Auto-tracking Steerable Laser Range Finder

The next generation of infantry weapons will include small arms capable of delivering air busting ammunitions over considerable ranges. These weapons will be equipped with sophisticated target acquisition/fire control systems (TA/FC). In order to accomplish its purpose, the TA/FC system needs accurate range information to the target. This information will be provided by a laser range finder (LRF) integrated with the TA/FC system, and it will be up to the soldier to accurately aim the laser range finder at the enemy target of interest. To facilitate the soldier’s task of obtaining an accurate range to the target, Intelligent Automation Inc. proposes to augment the TA/FC capabilities with a miniature steerable LRF operating in conjunction with a target tracking system. By integrating the two systems together it will no longer be necessary for the soldier to aim the range finder exactly at the desired target, but only to its vicinity. The potential of the proposed effort cannot be sufficiently emphasized. Based on preliminary data, it can be substantiated that the success of the proposed project has the potential of translating into significant increases in system lethality (in the order of 50%). Improvements of such magnitude require little justification.