Abstract: Apparatus and method of anti-armor missile trajectory shaping for optimum rhead penetration of armor by a guided missile. The guidance system utilizes a terminal homing guidance unit in conjunction with a programmed control signal through the missile's autopilot to cause the missile to cruise at low altitudes and then dive onto the armor target. The terminal dive angle can be selected dependent upon the target's armor characteristics.

Abstract: In a missile system, a simple way to guide a missile in a predetermined tectory from launch to the impacting with a target for optimum warhead penetration of armor by a guided missile. Initially, the missile is guided in yaw by proportional navigation. Subsequently it is guided in pitch first by a pitch programmer until the missile reaches a predetermined gimbal angle between a line of sight of a seeker of the missile and a centerline of the missile, then in pitch by a pseudo-time-optimal closed loop controller to direct the missile pitch attitude at a predetermined rate toward a target until said missile reaches another predetermined gimbal angle, and finally by proportional navigation in pitch of the missile to the target.

Abstract: A missile system in which a missile is guided in a predetermined trajectory rom launch or shortly thereafter in yaw by proportional navigation and in pitch first by a pitch programmer until said missile reaches a predetermined angle between a line of sight of a seeker of the missile and a centerline of the missile, then in pitch by a time optimal controller to direct the missile at a predetermined angle toward a target and finally by proportional navigation in pitch of the missile to the target.