The present invention relates to target acquisition and related devices, and more particularly to telescopic gunsights and associated equipment used to achieve shooting accuracy at, for example, close ranges, medium ranges and extreme ranges at stationary and moving targets.

Apparatus and method for calculating aiming point information

A low cost and highly accurate sniper detection and localization system uses observations of the shock wave from supersonic bullets to estimate the bullet trajectory, Mach number, and caliber. If available, muzzle blast observations from an unsilenced firearm is used to estimate the exact sniper location along the trajectory. The system may be fixed or portable and may be wearable on a user's body. The system utilizes a distributed array of acoustic sensors to detect the projectile's shock wave and the muzzle blast from a firearm. The detection of the shock wave and muzzle blast is used to measure the wave arrival times of each waveform type at the sensors. This time of arrival (TOA) information for the shock wave and blast wave are used to determine the projectile's trajectory and a line of bearing to the origin of the projectile. A very accurate model of the bullet ballistics and acoustic radiation is used which includes bullet deceleration. This allows the use of very flexible acoustic sensor types and placements, since the system can model the bullet's flight, and hence the acoustic observations, over a wide area very accurately. System sensor configurations can be as simple as two small three element tetrahedral microphone arrays on either side of the area to be protected or six omnidirectional microphones spread over the area to be monitored. Sensors may also be monitored to a helmet as used with the wearable system. Sensor nodes provide information to a command node via wireless network telemetry or hardwired cables for the command node comprising a computer to effect processing and display.

Acoustic counter-sniper system

A system and method for determining the track of a projectile use a thermal signature of the projectile. Sequential infrared image frames are acquired from a sensor at a given position. A set of frames containing spots with characteristics consistent with a projectile in flight are identified. A possible projectile track solution for said spots is identified. A thermal signature value for each pixel of each spot of the possible solution is determined. The determined thermal signature is then compared to an actual thermal signature for a substantially similar projectile track to ascertain whether the determined thermal signature substantially matches the actual thermal signature, which indicates that the possible projectile track solution is the correct solution.

Projectile tracking system

A weapons training range provides a simulated weapons use scenario including return fire. A microprocessor selects branches from a multi-branch program and causes an image projector to project subscenarios on a display screen visible to a participant. In response to the subscenarios, the participant fires at projected threats. Return fire simulators positioned behind the display screen return fire toward the participant. Obstructions are placed in the weapons range to provide cover for the participant. A video camera and X-Y position sensor identify the X-Y location of the participant and try to detect exposed portions of the participant. Based upon the identified X-Y location and any detected exposed portions, the microprocessor aims the return fire simulators to provide simulated return fire. To simulate real world aiming, the microprocessor induces time-based and response-based aiming errors. Additionally, the microprocessor may aim the return fire simulators at objects in the participation zone to produce deflected fire that may also strike the participant.

Electronically controlled weapons range with return fire

An improved shooting system is provided by using a firearm having a telescopic gunsight mounted a predetermined distance above the barrel in conjunction with a computer including a controller, memory; a program stored in memory for calculating targeting information. The computer can be a hand-held, personal digital assistant type device which enables the user to input information regarding weather, gun and ammunition characteristics, and target information, including range to target, and which quickly calculates the adjustments which need to be made to a conventional scope, or the location on the reticle which should be used as an aiming point, in order to hit the target.

Apparatus and method for calculating aiming point information for rifle scopes

A computer controlled system determines the three-dimensional trajectory of a ballistic projectile. To initialize the system, predictions of state parameters for a ballistic projectile are received at an estimator. The estimator uses the predictions of the state parameters to estimate first trajectory characteristics of the ballistic projectile. A single stationary monocular sensor then observes the actual first trajectory characteristics of the ballistic projectile. A comparator generates an error value related to the predicted state parameters by comparing the estimated first trajectory characteristics of the ballistic projectile with the observed first trajectory characteristics of the ballistic projectile. If the error value is equal to or greater than a selected limit, the predictions of the state parameters are adjusted. New estimates for the trajectory characteristics of the ballistic projectile are made and are then compared with actual observed trajectory characteristics. This process is repeated until the error value is less than the selected limit. Once the error value is less than the selected limit, a calculator calculates trajectory characteristics such a the origin and destination of the ballistic projectile.

Ballistic projectile trajectory determining system

A projectile interceptor launches a projectile catcher into the path of a projectile In one embodiment, signals indicative of the path of a projectile are received by the projectile interceptor A flinger mechanism has a projectile catcher releasably attached thereto, such that the projectile catcher can be released and launched from the flinger mechanism A controller connected to the flinger mechanism uses the signals indicative of the path of the projectile to determine the launch parameters of the projectile catcher The controller directs the flinger mechanism to release the projectile catcher such that the projectile catcher is launched into the path of the projectile and intercepts the projectile

Projectile stopping system

An apparatus and method for passively detecting a projectile such as, for example, a bullet using a passive infrared detector. A passive infrared detector is focused onto a region in which a projectile is expected to be located. Successive images of infrared radiation in the region are recorded. Background infrared radiation present in the region is suppressed such that second successive images of infrared radiation generated by the projectile as the projectile passes through the region are produced. A projectile path calculator determines the path and other aspects of the projectile by using the second successive images of infrared radiation generated by the projectile. The present invention, in certain embodiments, also determines the origin of the path of the projectile and takes a photograph of the area surrounding the origin and/or fires at least one projectile at the area surrounding the origin of the path of the projectile.

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Thomas J. Karr

Papers

Ballistic projectile trajectory determining system

Projectile stopping system

Passive infrared bullet detection and tracking