AUTONOMOUS PRECISION WEAPON DELIVERY USING SYNTHETIC ARRAY RADAR

A system and method that uses differential computation of position relative to a global positioning system (GPS) coordinate system and the computation of an optimum weapon flight path to guide a weapon to a non-moving fixed or relocatable target. The system comprises an airborne platform that uses a navigation subsystem that utilizes the GPS satellite system to provide the coordinate system and a synthetic array radar (SAR) to locate desirable targets. Targeting is done prior to weapon launch, the weapon therefore requires only a navigation subsystem that also utilizes the GPS satellite system to provide the same coordinate system that the platform used, a warhead and a propulsion system (for powered weapons only). This results in a very inexpensive weapon with a launch and leave (autonomous) capability. The computational procedure used in the platform uses several radar measurements spaced many degrees apart. The accuracy is increased if more measurements are made. The computational algorithm uses the radar measurements to determine the point in a plane where the target is thought to be and the optimum flight path through that point. The weapon is flown along the optimum flight path and the impact with the ground results in a very good CEP when a sufficient number of radar measurements are made. The present invention provides fully autonomous, all-weather, high precision weapon delivery while achieving a relatively low cost. High precision weapon guidance is provided by the unique differential guidance technique (if a sufficiently accurate and stable navigation system is used).