Target designation system

• US 6,650,277 B1
• Filed: 08/12/2002
• Issued: 11/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Original Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Inventors: Wilkinson, James Albert
• Primary Examiner(s): Gregory, Bernarr E.
• Application Number:
  US10/219,383
• Time in Patent Office: 463 Days
• Field of Search: 89/11.1, 89/410.3, 89/411.7, 244/3.1, 244/3-1-, 342/42-45, 342/51, 342/61-65, 342/385, 356/5.04, 356/151, 372/109, 348/164
• US Class Current: 342/62
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 3/145 using a target illuminator
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 7/224 Deceiving or protecting means jamming or anti-jamming of radio-wave systems in general G01S7/36, G01S7/38; defense installations in general F41H11/02; chaff dispensers F42B12/70
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 7/226 Semi-active homing systems, i.e. comprising a receiver and involving auxiliary illuminating means, e.g. using auxiliary guiding missiles
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 7/2293 using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 1/68 Marker, boundary, call-sign, or like beacons transmitting signals not carrying directional information

Abstract

A target designation system for indicating a target to be destroyed by remotely guided ordnance comprises a receiver arranged to produce a receiver output signal in response to an incident electromagnetic signal from an attack aircraft. A switch is connected to the receiver and arranged to produce a power ON/OFF signal in response to the receiver output signal. A transmitter is connected to the auto-switch to be selectively activated and deactivated by the power ON/OFF signal. When activated, the transmitter transmits a homing signal that indicates its location or the location of the target being illuminated by the transmitter signal.

Claims

1. A target designation system for indicating a target to be destroyed by remotely guided ordnance, comprising:

a receiver arranged to produce a receiver output signal in response to an incident electromagnetic signal;

an auto-switch arranged to provide a power signal;

a decoder/memory circuit connected between said receiver and said auto-switch, said decoder/memory circuit, responsive to said incident electromagnetic signal, producing an ON/OFF signal that selectively turns the auto-switch ON and OFF when the incident electromagnetic signal has a predetermined frequency and is encoded with a preset code;

a transmitter connected to said auto-switch to receive said power signal, said transmitter being activated by said power signal, said transmitter transmitting a homing signal after said transmitter is activated by said power signal, said homing signal indicating a location for said transmitter;

a first electrical power source;

a manual switch connected between said first electrical power source and said receiver and between said first electrical power source and said decoder/memory circuit, said receiver and said decoder/memory circuit being activated by receiving electrical power from said first electrical power source when said manual switch is turned on; and

a second electrical power source for generating said power signal, said second electrical power source being connected between said auto-switch and said transmitter, said auto-switch providing said power signal from said second electrical power source to said transmitter when said auto-switch is turned on by said ON/OFF signal from said decoder/memory circuit.

2. The target designation system of claim 1 wherein said predetermined frequency and preset code identify said target designation system by serial number and location.

3. The target designation system of claim 1, further comprising:

a motion sensor connected to said manual switch and arranged to produce a destruct signal in response to motion of said target designation system; and

an anti-compromise circuit connected to said motion sensor and arranged to destroy said target designation system in response to said destruct signal.

4. The target designation system of claim 3, further comprising a power ON delay circuit connected between said motion sensor and said manual switch, said power ON delay circuit being arranged to provide a selected power ON delay time between when said manual switch is turned ON and application of electrical power to said motion detector.

5. The target designation system of claim 3, further comprising an auto-destruct delay circuit connected between said auto-switch and said anti-compromise circuit, said auto-destruct delay circuit being arranged to activate said anti-compromise circuit after a preset auto-destruct delay time from when said auto-switch is turned ON.

6. The target designation system of claim 3, further comprising a power ON delay circuit connected between said motion sensor and said manual switch, said power ON delay circuit being arranged to provide a selected power ON delay time between when said manual switch is turned ON and electrical power is applied to said motion detector.

7. A target designation system for indicating a target to be destroyed by remotely guided ordnance, comprising:

a receiver arranged to produce a receiver output signal in response to an incident electromagnetic signal;

an auto-switch connected to said receiver and arranged to produce a power signal in response to said receiver output signal;

a transmitter connected to said auto-switch, said transmitter being activated by said power signal produced by said auto-switch, said transmitter transmitting a homing signal after being activated by said power signal, said homing signal indicating a location for said transmitter;

a motion sensor connected to said receiver and arranged to produce a destruct signal in response to motion of said target designation system;

an anti-compromise circuit connected to said motion sensor and arranged to destroy said target designation system in response to said destruct signal; and

an auto-destruct delay circuit connected between said auto-switch and said anti-compromise circuit, said auto-destruct delay circuit being arranged to produce an auto-destruct signal in response to receipt of said power signal produced by said auto-switch after a preset auto-destruct time has elapsed.

8. The target designation system of claim 7, further comprising a decoder/memory circuit connected between said receiver and said auto-switch, said decoder/memory circuit being arranged to produce an ON/OFF signal that selectively turns the auto-switch ON and OFF when the incident electromagnetic signal has a predetermined frequency and is encoded with a preset code.

9. A target designation system for indicating a target to be destroyed by remotely guided ordnance, comprising:

a receiver arranged to produce a receiver output signal in response to an incident electromagnetic signal;

an auto-switch arranged to provide a power signal;

a decoder/memory circuit connected between said receiver and said auto-switch, said decoder/memory circuit, responsive to said incident electromagnetic signal, producing an ON/OFF signal that selectively turns the auto-switch ON and OFF when the incident electromagnetic signal has a predetermined frequency and is encoded with a preset code;

a transmitter connected to said auto-switch to receive said power signal, said transmitter being activated by said power signal, said transmitter transmitting a homing signal after said transmitter is activated by said power signal, said homing signal indicating a location for said transmitter;

a decoder/memory circuit connected between said receiver and said auto-switch, said decoder/memory circuit being arranged to produce an ON/OFF signal that selectively turns the auto-switch ON and OFF when the incident electromagnetic has a predetermined frequency and is encoded with a preset code;

a first electrical power source;

a manual switch connected between said first electrical power source and said receiver and between said first electrical power source and said decoder/memory circuit, said receiver and said decoder/memory circuit being activated by receiving electrical power from said first electrical power source when said manual switch is turned on;

a second electrical power source for generating said power signal, said second electrical power source being connected between said auto-switch and said transmitter, said auto-switch providing said power signal from said second electrical power source to said transmitter in response to said auto-switch being turned on;

a motion sensor connected to said manual switch to receive said electrical power from said first electrical power source when said manual switch is turned on, said electrical power from said first electrical power source activating said motion sensor which when activated produces a destruct signal in response to motion of said target designation system;

an anti-compromise circuit connected to said motion sensor and arranged to destroy said target designation system in response to said destruct signal; and

an auto-destruct delay circuit connected between said auto-switch and said anti-compromise circuit, said auto-destruct delay circuit being arranged to produce an auto-destruct signal in response to receipt of said power signal produced by said auto-switch after a preset auto-destruct time has elapsed.