Scatter-rider guidance system for terminal homing seekers
US5374009A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 20, 1993 |
| Grant date | Dec 20, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 20, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF41G7/26
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The present invention is an initial guidance system for a missile that has o other guidance or inadequate terminal homing guidance to lock onto a target at the time of missile launch. A laser beam projected from the missile launch station is aimed toward the target. Light from the beam is reflected in random directions (scattered) from aerosol particles that are ever present in the atmosphere. This scattered light strikes light detectors that are located on the sides of the missile. When the missile flies off the direction of the target, the amplitudes of impacting light on these detectors are different on different sides of the missile. Guidance controls activated by these amplitude differences cause the missile to veer toward the center of the beam and thus fly in a direction that is more toward the target.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.