Abstract: A method of determining a firing guidance solution when relative movement exists between a projectile-firing weapon and a target object that is to be hit, including the steps of adjusting the weapon in azimuth angle and elevation angle, by means of a movement differential equation solution method determining a projectile point of impact and flight times at prescribed azimuth and elevation angle values in view of the ammunition used and external influences, varying the azimuth and elevation angles, as input parameters of the movement differential equation solution method, until a firing guidance solution is found, taking into consideration the weapon and target object speeds, providing a function J (?, ?) that assumes a particular value J* when the azimuth and elevation angles represent a firing guidance solution, and selectively iteratively varying the azimuth and elevation angles using mathematical processes such that the particular value J* is found.

Abstract: An archery sighting system and method for placing a reticule on a display. The system includes a housing mounted in fixed relation to a bow. The housing includes a rangefinder to generate a target distance signal indicative of a target distance between the bow and a target. A display is configured to depict a reticule. A chronograph generates a bow speed indicating a bow speed at which an arrow leaves the bow. A processor receives a bow speed signal from the chronograph, a range signal from the rangefinder. In response to the signals, the processor generates a reticule pattern on the display, the reticule is positioned to indicate an attitude of the bow necessary for an arrow released from the bow at the bow speed to strike a target at the target distance.

Abstract: An automatic optical sighting system generates at least one adjustment for an adjustable optical system based on at least one detected condition, an appropriate dynamic model of a projectile in flight, and a solution of the equations of motion in flight, so that the projectile will have a trajectory between an origin and a selected target that helps the projectile to hit the target.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a laser based system for protecting a platform against an armament equipped with an optical homing head element, that includes a command and control assembly equipped with an interface to a detection and acquisition system that detects and locates a threatening armament and receives from it a warning about the detection of said threatening armament combined with data relating to it; and a laser source operable by the command and control assembly in order to produce the required energy for jamming the optical head of the threatening armament; and wherein the system is characterized by that it includes in addition a sectarian array of a plurality of end units that are connected unto the laser source for selectively routing laser energy from the source to an end unit that was selected by the command and control assembly as the end unit that is best suited under prevailing conditions for pointing at the threatening armament and attacking it by emitting a laser beam in its directio

Abstract: A method and apparatus image a target in a SAL system. The method includes receiving on-board a platform a target designation originating from a laser source off-board the platform; homing the platform on a target responsive to the received target designation; imaging the target from the target designation; and aiming the platform at a point on the target selected from the image. The apparatus includes a receiver capable of receiving and imaging a target designation originating from a laser source off-board the apparatus; at least one flight control mechanism; and a controller. The controller is capable of processing a received target designation and issuing navigation control guidance commands to the flight control mechanism to: home the apparatus on a target responsive to a received target designation; and aim the apparatus at a point on the target selected from the image of the target.

Abstract: A sighting system for visually acquiring a target includes an optic device having a transmissive LCD array affixed thereon. The transmissive LCD array includes two or more LCD elements that are separately addressable to provide an aiming point. In embodiments, the sighting system receives information from an input system, such as ammunition information or environmental information, executes a ballistics program to determine ballistics information using the received information, and determines a range to the target. A controller calculates an aiming point using the ballistics information and the target range. The controller then addresses or energizes one of the LCD elements to provide the aiming point.

Abstract: An image detections system comprising an image detection system configured to detect images. The system also comprises a controller that synchronizes the image detection system to capture a reflected laser beam over a first integration time and to capture an environment image detected by the image detection system over a second integration time that is greater than the first integration time.

Abstract: An automatic optical sighting system generates at least one adjustment for an adjustable optical system based on at least one detected condition, an appropriate dynamic model of a projectile in flight, and a solution of the equations of motion in flight, so that the projectile will have a trajectory between an origin and a selected target that helps the projectile to hit the target.

Abstract: Improved “moving red dot” sighting device, including a fixed light source (4) and a reflecting element (17), whereby the light source (4) produces a collimated light beam (5) which is projected onto the reflecting element (17) so as to obtain a red dot or reticle which is visible to the shooter thanks to the reflection on the reflecting element (17), and whereby the beam (5) is projected onto the reflecting element (17) by means of a rotating mirror (9) whose inclination angle (B) in relation to the light beam (5) can be adjusted.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a weapon having an eccentrically-pivoted barrel (1) that is mounted on a movable base (2), and to a method of elevating and stabilizing such a barrel. A drive mechanism (3) acts between the barrel and the base to permit and enable the elevation of the barrel relative to the base to be selectively changed. A compensation device acts between the barrel and base to compensate for the unbalance of the barrel. The compensation device includes a gyroscope (13) mounted on the barrel and arranged to provide an output signal, a set point generator (12), a closed-loop control device (10) and an actuating element (16). The actual position of the barrel is sensed by the gyroscope, which supplies its output signal to the set point generator. The set point generator produces a set force value as a function of the gyroscope output signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to target acquisition and related devices, and more particularly to telescopic gunsights and associated equipment used to achieve shooting accuracy at, for example, close ranges, medium ranges and extreme ranges at stationary and moving targets.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining a favourable moment for triggering the firing of a weapon on a moving target. According to said method, firing commands and expected impact points (P1-P3) of a projectile and the target (2) are calculated with the aid of an algorithm, without actually triggering a firing burst. The target (2) is selected, the algorithm is activated and hypothetical data is determined. The process is aided by a graphical display (4) of the data. In the preferred embodiments, additional information is taken into account and/or is visualised for a user (5).

Abstract: A method of determining a firing guidance solution when relative movement exists between a projectile-firing weapon and a target object that is to be hit, including the steps of adjusting the weapon in azimuth angle and elevation angle, by means of a movement differential equation solution method determining a projectile point of impact and flight times at prescribed azimuth and elevation angle values in view of the ammunition used and external influences, varying the azimuth and elevation angles, as input parameters of the movement differential equation solution method, until a firing guidance solution is found, taking into consideration the weapon and target object speeds, providing a function J (?, ?) that assumes a particular value J* when the azimuth and elevation angles represent a firing guidance solution, and selectively iteratively varying the azimuth and elevation angles using mathematical processes such that the particular value J* is found.

Abstract: A method for shooting a projectile weapon involves determining the inclination of a line of sight from a vantage point to a target and a line-of-sight range to the target, then predicting a trajectory parameter at the line-of-sight range, for a preselected projectile. Using the trajectory parameter, an equivalent horizontal range may then be determined, wherein the equivalent horizontal range is the range at which the trajectory parameter would be expected to occur if the projectile were shot from the vantage point toward a theoretical target located in a horizontal plane intersecting the vantage point. The equivalent horizontal range may be utilized to compensate for ballistic drop when shooting the projectile weapon. The method may be embodied in a handheld laser rangefinder including a memory for storing ballistic data. Systems for automatic hold over adjustment in a weapon aiming device are also disclosed.

Abstract: A self-compensating weapon sight comprises a housing, partially reflective optics, through which a user may observe a target and receive visually displayed information simultaneously, a light source, for visualization of an aiming point to the user via the partially reflective optics, means for receiving a measure of the distance to the target a processor, for determining the adequate position of the aiming point, based on the distance to the target, and for controlling the light source to emit light so that the aiming point is visualized at the adequate position, wherein the light source is an array capable of selectively emitting light in well defined locations on its surface.

Abstract: A method for adjusting a direction of fire includes moving a view of at least one sensor between a target area and an impact area, where a sensor performs target location. Sensor data is received from the sensor. The sensor data includes target area sensor data generated in response to sensing the target area and impact area sensor data generated in response to sensing the impact area. Image processing is performed on the sensor data to determine at least one angle between a first line from the sensor to the target area and a second line from the sensor to the impact area. Further, a set of refinements to coordinates corresponding to the target area is determined according to the at least one angle and an impact distance between the at least one sensor and the impact area. The set of refinements is communicated in order to facilitate firing upon the target area.

Abstract: A method and system, which may be implemented in some embodiments as a video game, for identifying harmful airborne biota, particularly flying insects, and either killing or disabling the harmful airborne biota is disclosed. Lasers, radar, and other types of radiation may be used to illuminate objects in a detection region, with radiation returns detected and applied to a pattern classifier to determine whether the detected airborne biota are harmful, benign or beneficial. Tracking and classification information may be provided to a remotely located game participant who may be permitted to control measures taken to eliminate the harmful airborne biota, these measures including firing pulses of beamed energy or radiation of a sufficient intensity to at least incapacitate them, or mechanical measures such as flying a remotely-controlled miniature unmanned aircraft to engage and kill the pests.

Abstract: A method of calculating in near-real-time two possible angles of elevation of a projectile and associated times of flight so that the projectile can be made to act at a desired point The angle of elevation of the launching direction of the projectile and the time of flight are calculated in a process which is divided into two main parts, a calculation part which discretely timed calculates positions and associated points of time along a trajectory, and a logic part which sets a first direction of elevation, monitors the calculation of projectile positions and time of flight and interrupts the calculation at specified points to determine a solution, Then the logic part sets a second direction of elevation until two solutions have been found.

Abstract: A compact laser aiming assembly for a firearm. A laser module having a front and a back is adapted to be rotatably seated in a socket having a window therein. The front of the module has a bearing with a convex, curved front surface and a window therein, and the laser module is adapted to support a laser in back of the bearing so that when the front of the bearing is seated in the socket, a beam of light emitted from the laser propagates through the window in the front of the laser module and through the window in the socket. A socket, having a front and a back and a window therein, is also provided. The back has a concave surface formed therein, the bearing of the laser module being seated in the socket, and the socket further has an adjustment mechanism coupled to the socket and the laser module for rotating the laser module in the socket so as to aim the beam of light.

Abstract: An indirect artillery fire control system is shown, in which a plurality of indirect artillery systems are linked with a fire direction system such that a call for fire order is communicated as a fire command to a selected indirect artillery system, with that system being selected by reason of a characteristic of that indirect artillery system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a firing direction system for adjusting a rocket launcher, and includes a drive motor (9) that is connected via a safety brake (2-8) with a drive shaft (1) for adjusting the rocket launcher, whereby a rotation of the drive shaft (1) in a first direction effects a raising of the rocket launcher, and a rotation in the opposite direction effects a lowering of the rocket launcher, whereby the safety brake prevents a back-driving torque of the rocket launcher from effecting a rotation of the drive shaft (1) in the opposite direction. In addition, an electric motor (11) is disposed on the drive shaft (1) and is controlled is such a way that upon a rotation of the drive shaft in the first direction, the electric motor effects an additional torque of the drive shaft (1) in the first direction, and upon rotation of the drive shaft in the opposite direction effects a recovery of energy.

Abstract: A gun control system is disclosed that includes a fire control kernel and location-independent software components within the fire control kernel. The kernel provides core fire control functionality that is unaffected by changes within the external environment, such as changes to the physical configuration of the gun system of which the gun control system is a part. Each location-independent software component has a specific functionality, and is able to run on any processor within the system in a location-independent manner. These software components can include a target/track management interface software component, a gun control system control interface software component, a gun mount control interface software component, an ownship data interface software component, and a gun control system display interface software component.

Abstract: Material made up of a thin layer between two surfaces, a first and a second, to be used as the third layer of a transparent goggles face, the first layer being a screen and the second layer being a thickness layer, remarkable in that the material consists of a formable transparent polymer matrix having a refractive index and containing micro-cavities in the form of lenses, the micro-cavities being made from a transparent material different from that of the matrix, the refractive index of the material of the micro-cavities changing under the influence of an electric field applied across it, for a first field value the refractive index being equal to that of the matrix, and for a second field value being greater than that of the matrix, a pair of electrodes being associated with each micro-cavity.

Abstract: A microcomputer-controlled optical instrument comprises an objective lens, an ocular lens, and an erector lens assembly mounted to pivot between the objective lens and the ocular lens. A first image plane is defined by the objective lens, and a second plane of focus is located between the ocular lens and the erector lens assembly. A microcontroller is carried on the instrument, and a spanning reference is in focus on the first image plane. The erector lens assembly pivots by appropriate adjustments so the image of the spanning reference can be viewed on the first image plane in relation to a reference indicator focused on the second image plane, to thereby adjust the apparent spacing between the spanning reference and the reference indicator in response to the user's viewing the target through the instrument spanning the size of the target. A first control signal is produced and sent to the microcontroller to represent the pre-set size of the target.

Abstract: A fire control system (10) for a gun (12) pivotally mounted in elevation and in azimuth employs optical sighting of a target (16) manually via a telescope (26) fixedly directed substantially parallel to an axis of the gun (12). A laser range finder (24) directs its laser beam in a direction parallel to the telescope (26) to obtain target range. The system includes a control unit (42) which employs elevation, azimuth and range data to predict target track. The control unit (42) includes electric circuitry for offsetting the gun to provide for an intercept of the target by a projectile fired from the gun, and delay circuitry which delays a firing of the gun until the gun has been offset. Gun orientation is directed manually during tracking of the target, and passes to automatic control in response to a firing command.

Abstract: A microcontroller operated optical device for determining the distance to objects of known or estimable size which is programmed to control a movable indicator relative to a stationary indicator for spanning a dimension of an image of an object. The distance spanned by the movable indicator is inversely proportional to the distance of the object from the apparatus and the microcontroller subsequently interprets the span in terms of the distance to the object and displays the resultant distance for viewing by an operator. This device is usable in surveying instruments, riflescopes, telescopes, binoculars, and the like, and is controllable by an operator who selectively activates it by, and with, known data.

Abstract: A boresight correction system is disclosed that determines the existing error between an aircraft gunsight and its gun systems while prescribed aircraft maneuvers are performed and which automatically corrects the gunsight system to compensate for this error. The system includes a sensor for detecting bullet positions, hardware that determines the bullet positions relative to the gun boresight, a digital processor to determine the above mentioned error, and to correct the gunsight system according to this error, and a non-volatile memory in the digital processor to store a corrected boresight position.

Abstract: A laser weapon fire control computer apparatus for responding in real time to the escort/threat scenario that confronts the weapon. The first control computer apparatus compares the threat data with stored predicted scenarios to develop a firing strategy menu which takes into account the fact that the laser energy is instantaneously propagated to the target but requires a substantial amount of time to inflict damage. The fire control computer apparatus utilizes the weapon's status, dwell time, slew time and fuel limits to yield a weapon pointing sequence and weapon on-off times.

Abstract: Digital ballistic computer for the fire guidance system of a tubular weapon which calculates, based on given firing data from firing tables, the ballistic data of the projectile path, composed of a digital memory unit storing data constituting discrete firing table values for each type of ammunition intended for use in the tubular weapon, the stored data corresponding directly to data contained in firing tables, and an approximation computer connected to access the memory unit, and to receive inputted firing data and operative for determining ballistic data, from the stored data and the inputted data, by approximation operations.

Abstract: A microcomputer controlled optical device for determining the distance to objects of known or estimable size which is programmed to control a plurality of associated electronic indicator elements the images of which are optically superimposed upon the image of an object the distance to which is to be determined. This device is useable on surveying instruments, riflescopes and the like and is controllable by the operator who selectively activates it by/with known data. Subsequently, the microcomputer interprets the data and selectively activates indicator elements representative of the relationship between the size of the object image and the distance to the object. Images of readouts are visible in the field of view which are activated and controlled by the microcomputer to indicate the computed distance to the object of interest in yards or meters.

Abstract: A gun fire control system comprises a computer (15) having a first memory (15A) preprogrammed with true range to standard ballistic range conversion data and is operable on receipt of a true range value from a rangefinder (16) to output the corresponding standard ballistic range value. A second memory (15B) of the computer (15) is preprogrammed with correction coefficients (A,B,M,N) arranged in sets pertaining to different types of ammunition one set being operable according to the position of a selector switch (13) and being delivered to a calculator (15C) together with an operator correction value (COR) (from buttons 14A, 14B) which is a judgment on the magnitude and direction by which a projectile misses a target sighted according to the range value presented at display (11). Calculator (15C) operates according to a predetermined algorithm to establish parameter correction changes (.DELTA.AD, .DELTA.CT) and delivers these changes to calculator/store (15D) which updates and stores parameter values (AD, CT).

Abstract: For the indirect laying or aiming of a weapon at a target, which weapon is arranged upon a vehicle, there are performed with the aid of an electronic computer predetermined steps which enable the weapon to be layed rapidly, simply and in a fail-safe manner. The weapon is initially oriented with respect to the north direction. The target azimuth is stored in the computer. The computer shows the momentary direction deviation and the weapon is pivoted for such length of time until the display shows "O".

Abstract: A mortar fire control system for indicating azimuth, elevation and cant alar orientations of a mortar barrel. The system comprises a 3-axis optical head mounted adjacent the mortar barrel which emits light pulses in two predetermined directions, 90.degree. apart, towards aiming stakes. Two aiming stakes located at approximately 50 meters and 100 meters from the mortar are aligned along one of the predetermined directions while a third aiming stake is situated 90.degree. away from the first two aiming stakes and at a distance of approximately 50 meters from the mortar. Each of the aiming stakes is provided with an optical transponder for receiving the light pulses emitted from the optical head and for retransmitting a light pulse to said optical head. The light pulses received by the optical head are converted into digital information representative of the azimuth, elevation and cant angular orientations of the mortar barrel relative to predetermined initial values of each of these three parameters.

Abstract: In order to incorporate minor perturbations in the simulated operation of a weapon (to simulate dispersion between batches of ammunition or individual rounds, and/or the effects of changing environmental phenomena), a variable is generated at a rate related to the type of ammunition to be simulated. For ammunition exhibiting a high degree of dispersion between rounds, the variable changes rapidly and an accurately-aimed shot is deemed a hit only if the value of the variable at that instant is less than the predetermined probability of a hit with that ammunition. In the case of ammunition exhibiting some consistency between rounds but not between batches, the variable changes slowly, and its value controls the extent of a displacement applied to a laser projector before the projector is energised and scanned for a hit/miss determination.

Abstract: A position control system is disclosed for aiming a mobile rocket launcher having positionable axes in the azimuth and elevation planes. The control system has a separate control subsystem for each axis of movement, and each such subsystem includes an initial aiming signal processor providing a course positioning function and a reaiming signal processor providing a fine positioning function. The initial aiming processor receives signals representing a desired position (DP), a feedback signal representing the actual position (AP) updated at predetermined sampling intervals, and an error signal (E) representing the difference between DP and AP. From signals representing AP and E, and a constant representing the stopping time of the launcher mechanism for a given control axis, the initial aiming processor produces a predicted position signal (PP) which represents the position that the launcher will reach upon termination of the actuator drive for that axis.

Abstract: An aircraft gun sighting system and method for use in executing high angle-off attacks wherein a headup display unit employs a cathode ray tube for projecting sighting indicia on the pilot's sighting panel. The sighting indicia appear as a plurality of straight lines lying along a circular sector on the lower portion of the sighting panel. The circular sector is defined by a center point on the panel representing the muzzle aiming point such that the sighting indicia define a fixed lead angle. Each sighting line represents the position of a hypothetical target travelling in a path which will, one bullet flight time later, intersect the path of a bullet fired by the attacking aircraft. The sighting lines are periodically reset to the outer limits of the circular sector whereupon they move along the sector toward convergence at the line defining the turning plane of the attacking aircraft.