Abstract: A laser tracking system steers a beam of laser energy which is dithered in two directions to scan the surface of a moving object. A laser energy detector detects laser energy reflected from the target. Reflected energy is filtered to distinguish dither frequencies for signals in both directions, which signals are independently analyzed to determine the location of the target in relation to the laser beam. A bias signal is generated which causes the beam of laser energy to be steered toward the target, to the tracked location on-target, or modified signals steer a portion of the beam to an optimum track location on target while offsetting most of the beam's energy to a second engagement location on target. Also, a track testing system is capable of monitoring a laser beam focused on a missile and determining the effective laser engagement on a spinning target.

Abstract: Apparatus and a corresponding method for its use, for detecting and tracking targets in an optical field of view. The apparatus includes conventional telescopic optics to gather light from the field of view, beam splitters to divide the resultant beam into three sub-beams, three linear arrays of detectors, and three cylindrical lens systems to focus the three beams onto the detector arrays. Two of the arrays provide azimuth-angle and elevation-angle information concerning possible target positions, and the third is oriented at an angle to the first two, to provide information to resolve any ambiguities as to the target locations. The linear arrays can be scanned much more rapidly than a rectangular array, and higher resolutions can therefore be obtained without any sacrifice in processing speed.

Abstract: An attack missile is disabled during its travel through atmospheric regions, enroute to a selected target, by directing, with the aid of a pointer tracker, a first continuous wave laser beam produced by a chemical laser from a first location through the atmosphere onto a given area of the missile to release radiant heating energy in the given area; and simultaneously directing, with the aid of another pointer tracker, a second continuous wave laser beam produced by a second chemical laser from a second location through the atmosphere onto the same given area of the missile to release radiant heating energy in the given area. The beams are arranged so that there is no material overlap between the laser beams enroute to the missile. Over a short duration the laser beams release a combined radiant heating energy on the given area of the missile sufficient in amount to at least damage a portion of the given area of said missile, resulting in the missile's destruction.

Abstract: An interferometer, and corresponding method, for use in the measurement and correction of wavefront aberrations in a beam of radiation. The interferometer includes optical elements for generating a reference beam with a known wavefront phase characteristic. The reference beam is recombined with the sample beam, to produce an interference pattern indicative of the phase aberrations in the sample beam as compared with the reference beam. An array of detectors produces electrical signals corresponding to discrete elements of the detected pattern, and an electrical circuit for each elemental detector generates phase correction signals to be applied to a set of movable mirror elements arranged to effect phase changes in the sample beam path. The movable mirror elements adjust the elemental path lengths of the sample beam to yield zero detected phase differences. The mirror elements may be integrated into the interferometer, or may take the form of a deformable mirror used for phase compensation of a light beam.