초록 ▼

A intermediate range/short range laser defense system (10) for use against chemical and biological submunitions (36). The system includes a source (12) of a high power laser beam (14) which is directed by a beam steering device (16). The beam steering device (16) is controlled by a processor (20) wh

A intermediate range/short range laser defense system (10) for use against chemical and biological submunitions (36). The system includes a source (12) of a high power laser beam (14) which is directed by a beam steering device (16). The beam steering device (16) is controlled by a processor (20) which generates control signals (22) for orienting the beam steering device (16) to the control the laser beam (18). The processor (20) operates in a LACROSST mode which enables detection of the submunitions (36). The processor (20) receives tracking information from a detector (26) and tracker (24). The processor directs the laser beam (18) towards a centroid (40) of a dispersion pattern or cloud (38). The laser beam (18) is then directed in an outward, spiral path (42) from centroid (40). When the laser beam (18) encounters a submunition (36), the laser beam locks onto the submunition (36) in order to heat the submunition (36), thereby denaturing or destroying the submunition (36).

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [1.] A method for deactivating a plurality of submunitions released at an altitude to disperse the submunitions, comprising the steps of:tracking a carrier vehicle of the submunitions to where the carrier vehicle releases the submunitions in a dispersion pattern;locating an approximate c

[ I claim:] [1.] A method for deactivating a plurality of submunitions released at an altitude to disperse the submunitions, comprising the steps of:tracking a carrier vehicle of the submunitions to where the carrier vehicle releases the submunitions in a dispersion pattern;locating an approximate centroid of the dispersion pattern;directing a laser beam toward the centroid of the dispersion pattern;displacing the laser beam in a generally outward spiral from the centroid of the dispersion pattern, the laser beam detecting a submunition encountered during the spiral displacement;deactivating the detected submunition; andcontinuing to displace the laser beam in the spiral pattern after deactivating the submunition, the laser beam detecting and deactivating additional submunitions of the plurality of munitions.