAR signal forward and to at least one side and at least 90° off a boresight into a field of regard;
- and
- designating a target from aboard the airborne vehicle.
1 more element
An apparatus, comprising
- a LADAR sensor;
- a gimbal to which the LADAR sensor is mounted, the gimbal being capable of scanning in azimuth sufficient to provide a look down and loitering capability;
- and
- a laser designator mounted on-gimbal with the LADAR sensor.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.