Fire control system

Claim 1

A fire control system for guiding a rotating artillery shell in flight from a gun to a target, such system comprising: (a) sensor means, disposed at a point near the periphery of the base of the rotating artillery shell, for producing an electrical signal in response to infrared energy impinging upon such means; (b) means for projecting a beam of infrared energy to impinge on the sensor means, such beam being modulated by the image of a rotating reticle whereby the resulting electrical signal out of the sensor means is indicative of the spacing and direction between the centers of such beam and projectile; and (c) means for nulling the spacing between the centers of the beam and the rotating projectile, such means comprising a plurality of explosive squibs disposed about the rotating shell and logic circuitry, responsive to the resulting electrical signal out of the sensor means, to produce a firing signal when the spacing between the centers of the beam and the projectile exceeds a predetermined value and an unfired one of the explosive squibs is positioned to null, when fired, such spacing.