Abstract: An improved laser illuminator for target designation, such as for a target-seeking missile or object in flight or from a tracking target station, that simultaneously provides output pulses of high peak power at a low pulse repetition rate to meet the maximum range requirements of the designation or tracking system and provides output pulses of low peak power at a high pulse repetition rate to provide the high tracking error signal information rates needed at close ranges. The illuminator operates either for active or semi-active guidance of a missile to a target or for tracking an object or target from any suitable station in either an active or semi-active mode. In one arrangement in accordance with the invention, a laser oscillator is controlled in series with an amplifier arrangement to selectively provide the high power and the low power pulses which are transmitted as a common pulse train.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved signal processor that is insensitive to the type of clutter that is encountered by utilizing multiple parallel range sample intervals which vary in length from minimum to maximum so that the optimum sample size is provided for clutter or different range extents. By utilizing the correct range sample interval for the clutter, the detection threshold is accurately set as a result of an improved sample mean. The detection system includes a plurality of mean level processors operating in parallel in response to signal samples varying from minimum to maximum length in range and a selection circuit that selects the largest amplitude value of the clutter signal for use as the mean value in a signal comparator. When the mean value is the same for two or more sample sizes, one arrangement in accordance with the invention utilizes the larger sample size as the mean value.

Abstract: This disclosure shows a technique used for obtaining high-resolution imagery at infra-red and optical wavelengths in the presence of atmospheric turbulence. The technique uses multi-channel signal processing. Squaring circuits are utilized to obtain the squared functions of the sum and difference frequencies, structured so as to avoid atmospheric turbulent effects upon received signals. This technique is suited for imaging of objects located above the turbulent boundary layer near the earth's surface.

Abstract: A high voltage glow discharge power source providing a plurality of glow discharges by gas ignition within at least one elongated electrically insulating member having a central bore along the axis of elongation of the member. Electrodes are positioned along the outer surface along the length of the member to which current sources and sinks are connected in alternation. A DC power supply provides the energy for the current sources and sinks. End plates covering the bore are transparent to optical frequencies. Glow discharges occur within the bore so that when a laser generator beam is diverted into the bore through the end plates, the gas in the bore being ignited to provide the glow, discharges and effects a power gain in the laser signal at the other end of the bore.

Abstract: Broad, intermediate, and narrow field of view infrared telescopes, broad and narrow field of view visual telescopes, and a narrow field of view laser telescope, together with apparatus for boresighting said telescopes, all of the narrow field of view telescopes having a common objective lens with means for separating the optical pathways.

Abstract: Broad, intermediate, and narrow field of view infrared telescopes, broad and narrow field of view visual telescopes, and a narrow field of view laser telescope, together with apparatus for boresighting said telescopes, all of the narrow field of view telescopes having a common objective lens with means for separating the optical pathways.

Abstract: An improved optical heterodyne receiver is disclosed. Novel control circuitry is utilized in the receiver to provide compensation and tracking for undesired phase and frequency excursions of both the received and the local oscillator signals. An optical heterodyne receiver such as that disclosed is especially useful in optical communications systems having wideband variations in the frequency of the received signal caused by Doppler shifts and angle-modulated noise components.

Abstract: A high pressure gas tank has its output closely connected to the input of a Joule Thomson cryostat. When the tank is permitted to discharge its gas, Simon cooling of the inlet gas to the cryostat decreases the time to cool down at the cold point in the cryostat.

Abstract: Isolation of a platform from a base is achieved by employing six supports therebetween which preferably comprise two sets of three mutually perpendicular supports. The supports can be varied in length by a motor to control the platform in all six degrees of freedom (three translational and three rotational) with respect to the base.

Abstract: Plasma chamber maintained ionized by thin wire discharge continuously supplies ionized plasma into the interelectrode space of a low pressure gas discharge device such as a crossed-field switch tube to eliminate dependence on statistical electrons for initiation of discharge.

Abstract: Composite electrodes for a crossed-field switch device is formed by positioning a refractory metal structure substantially at the location of its first electrode, sputtering metal from the refractory metal structure onto the second electrode so that the second electrode is coated with refractory material, then removing the refractory metal structure and replacing the first electrode, followed by back sputtering onto the first electrode.