Method and apparatus for combatting helicopters operating with concealment

US5874727A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Daimler-Benz Aerospace AG · DE

Inventors

• Egbert Harraeus · Neubiberg, DE
• Bernt Obkircher · Bad Endorf, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 10, 1996
• Grant date: Feb 23, 1999
• Expiry date: Feb 10, 2016

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F41G7/2293
• WIPO field: Other special machines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

The invention provides a method for continuous acquisition, identification, and attack of helicopters operating with concealment, using a missile with an integrated target search head computer control. The visual field of the search head is adapted optimally in both the search phase and in the target tracking phase. During the search phase, the missile travels a flight path roughly parallel to the surface of the ground, and the axis of the line of sight is directed diagonally downward at a suitable angle. During a target tracking, the line of sight runs collinearly with the missile axis. The natural radiation of the helicopter modulated by the rotor blade movement is used for target recognition.