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Projectile tracking system

  • US 6,057,915 A
  • Filed: 08/18/1998
  • Issued: 05/02/2000
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/21/1996
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A system for tracking a projectile, comprising:

  • a steerable optical system including;

    an azimuth drive motor having a rotational element defining an axis of rotation;

    a step and stare mirror mounted to the rotational element of the azimuth drive motor along the axis of rotation, and pivotable to define an elevation angle;

    an elevation cam mounted coaxially about the axis of rotation;

    an elevation drive motor coupled to the elevation cam to rotate the elevation cam about the axis of rotation;

    a cam follower extending from the step and stare mirror and in contact with the elevation cam wherein rotation of the elevation cam results in a corresponding change in elevation angle;

    an optoelectronic system, coupled to the steerable optical system, for detecting a projectile through the steerable optical system, steering the steerable optical system to track the detected projectile, and generating range and position for the detected projectile; and

    an analysis system, coupled to the steerable optical system and the optoelectronic system, for determining the trajectory of the detected projectile based upon range and position data generated by the optoelectronic system.

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