Abstract: Methods for detecting the flight path of projectiles involve a sequence of N target detections that include detecting the measured velocities and azimuthal angle bearings of the projectile along the flight path of the projectile by Doppler radar at the times tn, wherein n=1 . . . N, and determining the flight path and the direction of motion of the projectile are from these measurements. The measurements are adapted in a first nonlinear parameter fit to an analytical relationship of the time curve of the radial velocity of the projectile while the projectile passes through the detection range of the radar and so that the absolute projectile velocity, minimum distance of the project flight path from the radar, time at which the projectile passes the point having the minimum distance, flight path direction in azimuth, and flight path direction in elevation can be estimated.

Abstract: An optical device includes a housing containing a plurality of lenses. At least one of those lenses includes a reticle. An optical device and a processor are also located in the housing. A wind speed sensor is mounted to the housing and configured to send a wind speed signal corresponding to a wind speed to the processor. The processor calculates a wind speed based at least in part on the wind speed signal, and wherein the processor sends an output signal corresponding to the calculated wind speed to the output device.

Abstract: A method for tracking an object using radar includes detecting a wideband radio frequency (“RF”) energy at a first radar sensor tracking the object and determining in a computer process if a booster is propelling the object based on the wideband RF energy. The object is tracked in a computer process based on a ballistic trajectory if the booster is not propelling the object, and the object is tracked in a computer process based on a non-ballistic trajectory if the booster is propelling the object.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a target tracking apparatus calculates N-dimensional predicted values from a respective stored (N+1)-dimensional tracks for each of the targets, determines whether or not the N-dimensional predicted value for each of the targets is correlated with the received N-dimensional angle observed value for the target, if the N-dimensional predicted value is not correlated, generates a new (N+1)-dimensional track for the target based on the N-dimensional track corresponding to the N-dimensional angle observed value and if the N-dimensional predicted value is correlated, updates and stores the (N+1)-dimensional track using the N-dimensional angle observed value.

Abstract: A method and system for attenuating a shockwave propagating through a first medium. The method and system may include providing a sensor for detecting a shockwave-producing event, which may include detecting an explosive device or detecting an explosion from an explosive device, determining a direction and distance of the shockwave relative to a defended target, calculating with a computer control a firing plan, and interposing a second medium between the shockwave and a protected asset if cost effective to do so. The second medium may be different from the first medium and the shockwave may be reflected, refracted and dispersed, or absorbed as it passes through the second medium prior to reaching the protected asset, and thus may be attenuated in force as it reaches the protected asset.

Abstract: An example method includes receiving output voltage data from an array of at least four thermopiles placed around the circumference of a projectile such that for any rotation of the projectile during flight thereof, at least a pair of the thermopile having upwardly-facing fields of view referenced to the earth-fixed coordinate system. The method includes determining the pair of upwardly-facing thermopiles based on the output voltage data from the array, with the respective pair of thermopiles including a thermopile p and next adjacent thermopile p+1. The method includes determining a ratio of the output voltage data from thermopiles p and p+1, and applying the ratio to a function associating, for any pair of thermopiles n and n+1, a ratio of output voltage data from thermopiles n and n+1, and a roll angle ?n of thermopile n referenced to the earth-fixed coordinate system.

Abstract: A system and method calculate a range and velocity of an object in image data. The range calculation includes detecting a contour of the object from the image data, forming a template from the image data based on the contour; and calculating a range to the object using pixel resolution and dimension statistics of the object. A three-dimensional velocity of the object is determined by calculating a radial component and an angular component of the velocity. The radial velocity component is calculated by determining the range of the object in two or more image frames, determining a time differential between the two or more image frames, and calculating the radial velocity as a function of the range of the object in the two or more image frames and the time differential between the two or more image frames. The angular component is calculated using spatial-temporal derivatives as a function of a motion constraint equation.

Abstract: A method including detecting a threat incoming to a vehicle, the vehicle having a plurality of countermeasures including a primary armament and an active protection system, communicating the detected threat to a controller, activating, with the controller, a first sensor in response to the detecting, the first sensor tracking the incoming threat and generating tracking data, routing, with the controller, the tracking data to a plurality of fire control processors, each of the plurality of fire control processors being associated with a respective one of the plurality of countermeasures, and the plurality of fire control processors simultaneously computing respective firing solutions using the tracking data, and determining, with the controller, a preferred countermeasure out of the plurality of countermeasures with which to counter the incoming threat.

Abstract: A network-centric targeting system includes a prepare module to plan for targeting engagements and to identify a target; a sense module to locate targets of opportunity and targets generated by the prepare module to form targeting information; a refine module to enhance the targeting information from the sense module; a track module to maintain a location of a target, a state of the target and target activity, the track module being coupled to the refine module; a target module to select effects and to coordinate delivery of selected effects to the target, the target module being coupled to the track module, the refine module and the sense module; a deliver module to deliver effects to the target, the deliver module being coupled to the track module, the refine module, the target module and the sense module; and an assess module to assess effectiveness of the delivered effects on the target.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hierarchical system and method for task assignment (TA), coordination and communication of multiple Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (DAV's) engaging multiple attack targets and conceives an ad-hoc routing algorithm for synchronization of target lists utilizing a distributed computing topology. Assuming limited communication bandwidth and range, coordination of UAV motion is achieved by implementing a simple behavioral flocking algorithm utilizing a tree topology for target list routing. The TA algorithm is based on a graph-theoretic approach, in which a node locates all the detectable targets, identifies them and computes its distance to each target. The node then produces an attack plan that minimizes the sum of distances of the UAV's in the subtree of a given node to the targets.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for launching an effector according to various aspects of the present invention may include a fire control system. The fire control system may be responsive to a sensor, such as a radar, and may be connected to the effector, such as via a launcher. The file control system may be adapted to generate a fire control solution according to the data from the sensor, initiate a launch of the effector, and provide the fire control solution to the effector after initiating the launch.

Abstract: A fire-control system for anti-aircraft defense systems, particularly mobile ones, having at least one launch apparatus for guided missiles that is pivotable in elevation and disposed on a platform that is pivotable in azimuth, has an optical target-tracking sensor that is rigidly coupled with the launch apparatus, a follow-up computer for panning the target-tracking sensor after targets, a directional angle computer for calculating lead and elevation of the guided missile during launch, and a control unit that has adjustment drives for the platform and launch apparatus, which unit pivots the platform in azimuth and the launch apparatus in elevation, and, prior to launch, locks the lead on the platform and the elevation on the launch apparatus.

Abstract: A fire control system and a method for estimating periodic component of a target path. An efficient, fast-setting estimator is realized by first estimating the period and then the amplitude of the periodic component on the basis of the most recent measurements made.

Abstract: A system for processing output signals of an electro-optical scanner adapted for reading a bar code indicia having parts of different light reflectivity and non bar code indicia adjacent the bar code on an article being scanned comprises a decoder for decoding content of signals input thereto and signal processing circuitry for receiving the scanner output signals and generating input signals for input to the decoder by deleting signals having non bar code indicia content from the received scanner output signals by examining characteristics of the received scanner output signals. The signal processing circuitry is adapted to generate input signals for input to the decoder for bar code indicia of respective different bar code symbologies. The signal processing circuitry includes deletion circuitry for deleting, from the received scanner output signals, signals having less time duration than a predetermined time duration.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use by a personnel in combat unit to assess in bstantially real-time the threat to a combat unit posed by one or more threat projectiles. A command and control system receives a variety of input data and information signals and generates corresponding signals directed to a processing module. The processing module receives and processes the informational signals indicative of the status and characteristics of the combat unit and threat projectile. The processing module determines whether sample threat projectiles with an uncertainty region associated with each threat projectile detects the combat unit and determines therefrom a probability that the actual threat projectile detects the combat unit. The processing module also generates a probability of detection signals, to generate a report in user perceivable form, indicative of the probability of the threat projectile detecting the combat unit on a substantially real-time basis.

Abstract: A method for determining the position and velocity of a target in inertial space including the steps of (a) tracking the target and providing three orthogonal velocity components in inertial space; (b) computing the scalar velocity V.sub.T of the target in an inertial reference frame by providing the square root of the sum of the squares of the orthogonal velocity components; and (c) computing the aspect angle .beta..sub.cue of the target relative to a line-of-sight to a platform as an inverse sinusoidal function of the ratio of one of said orthogonal components and V.sub.T, when such tracking data is available, and otherwise; (d) estimating actual target maneuver to develop a minimum uncertainty zone using an assumed worst case lateral target acceleration. Also disclosed are techniques for bounding the aspect angle and for providing global range and range rate estimates which account for uncertainties in the measurements of target and platform ranges and velocities.

Abstract: A radar tracking system having a Kalman estimator is disclosed. The estimator is provided with angle and range track error measurements in a coordinate system that is aligned with and normal to the antenna line of sight, commonly referred to as the LOS coordinate system. This estimator implementation uses less computing resources in converting the measurements provided relative to the antenna LOS coordinate system, to predict target position referenced to a stable coordinate system such as geographic, wander azimuth, or inertial.

Abstract: A system for measuring the minimum miss distance and direction in three planes of a missile trajectory with respect to a target. Space diverse sequential range measurements are made from a plurality of pulse radar sensors mounted on the target. The range measurements are position identified in pairs of data transmitted to a data processor. The data processor adds time data and utilizes a nonlinear conjugate directions algorithm to solve for the minimum miss distance vector with a high degree of accuracy in a relatively short time period.