Rapid Target Designator for Simultaneous Laser Designation of Multiple Targets

Small surface craft filled with high explosives and operated by terrorist groups represent a significant threat to docked and slow-moving naval ships. This proposal addresses a concept for a Rapid Target Designator (RTD) which is a single optical tracking/designating system that can effectively track/designate multiple targets simultaneously. This when coupled to one or more munitions platforms in a combined weapon system would potentially provide a timely and cost-effective protection system with an adequate stand-off range. The tracker/designator can be designed to handle at least 5 attacking craft simultaneously. The concept will address issues of (ship) motion stabilization appropriate to realistic sea-state conditions. The compact optical sensors suite/designator will ideally be mounted well above the deck to provide potentially good overall visibility of threatening craft at ranges of up to several kilometers. The sensor suite which utilizes COTS hardware will combine passive optical sensors with fast beam steering and a high repetition rate Q-switched YAG laser to attain the projected performance capabilities.