Multispectral covert target marker
First Claim
1. A multispectral target marker comprising:
- a canister containing a smoking-producing pyrotechnic composition which produces visible smoke but does not emit visible light, said canister having an exterior surface coated with a material to enhance the exterior surface'"'"'s emissivity;
a plurality of near infrared emitting photodiodes embedded within a hardened polymeric material which is transparent to near infrared emissions, said photodiodes emitting light having a wavelength in the range from 0.4 microns to 1 microns;
a quantity of radar chaff sized to attenuate radar emissions; and
a delivery vehicle for transporting the canister, near infrared emitting photodiodes, and radar chaff to a desired target.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A covert, i.e., no visible light emitted, multispectral day/night target marker is disclosed. The marker emits a signature detectable in the electromagnetic spectrum including visible, near infrared, middle and longwave infrared, and radar regions. The marker is particularly useful for marking of target areas so that they can be easily detected from the ground or the air. The visible spectrum is marked by a white or colored pyrotechnic smoke generant. The near infrared region is marked by near infrared emitting photodiodes encased in a hardened polymeric molding compound. These diodes are only visible through night vision devices (image intensifiers). The middle through the far infrared regions are marked by the heat generated from the combustion of the pyrotechnic smoke generant. The smoke generant is housed in a canister having a highly emissive surface. The radar region is marked using radar chaff. The target marker is configured for use with conventional mortar or rocket delivered flare systems. A hand held, rocket-propelled parachute signal is disclosed which includes near infrared emitting photodiodes and oscillator electronics assembly encased in a hardened polymeric molding compound launched from a hand-fired expendable-type launcher.
86 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A multispectral target marker comprising:
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a canister containing a smoking-producing pyrotechnic composition which produces visible smoke but does not emit visible light, said canister having an exterior surface coated with a material to enhance the exterior surface'"'"'s emissivity; a plurality of near infrared emitting photodiodes embedded within a hardened polymeric material which is transparent to near infrared emissions, said photodiodes emitting light having a wavelength in the range from 0.4 microns to 1 microns; a quantity of radar chaff sized to attenuate radar emissions; and a delivery vehicle for transporting the canister, near infrared emitting photodiodes, and radar chaff to a desired target. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A multispectral target marker comprising:
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a canister containing an organic acid smoking-producing pyrotechnic composition which produces visible smoke but does not emit visible light, said canister having an exterior surface coated with a material to enhance the exterior surface'"'"'s emissivity such that the exterior surface of the canister has an emissivity in the range from 0.8 to 1.0; a plurality of near infrared emitting photodiodes embedded within a hardened polymeric material which is transparent to near infrared emissions, said polymeric material being shaped in the form of a thick disk, said photodiodes emitting light having a wavelength in the range from 0.4 microns to 1 microns; a quantity of radar chaff sized to attenuate radar emissions in the region from 5 to 50 gigahertz; an explosive charge for dispersing the radar chaff; and a delivery vehicle for transporting the canister, near infrared emitting photodiodes, and radar chaff to a desired target. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A hand-fired, rocket-propelled covert target marker comprising:
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a tubular target marker canister; a solid propellant charge located at the aft end of the target marker canister; near infrared emitting photodiodes embedded within a hardened polymeric material which is transparent to near infrared emissions, said photodiodes emitting light having a wavelength in the range from 0.4 microns to 1 microns, said photodiodes being located within the target marker canister; a parachute tethered to the photodiodes; a pyrotechnic expulsion charge for expelling the photodiodes and the parachute from the target marker canister; and a hand-held rocket launcher for launching the target marker. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
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Specification