Abstract: A sighting and tracking apparatus for a missile guidance system, of the kind which employs an optical tracker for tracking and controlling the flight of a missile, the tracker providing output signals which are transmitted to the missile to control the missile to a demanded flight path. The apparatus includes an adjustable electrical model of the flight path demanded by the tracker, and a computer to which the tracker output signals are continuously fed, the computer being programmed to adjust the model continuously during missile flight in such a way as to cause the model to conform to the demanded flight path at each instant of flight. The model produces continuous control signals dependent on its adjustment, and in the event that control of the missile by the tracker is lost during flight, adjustment of the model by the computer is immediately stopped and the control signals from the model in its existing state of adjustment are employed to direct the continued flight of the missile.

Abstract: A guidance system for controlling the flight of a guided missile onto a target, comprising an optical sight and a tracker mounted with their optical axes approximately in alignment in a common housing which is pivotable for aiming the sight at a target. The housing also carries a missile firing button and a manually-operable joystick for generating primary direction control signals for controlling the missile. The tracker produces automatically secondary control signals representative of the displacement of the missile in flight from the axis of the tracker. Transmitter means is provided in a separate housing for transmitting both primary and secondary control signals simultaneously to a receiver in the missile so that the flight of the missile is controlled by the combined primary and secondary signals.