A method and apparatus for authenticating a radar return signal include: generating an outgoing radar beam; generating a pair of entangled photons comprising a signal photon and an idler photon; combining the signal photon with the outgoing radar beam to generate a combined beam; sending the combined beam towards a target; receiving a return beam; detecting the signal photon from the return beam by a quantum illumination receiver; and making a joint detection with the idler photon.

A method and apparatus for authenticating a radar return signal include: generating an outgoing radar beam; generating a pair of entangled photons comprising a signal photon and an idler photon; combining the signal photon with the outgoing radar beam to generate a combined beam; sending the combined beam towards a target; receiving a return beam; detecting the signal photon from the return beam by a quantum illumination receiver; and making a joint detection with the idler photon.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a laser weapon system, comprising: one or more lasers for generating electromagnetic radiation; laser optics for directing the generated electromagnetic radiation at a target; and a control system, the control system being arranged to monitor three-dimensional position of an object other than the target, and to control a mask to at least limit generated electromagnetic radiation being directed at that object or to direct generated electromagnetic radiation towards another target or a safe location.

A camera is arranged on a transmitter or receiver mount configured to provide a transmitter or receiver with a field of regard. Image data of the field of regard is captured by the camera. A location of an obscuration within the field of regard from the image data is determined from the image data. A map of obscurations within the field of regard is generated based upon the image data and the location of the obscuration within the field of regard.

A camera is arranged on a transmitter or receiver mount configured to provide a transmitter or receiver with a field of regard. Image data of the field of regard is captured by the camera. A location of an obscuration within the field of regard from the image data is determined from the image data. A map of obscurations within the field of regard is generated based upon the image data and the location of the obscuration within the field of regard.

A phased array that comprises a predetermined number of emitter/receiver elements; said emitter/receiver elements being arranged on a array formed of stacked rows, wherein the emitter/receiver elements in each row of the array are distributed according to a pseudo-random pattern; and the heights of the rows vary according to a pseudo-random pattern.

A phased array that comprises a predetermined number of emitter/receiver elements; said emitter/receiver elements being arranged on a array formed of stacked rows, wherein the emitter/receiver elements in each row of the array are distributed according to a pseudo-random pattern; and the heights of the rows vary according to a pseudo-random pattern.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a laser weapon system, comprising: one or more lasers for generating electromagnetic radiation; laser optics for routing the electromagnetic radiation to laser apertures in the platform which direct the generated electromagnetic radiation at a target, the laser apertures having an associated field of regard; and a control system, the control system being arranged to control which combination of laser, laser optics and laser aperture is used to engage the target, based on a probability of successfully engaging that target in relation to the field of regard of the laser aperture of the combination.

A directed-energy weapon counter measure apparatus and method for modifying a path of a focused electromagnetic energy beam (204) emitted by a directed energy weapon system so as to deflect it from a platform (200), the apparatus comprising an electromagnetic radiation source, communicably coupled to a control system. The control system is configured to create an atmospheric element (202) operative to simulate a physical electromagnetic radiation path modifying device within an atmospheric volume located in the path of the focused electromagnetic radiation beam (204) by causing electromagnetic radiation from the source to be applied to a selected plurality of three-dimensional portions of said atmospheric volume so as to heat and/or ionise the air with in said portions, wherein said selected portions are spatially located together in a substantially unbroken, three-dimensional configuration.

A directed-energy weapon counter measure apparatus and method for modifying a path of a focused electromagnetic energy beam (204) emitted by a directed energy weapon system so as to deflect it from a platform (200), the apparatus comprising an electromagnetic radiation source, communicably coupled to a control system. The control system is configured to create an atmospheric element (202) operative to simulate a physical electromagnetic radiation path modifying device within an atmospheric volume located in the path of the focused electromagnetic radiation beam (204) by causing electromagnetic radiation from the source to be applied to a selected plurality of three-dimensional portions of said atmospheric volume so as to heat and/or ionise the air with in said portions, wherein said selected portions are spatially located together in a substantially unbroken, three-dimensional configuration.