The system and method of directed navigation using an augmented semi-active laser seeker to provide initial altitude measurement and command denotation information for rounds. Using on-board sensors and communications links between members of a swarm, numerous targets can be engaged more quickly and precisely. The LCSAL can act as 3D LIDAR where the LCSAL's spatial resolution and the associated image from the imager can be correlated to the LCSAL pixel by pixel as time of arrival. The rounds trajectory can be refined due to coupling with accurate Target ID to provide optimum command detonation for specific target types.

The system and method of swarm navigation using a follow the forward approach. Using on-board sensors and communications links between members of a swarm, numerous targets can be engaged more quickly and precisely. In some cases, a designator is used to help a forward of the swarm navigate to a target using image-based navigation up until terminal guidance is used. A cascade of messages are projected back to a following round so that, each member of a swarm can determine a best target/round match and provide real-time, up-to-date information regarding targets' locations and each round's location, range to target, target selection, and the like.

A navigation system includes a star camera having a field of view. The star camera includes a sun shields that selectively block portions of the star camera's field of view, to prevent unwanted light, such as light from the sun or moon, reaching image sensors of the star cameras. Some sun shields include x-y stages or r-θ stages to selectively position a light blocker to block the unwanted light. Some sun shields use positionable partially overlapping orthogonally polarized filters to block the unwanted light. Some sun shields use counter-wound spiral windows that are selectively rotated to block the unwanted light. Some sun shields a curved surface that defines a plurality of apertures fitted with individual mechanical or electronic shutters.

A rescue system includes a wearable article, such as a wristband, which includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, a radio frequency (RF) beacon, and a power supply. One or more RFID readers (collectively, an RF network) are located on a vessel, the RFID readers being configured to communicate with the RFID tag. Should the RF network detect a passenger overboard event, a modular rocket system is deployed. The modular rocket system comprises a guidance module, the guidance module including a guidance system for guiding the modular rocket system toward a target. A flight control module is removably attached to the guidance module, said flight control module including a plurality of airfoils. A flotation module is removably attached to the flight control module, said flotation module including a flotation device. A rocket motor module removably attached to the flotation module, said rocket motor module including a rocket motor configured to propel the modular rocket system.

A system and method to aid in guidance, navigation and control of a guided projectile including a precision guidance munition assembly. The system and method receive position estimates of the guided projectile from a guiding sensor, determine predicted impact points of the guided projectile relative to a target based on the position estimates, determine miss distances of the guided projectile relative to the target, determine smoothed miss distances based, at least in part, on the determined miss distances, and process updated steering commands to steer the guided projectile based on the smoothed miss distances.

A guidance assembly and method for guiding an ordnance to a target. The assembly can operated in navigation and targeting modes and has an imager/seeker including an objective lens assembly and an imaging sensor array which provide image data for mapping and terminal seeker performance. The imager/seeker is pivotally mounted on the ordnance. An actuator is coupled to the imager/seeker and can be actuated to pivot the imager/seeker relative to a longitudinal axis of the ordnance from a navigation position to a targeting position. A flight control unit communicates with the imager/seeker and the actuator, and has a processor which analyses the image data to provide navigation flight control signals for guiding the ordnance in the navigation mode of operation and determining a target direction via automatic target recognition or aimpoint algorithms for directing the ordnance to the target in the targeting mode of operation.

The system and method of projectile flight management using a combination of radio frequency orthogonal interferometry for the long range navigation and guidance of one or more projectiles that does not need to be accurate all the way to the ground based on the use of larger artillery. The system provides for more accurate targeting, especially in GPS-denied and GPS-limited environments.

Apparatus and associated methods relate to determining a course-correction signal for a spin-stabilized projectile based on a time sequence of images of a scene aligned with and obtained by a forward-looking imager coupled to the projectile. As the projectile rotates, the aligned scenes captured in the images obtained by the forward-looking imager are rotated. The rotation angle of each of the captured scenes corresponds to the spin angle of the projectile at the time of image exposure. Objects in the captured scenes will circle about a rotation center of the time-sequence images. The distances from a rotation center to the objects in the captured scenes, as well as the rotation angles of the captured scenes can be used to generate a course-correction signal so that the projectile can be guided to a target selected from the objects in the captured scene.

A system and method to aid in guidance, navigation and control of a guided projectile including a precision guidance munition assembly. The system and method receive position estimates of the guided projectile from a guiding sensor, determine predicted impact points of the guided projectile relative to a target based on the position estimates, determine miss distances of the guided projectile relative to the target, determine smoothed miss distances based, at least in part, on the determined miss distances, and process updated steering commands to steer the guided projectile based on the smoothed miss distances.

A launched flying object is configured to continue to transmit a signal to a launching device. The launching device is configured to continue to receive the signal from the launched flying object, continue to calculate a probability when the launched flying object intercepts a target from a distance, a relative velocity and a relative angle between the launched flying object and the target, and output a final interception probability when communication from the launched flying object is stopped.