Aiming system with integrated deviation meter

• US 8,022,343 B2
• Filed: 11/15/2007
• Issued: 09/20/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mbda France (MBDA)
• Original Assignee: Mbda France (MBDA)
• Inventors: Solenne, Thierry
• Primary Examiner(s): GREGORY, BERNARR E
• Application Number:
  US12/513,489
• Publication Number:
  US 20100012765A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,405 Days
• Field of Search: 244 31- 319, 89/11.1, 89/11, 342 52- 55, 342/59, 342 61- 66, 342/175, 342/195, 737/60, 737/88, 738/00, 250/200, 250/206, 2502061-2063, 250/559.01, 250/559.29, 250/559.33, 356/138, 356/139.03, 356/140, 3561411-1415, 356/614, 356/615, 356/620
• US Class Current: 244/3.1
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 7/303 Sighting or tracking devices especially provided for simultaneous observation of the target and of the missile
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 7/308 for guiding a plurality of missiles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 3/784 using a mosaic of detectors

Abstract

According to the invention, the system comprises an infrared detector (7) for alternately generating images (5′) of sources of light (5) in the near infrared emitted by a missile flying towards a target and thermal images of the observed scene, said thermal images being visible on the display means (11).

Claims

1. An aiming system to be directed towards a target and comprising a deviation meter operable to locate at least one missile flying at least approximately in the direction of said target and to which is linked an optical emitter generating successive light flashes in the near infrared, said deviation meter comprising:

an optical detector comprising a matrix of photosensitive elements operable to detect said successive light flashes;

an optical system, which observes the scene in which said target and said missile are located and in the focal plane of which is positioned said optical detector;

an electronic control section that controls said optical detector and that is operable to trigger snapshots of said scene by the latter; and

a synchronization section that synchronizes snapshots of said optical detector with said successive light flashes,

wherein;

said optical detector is an infrared detector sensitive not only to the near infrared in the emission spectrum of the optical emitter associated with the missile, but also to the mid-infrared between 3 and 5 micrometers;

said photosensitive elements of said infrared detector have an angular resolution at least as good as 0.3 mrad;

said electronic control section triggers snapshots of said scene by said infrared detector not only in synchronism with said light flashes, but also in the intervals between said successive light flashes; and

a viewing section is provided to view the images resulting from the snapshots taken in said intervals between said successive light flashes.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the angular resolution of said photosensitive elements is at least as good as 0.1 mrad.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said matrix of the infrared detector comprises at least 640×

512 photosensitive elements.

4. The system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said matrix of the infrared detector comprises 1280×

1024 photosensitive elements.

5. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the matrix of said infrared detector comprises photosensitive elements made of indium antimonide.

6. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the matrix of said infrared detector comprises photosensitive elements made of mercury and cadmium telluride.

7. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the time separating a snapshot in an interval between two successive light flashes and a snapshot in synchronism with one of the latter is at most equal to 15 milliseconds.

8. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the integration time of the images corresponding to snapshots in synchronism with said light flashes is at most equal to 200 microseconds.

9. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the integration time of the images corresponding to snapshots in the intervals between said successive light flashes is between 1 and 5 milliseconds.

10. The system as claimed in claim 1, in which said infrared detector forms images by integration and consecutive reading, wherein, while reading each image corresponding to a snapshot in synchronism with a light flash, said electronic control section triggers an additional snapshot of said scene giving rise to an additional image at least approximately identical to said image corresponding to a snapshot in synchronism with a light flash and an image processor is provided that is operable to compare the latter image and said additional image to deduce therefrom the position of the image of said missile on said detector.

11. The system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a computer that computes the differential deviation measurement between said missile and said target from information delivered by said infrared detector and relating to the respective positions, in said matrix, of images corresponding to snapshots in synchronism with said successive light flashes and images corresponding to snapshots in the intervals between said light flashes.

12. The system as claimed in of claim 1, wherein said synchronization section operable to synchronize the snapshots of said infrared detector with said successive light flashes are temporary.

13. The system as claimed in of claim 1, wherein said synchronization section operable to synchronize the snapshots of said infrared detector with said successive light flashes are permanent.

14. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said light flashes are triggered from said missile.

15. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said light flashes are triggered from said electronic control section of said infrared detector.

16. The system as claimed in claim 15, wherein said electronic control section is operable to control the optical emitters of at least two missiles in order for said optical emitters to generate interleaved series of light flashes.