Patent ID: 6222464
Filing Date: 2001-04-24
Classification: F41G

Abstract:
A method of automated scan compensation in a target acquisition system for reducing areas of potential threat surrounding an aircraft, the target acquisition system being located on the aircraft and adapted to receive data from a plurality of sensors, the target acquisition system including a device for scanning a desired area in the vicinity of the aircraft, the device having adjustable scan limits, the method comprising the steps of:determining the aircraft's current position;determining the aircraft's current altitude;determining the aircraft's current heading;scanning the terrain in the vicinity of the aircraft;determining a line of sight between the aircraft and the scanned terrain;determining changes in the terrain which prevent other areas of the terrain in the vicinity of the aircraft from being scanned;determining adjustments to the scan limits on the target acquisition system to reduce the size of the unscanned areas; andadjusting the scan limits as the aircraft flies over the terrain.