High Energy Laser Beam Director with Off-Axis Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current high-energy laser (HEL) beam director systems face challenges in autonomously tracking and maintaining a HEL beam on non-cooperative targets until a desired effect is achieved, such as sensor denial or destruction, especially when integrated with radar-guided gun systems.
Innovation Solution
The proposed beam director system includes a beam expander telescope with an integral off-axis target acquisition and tracking system, utilizing inertial reference instruments and steering mirrors to control the focus and direction of the HEL beam, coupled with a processor that processes electromagnetic radiation to generate control signals for precise steering and alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a high-energy laser beam director system is integrated with radar-guided gun systems for target acquisition and tracking, then the capability to engage airborne targets is improved, but the system complexity and difficulty of autonomously tracking non-cooperative targets increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines radar-guided gun system capabilities with high-energy laser beam director functionality into an integrated system. The radar system provides target acquisition and tracking data that is fused with laser guidance control, allowing the system to engage airborne targets effectively while managing complexity through unified architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The beam director system is designed to perform multiple functions including target acquisition, tracking, and engagement control for both radar-guided guns and high-energy lasers. The system can adapt to different target types and engagement scenarios, providing versatile airborne target capability through multi-functional integration
2Measurement precision
If autonomous tracking and focusing of HEL beams on non-cooperative targets is implemented, then the accuracy and effectiveness of engagement is improved, but the extent of automation and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements closed-loop feedback control where the beam director continuously monitors target position and beam alignment, automatically adjusting steering mirrors and optical components to maintain precise focusing on non-cooperative targets. This feedback mechanism enables autonomous tracking while achieving high measurement precision through real-time correction
Solution Approach 2:
The autonomous tracking system performs self-adjustment and self-correction of beam alignment without external intervention. The system automatically compensates for platform motion, target maneuvering, and atmospheric disturbances through integrated sensors and control algorithms, reducing the need for manual operation while maintaining focusing accuracy
3Manufacturing precision
If inertial reference instruments and steering mirrors are used to control HEL beam direction and focus, then the precision of beam steering is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
Steering mirrors serve as intermediary components that translate coarse platform positioning into precise beam direction control. The inertial reference instruments provide intermediate guidance data that is processed by the control system to adjust mirror angles, achieving high beam steering precision while simplifying the overall manufacturing by using off-the-shelf mirror components rather than custom precision mechanisms
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables autonomous tracking and focusing of HEL beams on airborne targets, ensuring accurate and sustained engagement to achieve desired effects like sensor denial or structural failure, enhancing the effectiveness of HEL weapons systems.
Implementation Method 1
A beam director subsystem includes a source of electromagnetic radiation for generating a high energy laser (HEL) beam. A secondary mirror reflects the electromagnetic radiation to a primary mirror for output of the HEL beam
Implementation Method 2
The secondary mirror is generally curved and expands the electromagnetic radiation received from the source prior to outputting the HEL beam from the primary mirror
Implementation Method 3
The beam director subsystem further includes a track telescope coupled to the housing. The track telescope has a track detector configured to receive electromagnetic radiation originating from the HEL
Implementation Method 4
The beam director subsystem also includes an illuminator for targeting the airborne target. The illuminator generates electromagnetic radiation to be directed at an airborne target
Data Source
AI summary
A beam director subsystem (12) and method for use in a weapons system. The beam director subsystem includes a source (20) of electromagnetic radiation for generating a high energy laser (HEL) beam (18). The electromagnetic radiation is directed to a secondary mirror (22) that reflects the electromagnetic radiation to a primary mirror (24) for output of the HEL beam. The secondary mirror is generally curved and expands the electromagnetic radiation received from the source prior to outputting the HEL beam from the primary mirror. The subsystem further includes a track telescope (28) coupled to the housing. The track telescope has a track detector (30) configured to receive electromagnetic radiation originating from the HEL and electromagnetic radiation emitted from an illuminator (32) and reflected from an airborne target.