System for carrier guidance by laser beam and pyrotechnic thrusters

摘要

A system is provided for guidance, by laser beam and pyrotechnic thrusters, of one or a number of carriers such as missiles which are intended to intercept maneuvering targets such as aircraft, helicopters or tanks. Guidance of the carrier is performed partly from the ground by means of a laser beam (beam-rider guidance) which tracks the target and partly by means of pyrotechnic thrusters placed on board the carrier. At each instant, the carrier thus "knows" its position with respect to the ideal flight path provided by the laser beam. The carrier corrects its flight path by triggering a pyrotechnic thruster when its distance with respect to the ideal flight path is greater than a predefined threshold value and when its radial velocity to the ideal path is lower than a predefined threshold.