Active matrix acquisition and targeting system

• US 7,551,781 B1
• Filed: 06/20/2006
• Issued: 06/23/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ajtech Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Ajtech Incorporated
• Inventors: Dunbar, Donal S. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tarcza; Thomas H
• Assistant Examiner(s): Brainard; Timothy A
• Application Number:
  US11/471,361
• Time in Patent Office: 1,099 Days
• Field of Search: 342/52
• US Class Current: 382/192
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 3/14 Indirect aiming means
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 5/08 Ground-based tracking-systems for aerial targets
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 11/02 Anti-aircraft or anti-guided missile or anti-torpedo defence installations or systems cartridges or missiles for producing smoke or for dispensing radar chaff or infrared material F42B5/15, F42B12/48, F42B12/70; informative reference: details of radar or sonar systems G01S7/00; jamming or electronic countermeasures G01S7/38, G01S7/495, H04K3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 11/12 using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 8/10 Detecting, e.g. by using light barriers by reflection from the object G01S17/00

Abstract

The present invention is a system and method of acquiring airborne objects utilizing a plurality of acquisition systems. The present invention is an active matrix acquisition system which includes several different types of acquisition systems, such as radar, infrared, and optical systems for scanning the sky in search of airborne objects. Data related to airborne objects are sent to a computing system of the active matrix system. The computing system compiles the data from the plurality of acquisition systems to determine a target resolution. The active matrix system may include a capability to select specific weighted inputs from each acquisition system. In addition, a confidence level may be assigned for determining a target resolution. The target resolution may be sent to a fire control system for use in destroying an airborne target.

Claims

1. An acquisition system for detecting an airborne object, said system comprising:

a plurality of acquisition systems for scanning a portion of the sky, each acquisition system capable of detecting an airborne object and providing data on each detected airborne object;

wherein one of the plurality of acquisition systems is a reverse logic optical acquisition system; and

a computing system for compiling data received from the plurality of acquisition systems, the computing system determining a target resolution from the compiled data;

wherein the target resolution provides information for targeting and destroying the airborne object.

2. The acquisition system for detecting an airborne object of claim 1 wherein the computing system assigns a weighted input value for data from each acquisition system to determine the target resolution from the compiled data.

3. The acquisition system for detecting an airborne object of claim 1 wherein the computing system assigns a confidence level defining the level of confidence of the determined target resolution.

4. The acquisition system for detecting an airborne object of claim 3 wherein the target resolution is provided to a fire control system when the confidence level select exceeds a specified confidence level.

5. The acquisition system for detecting an airborne object of claim 1 further comprising means for selecting a weighted input value for data from each acquisition system to determine the target resolution from the compiled data.

6. The acquisition system for detecting an airborne object of claim 1 further comprising means for selecting a specified confidence level by an operator for the determined target resolution.

7. The acquisition system for detecting an airborne object of claim 1 wherein at least two of the acquisition systems detect airborne objects utilizing different types of detection systems.

8. The acquisition system for detecting an airborne object of claim 7 wherein a first acquisition system is a radar acquisition system and a second acquisition system is an optical acquisition system.

9. The acquisition system for detecting an airborne object of claim 1 wherein:

a first acquisition system of the plurality of acquisition systems is a radar acquisition system;

a second acquisition system of the plurality of acquisition systems is an optical acquisition system;

the computing system includes a capability to select weights to be assigned to each acquisition system for weighting an input value used in determining the target resolution; and

the computing system includes a capability to select a confidence level necessary to generate a target resolution.

10. The acquisition system for detecting an airborne object of claim 1 further comprising a fire control system for directing weapons against the detected airborne objects by utilizing the determined target resolution of the computing system.

11. An acquisition system for detecting an airborne object, said system comprising:

a plurality of acquisition systems for scanning a portion of the sky, each acquisition system capable of detecting an airborne object and providing data on each detected airborne object;

wherein one of the plurality of acquisition systems is a reverse logic optical acquisition system;

a computing system for compiling data received from the plurality of acquisition systems, the computing system determining a target resolution from the compiled data;

wherein the target resolution provides information for targeting and destroying the airborne object; and

means for selectively weighting input data from each acquisition system for determining the target resolution.

12. The acquisition system for detecting an airborne object of claim 11 further comprising means for selectively setting a confidence level necessary for determining a target resolution.

13. The acquisition system for detecting an airborne object of claim 11 further comprising a fire control system linked to the computing system for directing weapons against detected airborne objects utilizing the determined target resolution.

14. The acquisition system for detecting an airborne object of claim 11 wherein at least two of the acquisition systems detect airborne objects utilizing different types of detection systems.

15. The acquisition system for detecting an airborne object of claim 14 wherein a first acquisition system is a radar acquisition system and a second acquisition system is an optical acquisition system.

16. A method of detecting an airborne object, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of acquisition systems for scanning a portion of the sky, each acquisition system capable of detecting an airborne object and providing data on each detected airborne object, wherein one of the plurality of acquisition systems is a reverse logic optical acquisition system;

compiling data by a computing system received from each acquisition system; and

determining a target resolution by the computing system from the compiled data;

wherein the target resolution provides information for targeting and destroying the airborne object.

17. The method of detecting an airborne object of claim 16 wherein at least two of the acquisition systems detect airborne objects utilizing different types of detection systems.

18. The method of detecting an airborne object of claim 16 further comprising the step of selecting a weight value for each acquisition system for determining the target resolution from the compiled data.