초록 ▼

A programmable optical system that dynamically corrects or induces aberrations into the optical path of a missile seeker. The system is dynamic in that the amount and type of aberration may be changed while the missile is in flight. The dynamic correction is accomplished by means of deformations app

A programmable optical system that dynamically corrects or induces aberrations into the optical path of a missile seeker. The system is dynamic in that the amount and type of aberration may be changed while the missile is in flight. The dynamic correction is accomplished by means of deformations applied to a low-mass mirror or mirrors in the optical path of the missile seeker. The missile includes an aspheric dome, and the optical system is dynamically compensated for aberrations introduced by the dome as the seeker system is moved through the field of regard.

대표청구항 ▼

[What is claimed is:] [1.]an aspheric dome or window structure, fabricated of a material which transmits incident wave front energy in a spectral range;a set of gimballed elements disposed within the dome/window structure and including a first optical system for directing energy incident through the

[What is claimed is:] [1.]an aspheric dome or window structure, fabricated of a material which transmits incident wave front energy in a spectral range;a set of gimballed elements disposed within the dome/window structure and including a first optical system for directing energy incident through the dome structure within a field of regard toward an image plane, said first optical system including a deformable mirror, and a sensor array disposed at said image plane;a gimbal mechanism for gimballing the first optical system and the optical correction system through a range of movement in response to gimbal position commands;a dynamic actuator for deforming said deformable mirror in response to mirror deformation commands; anda controller adapted to generate said gimbal position commands for controlling the gimbal mechanism to position the set of gimballed elements at positions within the range of movement, said controller further adapted to provide said mirror deformation commands for controlling the dynamic actuator to provide dynamic optical correction of optical aberrations introduced by the dome/window structure as the optical apparatus is gimballed through the field of regard.