Frequency Based Semi-Active Laser Tracking

Laser guided missiles home into their targets by the reflected light of a laser designator. The development of a laser seeker is proposed for installation aboard the missile that acquires a 3D image of the target. Its primary advantage is that it would reduce the frequency of near misses in which the missile is guided into the laser light overspill surrounding the target. The proposed 3D Laser Seeker would also improve system performance in obscuration caused by battlefield smoke, fog, dust and clouds. Additional advantages are an ability to distinguish light backscattered from clouds and smoke from the target and an improved accuracy when the laser designated beam wobbles around the target due to motion of the laser designator. The proposed 3D Laser Seeker has a high probability of developmental success because it is a straightforward modification of an existing 3D Flash LIDARTM camera.