Abstract: In regard to radar guidance of a launch container (15) for fragmentation projectiles (16) for defending against an attacking missile (12), from the object (11) to be protected, the present invention affords a radar guidance system which can be inexpensively set up from existing components and which, in the absence of interfaces between the object (11) and the launch container (15), operates in a trouble-free manner if, for space monitoring and target acquisition, provided on the substructure (14) of the launch container (15) which is fixed with respect to the object, there is a planar antenna (20) which transmits its target information to a target-tracking radar (19) which is integrated into the launch container (15), for directly guiding the launch container (15) on to the approach of the missile (12) to be defended against.

Abstract: A method for engaging one or several aerial targets by means of a firing group (10) of autonomous, but cooperating, firing units (12, 112), wherein each firing group has a fire control unit (14, 114) and at least one weapon (16, 116). Several firing units (12, 112) are linked by a signal transmission system (70), which connects their fire control units (14, 114). Each fire control unit (14, 114) autonomously monitors its airspace area for enemy aerial targets. Subsequently, each fire control unit (14, 114) determines a threat assessment, for which the monitoring results of all fire control units (14, 114) are used. The selection of an aerial target to be engaged by a firing unit (12, 122) is subsequently made by the associated fire control unit (14, 114) on the basis of,the threat assessment and on the basis of the status of the weapons (16, 116) of the entire firing group (10).

Abstract: An arrangement for controlling radar transmissions for a system of antennas disposed on a moving platform. The radar transmissions are allocated to an antenna face for a future transmission. To effect an adequate allocation, a prediction arrangement is provided to predict the angular position of the moving platform and the antenna faces. Preferably an antenna is assigned that realizes the smallest off-broadside angle of the radar transmission.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a system for determining a weapon firing strategy for an evading target. The method of the present invention comprises the steps of sensing the motion of the target, analyzing the motion of the target, providing a weapon employment decision aid, determining the evasion region for the target using the weapon employment decision aid and the analyzed motion, visually displaying the evasion region, feeding operator knowledge about the evading target, and generating a representation of the probability of the location of the evading target. The weapon employment decision aid utilizes beta density functions to determine the evasion region. The weapon employment decision aid displays target course and speed in the form of bar graphs and allows the operator to input information about target evasion course and speed and uncertainty levels.

Abstract: A monopulse antenna system comprising an inner antenna and an outer antenna disposed symmetrically about a central axis of symmetry. A central aperture is located at the axis of symmetry through which a weapon system may fire or an additional sensor may be located. The inner antenna is preferably annular in shape and produces a relatively broad antenna pattern. The outer antenna is also preferably annular and produces a beam pattern with many lobes. The received signals A and B, from each beam pattern, are combined in a hybrid to produce sum signals (A+B) and difference signals (A−B), which are then processed to produce a target off-axis radius relative to the antenna main beam axis, i.e., the axis of symmetry.

Abstract: An anti-tank trap (1) is constituted by a support (2), a military payload (3), an igniter (4) and a sight (5). The firing on the target is carried out at the time t.sub.d in a plane .DELTA.. The invention is characterized by the following chronological series of stages:first detection by FM/CW radar (lobes 11) and establishment of a first map ERA.sub.ref,second infra-red detection (IR) at t.sub.2 (plane V or V'),third IR detection at t.sub.1 (plane U or U'),computation of: t.sub.1 -t.sub.2 and of the angular velocity d.gamma./dt of the target,fourth detection by FM/CW radar (ERA.sub.m),measurement of the range d.sub.c and of the size of the target (ERA.sub.m -ERA.sub.ref),analysis of the target, firing decision, computation of t.sub.d and triggering at t.sub.d of the military payload.Application to an anti-tank trap.

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: The present invention is a fire control system. The fire control system comprises a manually aimed gun having a sighting device and a device for acquiring a target. The acquiring device is disposed at a location remote from the gun. The fire control system also comprises a device for determining the trajectory of the target with respect to the gun and providing information relating to the target to the sighting device of the gun such that an operator of the gun can aim the gun with respect to the sighting device to hit the target when the gun is fired. The determining device is in communication with the acquiring device and the sighting device. The present invention is also a fire control method for a minor caliber gun. The method comprises the step of acquiring a target from a location which is remote from the gun. Then, there is the step of determining the trajectory of the target with respect to the gun.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a computer based eminent and dormant threat acquisition, assessment and defense system. Threats are classified as to eminence and incidence of detection and rounds are optimally scheduled to defeat the threats based on inventory of defensive rounds, response time and probability of kill.

Abstract: A radar apparatus provided with a Cassegrain antenna to be mounted on the barrel of a gun. The Cassegrain antenna is of the polarization twist type with a flat adjustable mirror being used to generate a lead angle. In addition, gun-induced vibrations transmitted to the Cassegrain antenna are compensated by adjusting the flat mirror so that the radar beam generated by the Cassegrain antenna is not susceptible to these vibrations.

Abstract: A technique for determining the spin history of kinetic energy penetrator projectiles. The method employs a special dihedral plug fitting in the rear (tracer well) of the penetrator projectile that produces a modulation of the tracking radar's signal. This signal is recorded and analyzed to yield the rotation rate of the projectile as it travels down range.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sighting system for an aircraft, in particular a rotary wing aircraft such as a helicopter. According to the invention, the sighting system comprises, in combination, an observation first individual apparatus integrated in the sides of the aircraft, and an axial fire second individual apparatus integrated at the front of aircraft, said first and second apparatuses being connected to the onboard computer of the aircraft.

Abstract: A conversion kit for upgrading an existing fire control radar system having a target radar antenna for tracking a target to enable the system also to track, with respect to the target, a missile having a beacon transmitter. The conversion kit includes a missile antenna for measuring and commanding the missile, a mechanism for attaching the missile antenna to the target radar antenna of the fire control radar system, a command transmitter for transmitting command signals via the missile antenna to a missile, a beacon receiver for receiving from the missile, via the missile antenna, response signals from the missile beacon transmitter in response to the reception by the missile of the command signals, and a guidance computer for utilizing the command signals transmitted by command transmitter, and the response signals received from the missile beacon transmitter, and target tracking signals received from the fire control radar system, for tracking the missile and for guiding it to the target.

Abstract: A weapon alerting and cueing system including a weapon terminal responsive to radar track information for radar detected aircraft; a first weapon launcher operated by a first weapon operator; a first weapon pointing sensor for providing azimuth and elevation information about the first weapon launcher; a first cueing sight for providing visual pointing cues to the first weapon operator; a first weapon cueing processor responsive to the radar track information, the weapon terminal, and the first pointing sensor for controlling the first cueing sight such that the first cueing sight provides visual cues for cueing the first weapon launcher to a selected radar detected aircraft target; a second weapon launcher operated by a second weapon operator; a second weapon pointing sensor for providing azimuth and elevation information about the second weapon launcher; a second cueing sight for providing visual pointing cues to the second weapon operator; a second weapon processor responsive to the radar track information

Abstract: A method for firing a computerized radar weapon system upon a fast target to reduce errors in aim caused by aim-biasing factors that vary in time and space includes computing a point along an extrapolated target track ahead of the target at which to stage an interception. A spotting round is fired at the point to zero-in just before the interception and then a correctly-aimed intercept round is fired at the point in time to make the interception. Additional interceptions may be staged at backup intercept points to guard against a miss, a burst of spotting rounds may be fired at an intercept point to average out perturbations in the trajectory of the projectile from each one of the rounds, and conventional monopulse radar methods of aim bias measurement may be employed to detect projectile miss information.

Abstract: An automatic target acquisition and tracking system has been developed for a focal plane array seeker. The automatic target acquisition is achieved by three independent target acquisition algorithms, viz., the maximum likelihood classification, the video spatial clustering, and the target-to-interference ratio. Each algorithm operates asynchronously and provides independent target detection results. Target information is then combined hierarchically in a probabilistic fashion and prioritized. The highest priority target is handed off to a dual mode tracker consisting of a minimum absolute difference correlation tracker and a centroid tracker. The dual mode tracker subsequently provides a feedback signal to a proportional navigation system or other guidance/control system for directing the flight path of a munition.

Abstract: A bistatic radar system includes a transmitting radar site; a receiving radar site; and an optical fiber RF link system for transmitting RF signals from the receiving site to the transmitting site and for transmitting command and control signals from the transmitting site to the receiving site.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for measuring the velocity of an object by measuring the Doppler frequency shift of a reflected laser beam. A laser beam is projected onto a target area which is moving with respect to the inertial frame of the laser transmitter and the laser receiver. The reflected laser energy is mixed with a local oscillator beam and the mixed beam is focused onto a radiation detector. The Doppler frequency shift is measured, thus indicating the object's velocity. A sacrificial mirror is employed so that internal projectile velocity measurements may be made on the projectile. The laser beam permits measurement both external and internal to the barrel for large and small caliber weapons. Additionally, integration and differentiation means may be provided so that instantaneous position and acceleration data can also be generated for the projectile.

Abstract: A low cost easily deployed, yet highly accurate weapon mounted trajectory analysis radar system uses optimized Doppler radar signals to detect the actual trajectory of a projectile fired from an artillery piece such as a 155 mm Howitzer. The actual trajectory data is used to determine an atmospheric model that may be used to aim the weapon for future firings. The system includes a Doppler radar system having a turret mounted antenna that tracks the projectile, a digital signal processor using a FFT to convert radar pulses to trajectory data and a data processing system that analyzes the trajectory data to develop a true atmospheric model.

Abstract: A weapon system particularly for an armored vehicle and comprising a main gun turret (3) for use against tanks and other land-based targets, a secondary turret (1) mounted on the main gun turret (3) and carrying one or more rapid-fire machine guns (9), and a millimetric surveillance and tracking radar mounted on the secondary turret, the radar being adapted to control the secondary turret (1) and machine gun (9) to aim and fire directly at an on-coming missile at close range preferably to destroy the missile or damage it to such an extent that any impact does not cause substantial penetration of the vehicle.

Abstract: A target detector (1) for detecting targets provided with transmitter means (3, 5) for simultaneous generation of different electromagnetic waves having different frequencies which are transmitted by means of an emission and detection device (2). The target detector is also provided with receiving means (3, 4, 5) for obtaining, by means of the emission and detection device (2), target signals comprising target information received at different frequencies. A signal processing unit (15, 16, 17) is provided for processing the target signals in combination to obtain target-representing signals.

Abstract: A radar, notably for the correction of artillery fire, comprises means for an antenna scan, in bearing, in a limited zone .DELTA.G around a central position coinciding with the objective in that, and means to compare the received signals with a set of reference signals representing the responses awaited from virtual targets that are evenly spaced out, in bearing, within the monitored space .DELTA.G.

Abstract: A method for determining an elevation angle correction value for a gun barrel which fires a projectile. An elevation angle for the gun barrel for a desired point of impact of a projectile is calculated and the projectile is fired from the gun barrel. A first measurement of the trajectory of the projectile is made at a point within the ascending portion of the trajectory. A second measurement of the trajectory of the projectile is made at a point within the descending portion of the trajectory. The first and second measurements are used to calculate the actual trajectory of the projectile from which the actual point of impact of the projectile is determined. The elevation angle correction value is determined from the deviation between the desired point of impact and the actual point of impact.

Abstract: Certain man-made structures located in a complex background, such as railroad ties, telephone poles, and fences are detected by a flying craft, using a low powered structure resonant radar system. The radar system transmits a radar signal which includes wavelengths of the same order of magnitude as twice the spacing of the elements of the man-made structure or grating multiples thereof, and transmits them in a plurality of different directions and frequencies. Reflections of the transmitted radar are received and structural resonance backscatter is detected wherein the backscatter amplitude at the resonant frequency is much higher than that at adjacent frequencies or that of the clutter background, indicating the presence of the search-for type of structure. The bright structural resonance backscatter can then be exploted by the structure resonant radar for guidance, homing, etc.

Abstract: The proposed surveillance system for surveilling a given scenario in azimuth and in elevation comprises an infrared surveillance detection device passively operating in the infrared region and a radar search and/or tracking device operating in the active mode for range determination. The targets or target information data are obtained as video signals from the infrared surveillance detection device during each search cycle and are processed in an infrared data processor. The video signals are discriminated and stored in an infrared signal processor with respect to their elevation angle values (.lambda.) and azimuth angle values (.alpha.). The values of the azimuth angle (.alpha.) are simultaneously fed to a radar activation and contol unit for triggering a momentary or short-time emission by the radar search and/or tracking device.

Abstract: The target tracking system has high tracking reliability at small servo load and comprises a plural number of groups of target sensors having tracking signal travelling times which vary from one group to the other and defining respective lines of sight, a servo system causing the lines of sight to track the target, a target estimator for estimating the movement of the target, a servo estimator for estimating the movement of the servo system, and a regulator which identically controls the servo system and the servo estimator such that the vectorial difference between the estimate of the target movement and the estimate of the servo movement is caused to approach zero. During the target tracking operation, vectorial target deviation signals which are generated by groups of angle sensors, are processed by multipliers using respective matrices in order to produce related combined target deviation signals.

Abstract: A pulse radar apparatus (2) for target (14) tracking is designed to provide angular error data representing the deviations of projectiles, fired from a gun (3) at the target with respect to the target position line. The l.f.-signal processor of said radar apparatus comprises:a. a signal analyzer (17) having a filter bank for determining Doppler spectral components of echo signals received from the fired projectiles within the target range gate (23) and l.f. detected;b. selection means (18) for selecting the projectile Doppler spectral components from the signal analyzer (17) and filter bank; andc. an angular error generator (24) for generating angular error data from the Doppler spectral components selected by the selection means (18) to correct gun aiming values calculated by a fire control computer (9).

Abstract: A bistatic radar system includes a transmitting radar site; a receiving radar site; and an optical fiber RF link system for transmitting RF signals from the receiving site to the transmitting site and for transmitting command and control signals from the transmitting site to the receiving site.