Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to coordinating guided-missile targeting among multiple guided missiles using inter-missile optical communications. An inter-missile communications channel is optically established with a first guided missile illuminating a first target within a scene aligned along a first missile axis, and a second guided missile receiving the illumination reflected by the first target. By illuminating the first target within the scene, the first guided missile designates the first target. The second guided missile can be configured to navigate to the designated first target or to select a second target not designated by the first guided missile. In some embodiments, the second guided missile can be configured to illuminate its selected second target so as to designate the selected second target and to communicate the designation to other guided missiles.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to controlling an explosive burst event of a ballistic ordnance, based on a ground surface topography mapped by a phased-array LIDAR system. The ground surface topography is mapped using an integrated photonics LIDAR system configured to: generate a beam of coherent light; non-mechanically steer a beam of coherent light over a solid angle about an ordnance axis; and detect the beam reflected from the ground surface. The integrated photonics LIDAR system is further configured to map the ground surface topography, based on a functional relation between an angle of the beam and a time difference between generating the beam and detecting the beam reflected from the ground surface. A timing and/or direction of the explosive burst can be controlled, based on the calculated ground surface topography, so as to advantageously realize a desired effect of the explosion.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a dual-mode seeker for a guided missile equipped with seeker/designation handoff capabilities. The dual-mode seeker has Semi-Active Laser (SAL) and Image InfraRed (IIR) modes of operation. SAL-mode operation includes detecting laser pulses reflected by a target designated by a remote Laser Target Designator (LTD) and determining target direction using the detected laser pulses. SAL-mode operation also includes determining the Pulse Repetition Interval (PRI) of the detected laser pulses, and predicting timing of future pulses generated by the LTD. IIR-mode operation includes capturing Short-Wavelength InfraRed (SWIR) images of a scene containing the designated target and determining target location using one or more image features associated with the designated target.

Abstract: An inertial measurement unit (IMU) includes an inertial sensor assembly including a plurality of accelerometers and a plurality of rate gyroscopes, an inertial sensor compensation and correction module, and a Kalman estimator module. The inertial sensor compensation and correction module is configured to apply a set of error compensation values to sensed acceleration and rotational rate to produce a compensated acceleration and a compensated rotational rate of the IMU. The Kalman estimator module is configured to determine a set of error correction values based on a difference between a change in integrated acceleration of the IMU and a change in true airspeed of the IMU. The inertial sensor compensation and correction module is further configured to apply the set of error correction values to each of the compensated acceleration and the compensated rotational rate to output an error-corrected acceleration and an error-corrected rotation rate.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to ranging an object nearby an aircraft by triangulation of spatially-patterned light projected upon and reflected from the object. The spatially patterned light can have a wavelength corresponding to infrared light and/or to an atmospheric absorption band. In some embodiments, images of the object are captured both with and without illumination by the spatially-patterned light. A difference between these two images can be used to isolate the spatially-patterned light. The two images can also be used to identify pixel boundaries of the object and to calculate ranges of portions of the object corresponding to pixels imaging these portions. For pixels imaging reflections of the spatially-patterned light, triangulation can be used to calculate range. For pixels not imaging reflections of the spatially-patterned light, ranges can be calculated using one or more of the calculated ranges calculated using triangulation corresponding to nearby pixels.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to coordinating guided-missile targeting among multiple guided missiles using inter-missile optical communications. An inter-missile communications channel is optically established with a first guided missile illuminating a first target within a scene aligned along a first missile axis, and a second guided missile receiving the illumination reflected by the first target. By illuminating the first target within the scene, the first guided missile designates the first target. The second guided missile can be configured to navigate to the designated first target or to select a second target not designated by the first guided missile. In some embodiments, the second guided missile can be configured to illuminate its selected second target so as to designate the selected second target and to communicate the designation to other guided missiles.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to controlling an explosive burst event of a ballistic ordnance, based on a ground surface topography mapped by a phased-array LIDAR system. The ground surface topography is mapped using an integrated photonics LIDAR system configured to: generate a beam of coherent light; non-mechanically steer a beam of coherent light over a solid angle about an ordnance axis; and detect the beam reflected from the ground surface. The integrated photonics LIDAR system is further configured to map the ground surface topography, based on a functional relation between an angle of the beam and a time difference between generating the beam and detecting the beam reflected from the ground surface. A timing and/or direction of the explosive burst can be controlled, based on the calculated ground surface topography, so as to advantageously realize a desired effect of the explosion.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a dual-mode seeker for a guided missile equipped with seeker/designation handoff capabilities. The dual-mode seeker has Semi-Active Laser (SAL) and Image InfraRed (IIR) modes of operation. SAL-mode operation includes detecting laser pulses reflected by a target designated by a remote Laser Target Designator (LTD) and determining target direction using the detected laser pulses. SAL-mode operation also includes determining the Pulse Repetition Interval (PRI) of the detected laser pulses, and predicting timing of future pulses generated by the LTD. IIR-mode operation includes capturing Short-Wavelength InfraRed (SWIR) images of a scene containing the designated target and determining target location using one or more image features associated with the designated target.

Abstract: An inertial measurement unit (IMU) includes an inertial sensor assembly including a plurality of accelerometers and a plurality of rate gyroscopes, an inertial sensor compensation and correction module, and a Kalman estimator module. The inertial sensor compensation and correction module is configured to apply a set of error compensation values to sensed acceleration and rotational rate to produce a compensated acceleration and a compensated rotational rate of the IMU. The Kalman estimator module is configured to determine a set of error correction values based on a difference between a change in integrated acceleration of the IMU and a change in true airspeed of the IMU. The inertial sensor compensation and correction module is further configured to apply the set of error correction values to each of the compensated acceleration and the compensated rotational rate to output an error-corrected acceleration and an error-corrected rotation rate.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to ranging an object nearby an aircraft by triangulation of spatially-patterned light projected upon and reflected from the object. The spatially patterned light can have a wavelength corresponding to infrared light and/or to an atmospheric absorption band. In some embodiments, images of the object are captured both with and without illumination by the spatially-patterned light. A difference between these two images can be used to isolate the spatially-patterned light. The two images can also be used to identify pixel boundaries of the object and to calculate ranges of portions of the object corresponding to pixels imaging these portions. For pixels imaging reflections of the spatially-patterned light, triangulation can be used to calculate range. For pixels not imaging reflections of the spatially-patterned light, ranges can be calculated using one or more of the calculated ranges calculated using triangulation corresponding to nearby pixels.

Abstract: A landing light system and steering method and computer readable medium is provided. A landing light system includes a camera, a controller, and a landing light. A tangible, non-transitory memory may have instructions for controlling a landing light. The controller may perform operations including receiving a first image at a first time from the camera, receiving a second image at a second time from the camera, estimating a focus of expansion between the first image and the second image, and aiming the landing light based on the focus of expansion.

Abstract: A dual-mode laser-based and image-based seeker for projectiles, missiles, and other ordnance that persecute targets by detecting and tracking energy scattered from targets. The disclosed embodiments use a single digital imager having a single focal plane array (FPA) sensor to sense data in both the image-based and laser-based modes of operation. A control mechanism controls pixel scanning at a sub-window of the FPA to tightly control the imager's shuttering to detect, decode and localize in the imager's field-of-view a known pulse repetition frequency (PRF) from a known designator in the presence of ambient light and other confusing target designators, each having a different PRF.

Abstract: A system to merge and exploit two uniquely different types of seeker homing modes of functionality into a single, dual-mode seeker, using only an FPA as the active sensor to achieve both modes of operation. The disclosed embodiments also provide a means to actively designate & track, and also passively track the same target between active designation pulses to track a target at an update rate higher than the designator pulse rate with less demanding automatic target tracking algorithms. The disclosed embodiments eliminate the need for automatic target acquisition/recognition algorithms necessary for purely passive target tracking. The passive tracking methodology “aids” the passive tracking algorithm, based on frame-to-frame image registration, with active SAL track information to improve overall seeker guided weapon performance.

Abstract: A system to merge and exploit two uniquely different types of seeker homing modes of functionality into a single, dual-mode seeker, using only an FPA as the active sensor to achieve both modes of operation. The disclosed embodiments also provide a means to actively designate & track, and also passively track the same target between active designation pulses to track a target at an update rate higher than the designator pulse rate with less demanding automatic target tracking algorithms. The disclosed embodiments eliminate the need for automatic target acquisition/recognition algorithms necessary for purely passive target tracking. The passive tracking methodology “aids” the passive tracking algorithm, based on frame-to-frame image registration, with active SAL track information to improve overall seeker guided weapon performance.

Abstract: A dual-mode, semi-active, laser-based and passive image-based seeker for projectiles, missiles, and other ordnance that persecute targets by detecting and tracking energy scattered from targets. The disclosed embodiments use a single digital imager having a single focal plane array sensor to sense data in both the image-based and laser-based modes of operation. A shuttering technique allows the relatively low frame-rate of the digital imager to detect, decode and localize in the imager's field-of-view a known pulse repetition frequency (PRF) from a known designator in the presence of ambient light and other confusing target designators, each having a different PRF.

Abstract: A dual-mode laser-based and image-based seeker for projectiles, missiles, and other ordnance that persecute targets by detecting and tracking energy scattered from targets. The disclosed embodiments use a single digital imager having a single focal plane array (FPA) sensor to sense data in both the image-based and laser-based modes of operation. A control mechanism controls pixel scanning at a sub-window of the FPA to tightly control the imager's shuttering to detect, decode and localize in the imager's field-of-view a known pulse repetition frequency (PRF) from a known designator in the presence of ambient light and other confusing target designators, each having a different PRF.

Abstract: A dual-mode, semi-active, laser-based and passive image-based seeker for projectiles, missiles, and other ordnance that persecute targets by detecting and tracking energy scattered from targets. The disclosed embodiments use a single digital imager having a single focal plane array sensor to sense data in both the image-based and laser-based modes of operation. A shuttering technique allows the relatively low frame-rate of the digital imager to detect, decode and localize in the imager's field-of-view a known pulse repetition frequency (PRF) from a known designator in the presence of ambient light and other confusing target designators, each having a different PRF.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for creating demo application maps for site-specific farming. The demo application maps contain a blend of agricultural products. The blend of agricultural products can be viewed or printed either numerically or graphically. Once the demo application maps are combined with a map payment system, the blend of agricultural products can be used by an application machine to apply products to a field. The demo application maps are created by first inputting product information into a mapping system. The agricultural product information contains a percentage of crop inputs contained in the products. Next, the mapping system accesses crop input requirement maps. The crop input requirement maps contain a prescription of crop inputs to apply to a field. The product information and crop input requirement maps are combined to create a blend of agricultural products.

Abstract: A system and method for creating crop input requirement maps for site-specific farming. Crop input requirement maps contain a prescription of crop inputs for each section of a field. The prescription of crop inputs is used to create an application map. The first step in creating crop input requirement maps is to input recommendation equations into a mapping system. The user either selects a pre-defined recommendation equation or inputs an equation using mathematical equations, nested programming, or tables. Next, a field attribute map containing various agronomic data is accessed by the mapping system. The field attribute map includes data such as soil test values, elevation, desired crop yield, soil survey, as-applied data, yield monitor data, and other information. The final step combines the recommendation equations and field attribute maps to create a prescription of crop inputs for each section of a field.

Abstract: A software-based system and method for analyzing data contained in a computerized database. A plan document specifies data to be used by each of a plurality of software modules. A decision tree document identifies a set of the software modules to be invoked and specifies an order in which the identified set of software modules are to be invoked. Each of the identified set of software modules are provided a version of the plan document. Each version of the plan document provided to each of the identified set of software modules is transformed into a transformed plan document such that each one of the identified set of software modules has an associated transformed plan document. The identified set of software modules are invoked in the order specified in the decision tree. Each of the identified set of software modules performs operations using data from the transformed plan document associated with the software module.