Retrofit extended vision module for weapon system optical sight

• US 6,123,006 A
• Filed: 07/13/1998
• Issued: 09/26/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Goodrich Corporation (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Original Assignee: Recon/Optical, Inc. (Bourns Incorporated)
• Inventors: Bedford, Ben C. Jr., Baker, Allie M.
• Primary Examiner(s): JOHNSON, STEPHEN
• Application Number:
  US09/114,333
• Time in Patent Office: 806 Days
• Field of Search: 89/41.05, 89/41.06, 89/41.19, 89/41.22, 235/404, 33/235
• US Class Current: 89/41.06
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/011 comprising device for correcting geometrical aberrations, distortion
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/12 with means for image conversion or intensification
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/017 Head mounted
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0172 characterised by optical features
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/026 and a display device, e.g. CRT, LCD, for adding markings or signs or to enhance the contrast of the viewed object

Abstract

An optical sight for a weapon system is upgraded with a retrofit module that provides both gunner sighting at the eyepiece and video transmission of the image the gunner sees to a remote location such as, for example, the helmet display of the commander for the weapon system. The video image may be used for both fire control as well as training of the gunner. The retrofit module is adaptable to most types of sighting systems.

Claims

1. An extended vision module for retrofit installation onto an existing optical sight of a weapon system, said optical sight including an eyepiece, comprising:

(a) a first optical channel for receiving an input image from said optical sight at the location where said eyepiece is normally located in said optical sight;

(b) an optical combining means for receiving said input image from said first optical channel;

(c) a second optical channel comprising (1) a luminous display device and (2) a means for directing a luminous image displayed by said display device to said optical combining means;

(d) said optical combining means combining said image from said first optical channel and said luminous image from said second optical channel to form a composite final image;

(e) said optical combining means further directing said composite final image to a third optical channel, said third optical channel comprising (1) a video camera and (2) a lens assembly for forming said final image onto said video camera, said video camera generating a video signal of said final image, and said video camera coupled to an output means for enabling transmission of said video signal to a remote location; and

(f) a housing for said first, second and third optical channels and said optical combining means, said housing adapted for mounting to said optical sight at the location of said eyepiece after removal of said eyepiece, said housing further comprising a means for receiving said eyepiece;

(g) wherein said extended vision module simultaneously provides said final image to an operator of said weapon system at said eyepiece and a video signal of said final image for transmission to a host viewing system remote from said eyepiece, whereby the performance of said optical sight and weapon system may be extended and enhanced.

2. The extended vision module of claim 1, wherein said luminous display device comprises a cathode ray tube.

3. The extended vision module of claim 1, wherein said luminous display device comprises a liquid crystal display.

4. The extended vision module of claim 3, wherein said first optical channel includes an adjustable variable density optical filter enabling a user of said sight to adjust the relative luminance of said input image.

5. The extended vision module of claim 4, wherein said adjustable variable density optical filter includes an optical glass wheel with varying levels of optical density.

6. The extended vision module of claim 1, wherein said video signal is ported to a commander for said weapon system.

7. The extended vision module of claim 1, wherein said luminous image comprises a training image.

8. The extended vision module of claim 7, wherein said video signal is ported to a display remote from said weapon system for viewing by a trainer.

9. The extended vision module of claim 7, wherein said video signal is ported to a storage device for storing of said video signal.

10. The extended vision module of claim 1, wherein said weapon system comprises a vehicle-mounted surface-to-surface or surface-to-air missile system.

11. The extended vision module of claim 1, wherein said video signal is up-linked to a satellite for transmission to said host viewing system.

12. The extended vision module of claim 11, wherein said host viewing system is located in an airborne vehicle and wherein said video signal further includes coded information regarding said weapon system.

13. An improved weapon system comprising:

a weapon having an electronics module for generating aiming point of regard or electronic image information;

a sight presenting to an operator of said weapon an input image including the point of regard of said weapon said input image comprising an optical image and image information from said electronics module said input image normally presented at an eyepiece for said sight; and

a retrofit extended vision module adapted to be installed onto said sight said retrofit extended vision module comprising a means for receiving said input image from said sight at the location of said eyepiece of said sight, and a luminous device generating a luminous image, said retrofit extended vision module combining said input image with said luminous image to form a composite final image;

said retrofit extended vision module further comprising a camera generating a video signal of said composite final image, a video signal port enabling said video signal to be conveyed to a display of a remote viewing system, and an eyepiece holder receiving said eyepiece for viewing of said composite final image by said operator of said weapon;

whereby a commander having access to controls for said weapon may view a display image corresponding to said video signal on said remote viewing system display and exercise remote fire control over said weapon.

14. The improved weapon system of claim 13, wherein said retrofit extended vision module further comprises a first optical channel for transmission of said input image and a second optical channel, said second optical channel comprising a liquid crystal display, and a combining prism for combining said input image with an image displayed on said liquid crystal display.

15. The improved weapon system of claim 14, wherein said first optical channel comprises an adjustable variable density optical filter enabling said operator of said weapon to adjust the relative luminance of said input image.

16. The improved weapon system of claim 15, wherein said adjustable variable density optical filter comprises an optical glass wheel with varying levels of optical density.

17. The improved weapon system of claim 13, wherein said weapon comprises a vehicle-mounted surface-to-surface or surface-to-air missile system.

18. The improved weapons system of claim 13, wherein said display comprises a flat panel display.

19. The improved weapon system of claim 13, wherein said display comprises a head or helmet-mounted display.

20. The improved weapon system of claim 13, wherein said display comprises a cathode ray tube.

21. The improved weapon system of claim 13, wherein said display and said weapon system are both installed in a ground-based military vehicle.

22. The improved weapon system of claim 13, wherein said video signal is up-linked to a satellite for transmission to a remote location.

23. The improved weapon system of claim 22, wherein said remote location comprises an airborne vehicle and wherein said video signal further includes coded information regarding said weapon system.