Missile guidance systems

US5133520A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• British Aerospace Public Limited Co. · GB

Inventor

• Martin Daly · South Orange, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 12, 1970
• Grant date: Jul 28, 1992
• Expiry date: Nov 12, 1990

Classification

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

Abstract

A sighting and tracking apparatus for a missile guidance system, of the kind which employs an optical tracker for tracking and controlling the flight of a missile, the tracker providing output signals which are transmitted to the missile to control the missile to a demanded flight path. The apparatus includes an adjustable electrical model of the flight path demanded by the tracker, and a computer to which the tracker output signals are continuously fed, the computer being programmed to adjust the model continuously during missile flight in such a way as to cause the model to conform to the demanded flight path at each instant of flight. The model produces continuous control signals dependent on its adjustment, and in the event that control of the missile by the tracker is lost during flight, adjustment of the model by the computer is immediately stopped and the control signals from the model in its existing state of adjustment are employed to direct the continued flight of the missile.