Navigation, Pointing and Tracking for Strategic Defense Initiative Systems

Michael H. Rogers

Abstract:	Tracking and pointing systems for Directed Energy Weapons present some significant challenges. The targets are at extremely long ranges, target signatures vary from very large, bright plumes to small, dim cold-body emissions, the operational environment is hostile and the typical mission timelines are exceedingly stressing. This paper provides an introduction to some major technical issues associated with these tracking and pointing systems. These issues are clarified by providing a definition of the postulated target scenario both from a stand point of the number of targets in the postulated threat and from the observable signature one may expect from these targets. Examples of the tracking and pointing system concepts that have the potential to engage these targets are presented. These examples will concentrate on tracking and pointing systems for an x-ray laser weapon that Sandia Laboratories has focused on recently. The examples will include analytical studies as well as the results from some experimental work with prototype tracking and pointing hardware. Examples of tracking and pointing systems that exhibit the characteristics required for some other Directed Energy Weapons will also be presented.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 1986 National Technical Meeting of The Institute of Navigation January 21 - 23, 1986 Long Beach, CA
Pages:	111 - 111
Cite this article:	Rogers, Michael H., "Navigation, Pointing and Tracking for Strategic Defense Initiative Systems," Proceedings of the 1986 National Technical Meeting of The Institute of Navigation, Long Beach, CA, January 1986, pp. 111-111.
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