Abstract: Methods and apparatus for countering a projectile according to various aspects of the present invention may operate in conjunction with a countermeasure system. The countermeasure system may comprise a beam source adapted to generate an electromagnetic beam. The countermeasure system may further include a beam control system adapted to aim the electromagnetic beam at the projectile according to a fire control solution. The beam heats at least a portion of the projectile to a disruption temperature to deflagrate the projectile.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for countering a projectile according to various aspects of the present invention may operate in conjunction with a countermeasure system. The countermeasure system may comprise a beam source adapted to generate an electromagnetic beam. The countermeasure system may further include a beam control system adapted to aim the electromagnetic beam at the projectile according to a fire control solution. The beam heats at least a portion of the projectile to a disruption temperature to deflagrate the projectile.

Abstract: In a co-boresighted SAL/IR seeker, the optical system and particularly the secondary lens and position of the SAL detector are configured to produce a well-corrected spot of laser energy at the SAL detector. A spreader is positioned between the secondary mirror/lens and the SAL detector, possibly on the secondary mirror, away from the aperture stop and not in the optical path to the IR detector. The spreader is configured to spatially homogenize the laser energy to increase the size of the spot of focused laser energy at the SAL detector to set the system transfer function to meet slope requirements. Spatial homogenization serves to reduce both boresight shift and slope non-linearities. This approach greatly simplifies the time and labor intensive calibration of the SAL detector's system transfer function.

Abstract: A beam director subsystem and method for use in a weapons system. The beam director subsystem includes a source of electromagnetic radiation for generating a high energy laser (HEL) beam. The electromagnetic radiation is directed to a secondary mirror that reflects the electromagnetic radiation to a primary mirror for output of the HEL beam. The secondary mirror is generally curved and expands the electromagnetic radiation received from the source prior to outputting the HEL beam from the primary mirror. The subsystem further includes a track telescope coupled to the housing. The track telescope has a track detector configured to receive electromagnetic radiation originating from the HEL and electromagnetic radiation emitted from an illuminator and reflected from an airborne target.

Abstract: There is disclosed a multimode seeker including an imaging infrared seeker and a radio frequency seeker. The imaging infrared seeker and the radio frequency seeker may share an optical system adapted to form an infrared image of an outside scene on a focal plane array image detector and to collimate radio frequency radiation transmitted from a radio frequency transceiver and focus millimeter ware radiation received from the outside scene onto the radio frequency transceiver. The shared optical system may include a plurality of baffles to block sunlight from reaching the focal plane array image detector, each baffle comprising a material that is opaque to infrared radiation and transparent to radio frequency radiation.

Abstract: There is disclosed a multimode seeker including an imaging infrared seeker and a radio frequency seeker. The imaging infrared seeker and the radio frequency seeker may share an optical system adapted to form an infrared image of an outside scene on a focal plane array image detector and to collimate radio frequency radiation transmitted from a radio frequency transceiver and focus millimeter ware radiation received from the outside scene onto the radio frequency transceiver. The shared optical system may include a plurality of baffles to block sunlight from reaching the focal plane array image detector, each baffle comprising a material that is opaque to infrared radiation and transparent to radio frequency radiation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a guidance system according to various aspects of the present invention comprise include an energy concentrator configured to transmit an energy entering the entrance through the exit if the energy enters the entrance within a predetermined acceptance angle, and reject the energy entering the entrance if the energy enters the entrance outside the predetermined acceptance angle. The system may further comprise a detector coupled to the exit of the energy concentrator and configured to generate signals corresponding to a location of the transmitted energy incident upon the detector.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for guidance systems according to various aspects of the present invention operate in conjunction with a projectile including a guidance system having a guidance controller, a detector, and an optical system. The guidance controller controls the path of the projectile according to signals from the detector. The detector generates signals according to an angle of incident energy. The optical system transfers the energy to the detector via a spreader and a condenser. The spreader spreads the incident energy, and the condenser converges the spread energy onto the detector.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a guidance system according to various aspects of the present invention comprise include an energy concentrator configured to transmit an energy entering the entrance through the exit if the energy enters the entrance within a predetermined acceptance angle, and reject the energy entering the entrance if the energy enters the entrance outside the predetermined acceptance angle. The system may further comprise a detector coupled to the exit of the energy concentrator and configured to generate signals corresponding to a location of the transmitted energy incident upon the detector.