초록 ▼

A method for guiding a missile to a target. The method includes the step of providing a surface-based radar system having an electronically beam steerable antenna system adapted for continuous mechanical rotation about an axis. During a pre-terminal, semi-active missile homing guidance phase, the be

A method for guiding a missile to a target. The method includes the step of providing a surface-based radar system having an electronically beam steerable antenna system adapted for continuous mechanical rotation about an axis. During a pre-terminal, semi-active missile homing guidance phase, the beam produced by the antenna system is electronically rotated by the antenna system in a direction counter to the direction of the mechanical rotation of the antenna system to thereby increase radar system illumination time on the target. Further, during the increased illumination time, the beamwidth of the surface-based radar system beam is increased. During, a subsequent terminal, active homing missile guidance phase, guiding the missile to the target with the pre-terminal, semi-active missile homing guidance phase using the surface-based radar system and establishing an angular orientation for a missile-borne antenna system at the commencement of the terminal, active missile homing guidance system phase.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [11.] A missile guidance system, comprising:(a) a radar transmitter disposed at a surface-based and adapted to transmit radar signals in a first frequency band, such radar transmitter having a search antenna adapted for mechanical rotation about an axis at a predetermined rota

[ What is claimed is:] [11.] A missile guidance system, comprising:(a) a radar transmitter disposed at a surface-based and adapted to transmit radar signals in a first frequency band, such radar transmitter having a search antenna adapted for mechanical rotation about an axis at a predetermined rotational rate to search for a target;(b) a missile having disposed therein:(i) an active radar system comprising: a radar transmitter and receiver adapted for operation at a second, different frequency band;(ii) a semi-active radar system receiver adapted for operation at the first frequency band;(iii) a missile radar antenna system, gimballed within the missile and adapted to receive radar signals transmitted by the surface-based antenna, after reflection by the target, in the first frequency band during a pre-terminal, semi-active guidance phase and to receive radar signals transmitted by the active radar transmitter, after reflection by the target, in the second frequency band during a subsequent terminal, active guidance phase;(iv) a signal processor adapted to produce target tracking signals from radar signals fed thereto from either the active radar system receiver during the terminal, active guidance phase or from the semi-active radar system receiver during the pre-terminal, semi-active guidance phase, such target tracking signals being fed to the missile radar antenna system to gimbal the antenna system and direct the missile radar antenna system towards the target; and(iv) a switch fed by radar signals produced by the active radar system receiver and radar signals produced the semi-active radar system receiver, such switch feeding one of such radar signals to the signal processor selectively in a control signal; and(c) wherein the control signal operates the switch to feed the semi-active radar system to the signal processor during the semi-active guidance phase prior to feeding the active radar system receiver to the signal processor during the active guidance phase, such signal processor producing the target tracking signals for the missile radar antenna system to direct the antenna system towards the target from the semi-active radar signals during the semi-active phase and thereby establish an initial radar missile antenna system orientation at commencement of the subsequent terminal, active guidance phase.