Measurement of Missile Position and Attitude by Lasers
Abstract
This report presents a method for measuring the position and attitude of spinning rockets and missiles by the use of multiple laser trackers. While the immediate application of this system is in range instrumentation, it has potential as a guidance system - particularly for a guidance system using midcourse or terminal correction. The main advantage of a laser tracking system over existing camera tracking systems is that it would permit near real time reduction of range test data. The program objective is to obtain rocket position and attitude for determination of vehicle aeroballistic parameters from flight tests. The constraints are as follows: (1) Process real time or near time data; (2) Obtain accuracy equal to or better than currently available; (3) Obtain data regardless of flight abnormalities; (4) Obtain high reliability for data acquisition; (5) Extend testing capability to low ambient light situation including night operation; and (6) Reduce overall cost of data acquisition and reduction.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 30, 1975
- Accession Number
- ADA016872
Entities
People
- John E. Nydahl
- Kynric M. Pell
- Robert G. Conard
Organizations
- United States Army Aviation and Missile Command