Abstract: A method for measuring the azimuth and elevation of the axis of a tube of other apparatus uses a centering mandrel inserted in the tube. The centering mandrel has a laser fixed to one end. The laser beam is aligned with the bore axis of the tube. A pair of optical instruments view two points on the laser beam. Using the optical instruments, horizontal and vertical angles from one optical instrument to the other, and vice versa, are measured. Also, horizontal and vertical angles from each optical instrument to each of the two points are measured. Using the three sets of measured angles, the azimuth and the elevation of the bore axis are calculated.

Abstract: A portable, self-contained fire control system includes one or more of: 1) the means to provide geodetic positioning and navigational data for the host weapon platform in relation to established coordinate reference systems; 2) the means to digitally communicate with an off-platform command and control network; 3) the means to compute host platform ballistics data; 4) the means to indicate the current weapon orientation and additionally to indicate the horizontal and vertical weapon movements required to aim the weapon; 5) the means to inductively set fuzes for firing; 6) the means for digitally receiving and processing pre-computed mission data through to the fuze/projectile; 7) the means for locally computing mission data; and 8) the means for manually entering pre-computed data into the system.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the azimuth of a tube having a bore axis includes a centering mandrel having a longitudinal axis; a flexible member for defining a bore axis projection of the bore axis; a tensioner fixed to one end of the flexible member, and a pair of adjusters connected to the tensioner, the adjusters for moving the tensioner along a respective pair of axes that are perpendicular to the bore axis projection, the axes of the adjusters being mutually perpendicular.