Autonomous precision weapon delivery using synthetic array radar
US5260709A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 19, 1991 |
| Grant date | Nov 9, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 19, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF41G7/36
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A system and method that uses differential computation of position relative to a global positioning system (GPS) coordinate system and the computation of an optimum weapon flight path to guide a weapon to a non-moving fixed or relocatable target. The system comprises an airborne platform that uses a navigation subsystem that utilizes the GPS satellite system to provide the coordinate system and a synthetic array radar (SAR) to locate desirable targets. Targeting is done prior to weapon launch, the weapon therefore requires only a navigation subsystem that also utilizes the GPS satellite system to provide the same coordinate system that the platform used, a warhead and a propulsion system (for powered weapons only). This results in a very inexpensive weapon with a launch and leave (autonomous) capability. The computational procedure used in the platform uses several radar measurements spaced many degrees apart. The accuracy is increased if more measurements are made. The computational algorithm uses the radar measurements to determine the point in a plane where the target is thought to be and the optimum flight path through that point. The weapon is flown along the optimum flight pa…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.