Abstract: This invention describes a method for operating a weapon targeting system comprising the steps of using a laser to fire a single pulse at a target to obtain a reflected laser pulse; detecting the reflected laser pulse as a signal by a SWIR focal plane; detecting background illumination by using the SWIR focal plane; scene clutter filter and using optical filtering if it is necessary to suppress background illumination.

Abstract: This invention describes a method for operating a weapon targeting system comprising the steps of using a laser to fire a single pulse at a target to obtain a reflected laser pulse; detecting the reflected laser pulse as a signal by a SWIR focal plane; detecting background illumination by using the SWIR focal plane; scene clutter filter and using optical filtering if it is necessary to suppress background illumination.

Abstract: A scene correlation-based target system and related methods are provided. A reference image depicts a remotely-positioned object having identifiable characteristics, wherein a reference directional vector is established relative to the reference image. A target image of a general vicinity of the remotely-positioned object has an unknown directional vector, the target image having at least a portion of the identifiable characteristics. An inertial measuring unit has a scene correlation system, wherein the scene correlation system matches the portion of the identifiable characteristics of the target image with the identifiable characteristics of the reference image, wherein a slew angle between the reference image and the target image is calculated. A target image directional vector is derived from the calculated slew angle and the reference directional vector.

Abstract: A scene correlation-based target system and related methods are provided. A reference image depicts a remotely-positioned object having identifiable characteristics, wherein a reference directional vector is established relative to the reference image. A target image of a general vicinity of the remotely-positioned object has an unknown directional vector, the target image having at least a portion of the identifiable characteristics. An inertial measuring unit has a scene correlation system, wherein the scene correlation system matches the portion of the identifiable characteristics of the target image with the identifiable characteristics of the reference image, wherein a slew angle between the reference image and the target image is calculated. A target image directional vector is derived from the calculated slew angle and the reference directional vector.

Abstract: A method for maintaining north comprising the steps of locating north with a north finding gyroscope, tying north to a feature in a scene, correlating the feature to a target in the field of regard of a plurality of cameras, and determining a north factor and translating the north factor into a target vector relative to north.

Abstract: A method for maintaining north comprising the steps of locating north with a north finding gyroscope, tying north to a feature in a scene, correlating the feature to a target in the field of regard of a plurality of cameras, and determining a north factor and translating the north factor into a target vector relative to north.

Abstract: A tool for cracking the shells of sea urchins, comprising a blade formed with central recess which enables the blade to penetrate the shell in the region of the mouth thereof without causing significant damage to the internal organs or roe of the sea urchin, and means for restraining the shell and for moving said blade laterally with respect to said restraining means to thereby open the shell. In its simplest form, the blade is formed at one end of one handle of a hand tool while the restraining means is formed at one end of a handle to which the first mentioned handle is pivoted to achieve said lateral movement of said blade. In a more sophisticated embodiment, the blade is mounted for vertical movement by means of a pneumatic cylinder and is arranged for lateral movement relative to the restraining means by means of a further pneumatic cylinder which operates when the blade is in the shell penetrating position.