Abstract: A stabilized platform system for isolating a payload from angular motions of a supporting structure has a base assembly securable to a supporting structure, and a payload stabilizing assembly carried by the base assembly and mounted for angular movement relative thereto about two or more separate axes. At least one of the axes is non-orthogonal with respect to another of the axes and mounted for limited angular movement relative to the base assembly, and the axes have extensions which meet at a common point.

Abstract: A catadioptric zoom lens assembly has a catoptric objective lens group with a forwardly facing primary mirror and a rearwardly facing first surface reflecting secondary mirror located forwardly of the primary mirror to create an intermediate image forwardly of the primary mirror. A zoom relay lens group is located optically rearwardly of the intermediate image and has a stationary field lens subgroup, a first movable lens subgroup and a second movable lens subgroup.

Abstract: A stabilized platform system for isolating a payload from angular motion and translational and angular vibration of a supporting structure, has an inner gimbal for carrying the payload, a sprung shell containing and carrying the inner gimbal in a manner permitting the inner gimbal a limited amount of angular movement relative thereto about pitch, roll and yaw axes, and an outer gimbal containing the sprung shell and inner gimbal. A passive vibration isolator is connected between the sprung shell and the outer gimbal and has two symmetrical arrays of dampened coil springs located on opposite sides of the sprung shell.

Abstract: An autotracking antenna system operable to cause a steerable antenna assembly to automatically track a moving RF video signal source has a reflector, a rotator for positioning the reflector at any desired position in azimuth and elevation, a primary antenna element positioned to receive an RF video signal reflected from the center of the reflector, and a series of offset antenna elements each positioned to receive an RF video signal reflected from a different off-center location on the reflector. A tracking control processor is operable to select and receive video signals from the primary antenna element and the offset antenna elements and to control the rotator, and a signal receiver receives video signals from the antenna element and has a video signal output.

Abstract: An optical instrument comprising a housing having an optical path and a lens turret carrying at least two different optical components. At least three supporting devices are carried by the housing and engage the outer cylindrical wall of the lens turret at circumferentially spaced positions to support the turret for rotation about the longitudinal axis of the outer cylindrical wall to position a selected optical component in the optical path. Rotation of the turret is effected by a motor with a rotatable output pulley and a flexible drive element passing around the pulley and the outer cylindrical wall of the turret. One of the optical components is a rearwardly facing mirror, and the turret has a relatively large open area to enable light to pass therethrough for reflection by a mirror on the housing to the rearwardly facing mirror.