Laser Lead Designator for Moving Target Engagement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing laser-guided weapons (LGWs) using weather vane detection sensors are ineffective against moving targets due to terminal guidance issues, and retrofitting them with Proportional Navigation Guidance (PNG) is costly and requires changes to all LGWs.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a laser lead guidance system with small changes to the targeting sensor at the laser designator, using software algorithms and tables, which provides off-target laser lead guidance without modifying the LGW, allowing it to follow an off-target laser spot to compensate for impact shortfall values.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If Classic Velocity Pursuit Guidance (VPG) is used with weather vane detection sensors, then stationary target engagement is satisfactory, but moving target engagement results in shortfall and ineffectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengagement effectivenessVSAvoidtarget speed adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the guidance parameter from direct target pursuit to lead spot tracking. The laser designator projects a spot at a calculated lead position ahead of the moving target, and the LGW guides to this static spot rather than dynamically chasing the moving target. This parameter transformation resolves the contradiction by making the guidance reference point stationary while still achieving moving target engagement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary calculation of the lead distance based on target speed and engagement geometry before the LGW is launched. The laser designator establishes the lead spot position in advance, allowing the LGW to follow a predetermined guidance path to the anticipated impact point rather than reacting to target movement during flight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If Proportional Navigation Guidance (PNG) is implemented to compensate for shortfall, then moving target engagement improves, but cost increases and all LGWs must be modified

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoving target engagementVSAvoidguidance system modification

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an external laser designator as an intermediary system that provides lead guidance information to the LGW. Instead of modifying the LGW's internal guidance electronics, the external designator projects a lead spot that the LGW's existing seeker tracks. This intermediary approach achieves PNG-like performance without modifying the weapon system itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The guidance function is segmented into two independent components: the external laser designator that calculates and projects the lead spot, and the LGW that simply tracks the spot using its existing seeker. This segmentation allows the guidance intelligence to reside in the designator system while the weapon remains unmodified, avoiding the need to upgrade all LGWs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Measurement precision

If lead guidance is provided to the LGW directly, then accurate moving target engagement is achieved, but the LGW requires modifications to process lead information

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact point accuracyVSAvoidLGW modification requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of providing lead information to the LGW and having it compensate, the system inverts the approach by having the laser designator provide a lead spot that already incorporates the compensation. The LGW simply follows the spot without needing to understand or calculate lead distances, reversing who performs the guidance calculation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 LGWs to effectively engage moving targets with minimal cost and without altering existing LGW assets, utilizing existing LGW assets to provide accurate guidance by calculating or looking up lead distances based on target speed and engagement geometry.

Implementation Method 1

commanding the laser designator to project a laser beam to provide a laser spot on the ground at the lead position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser: Laser

Implementation Method 2

a laser seeker detects which direction this energy is coming from and adjusts the LGW trajectory towards the source/target

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS8237095B2Spot leading target laser guidance for engaging moving targets

Publication Date: 2012.08.07 LOCKHEED MARTIN CORP

AI summary

A laser lead designator for guiding a laser guided weapon (LGW) to strike a moving target includes a laser source for providing a laser beam and a controller coupled to receive a position and a velocity of the moving target. The controller provides a control signal for pointing the laser beam a specified lead distance ahead of the position of the moving target to position a laser spot on a ground location ahead of the moving target. The lead distance compensates for an impact shortfall value that is a function of at least one shortfall parameter including a speed of the moving target so that the LGW shortfalls the laser spot on the moving target. The laser designator is separate from the LGW.