Light emitting diode beacons for command guidance missile track links

US4247059A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army · US

Inventors

• Jimmy R. Duke · Huntsville, US
• Walter E. Miller, Jr. · Huntsville, US
• Dorwin L. Kilbourn · Huntsville, US
• Nicholas Mangus · Royal Oak, US
• Robert L. Sitton · Austin, US
• Walter F. Fountain · Huntsville, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 25, 1978
• Grant date: Jan 27, 1981
• Expiry date: Oct 25, 1998

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F41G7/32
• WIPO field: Other special machines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An improved automatic missile tracking and guidance system wherein a laund missile is guided along a line-of-sight maintained by the operator with the target. The position of an infrared source disposed on the missile is detected and guidance signals generated in accordance therewith to control the flight of the missile along the line-of-sight. The infrared source or beacon disposed on the missile comprises an array of semiconductor light emitting diodes. The solid state characteristics of the light emitting diodes provide heretofore unobtainable reliability over existing beacons. The beacon may be used to produce a modulated, high frequency, rectangular waveform, incoherent emission offering performance improvements including virtual immunity to optical countermeasures.