Abstract: A process for the adaptive beam control of medium-energy laser weapons for fighting electro-optical sensors and windows, wherein the behavior of the laser power reflected from a bright spot of the target and measured by a thermal image apparatus during increasing irradiation intensity is analyzed during a phase of measurement. The laser power to be emitted that will lead to the desired laser beam diameter or to the highest possible laser intensity at the target during the subsequent phase of fighting is then derived by calculation from this as well as other parameters influencing the thermal beam expansion. It is thus made possible that the laser does not always have to be operated with the maximum power, but only with the currently needed power during the phase of fighting, so that a saving is achieved in the consumption of primary laser energy. One example is explained.

Abstract: A laser beam source and an operating method thereof is provided for a directional infrared countermeasures (DIRCM) weapon system for defensively countering guided missiles having infrared seeking heads, by directing an infrared laser beam at the guided missile so as to disorient, saturate, or irreversibly destroy the IR detectors and circuitry arranged in the target seeking head. The power, pulse frequency and spectral composition of the laser beam is adjustable and selectable as required to adapt to any particular defensive engagement. To achieve this, the laser beam source comprises an Nd:YAG pumping laser and an optical parametric oscillator including an oscillator crystal arranged in a resonator cavity. The crystal includes a plurality of different periodically polarized crystal zones having different lattice constants. The adjacent zones can be grouped together into selectable crystal zone groups.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an arrangement for protection of active armor against attack by sensor guided armor piercing projectiles, preferably with twin shaped charges, wherein inflatable individual segments are arranged at the object to be protected so as to be pressure- and temperature regulated.

Abstract: A weapons system/device is provided for a dazzling laser with directed laser radiation with a laser operating in the visible range. This is integrated in a rifle-like carrier with an aiming device, range finder, and a portable power supply unit. The laser is adjustable in terms of beam divergence, energy to be emitted, and irradiation time. A control computer is provided for entering target reconnaissance parameters, as well as measuring instruments for determining these parameters with respect to a target subject and the environment. The controls/instrumentation are associated with the laser, wherein the control computer calculates the laser parameters (beam divergence, single pulse or pulse train, pulse energy and pulse count of the pulsed laser) necessary for the reversible dazzling of the eye on the basis of the target reconnaissance parameters entered, and it automatically presets and regulates the resulting laser power and the exposure time of the continuous laser.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for self-defense of aircraft against missiles and provides for a combination of a proximity sensor for the enemy missile, an intercepting rocket, and an aimed light beam, with the light beam optionally being used alone as an optical jammer against an optical homing head on the missile, or being used together with the intercepting rocket to steer it optically by either a semi-active or a beam rider steering method.

Abstract: Laser weapon system whose laser device is a target reconnaissance system with a visual device, rangefinding and exposure measuring devices, and a control computer for adjusting the laser energy, with the laser device being associated with a beam-aiming unit and with the viewer being associated with a monitor as well as an image processing unit provided with a marking and tracking device for the target individuals.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an optical proximity fuse for missiles with laser transmitters and optical receivers, whose optically bundled beam paths are oriented in such a way at a small angle to the direction of flight that they intersect in predetermined measuring segments, wherein the radiation reflected from objects in these measuring segments is utilized for deriving the firing pulse, wherein at least two laser transmitters oriented at angles different from each other and a common optical receiver are arranged at different points of the front side of the missile. The measuring segments where the transmitter beam paths intersect the receiver beam path lie at different distances from the missile and at differing side spacings from the longitudinal axis of the missile, wherein the measuring segment lying closer to the missile corresponds to the predetermined target segment. The laser transmitters are modulated at identification response codes differing from each other.

Abstract: An initiating sensor for a missile equipped with a directional warhead. For the timely detection of the target and to calculate the tripping time, two rings are provided on the circumference of the missile, each having a multitude of active laser rangefinders.

Abstract: Two laser distance measuring functions are preformed on board of a ground-hugging cruise missile by at least one laser distance meter for taking downwardly directed altitude measurements and diagonally or slantedly forwardly directed distance measurements for producing corrected altitude signals for use in controlling the flight of the missile. Both types of measurements can be made by one laser distance meter that is tiltable in the required direction or two laser units are provided. The correction provides a clear recognition of artificial fog by evaluating both types of measured values in an intelligent signal processing unit which compares the intensities of the measured values from the same ground locations, determines the extinction coefficient of the fog and takes the angular distribution of the back-scattering intensity of the laser beams into consideration for correcting the altimeter readings.

Abstract: A situation display system has a movable section for attachment to a helmet nd a stationary section, including a stationary map providing a real map background for showing situation display elements on the map. The movable section is connected through a flexible cable to a device for the remote control of the situation display elements which are computer generated. By accurate measurements of the location of the helmet and its distance to the map, signals are provided which are processed independently of any movements of an operator wearing the helmet so that the elements are correctly displayed and seen on the map. Thus, a tactical situation display is obtained for a military command system.

Abstract: The optical-fiber reference-value transmitter comprises an optical waveguide coil with at least one winding layer, within which the sections of the optical waveguide fiber between adjacent turns are of equal length. A pressure finger which is connected to a mechanical distance pickup is guided over the layer of the winding and in the process exerts a mechanical pressure on a comparatively narrow zone of the optical waveguide fiber of a turn, whereby a so-called microbending effect is generated in the waveguide fiber. An opto-electronic transmitting and receiving apparatus which is connected to the optical waveguide fiber determines the location of the pressure point caused by the pressure finger and thereby, the position of the pressure finger.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor for use in the warhead of a missile, which can be used against helicopters, in that it is equipped with one or more high-resolution LRFs with respect to space and time, which identifies the helicopter on the basis of the common arrangement and size of the detected rotor blade selections with a numerical processor and activates an ignition device accordingly.

Abstract: The invention relates to an installation tool for the mounting of a carpet strip to serve as wall trim on an insertion-molding track. A short length of the carpet strip is first inserted by hand. The insertion toll is then placed on top of it. The insertion procedure is thereupon continued by simply sliding the installation tool.

Abstract: The present remote data monitoring system employs a laser and a modulated retroreflector for the remote data monitoring of hard to access spaces, targets etc., in combination with an arrangement for a simultaneous friend-or-foe identification, and in combination with devices for the protection against detection and against interrogation of a friend by an enemy laser. In this system, a liquid crystal modulator of special construction depending on the purpose and structure of the system, is arranged in front of a retroreflector and modulated by the respective information. The information is interrogated by a spatially distant laser station by directing a laser beam onto the retromodulator, whereby the information is retroreflected and simultaneously modulated.

Abstract: The invention concerns a molding track for the installation of carpet molding trim. It possesses an asymmetrical two-lipped profile, one lip of which is fastened to the wall. The molding trim is fastened flush with the floor to the other lip, led upward around this lip, which is elastically prestressed in the direction of the wall, and clamped firmly. Electrical wiring can be installed subsequently in the hollow spaces provided for this purose. The profile can be manufactured of recycled material.

Abstract: A laser such as a wave-guide laser with its housing is encased in a second housing which is also filled with laser gas. The second housing is sealed in a gas tight manner and includes a cylindrical portion, which may be made of metal, and a cap made at least partially of glass or ceramic. The cap is provided with a neck around the laser beam passage. The neck has a rated or predetermined break strength to make sure that a portion of the cap will break off at the neck when the laser is operated. The cap is provided with a device for monitoring or checking the operation status of the laser. The checking device includes a bellows, the interior of which is connected to sense the pressure inside the second housing. Further indicators showing whether the laser is operating are also provided in the cap which breaks off automatically with the aid of the bellows when the latter expands in response to a perforation of the cap by the initial laser operation.

Abstract: A CO.sub.2 laser wave guide, which is excitable by a high frequency signal, as two boron nitride bodies (11a, 11b; 111a, 111b) which are held in position in a housing (10) by a specially shaped spring (14, 114) which presses the boron nitride bodies against the inner surface (10a) of the housing for good heat transfer and dissipation. A spacer (18) holds the boron nitride bodies apart to provide a gap (15) in which one electrode is held. The specially shaped spring operates, in addition to holding the boron nitride bodies in place, as the opposite electrode. This structure requires few parts and these parts do not have to meet high tolerance requirements, nor is it necessary to provide a high surface finish for the individual components.

Abstract: A system for automatically firing or discharing a weapon, such as a mine, comprises acoustical sensors for the preliminary adjustment and firing of the weapon. An optical sensor is used in conjunction with the acoustical sensors. In a first step, prior to the first acoustical target acquisition, the target background is optically scanned to store first optical image values defining an optical image of the target background to determine a firing range and a firing horizon. Thereafter, an acoustical ranging is performed for the target acquisition. Then the optical scanning and storing is repeated with regard to a firing horizon and when a target approaches the firing horizon, to provide second optical image values which are compared with the first image values to provide, by signal differentiation, proof of the presence of a target at the firing horizon. The resulting signal is used to control the weapon.

Abstract: The present optical element for an astable laser resonator includes a subate of a material which is transparent to the respective laser radiation. In manufacturing the present optical element the substrate is ground and polished on both surfaces and a template or mask is secured to one surface of the substrate. The mask has a mathematically computed boundary configuration which provides a diffraction limited divergence for the finished optical element. In the areas not covered by the mask a highly reflective coating is applied, for example, by vapor deposition. The substrate area which is not covered by the highly reflective coating remains transparent to the laser radiation. Thus, the element is useful as the reflector and/or as a lens in an astable laser resonator.

Abstract: The resonator of a gas dynamic laser, particularly, of a high power gas dynamic laser, is mechanically decoupled from the other components of the laser by a pair of elastic restoring ring membranes and stay bolts. The flow channel of the laser is mechanically connected through the ring membranes to the resonator. A pair of tubular, elastic sleeve membranes seal the flow channel in a vacuum tight manner. The laser beam decoupling elements are secured to bushings extending coaxially through said elastic tubular sleeve membranes. The restoring forces of the ring membranes are large relative to the differential force resulting from said tubular sleeve sealing membranes.