METHOD OF GUIDING AN IN-FLIGHT VEHICLE TOWARD A TARGET

A method of guiding an in-flight vehicle toward a target exhibiting a known or predictable thrusting profile is provided. The vehicle undergoes an alternating series of vehicle coasts and diverts during the vehicle's terminal intercept phase of flight. Position and velocity information of the target with respect to the vehicle is used to select a course change during each vehicle coast. The course change is intentionally offset from a collision course with the target and is effected by the next divert in the series. The amount of offset is such that the final coast results in a target intercept.