Patent classifications
F41G7/222
ACCURATE RANGE-TO-GO FOR COMMAND DETONATION
The system and method for accurately determining range-to-go for the command detonation of a projectile. Using dual laser and/or radio frequency detectors on the tail and on the nose of a spinning projectile to determine the range-to-go, time-to-go, or lateral offset from the projectile to the target.
SHORT-EXPOSURE IMAGING-SEEKER FOR SPIN-STABILIZED PROJECTILES
A method is provided of generating a course-correction signal for a spin-stabilized projectile. The method includes capturing a time-sequence of images of a scene at a frame rate, comparing respective current images of the time-sequence of images to a corresponding previous image of the time-sequence of images, determining a rotation angle between the current and previous images, rotating the images using the rotation angle, identifying a target in the rotated images, generating target bearing angles to cause the projectile to correct its course toward the target using the target bearing angles, and adjusting the target bearing angles to compensate for the rotation of the images.
Methods for extended-range, enhanced-precision gun-fired rounds using g-hardened flow control systems
Methods involve using a guided munition (e.g., a mortar round or a grenade) that utilizes deployable flow effectors, activatable flow effectors and/or active flow control devices to extend the range and enhance the precision of traditional unguided munitions without increasing the charge needed for launch. Sensors such as accelerometers, magnetometers, IR sensors, rate gyros, and motor controller sensors feed signals into a controller which then actuates or deploys the flow effectors/flow control devices to achieve the enhanced characteristics.
IMAGING SEEKER FOR A SPIN-STABILIZED PROJECTILE
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.
Methods for extended-range, enhanced-precision gun-fired rounds using g-hardened flow control systems
Methods involve using a guided munition (e.g., a mortar round or a grenade) that utilizes deployable flow effectors, activatable flow effectors and/or active flow control devices to extend the range and enhance the precision of traditional unguided munitions without increasing the charge needed for launch. Sensors such as accelerometers, magnetometers, IR sensors, rate gyros, and motor controller sensors feed signals into a controller which then actuates or deploys the flow effectors/flow control devices to achieve the enhanced characteristics.
SAL seeker with spatial and temporal sensors
A system and method for a semi-active laser seeker combining a temporal and a spatial sensor to form a seeker with a wide angle FOV and low angle error for use with spinning projectiles with spin rates of up to 300 Hz. The FOV is about 40 degrees and the angle error is less than 0.1 degrees. The seeker utilizes a CCA and fits into a small, low cost package, of about 1.5 in.sup.3 or less.
Methods for extended-range, enhanced-precision gun-fired rounds using g-hardened flow control systems
Methods involve using a guided munition (e.g., a mortar round or a grenade) that utilizes deployable flow effectors, activatable flow effectors and/or active flow control devices to extend the range and enhance the precision of traditional unguided munitions without increasing the charge needed for launch. Sensors such as accelerometers, magnetometers, IR sensors, rate gyros, and motor controller sensors feed signals into a controller which then actuates or deploys the flow effectors/flow control devices to achieve the enhanced characteristics.
Tightly coupled trajectory predictor with constant up-finding
Systems and methods for a tightly coupled trajectory predictor with constant up-finding are provided. In certain embodiments, a system includes an inertial measurement unit that provides inertial measurements of a vehicle. The system also includes an up-finding sensor that provides up-finding measurements based on when a portion of the vehicle is pointing up. Further, the system includes one or more processors that bound errors from the inertial measurements in a navigation solution during navigation of the vehicle using the up-finding measurements.
Methods for extended-range, enhanced-precision gun-fired rounds using g-hardened flow control systems
Methods involve using a guided munition (e.g., a mortar round or a grenade) that utilizes deployable flow effectors, activatable flow effectors and/or active flow control devices to extend the range and enhance the precision of traditional unguided munitions without increasing the charge needed for launch. Sensors such as accelerometers, magnetometers, IR sensors, rate gyros, and motor controller sensors feed signals into a controller which then actuates or deploys the flow effectors/flow control devices to achieve the enhanced characteristics.