Abstract: A retro reflection guidance and control system for a projectile, and a method of obtaining flight characteristics and controlling the projectile. A launch platform based transmitter/receiver and processor sends signals to a projectile, which signals are received at the back thereof. The transmitted signals are selectively reflected, to provide flight characteristic information to the transmitter/receiver, and detected to provide flight control information to the projectile.

Abstract: A radar transmitter in which a pseudo-random sequence of pulses are transmitted, each at a different frequency. Prior to the return of the first pulse, a receiver is retuned to the first transmit frequency, then the transmitter is retuned to the second transmit frequency and so on. The return pulses are integrated coherently across the sets at a each frequency to achieve the highest signal level. The pulses are integrated noncoherently within a set over all the frequencies transmitted to improve the signal-to-noise ratio.The technique of the present invention requires accurate knowledge of the range to the target. In a specific multi-line embodiment, the range calculation is provided by the centerline carrier frequency operating at a medium pulse repetition (prf) frequency. The retuning is then performed with the sidebands operating at a low prf.

Abstract: An array of antenna elements are configured in a lattice-like layer, each element being similarly oriented such that the elements form a two-dimensional antenna aperture that may form a planar or curved surface of a desired shape. The antenna elements are connected in a one-to-one correspondence in both number and form to a lattice of identical, multiport, isotropic, wave-coupling networks physically located under the antenna element array as a backplane of the antenna element layer. Each wave-coupling network or "unit cell" couples signals to and/or from its corresponding antenna element and further functions as a phase delay module in a two-dimensional signal distribution network. This invention can be embodied in a two-dimensional signal distribution network and in a wrap-around, conformal, millimeter-wave, phased array antenna, such as on the nose of a missile.

Abstract: A method for guiding a vehicle (30) to a target (28) includes furnishing a first vehicle (20) having a first global positioning system (GPS) receiver (24) fixed to receive global positioning signals from a selected constellation (46) of satellites in orbit above the earth and the second vehicle (30) having a second GPS receiver (32) fixed to receive global positioning signals from the same selected constellation (46) of GPS satellites. The first vehicle (20) locates the target (28) with an onboard sensor (26) and converts the location of the target (28) to the frame of reference of the selected constellation (46) of satellites of the GPS. The first vehicle (20) communicates this target position and the available set of GPS satellites to a navigation system of the second vehicle (30).

Abstract: A motion detection radar system comprised of a low power frequency tunable continuous wave transmitter and antenna, a receiver, an FM transmitter and antenna, and a handheld remote FM receiver. The radar system may be adapted to operate at any frequency from 600 MHz to 1.2 GHz. The motion detecting radar system uses a technique for measuring the changes in phase difference and the rate of change of phase differences detected thereby. The receiver captures the total energy reflected from all reflective objects within the antenna field of view and compares that signal with the transmitted signal in a mixer. If all objects are stationary and the radar system is stationary, the total complex phase pattern of the return signal is constant, and a fixed DC output signal is provided from the mixer. Any motion within the field of view changes the fixed phase relationship and causes a phase rate of change at the receiver output.

Abstract: A three dimensional imaging radar system and method for generating and processing radar information to produce a three dimensional image of objects viewed by the system. The system is designed to create three dimensional images of physical objects at relatively short range, up to a distance of about 1000 feet. The radar system comprises a servo controlled antenna system, wherein the servo system provides azimuth and elevation pointing angle output signals. Two radar transmitters provide radar signals in two different radar bands that are selectively transmitted by the antenna system as a radar beam. A radar receiver preprocesses radar return signals reflected from targets.

Abstract: A system for controlling the arming and firing of a weapon that is suspended from a parachute at an oblique angle and spun so as to be aimed over a spiral rotational scanning pattern on the earth as the parachute descends toward the earth. The weapon is supported by a platform so that the weapon is aimed in a predetermined direction relative to the platform. A detection system is supported by the platform and aimed in the same direction as the weapon for detecting predetermined radiation characteristics from targets of opportunity. A ranging system is supported by the platform and aimed in the same direction as the weapon for determining the range to the earth in such direction.

Abstract: A multiple missile ejection system (10) by which first and second missiles (14) and (16) are stored in a single launch tube (12). Each missile is ejected by a gas bag. In a particular embodiment, two gas bags are used. The first gas bag (18) is mounted between the first and second missiles (14) and (16) respectively. The second gas bag (20) is mounted between the second missile (16) and an end of the launch tube. When deflated, the first gas bag (18) has a longitudinal aperture (28) through the center thereof which allows for the ejection of the second missile (16) by the second gas bag (20).

Abstract: Method and arrangement for an airborne radar system particularly adapted to detect large metal targets that are concealed from the air by camouflage or natural foliage. The arrangement includes an antenna that transmits a continuous wave electromagnetic signal having a selectable frequency that preferably has a wave length generally twice the length of an anticipated target and which is carried by a flying vehicle. The frequency of the transmitted signal is chosen to provide maximum penetration of the camouflage or natural foliage and maximum re-radiation from a metal target. Receivers connected to an in-line receiving antenna and to a crossed receiving antenna carried by a flying vehicle detect the radiation that is reflected from the terrain and a target with the same polarization as that transmitted. The co-linear antenna and receiver respond to the reflected radiation while the cross-polarized antenna does not detect this reflected radiation.

Abstract: A cooperative differential drive system (20) for use in material handling and flight control and guidance systems, and the like. The drive system (20) may be employed in application that require high resolution task repeatability capabilities and the execution of precise position and force trajectory path following routines. A differential gear system (24) is driven by two servo-controlled actuators (22, 23) under control of a controller (21). The first actuator (22) is regulated at constant speed while the second actuator (23) is modulated at an appropriately varying speed to achieve a desired drive speed of a load. The second actuator (23) is controlled such that it dos not change rotational direction. Ultimate control of the load is achieved by way of the differential gear system (24) that combines the two actuator speeds to achieve the desired load speed. The differential gear system (24) is optionally coupled by way of a clutch system (25) to the load.

Abstract: A system for controlling the application of firing signals to electrically fired ammunition rounds which are chambered in the gun or the like. A plurality of insulated contacts are installed in the firing chamber wall so as to connect electrically to mating insulated contacts which are built into the case of the chambered round. Various configurations of annular contact rings are provided for both the inner surface of a gun firing chamber and for the mating exterior surface of a cartridge to be positioned therein. Timing control circuitry for such systems is also disclosed, suitable for use in a single barrel gun or a multiple barrel gun of the Gatling type or a revolving chamber gun with one or more fixed barrels.

Abstract: A dual-mode, radio frequency, optical-wavelength detector apparatus includes RF-transparent optical elements adapted to focusing optical energy in a wavelength range including ultraviolet through infrared wavelengths, on an optical detector, and an RF antenna located behind the optical elements. One embodiment of the apparatus employs a Cassegrain infrared optical telescope system having a concave primary mirror, the front surface of which has applied thereto multiple layers of dielectric material comprising an interference filter reflective in a band of infrared wavelengths, and transmissive to radio frequency energy. A convex secondary mirror having a similar reflective coating is so located as to reflect infrared energy backwards through a central coaxial perforation through the primary mirror onto an infrared detector.

Abstract: A sensor system includes a sensor (20) having an array (22) of detector elements (24), a movable sensor positioner (32) in which the sensor (20) is mounted, a signal processor (30) that progressively corrects the intensities of the pixels of a sensor output array for detector element nonuniformity, an electronic scene position corrector (40), and a motion controller (36) that provides a movement command (34) to the sensor positioner (32), and transmits the substance of the movement command to the scene position corrector (40). An image array signal is furnished from the sensor (20) to the signal processor (30), while the sensor positioner (32) is controllably moved under command of the motion controller (36). A nonuniformity-compensated output signal (38) of the signal processor (30) is provided to the scene position corrector (40), wherein the position of the image is corrected for the motion of the sensor positioner (32).

Abstract: The eyepiece (14), objective lens assembly (24), long wavelength infrared sensor (27), missile guidance electronics (30), and all component parts are arranged in a consolidated package for mounting onto a portable missile launcher (10).

Abstract: A high resolution imaging system having a wide field-of-regard. The wide field image generation system (10) of the present invention is operative to provide a composite digital representation of a scene within a field-of-regard. The invention (10) includes a sensor arrangement (12, 14, and 16) for generating first and second frames of image data. A scene correlator (18) registers the first and second frames of image data within the field-of-regard. A temporal filter (22) averages image data in the first frame with image data at a respective corresponding location in the second frame to provide a third frame of image data. When displayed, the third frame of image data provides a wide field-of-regard, high resolution image with minimal undesirable seams therein.

Abstract: A radar system (20) has a chaotic code source (22) with a chaotic code output (23), which generates a chaotic code according to a chaotic difference equation. The radar system (20) further includes a transmitter (24) with a carrier signal source (28) of a carrier signal (29), and an encoder (30) having as a first input the carrier signal (29) of the carrier signal source (28) and as a second input the chaotic code output (23) of the chaotic code source (22), and as an output a transmitted radar signal (36) having the chaotic code output (23) encoded onto the carrier signal (29). A radar system receiver (26) includes a correlator (46) having as a first input the chaotic code output (23) of the chaotic code source (22) and as a second input a received radar signal (44), and as an output an indication of the correlation of the first and second inputs. The correlation is used to determine the distance, speed, or other characteristic of an object that reflected the radar signal.

Abstract: A wide bandwidth, low noise, fine frequency step phase locked loop frequency synthesizer (10) and processing method. The synthesizer (10) includes a first divider (16) for dividing a first signal provided by a reference frequency source (12). A first phase locked loop (20) is provided for receiving a divided first signal from the first divider (16) and providing an intermediate frequency signal in response thereto. The first phase locked loop (20) includes a first phase detector (22) for comparing the phase of the first signal to the phase of a first feedback signal and providing a first phase difference signal in response thereto. The first phase locked loop (20) includes a first voltage controlled oscillator (30) for providing the intermediate signal in response to the first phase difference signal. The first phase locked loop (20) includes a first mixer (32) for mixing the intermediate signal with a second signal at a second frequency F2 and providing the first feedback signal in response thereto.

Abstract: A single wavelength bidirectional communication link. The bidirectional communication link (100) includes an optical fiber (160) having a first and a second end. The present invention includes a first arrangement (260) for launching a first optical carrier of a first wavelength onto the optical fiber (160) at the first end thereof. Additionally, the first launching arrangement (260) impresses a first modulating signal having a frequency confined to a first frequency spectrum upon the first carrier. The inventive communication link (100) further includes a second arrangement (270) for launching a second optical carrier of the first wavelength onto the optical fiber (160) at the second end thereof. The second launching arrangement (270) also impresses a second modulating signal having a frequency confined to a second frequency spectrum not overlapping the first spectrum upon the second carrier.

Abstract: A computer-implemented preferred materials selector tool comprises a digital processor, a data storage medium accessible by the digital processor, and a data base stored in the data storage medium having a plurality of entries for materials. At least some of the data base entries include identification of the physical character of the material, identification of a procedure in which the material is operable, and a hazard/environmental assessment. The computer-implemented tool further includes a set of instructions executable by the digital processor for controllably selecting a material from the data base responsive to a comparison with the physical character of the material, the procedure identification, or the hazard/environmental assessment.

Abstract: A tethered vehicle such as a missile system comprises a tethered vehicle body having a control system and propulsion system therein, a control station for the tethered vehicle located outside of the tethered vehicle body, and an optical fiber data link extending from the tethered vehicle control system to the control station. The tethered vehicle system further includes a GPS positioning system for the tethered vehicle, which comprises a positioning signal receiving antenna mounted in the tethered vehicle, and a positioning signal amplifier mounted in the tethered vehicle, which receives a positioning signal from the antenna and produces an amplified positioning signal. A transmitter transmits the amplified positioning signal into the optical fiber data link at its end within the tethered vehicle, and a receiver receives the amplified positioning signal from the optical fiber data link at its end at the control station. A signal processor analyzes the amplifier positioning signal received from the receiver.