Electro-optical Seeker

Execution of long-range weapons capabilities reduces risk and affords greater warfighter protection. Core enabling technologies for hypersonic projectiles include high-strength lightweight materials, precision avionics, and novel designs. System demands include the ability to withstand both high accelerations (up to 50,000 Gs) and aerothermal shock. Detailed structural engineering and shock modeling (finite element analysis) are necessary to understand how shock loads are transmitted to projectile and seeker components. Imaging sensors employed on projectile platforms provide detection, discrimination, and precision guidance to targets. The sensors are protected by a “window” that shields the guidance system from environmental conditions during launch and flight. Materials for protective windows or domes must possess the optical properties necessary for signal transmission and the physical properties necessary to withstand external mechanical and thermal stresses. Preferred window materials will have high strength, high transmission, and high aerothermal survivability. This proposal addresses the need for a compact, aerodynamic, seeker window capable of performing and surviving the mechanical and thermal loads encountered during gun launch and hypervelocity flight. Maintaining window integrity and seeker alignment is required for optimum system performance. CeraNova’s experience in manufacturing conformal optics will be leveraged to enable design and fabrication of a compact seeker window.