Importance

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Abstract

A device for seeking and tracking targets from airborne missiles, which comprises one or two optical sensing units, each comprising a sensor barrel covered by a dome, a detector, drive means for rotating the sensor barrel about two perpendicular axis, and a processor for processing the signals produced by the detector and guiding the missile accordingly. The drive means comprise two motors for imparting to the barrel a pitching and a rolling motion. To eliminate aerodynamic drag, each sensing unit may be displaceable between a position retracted within the missile envelope and an extended position, in which part of its dome extends from the missile envelope. When two sensing units are provided, a target is tracked by operating only one of them, and when the target moves out of its field-of-regard, deactivating it and activating the other unit to continue tracking the target. When the sensing units are displaceable, they are in retracted position when the missile is launched, and, when the intended target is at close enough range, the unit on the side of the target is extended outside the missile envelope.

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First Claim