Lookdown and loitering LADAR system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method, comprising:
- flying an airborne vehicle through an environment;
loitering over an area within a field of regard for the airborne vehicle;
scanning a LADAR signal forward and to at least one side and at least 90°
off a boresight into the field of regard while loitering; and
tracking a target while loitering.
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Abstract
A LADAR system and with lookdown and loitering capabilities is disclosed. In one aspect, an apparatus includes a LADAR sensor and a gimbal. The LADAR sensor is mounted to the gimbal, which is capable of scanning in azimuth sufficient to provide a look down and loitering capability. In another aspect, a method includes flying an airborne vehicle through an environment; and scanning a LADAR signal forward and to at least one side into a field of regard.
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Citations
42 Claims
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1. A method, comprising:
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flying an airborne vehicle through an environment; loitering over an area within a field of regard for the airborne vehicle; scanning a LADAR signal forward and to at least one side and at least 90°
off a boresight into the field of regard while loitering; andtracking a target while loitering. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An apparatus, comprising
a LADAR sensor; -
a gimbal to which the LADAR sensor is mounted, the gimbal being capable of scanning in azimuth sufficient to provide a look down and loitering capability; a platform defining a chamber in which the LADAR sensor and gimbal are housed; and a faceted window in the platform closing the chamber. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A wide-angle LADAR system, comprising:
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a platform defining a chamber; a faceted window closing the chamber; and a gimbaled LADAR sensor housed in the closed chamber capable of scanning in azimuth substantially through 180° and
housed in the chamber to scan through the faceted window. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 34)
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19. An apparatus, comprising:
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an airborne vehicle defining a chamber in the forward end thereof; a faceted window closing the chamber; a gimbaled LADAR sensor housed in the closed chamber capable of scanning in azimuth substantially through 180° and
housed in the chamber to scan through the faceted window; anda laser designator mounted on-gimbal with the LADAR sensor. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method, comprising:
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flying an airborne vehicle through an environment; scanning a LADAR signal forward and to at least one side and at least 90°
off a boresight into a field of regard; anddesignating a target from aboard the airborne vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 35, 40, 41)
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36. An apparatus, comprising
a LADAR sensor; -
a gimbal to which the LADAR sensor is mounted, the gimbal being capable of scanning in azimuth sufficient to provide a look down and loitering capability; and a laser designator mounted on-gimbal with the LADAR sensor. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 42)
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Specification