Portable Laser Verification Tool for Target Acquisition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Military personnel face challenges in confirming that a laser designator is accurately designating a target before launching precision-guided munitions, often requiring invasive interfaces with existing systems, which can reduce confidence and increase the risk of collateral damage.
Innovation Solution
A portable, standalone device that provides target designation information and verifies the laser acquisition field of view without electrical interfaces to the platform, using a mechanical interface and sensors to detect and process reflected laser signals, displaying critical information such as pulse repetition frequency codes and signal strength to enhance situational awareness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional systems are used to provide laser designation confirmation, then weapon acquisition verification can be achieved, but highly invasive interfaces between the weapon and launching platform are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a portable verification tool as an intermediary device that senses laser reflections independently and provides verification information to the platform without requiring invasive electrical or data interfaces with the weapon system. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by achieving reliable verification while maintaining system independence and low complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The verification tool is designed as a self-contained portable device that performs its own sensing, processing, and verification functions without requiring integration with the platform's or weapon's systems. It serves itself by carrying its own power source, sensors, and processing capability, thereby eliminating the need for complex invasive interfaces.
2Measurement precision
If invasive interfaces are implemented for weapon verification, then target acquisition confirmation is possible, but pilot confidence and safety are reduced due to system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The portable verification tool acts as an independent intermediary that provides accurate target verification measurements without requiring the platform to operate complex invasive interfaces. It delivers precise verification data in a simplified manner that enhances pilot confidence and ease of operation.
3Reliability
If complex system integration is performed for laser verification, then weapon platform integration is achieved, but the risk of collateral damage increases due to reduced confidence
Solution Approach 1:
The verification tool operates as a self-contained independent system that provides reliable laser designation verification without requiring complex integration with the weapon platform. This independence maintains high reliability while reducing collateral damage risk by providing confident verification through a simpler, more transparent system that does not introduce integration errors.
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
The device increases pilot confidence in deploying precision-guided weapons by providing real-time verification of target designation and potential targets within the weapon's field of view, reducing the likelihood of unintended engagements and collateral damage without the need for complex system integration.
Implementation Method 1
a lens to sense a first reflection, the first reflection coming from an encoded first laser beam reflecting off a first target
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are provided for a laser designation verification device and a method of laser designation verification using the device. The laser designation verification device includes: a lens to sense a first reflection, the first reflection coming from an encoded first laser beam reflecting off a first target; an electronic processing element to decode the sensed first reflection into a first code; and a portable electronic annunciator to provide identification of the first target to an operator of the device based on the decoded first reflection. The method includes: sensing a first reflection using the lens, the first reflection coming from an encoded first laser beam reflecting off a first target; decoding the sensed first reflection into a first code using the processing element; and providing, by the annunciator to an operator of the device, identification of the first target based on the decoded first reflection.