Abstract: An MKV interceptor includes a carrier vehicle (CV) that supports the deployment of M kill vehicles (KVs) and provides centralized acquisition and discrimination pre-ejection. Pre-ejection each KV acquires and transmits IR imagery, and possibly visible imagery, via an internal communication bus to a central processor on the CV. The central processor spatially registers the IR images from the different KVs, either directly from the IR images themselves or using the visible imagery, and sums the IR (and visible) images to form a registered spatially averaged IR image. This image has the same resolution but higher SNR than any one of the KV IR images. The central processor uses this registered spatially averaged image during pre-ejection acquisition and discrimination modes. The key benefit is the elimination of independent CV “sense capability”, which is large, heavy and expensive, and was required by either the “command guided” or “sharing” concepts.

Abstract: Embodiments of a multi-waveband sensor system and method for seeking targets are generally described herein. In some embodiments, the multi-waveband sensor system includes a secondary reflector positioned within a gathering path of a primary reflector to reflect the wavebands gathered by the primary reflector back through an aperture in the primary reflector. The multi-waveband sensor system may also include a laser waveband dichroic beam splitter positioned within a focal path of the secondary reflector to pass infrared (IR) wavebands and to reflect laser wavebands. A LADAR subsystem may transmit laser wavebands for reflection by the laser waveband dichroic beam splitter through the aperture to the secondary reflector for reflection to an off-axis region on the primary reflector for direction toward a target.

Abstract: Embodiments of a multi-waveband sensor system and method for seeking targets are generally described herein. In some embodiments, the multi-waveband sensor system includes a secondary reflector positioned within a gathering path of a primary reflector to reflect the wavebands gathered by the primary reflector back through an aperture in the primary reflector. The multi-waveband sensor system may also include a laser waveband dichroic beam splitter positioned within a focal path of the secondary reflector to pass infrared (IR) wavebands and to reflect laser wavebands. A LADAR subsystem may transmit laser wavebands for reflection by the laser waveband dichroic beam splitter through the aperture to the secondary reflector for reflection to an off-axis region on the primary reflector for direction toward a target.

Abstract: A missile seeker. The inventive missile seeker includes a dome within which a novel optical arrangement is retained. The optical arrangement includes a first prism mounted for rotation about an optical axis and a second prism mounted for rotation about the optical axis. In the illustrative embodiment, the first and second prisms are Risley prisms. In addition, the illustrative implementation includes a first motor arrangement for rotating the first prism about the optical axis and a second motor arrangement for rotating the second prism about the optical axis. A controller is provided for activating the first and second motors to steer the beam at an angle &phgr; and nod the beam at an angle &thgr;. In a specific implementation, the first prism and/or the second prism have at least two surfaces contoured to correct for optical aberration. A teaching is provided to contour the surfaces to correct for astigmatism, coma, trefoil and other non-rotationally symettric abberation.

Abstract: A steerable optical arrangement. The inventive arrangement includes a first prism mounted for rotation about an optical axis and a second prism mounted for rotation about the optical axis. In accordance with the inventive teachings, the first prism and/or the second prism have at least one surface contoured to correct for optical aberration. In the illustrative embodiment, the first and second prisms are Risley prisms. In addition, the illustrative implementation includes a first motor arrangement for rotating the first prism about the optical axis and a second motor arrangement for rotating the second prism about the optical axis. A controller is provided for activating the first and second motors to steer the beam at an angle &phgr; and nod the beam at an angle &thgr;. At least two surfaces at least one prism is contoured to correct for astigmatism, coma, trefoil and other non-rotationally symmetric aberration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a laser device and particularly a laser device having an elongated laser medium with a sidewall and an axis and capable when stimulated of having a population inversion established therein and an accompanying lasing condition, and a pair of pump sources at angle with respect to each other relative to the axis of the medium and positioned to pump energy uninteruptedly into the sides of the medium thereat. In the present construction the pump sources are rows of diode lasers and the construction includes an apparatus for dissipating the heat generated in the pump sources and in the medium. The angular orientation between the pump sources relative to the axis of the medium can vary from an acute angle to an obtuse angle and the device can have a reflective layer positioned on or adjacent to the medium at locations on the opposite side of the medium from the respective pump sources.