Patent ID: 7952691
Filing Date: 2011-05-31
Classification: F41H,G01S

Abstract:
1. A method of aligning a tracking beam and a high energy laser (HEL) beam, the method comprising: generating a first beam of electromagnetic radiation to be directed at an airborne target, wherein the first beam of electromagnetic radiation is a tracking beam; generating a second beam of electromagnetic radiation to be directed at the airborne target through a terminal end of a housing, wherein the second beam of electromagnetic radiation is a HEL beam; receiving at least a portion of the tracking beam at a track detector, wherein the tracking beam received at the detector has been reflected from the airborne target; receiving a first portion of the HEL beam and a second portion of the HEL beam at the track detector, wherein the first portion of the HEL beam and the second portion of the HEL beam correspond to opposing edges of HEL beam and are received prior to output through the terminal end of the housing; processing the portion of the tracking beam, the first portion of the HEL beam and the second portion HEL beam received at the detector to determine a relationship between the tracking beam and the HEL beam; and generating a control signal to steer the HEL beam to the airborne target based upon the determined relationship.