Repetitive image targeting system

• US 6,691,947 B2
• Filed: 03/12/2002
• Issued: 02/17/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: La Fata, Christopher M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gregory, Bernarr E.
• Application Number:
  US10/096,722
• Publication Number:
  US 20030183720A1
• Time in Patent Office: 707 Days
• Field of Search: 244/3.1, 244/3.15, 244/3-6-, 342/25, 342/60, 342/61, 342/62-65, 342/66, 342/52, 342/58, 342/89, 342/90, 342/159-169, 342/175, 342/176, 342/179, 342/195, 342/196, 342/197, 348/144, 348/416.1, 382/103
• US Class Current: 244/3.19
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 7/007 Preparatory measures taken before the launching of the guided missiles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/9029 specially adapted for moving target detection within a single SAR image or within multiple SAR images taken at the same time

Abstract

The present invention includes a system and method for accurately locating moving targets. The system includes a targeting aircraft that has a radar system with a simultaneous SAR radar/moving target mode that generates an image and identifies moving targets in the generated image. The targeting aircraft also includes a mapping component that matches the generated image to a stored digital map, and generates moving target location information based on the matched image and map and the identified moving targets.

Claims

1. A method for locating a moving target, the method comprising:

generating an image and identifying a moving target in the generated image;

matching the generated image to a stored digital map;

generating moving target location information based on the matched image and the stored digital map and the identified moving target;

sending the generated moving target location information to a self-guided weapon; and

determining a course to the moving target based on the sent moving target location information.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising navigating the weapon according to the determined course.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein sending the generated moving target location information includes wirelessly transmitting the moving target location information.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying the moving target includes detecting moving target velocity and direction.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein sending the generated moving target location information further includes sending the identified moving target velocity and direction, and determining the course to the moving target is further based on the sent moving target velocity and direction.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein generating the image and detecting moving target information is performed by an active electronically scanned array.

7. A moving target locator system comprising:

a radar system including;

a component for generating an image and identifying a moving target in the generated image;

a mapping component for matching the generated image to a stored digital map, and generating moving target location information based on the matched image and map and the identified moving target; and

a self-guided weapon including a navigation system and an antenna,

wherein the radar system further includes a transmitter for sending the generated moving target location information to the self-guided weapon, and

wherein the navigation system determines a course to the moving target based on the sent moving target location information.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the self-guided weapon navigates according to the determined course.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the transmitter is a wireless transmitter.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein the identified moving target location information includes moving target velocity and direction.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the transmitter further sends the moving target velocity and direction, and the navigation system determines the course to the moving target further based on the sent moving target velocity and direction.

12. The system of claim 7, wherein the radar system is an active electronically scanned array radar system.

13. A moving target locator system comprising:

a self-guided weapon including a navigation system and an antenna; and

a radar system including;

a component for generating an image and identifying a moving target in the generated image; and

a mapping component for matching the generated image to a stored digital map, and generating moving target location information based on the matched image and map and the identified moving target,

a transmitter for sending the generated moving target location information to the self-guided weapon, and

wherein the navigation system determines a course to the moving target based on the sent moving target location information, wherein the identified moving target location information includes moving target velocity and direction, and wherein the radar system is an active electronically scanned array radar system.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the transmitter further sends the moving target velocity and direction, and the navigation system determines the course to the moving target further based on the sent moving target velocity and direction.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the self-guided weapon navigates according to the determined course.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the transmitter is a wireless transmitter.