Scanning beam beamrider missile guidance system

Claim 2

In a beamrider missile guidance system wherein a target is tracked by line-of-sight from a tracking station and a missile is directed toward the target substantially along the line-of-sight axis, a method of directing the missile toward the target and comprising the steps of: visually tracking a target from a target tracking station, directing a laser beam of optical energy from said target tracking station toward said target and along a path offset a constantly varying distance from said line-of-sight; directing a missile toward said target within the path of said optical energy beam; and generating correctional guidance within the missile in response to the position of said missile away from the line-of-sight and within said beam.

Claim 3

A method of directing a missile toward a target as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising the step of rotating said constantly varying beam of optical energy around said line-of-sight along a first circular path at a first fixed radius from the line-of-sight within a plane passing through said missile.

Claim 4

A method of directing a missile toward a target as set forth in claim 2 and further comprising the steps of rapidly rotating said beam in a second circular path at a second fixed radius around said first circular path at the first fixed radius to provide said constantly varying offset from the line-of-sight.

Claim 5

A method of directing a missile toward a target as set forth in claim 3 and further comprising the step of spinning a holographic element in the path of said beam of optical energy and thereby providing the step of rapidly rotating said beam in said second circular path.

Claim 6

A method of directing a missile toward a target as set forth in claim 4 and further comprising the step of oscillating a mirror in the path of said beam of optical energy for rotating said constantly varying beam along said first circular path.

Claim 7

A method of directing a missile toward a target as set forth in claim 5 and further comprising the step of moving a focusing lens within and along the path of said beam for maintaining said first and second fixed radii in said plane passing through the missile.

Claim 8

A beamrider missile guidance system for directing a missile toward a target and comprising: apparatus for transmitting an optical beam having a Gaussian distribution toward said target, means for maintaining said target in a line-of-sight; a missile for traversing the path of said optical beam, a receiver system on said missile responsive to said optical beam for directing the missile trajectory within said beam substantially along said line-of-sight; and wherein said apparatus for transmitting said optical beam comprises a laser cavity having a fully reflective end mirror at one end and a partially reflective means at the output end, optically scanning means, and adjustable focussing means in optical alignment; said partially reflective means being a holographic element adapted for spinning to impart a rapid, circular motion to the beam, said optically scanning means being a mirror disposed for scanning said beam in a low frequency circular scan around said line-of-sight, and said adjustable focussing means being a lens adapted for linear movement within said beam.

Claim 9

A beamrider missile guidance system for directing a missile toward a target and comprising: apparatus for transmitting an optical beam having a Gaussian distribution toward said target, means for maintaining said target in a line-of-sight; a missile for traversing the path of said optical beam, a receiver system on said missile responsive to said optical beam for directing the missile trajectory within said beam substantially along said line-of-sight; and wherein said apparatus for transmitting said optical beam comprises a laser cavity having a fully reflective end mirror at one end and a partially reflective means at the output end, optically scanning means, and adjustable focussing means in optical alignment; said partially reflective means being a holographic element adapted for spinning to impart a rapid, circular motion to the beam, said optically scanning means being a mirror disposed for scanning said beam in a low frequency circular scan around said line-of-sight, and said adjustable focussing means being a lens adapted for linear movement within said beam.

Claim 10

A beamrider missile guidance system as set forth in claim 7 wherein said holographic element is a phase reflector holographic scanner, said holographic scanner rotating said beam in a circular path while said beam moves along the low frequency circular scan around said line-of-sight.