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In a missile tracking and guidance system, a fiber optic link is maintained between a missile and the launcher. Tracking after launch is via a video link between the missile seeker and a video imager at the launcher. Guidance signals are derived from the video signal input to the imager and transmit

In a missile tracking and guidance system, a fiber optic link is maintained between a missile and the launcher. Tracking after launch is via a video link between the missile seeker and a video imager at the launcher. Guidance signals are derived from the video signal input to the imager and transmitted back to the missile. Additionally, rate sensors and an interrupt or reaim circuit within the launcher allows an operator to reacquire the target for refining the missile seeker look axis toward a target during flight. After the target aimpoint is refined the operator can then release the interrupt circuit, allowing the system to continue tracking from the video input, with a newly established seeker heading established during the aimpoint refinement.

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In a missile system wherein a missile is launched from a movable housing and directed toward a target, a missile guidance method comprising the steps of: launching a missile along a selectable path, generating azimuth and elevation guidance commands for said missile at a tracker station on said mova

In a missile system wherein a missile is launched from a movable housing and directed toward a target, a missile guidance method comprising the steps of: launching a missile along a selectable path, generating azimuth and elevation guidance commands for said missile at a tracker station on said movable housing, guiding said guidance commands along a confined optical path from the tracker station to the missile, optically imaging a selectable field of view along and adjacent to said path ahead of said missile, guiding a video signal of said optical imaging from said missile to said tracker station along said confined optical path for providing selectable missile azimuth and elevation guidance signals to the tracker, directing said video signal to a video display on said movable housing for providing a visual image of optically imaged scenes, measuring the angular rate of movement of said movable housing for providing azimuth and elevation signals indicative of changes in direction of movement of said tracker and said video display, coupling the azimuth and elevation signals obtained from the measured angular rate of movement as a selectable input to said tracker station, and controllably switching between said video signal azimuth and elevation input signals to the tracker station and said angular rate azimuth and evaluation input to the tracker station for controlling said generating of azimuth and elevation guidance commands.