System and method for target acquisition, aiming and firing control of kinetic weapon

Abstract

A target acquisition is disclosed for use with a weapon in acquiring at least one target for the weapon. The system may make use of a mapping sensor subsystem which forms a controllably scanned electromagnetic wave energy subsystem for illuminating a scene where one or more targets are potentially present with selectively scanned electromagnetic wave energy. The system may also incorporate a control subsystem including a target/object recognition software module which uses information supplied by the mapping sensor subsystem to identify at least one target in the scene which forms a valid target to be engaged by the weapon. The system may limit firing of the weapon until a predetermined degree of aiming accuracy is achieved relative to the valid target.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A target acquisition system for use with a weapon in acquiring at least one target for the weapon, the system comprising:
 a mapping sensor subsystem which forms an electromagnetic wave energy subsystem for illuminating a scene where one or more targets are potentially present with selectively scanned electromagnetic wave energy; and   a control subsystem including a target/object recognition software module which uses information supplied by the mapping sensor subsystem to identify at least one said target in the scene which forms a valid target to be engaged by the weapon, and to limit firing of the weapon until a predetermined degree of aiming accuracy is achieved relative to the valid target.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the control subsystem comprises:
 an electronic controller; and   wherein the target/object recognition software module comprises a target/object recognition/prioritization software module which analyzes the one or more targets to determine if the one or more targets form a valid target, and when more than one valid target is identified, prioritizes the valid targets such that a specific one of the valid targets is selected based on it being closest to a user operating the weapon.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the control subsystem comprises:
 an electronic controller; and   wherein the target/object recognition software module is configured to cooperate with the controller in determine a projected impact location for a projectile to be fired from the weapon.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the control subsystem is configured to further determine if the projected impact location overlaps sufficiently with the valid target, and when the predetermined minimum degree of overlap is present, generates a signal indicating that the weapon is to be fired. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the subsystem further includes an electronic firing control mechanism mounted on the weapon which is responsive to the signal, to control firing of the weapon. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , further comprising a kick actuator subsystem mounted on the weapon for initiating a momentary movement of the weapon in response to a signal from the control subsystem, to assist in aiming the weapon when the signal to fire the weapon is received. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the mapping sensor subsystem comprises a light detection and ranging (Lidar) unit. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the Lidar unit comprises a solid state microelectromechanical system (MEMS) Lidar unit. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the mapping sensor subsystem comprises a micropower impulse radar. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system further includes an electronic firing control subsystem in communication with the control subsystem for enabling the control subsystem to fire the weapon. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the control subsystem includes a wireless radio, and the firing control subsystem includes a communications subsystem which communicates with the wireless radio to enable the control subsystem to fire the weapon. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , further including a sensor for detecting a fire command initiated by a user of the weapon to fire the weapon. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the control subsystem prevents firing of the weapon until the target/object recognition software module of the control subsystem determines that a minimum degree of overlap is present between a projected impact location of a projectile to be fired from the weapon, and the valid target. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an environmental sensor for obtaining environmental information pertaining to at least one of:
 humidity;   wind velocity;   wind direction;   barometric pressure;   altitude;   weapon barrel temperature; and   inclination.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system further comprises:
 an electronic controller;   at least one environmental sensor for sensing a real time environmental condition at a location where the weapon is being used and generating environmental information in accordance with the sensed real time environmental condition; and   an environmental compensation software module in communication with the electronic controller for using the environmental information real time environment.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a visible laser operably associated with the environmental mapping sensor subsystem for projecting a visible laser beam on the valid target. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , further comprising a switch accessible by an operator of the weapon for turning the visible laser on and off. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an optional display system for displaying the valid target. 
     
     
         19 . A target acquisition system for use with a weapon in acquiring at least one target for the weapon, the system comprising:
 a mapping sensor subsystem which forms a controllably scanned electromagnetic wave energy subsystem for illuminating a scene where one or more targets are potentially present with selectively scanned electromagnetic wave energy;   the mapping sensor subsystem including at least one of:
 a solid state, microelectromechanical system (MEMS) light detection and ranging (Lidar) unit; and 
 a micropower impulse radar; 
   a control subsystem including a target/object recognition software module which uses information supplied by the mapping sensor subsystem to identify at least one target in the scene from a plurality of targets, which forms a valid target to be engaged by the weapon; and   an electronic firing control subsystem at least one of mounted or integrated into the weapon, which is responsive to a fire command signal from the control subsystem to fire a projectile from the weapon, and which limits firing of the weapon until a predetermined degree of aiming accuracy is achieved relative to the valid target.   
     
     
         20 . A target acquisition method for use with a weapon in acquiring at least one target for the weapon to fire at, the method comprising:
 using a mapping sensor subsystem to generate a controllably scanned electromagnetic wave energy beam to illuminate a scene where one or more targets are potentially present;   using a control subsystem including a target/object recognition software module which uses information supplied by the mapping sensor subsystem to identify at least one target in the scene which forms a valid target to be engaged by the weapon; and   further using the control subsystem to disable firing of the weapon until a predetermined degree of aiming accuracy has been achieved relative to the valid target.