Computer controlled optical tracking system

摘要

A tracking system including an acquisition sight for use by a pilot of an aircraft to acquire a target. Once the pilot acquires the target an operator uses a track handle to take control of tracking the target. The operator monitors the target utilizing narrow and wide field of view monitors. When the target is visible within the narrow field of monitor, the operator can switch tracking of the target to an automatic video tracking system which tracks the target by contrasting the target and its surroundings. A computer, which receives azimuth and elevation data from the tracking device, processes the data and provides azimuth and elevation angle signals to a gimballed mirror to steer the mirror to the target. The gimballed mirror receives image forming light from the target and then directs the light to a wide field of view camera and a zoom telescope. The wide field of view camera is connected to the wide field of view monitor to provide a wide field of view image with overlay graphics for display to the operator. The zoom telescope provides a narrow field of view image and then directs the narrow field of view image to a narrow field of view camera. The narrow field of view camera is connected to the narrow field of view monitor which provides a narrow field of view image with overlay graphics of the target for display to the operator.