A method and apparatus for a strike on a target

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016123705-A1
Application number	US-201414898170-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jun 12, 2014
Priority date	Jun 14, 2013
Publication date	May 5, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A method of conducting a strike against a target using a designator and a missile. The following steps are conducted:
(i) the designator designates the target using a first signal, such as a laser; (ii) the missile detects the laser reflected off the target; (iii) after detecting the reflected laser, the missile emits a second signal, such as a LADAR signal, to designate the target; (iv) the missile tracks the so-designated target; (v) the designator detects the LADAR signal reflected off the target; and (vi) in response to detecting the reflected LADAR signal, the designator stops the designation of the target. This may enable the designator to perform other tasks, whilst the missile tracks and engages the target.

First claim

1 . A method of conducting a strike against a target using a designator and a missile, in which method the following steps are conducted:
(i) the designator designates the target using a first signal; (ii) the missile detects the first signal reflected off the target; (iii) after detecting the reflected first signal, the missile emits a second signal to designate the target; (iv) the missile tracks the so-designated target; (v) the designator detects the second signal reflected off the target; and (vi) having detected the reflected second signal, the designator stops designating the target using the first signal, thereby enabling the designator to perform other tasks, whilst the missile tracks and engages the target.

2 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein the second signal is encoded with information, and step (vi) comprises decoding the second signal to read the information.

3 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein the second signal is a laser signal.

4 . A method according to claim 3 wherein the second signal is a high pulse repetition frequency (high PRF) signal.

5 . A method according to claim 4 , wherein the second signal is a LADAR signal.

6 . A method according to claim 5 wherein the second signal is a scanning LADAR signal.

7 . A method according to claim 1 wherein in step (iv) the designated target is tracked using the second signal.

8 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein the first signal is a laser signal.

9 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein the first signal is encoded with information, and wherein the method comprises the step of decoding the first signal.

10 . A designator in combination with a missile,
the designator comprising: (a) a laser source for emitting a first laser signal for designating a target, (b) a detector for detecting a reflection of a second signal; and (c) a decoder for decoding the reflection of second signal; and the missile comprising: (A) an encoder for encoding the second signal, (B) a source for emitting the second signal, (C) a detector for detecting the reflection of the first signal and for detecting a reflection of the second signal, and (D) a guidance system switchable between guiding the missile to the target in a first mode that is dependent on the detection of the reflection of the first signal, and in a second mode that is dependent on the detection of the reflection of the second signal.

11 . The designator in combination with the missile according to claim 10 , the encoder in the missile being arranged to encode the second signal with information.

12 . The designator in combination with the missile according to claim 10 , wherein the designator comprises an encoder to encode the first signal with information, and the missile comprises a decode to decode the first signal.

13 . The designator in combination with the missile according to claim 10 , wherein the second signal is a LADAR signal.

14 . The designator in combination with the missile according to claim 10 , wherein the designator is a second missile.

15 . The designator in combination with the missile according to claim 10 , wherein the target is a ground target.

Assignees

• Mbda Uk Ltd

Inventors

• Bowden-Peters Edwin John William

Classifications

• F41G7/226

  Semi-active homing systems, i.e. comprising a receiver and involving auxiliary illuminating means, e.g. using auxiliary guiding missiles · CPC title

• F41G7/008

  Combinations of different guidance systems · CPC title

• F41G3/145

  using a target illuminator · CPC title

• F41G7/2246

  Active homing systems, i.e. comprising both a transmitter and a receiver · CPC title

• F41G7/2293 Primary

  using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves · CPC title