Missile guidance system
US5917442A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 22, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jun 29, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 22, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01S13/87
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method for guiding a missile to a target. The method includes the step of providing a surface-based radar system having an electronically beam steerable antenna system adapted for continuous mechanical rotation about an axis. During a pre-terminal, semi-active missile homing guidance phase, the beam produced by the antenna system is electronically rotated by the antenna system in a direction counter to the direction of the mechanical rotation of the antenna system to thereby increase radar system illumination time on the target. Further, during the increased illumination time, the beamwidth of the surface-based radar system beam is increased. During, a subsequent terminal, active homing missile guidance phase, guiding the missile to the target with the pre-terminal, semi-active missile homing guidance phase using the surface-based radar system and establishing an angular orientation for a missile-borne antenna system at the commencement of the terminal, active missile homing guidance system phase.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.