Ideal trajectory shaping for anti-armor missiles via gimbal angle controller autopilot

Claim 1

A missile guidance system for maintaining a missile in a predetermined trajectory to impact with a target, said trajectory including an initial substantially horizontal portion, pitch-up, cruise and attitude transition portions, said guidance system including: (a) programmed guidance means for controlling said missile to said attitude transition portion subsequent to flight in said horizontal, pitch-up, and cruise portions of said trajectory; (b) a seeker carried by said missile for tracking said target; (c) means carried on said missile for determining the angle between the line of sight of said seeker and the body of the missile and for transmitting a signal when said angle reaches a predetermined value said means being a threshold detector, first and second switches disposed in the pitch rate and gimbal angle channels of said seeker, said threshold detector disposed for closing said switches; and (d) autopilot means disposed for receiving said signal to pitch said missile downwardly for impact with said target responsive to said angle reaching said predetermined value.