Directed navigation of rounds

Abstract

The system and method of directed navigation using an augmented semi-active laser seeker to provide initial altitude measurement and command denotation information for rounds. Using on-board sensors and communications links between members of a swarm, numerous targets can be engaged more quickly and precisely. The LCSAL can act as 3D LIDAR where the LCSAL's spatial resolution and the associated image from the imager can be correlated to the LCSAL pixel by pixel as time of arrival. The rounds trajectory can be refined due to coupling with accurate Target ID to provide optimum command detonation for specific target types.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A round, comprising:
 a forward facing diode configured to generate pulsed energy to illuminate a target area comprising one or more targets;   provide a laser range finder altimeter function;   provide a proximity sensor for determining range to the target area; and   provide for 3D LIDAR processing for target aim refinement by combing data from a SAL seeker;   the SAL seeker configured to receive the pulsed energy reflected from the target area;   an imager having a field of view (FOV), the imager being configured to collect images of the target area;   a processor configured to correlate data of the received pulsed energy reflected from the target area via the SAL seeker with the images of the scene captured by the imager and generate a target data set; and   a rearward facing optical transmitter for sending the target data set to one or more follower rounds.   
     
     
         2 . The round according to  claim 1 , further comprising one or more navigation sensors and inertial measurement units (IMUs). 
     
     
         3 . The round according to  claim 1 , further comprising a barometer to indicate altitude once calibrated by the laser altimeter. 
     
     
         4 . The round according to  claim 1 , further comprising a deployment mechanism for deploying a sensor suite from a radial viewing mode to a forward looking mode for use as a proximity sensor during terminal guidance. 
     
     
         5 . The system for swarm navigation using a follow the forward approach according to  claim 1 , further comprising using 3D images from the correlated data for target ID and command detonation for a target type. 
     
     
         6 . The system for swarm navigation using a follow the forward approach according to  claim 1 , wherein the data set comprises one or more of:
 time from launch and estimated time to go to the target area;   a number of targets in the target area;   a spacing for multiple targets within the target area;   a target cross range dispersion;   a range from the round to the multiple targets in the target area;   the round's position relative to remaining plurality of rounds;   the round's current altitude;   which target the leader round is engaging; and   a selected target based on the round's control authority and its range or time to go to the selected target, after removing previously selected targets (if the round is a follower) from the total targets in the target area.   
     
     
         7 . A method for swarm navigation, comprising:
 providing a plurality of rounds, wherein the plurality of rounds comprises a leader round and one or more follower rounds, the rounds comprising:   generating pulsed energy, via a diode, to illuminate a target area comprising one or more targets;   receiving pulsed energy reflected from the target area, via the SAL seeker;   determining angular bearing information, via the SAL seeker, of a leader round;   using a horizon to determine an up and down reference via an imager having a FOV;   capturing images of the target area, via an imager;   correlating data of the received pulsed energy reflected from the target area via the SAL seeker with images of the scene captured by the imager to determine a target data set, via a processor;   providing an optical communications link for messages from a leader round to one or more follower rounds;   transmitting the data set to the one or more follower rounds via a communication link.   
     
     
         8 . The method for swarm navigation according to  claim 7 , further comprising providing additional components including one or more navigation sensors, and IMUs. 
     
     
         9 . The method for swarm navigation according to  claim 7 , further comprising providing a barometer to maintain altitude once calibrated by the laser altimeter. 
     
     
         10 . The method for swarm navigation according to  claim 7 , further comprising deploying the sensor suite from a radial viewing mode to a forward looking mode for use as a proximity sensor during terminal guidance. 
     
     
         11 . The method for swarm navigation according to  claim 7 , further comprising using the correlated data for 3D images for use in target ID and command detonation for a target type. 
     
     
         12 . The method for swarm navigation according to  claim 7 , further comprising using a designator. 
     
     
         13 . A method for swarm navigation, comprising:
 providing a plurality of rounds, wherein the plurality of rounds comprises a leader round and one or more follower rounds, each round comprising:   generating pulsed energy, via a diode, to illuminate a target area comprising multiple targets;   providing a transmitter portion of a laser range finder altimeter function, via the diode;   providing a transmitter portion of a proximity sensor, via the diode, for determining range to the target area comprising multiple targets;   providing a transmitter portion for a 3D LIDAR function, via the diode, for target aim refinement by combing data from a SAL seeker imager;   receiving pulsed energy reflected from the target area, via the SAL seeker;   determining angular bearing information, via the SAL seeker, if a follower round of any rounds in front of it;   providing a receiver function via an optical communications link for messages from the plurality of rounds;   using a horizon to determine an up and down reference via an imager having a FOV;   collecting images of the target area, via the imager;   capturing images of multiple targets within the target area, via the imager;   correlating received pulsed energy reflected from the target area via the SAL seeker with images of the scene captured by the imager to form 3D images of multiple targets within the target area, via a processor;   determining, via the processor, a data set; and   transmitting the data set to remaining rounds in the plurality of rounds via a communication link.   
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the data set comprises:
 a time from launch and estimated time to go to the target area;   a number of targets in the target area;   a spacing for multiple targets within the target area;   a target cross range dispersion;   a range from the round to the multiple targets in the target area;   the round's position relative to remaining plurality of rounds;   the round's current altitude;   which target the leader round is engaging; and   a selected target based on the round's control authority and its range or time to go to the selected target, after removing previously selected targets (if the round is a follower) from the total targets in the target area.   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 13 , further comprising providing additional components including one or more navigation sensors, and IMUs. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 13 , further comprising providing a barometer to maintain altitude once calibrated by the laser altimeter. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 13 , further comprising deploying the sensor suite from a radial viewing mode to a forward looking mode for use as a proximity sensor during terminal guidance. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 13 , further comprising using correlated data for 3D images for use in target ID and command detonation for a target type. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the SAL seeker has 1-2 mrad spatial resolution. 
     
     
         20 . The method of swarm navigation according to  claim 7 , wherein the data set comprises:
 a time from launch and estimated time to go to the target area;   a number of targets in the target area;   a spacing for multiple targets within the target area;   a target cross range dispersion;   a range from the round to the multiple targets in the target area;   the round's position relative to remaining plurality of rounds;   the round's current altitude;   which target the leader round is engaging; and   a selected target based on the round's control authority and its range or time to go to the selected target, after removing previously selected targets (if the round is a follower) from the total targets in the target area.