IP Library Granted Patent US 7,017,467
Granted Patent B1
US 7,017,467 · App. 04/520,820 · Granted Mar 28, 2006

Guided missile defense method and apparatus

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,017,467
App. No.
04/520,820
Granted
Mar 28, 2006
Kind
B1
Abstract

A method of defense against optically guided missiles, said method comprising the steps of: mounting a single-ended laser adjacent the area to be protected emitting electromagnetic radiation at a frequency within the sensitive frequency range of said guided missile, directing said radiation toward an area within which said radiation may be reflected by components of said missile, causing lasing operation of said laser in response to reflection of said radiation by components of said missile, and modulating the output of said laser in response to said lasing operation for misdirecting said guided missile.

Claims (23)

1. A method of defense against optically guided missiles, said method comprising the steps of:

mounting a single-ended laser adjacent the area to be protected emitting electromagnetic radiation at a frequency within the sensitive frequency range of said guided missile,

directing said radiation toward an area within which said radiation may be reflected by components of said missile,

causing lasing operation of said laser in response to reflection of said radiation by components of said missile, and

modulating the output of said laser in response to said lasing operation for misdirecting said guided missile.

2. A method of defending jet aircraft against optically guided missiles, said method comprising the steps of:

mounting a single-ended laser adjacent the exhaust of said aircraft,

exciting said laser to emit infra-red radiation,

directing said radiation toward an area within which said radiation may be reflected by components of said missile,

causing lasing operation of said laser in response to reflection of said radiation by components of said missile, and

modulating the output of said laser in response to said lasing operation for misdirecting said missile.

3. Apparatus for defending against optically guided missiles, said apparatus comprising:

a single-ended laser emitting electromagnetic radiation at a frequency within the frequency range detectable by said missile,

means directing said radiation in a direction to be reflected by an approaching missile in a manner to re-pass through said laser, and

means for modulating the output of said laser in response to lasing operation of said laser for misleading said guided missile.

4. Apparatus for defending against optically guided missiles, said apparatus comprising:

a single-ended laser emitting radiation at a frequency within the frequency range detectable by said missile,

means causing said radiation to scan a predetermined area in a manner such that said radiation will be reflected by a missile within said area and will re-pass through said laser, and

means for modulating the output of said laser in response to lasing operation of said laser for misleading said guided missile.

5. Apparatus for defending against optically guided missiles, said apparatus comprising:

a single-ended laser emitting radiation at a frequency within the frequency range detectable by said missile,

means directing said radiation in a direction to be reflected by an approaching missile in a manner to re-pass through said laser, and

means responsive to occurrence of lasing operation of said laser during a first time interval to cause additional lasing operation of said laser during a second time interval for misleading said guided missile.

Assignments (3)
CHANGE OF NAME EFFECTIVE ON 05/12/1976 Recorded Mar 30, 1993
From: LTV AEROSPACE CORPORATION
To: VOUGHT CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 006466/0848 →
CHANGE OF NAME EFFECTIVE ON 12/16/1983 Recorded Mar 29, 1993
From: VOUGHT CORPORATION
To: LTV AEROSPACE AND DEFENSE COMPANY
Reel/Frame 006466/0750 →
ASSIGNS THE ENTIRE INTEREST, EFFECTIVE 8-31-92. Recorded Jan 11, 1993
From: LTV AEROSPACE AND DEFENSE COMPANY
To: LORAL VOUGHT SYSTEMS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 006389/0010 →