US3778007A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rod television-guided drone to perform reconnaissance and ordnance delivery
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1972-05-08
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Granted: 1973-12-11
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Expires: 1992-05-08
Abstract
Abstract A remote observation and destruction system comprises an unmanned flight vehicle guided by a remote operator viewing a television display to perform reconnaissance and the delivery of naval ordnance. A television camera is mounted on the unmanned flight vehicle and the television picture is transmitted to a television monitor in a remote control station. The remote operator controls the flight vehicle on the basis of the information contained in the television picture. A hand held laser aimed at the target by a forward observer can be used to point out concealed targets.
Inventors
- 👤 S Kearney
- 👤 W Richardson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 06:15
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S5/00; G01S5/0009; F; F41; F41G; F41G3/00; F41G3/02; F41G7/00; F41G7/007; F41G7/20; F41G7/22; F41G7/2206; F41G7/2253; F41G7/226; F41G7/2273; F41G7/2293; F41G7/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
A system for remote observation and destruction of a target comprising: a drone aircraft; a TV camera disposed in the nose of said drone; a control station disposed at a location remote from said drone; a TV monitor, disposed at said control station, TV data link means for transmitting data from said TV camera, and for applying said transmitted data to said TV monitor; a laser operated from a position near the target and disposed so that its beam illuminates the target; and a command link between said control station and said drone.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
93 words
A system for remote observation and destruction of a target comprising: a drone aircraft; a TV camera disposed in the nose of said drone; a control station disposed at a location remote from said drone; a TV monitor, disposed at said control station, TV data link means for transmitting data from said TV camera, and for applying said transmitted data to said TV monitor; a laser operated from a position near the target and disposed so that its beam illuminates the target; and a command link between said control station and said drone.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 1 further including a communication link between said control station and said laser.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1 wherein at least one missile is disposed aboard the drone aircraft.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 3 wherein said missile is a laser homing weapon with a four-quadrant silicon cell laser detector disposed in its nose.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said drone aircraft is an off-the-shelf target drone.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said drone aircraft is a simple airframe powered by an expendable turbine engine.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 6 wherein a warhead is disposed integrally with said airframe.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said drone aircraft carries a side looking synthetic aperture radar.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 2 wherein the communication link comprises a quantized digital data link.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of remotely observing and destroying a target by means of a remotely controlled drone aircraft carrying a TV camera and laser homing weapons, comprising: guiding the drone aircraft into TV-camera range of the target so that said target may be observed visually at a remote place by means of a signal from said TV camera; illuminating the target with a laser beam; aiming the drone aircraft at the target as determined by the reflected laser beam; and firing said laser homing weapons at said target.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of remotely observing and destroying a target by means of a remotely controlled drone aircraft carrying a TV camera and laser homing weapons, comprising: guiding the drone aircraft into TV-camera range of the target so that said target may be observed visually at a remote place by means of a signal from said TV camera; illuminating the target with a laser beam; aiming the drone aircraft at the target as determined by the reflected laser beam; and firing said laser homing weapons at said target.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-10 | 1977-06-11 | 1977-12-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-10 | 1981-06-11 | 1981-12-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-10 | 1985-06-11 | 1985-12-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |