Laser-based system with LADAR and SAL capabilities

• US 20070222968A1
• Filed: 07/08/2005
• Published: 09/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Inventors: Krasutsky, Nicholas
• Granted Patent: US 7,742,151 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 356/4.10
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 7/008 Combinations of different guidance systems
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 7/2213 maintaining the axis of an orientable seeking head pointed at the target, e.g. target seeking gyro
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 7/2246 Active homing systems, i.e. comprising both a transmitter and a receiver
• 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

Abstract

A laser-based system with laser detection and ranging (“LADAR”) and semi-active laser (“SAL”) system capabilities is disclosed. In a first aspect, an apparatus includes a gimbal capable of scanning in azimuth and in elevation and a sensor mounted on the gimbal capable of LADAR acquisition and laser designation. In a second aspect, a method includes flying an airborne vehicle through an environment, scanning a LADAR signal from a sensor into the field of regard to identify a target; and laser designating the identified target with the sensor.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a gimbal capable of scanning in azimuth and in elevation; and

a sensor mounted on the gimbal capable of LADAR acquisition and laser designation.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a platform defining a chamber in which the LADAR sensor and gimbal are housed; and

a window in the platform closing the chamber.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the platform is a vehicle.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the vehicle is an airborne vehicle.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the airborne vehicle is a flying submunition, a guided weapon system, a reconnaissance drone, or a manned aircraft.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor includes:

a LADAR sensor; and

a laser designator.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the laser designator and the LADAR sensor are co-aligned.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the laser designator receives pointing and targeting information from the LADAR sensor.

9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the laser designator spots a point relative to the target.

10. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the LADAR sensor is blanked off when the laser designator is operating.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a LADAR sensor capable of laser designating.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising;

an off-gimbal LADAR laser; and

a large mode area fiber over which the beam generated by the LADAR laser is transmitted to the LADAR sensor.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor is capable of laser designating a spot identified by the LADAR.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor is capable of laser designating a spot relative to a target.

15. A wide-angle LADAR system, comprising:

a platform defining a chamber;

a faceted window closing the chamber; and

a gimbaled sensor housed in the closed chamber capable of LADAR acquisition and laser designation.

16. The LADAR system of claim 15, wherein the platform is a vehicle.

17. The LADAR system of claim 16, wherein the vehicle is an airborne vehicle.

18. The LADAR system of claim 15, wherein the gimbaled sensor includes:

a LADAR sensor, and

a laser designator.

19. The LADAR system of claim 18, wherein the laser designator and the LADAR sensor are co-aligned.

20. The LADAR system of claim 18, wherein the laser designator receives pointing and targeting information from the LADAR sensor.

21. The LADAR system of claim 18, wherein the laser designator spots a point relative to the target.

22. The LADAR system of claim 18, wherein the LADAR sensor is blanked off when the laser designator is operating.

23. The LADAR system of claim 15, wherein the sensor comprises a LADAR sensor capable of laser designating.

24. The LADAR system of claim 15, further comprising:

an off-gimbal LADAR laser; and

a large mode area fiber over which the beam generated by the LADAR laser is transmitted to the LADAR sensor.

25. The LADAR system of claim 15, wherein the sensor is capable of laser designating a spot identified by the LADAR.

26. The LADAR system of claim 15, wherein the sensor is capable of laser designating a spot relative to a target.

27. A method, comprising:

flying an airborne vehicle through an environment;

scanning a LADAR signal from a sensor into the field of regard to identify a target; and

laser designating the identified target with the sensor.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein flying the airborne vehicle includes flying a flying submunition, a guided weapon system, a reconnaissance drone, or a manned aircraft.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein scanning the LADAR signal includes scanning in azimuth through 180°

.

30. The method of claim 27, wherein scanning the LADAR signal includes transmitting 90°

off a boresight.

31. The method of claim 27, further comprising:

loitering over an area within a field of regard for the sensor; and

scanning the LADAR signal into the area while loitering.

32. The method of claim 31, further comprising banking the airborne vehicle while loitering.

33. The method of claim 32, further comprising tracking a target while loitering.

34. The method of claim 31, further comprising tracking a target while loitering.

35. The method of claim 34, further comprising homing on the laser designated target.

36. The method of claim 31, further comprising homing on the laser designated target.

37. The method of claim 27, wherein the designation is performed by the LADAR transmitter.

38. The method of claim 27, wherein the designation is performed by a laser designator separate from the LADAR transmitter.

39. The method of claim 27, wherein laser designating the target includes laser designating a spot relative to the target.

40. The method of claim 27, further comprising homing on the laser designated target.

41. An airborne vehicle, comprising:

means for scanning a LADAR signal into the field of regard to identify a target; and

means laser designating the identified target with the sensor.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein the scanning means includes means for scanning in azimuth through 180°

.

43. The method of claim 41, wherein the scanning means includes means for transmitting 90°

off a boresight.

44. The method of claim 41, wherein the designating means includes a LADAR transmitter.

45. The method of claim 41, wherein the designating means is separate from the scanning means.

46. The method of claim 41, wherein the designating means includes means for laser designating a spot relative to the target.