Patent Publication Number: US-9404713-B2

Title: Gun sight for use with superelevating weapon

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/793,808 filed 15 Mar. 2013 and entitled “Gun Sight For Use With Superelevating Weapon”, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention generally relates to weapons and more particularly to a gun sight for use with a weapon configured for superelevation. 
     BACKGROUND 
     For some weapons, such as grenade launching machine guns which fire relatively slow rounds, it is necessary to elevate the weapon by a significant angle above the line of sight to the target (e.g., by an angle greater than half the field of view of the gun sight) in order to reach the target with the grenade round. Such weapons are often used in conjunction with a gun sight that is coupled with a display that presents an image of a down range area that includes the target. An aiming reticle is often displayed on the display, the position of which is calculated by a ballistic algorithm, to assist the operator in aiming the weapon and engaging a target down range. 
     Modern gun sights have high levels of magnification that permit precise aiming of the weapon at long ranges. Such gun sights provide a field of view of only a few degrees. When a targeting solution is determined that requires superelevation, the gun sight may be elevated together with the weapon and the target will very likely move off of the display when the required superelevation exceeds the field of view. This loss of visual contact with the target during superelevation is undesirable. 
     One solution to this problem was described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,499,382 issued to Lougheed et al. Lougheed describes a grenade machine gun or other weapon that employs superelevation of the barrel and an aiming system. The aiming system is mounted to both the weapon and the weapon&#39;s support or base. The aiming system is configured to alternatively lock to either the weapon or to the weapon&#39;s support. When locked to the weapon, the aiming system is free to rotate in elevation and azimuth in unison with the weapon. When locked to the weapon support, the aiming system is restrained from elevation and thus the weapon can be superelevated while the aiming system remains oriented at a static elevation angle. In this manner, the weapon can be superelevated yet still allow an operator to maintain visual contact with the target on the display. 
     While this solution is adequate, there is room for improvement. For example, Lougheed&#39;s aiming system is large and has substantial mass. Additionally, systems constructed in accordance with Lougheed&#39;s disclosure have historically been very expensive. Also, in some circumstances, it may not be sufficient or desirable to lock the aiming system into a static elevation angle with respect to the weapon support. For example, the terrain may be sandy or muddy or otherwise unstable. On such terrain, superelevation of the weapon or other circumstances may cause the weapon support to shift. This, in turn, would cause an unintended deviation of the aiming system and possibly a loss of line of sight to the target. Furthermore, by having the gun sight attach to the weapon mount, the gun sight is less adaptable for use with different weapons. A less massive, less expensive gun sight that is not statically locked to the weapon&#39;s base during superelevation and that provides greater adaptability for use with multiple weapons is desired. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the present disclosure will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the foregoing technical field and background. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     A gun sight is disclosed herein for use with a weapon configured for superelevation. The weapon may include an angle measuring device configured to measure both an angular orientation of the weapon and a change in an angular orientation of the weapon. 
     In a first, non-limiting embodiment the gun sight includes, but is not limited to, an imaging system configured for rotation in elevation. The gun sight further includes, but is not limited to, a drive mechanism associated with the imaging system and configured to rotate the imaging system. The gun sight further includes, but is not limited to, a gyroscope associated with one of the weapon and the imaging system. The gun sight still further includes, but is not limited to, a processor communicatively coupled with the drive mechanism and the gyroscope and configured to control the drive mechanism to rotate the imaging system in a manner that causes the imaging system to maintain an initial angular orientation based, at least in part, on information provided by the gyroscope when the weapon is superelevated. 
     In another, non-limiting embodiment, the gun sight includes, but is not limited to an imaging system adapted to be operatively coupled to a display unit having a display. The imaging system is configured to control the display unit to display an image of an object detected by the imaging system. The imaging system is further configured for rotation in elevation. The gun sight further includes, but is not limited to, a gyroscope associated with the imaging system and configured to detect both an angular orientation of the imaging system and a change in the angular orientation of the imaging system. The gun sight further includes, but is not limited to, a drive mechanism associated with the imaging system and configured to rotate the imaging system. The gun sight still further includes a processor communicatively coupled with the drive mechanism and the gyroscope. The processor is configured to control the drive mechanism to rotate the imaging system in a manner that causes the imaging system to maintain an initial angular orientation based, at least in part, on information provided by the gyroscope when the gyroscope detects the change in the angular orientation of the imaging system during superelevation of the weapon. 
     In another, non-limiting embodiment, the gun sight includes, but is not limited to, an imaging system adapted to be operatively coupled to a display unit having a display. The imaging system is configured to control the display unit to display an image of an object detected by the imaging system. The imaging system is further configured for rotation in elevation. The gun sight further includes, but is not limited to, a gyroscope adapted for mounting to the weapon and configured to detect the current angular orientation of the weapon. The gun sight further includes, but is not limited to, a drive mechanism associated with the imaging system and configured to rotate the imaging system. The gun sight still further includes, but is not limited to, a processor communicatively coupled with the drive mechanism and the gyroscope and adapted for communicative coupling with the angle measuring device. The processor is configured to obtain the current angular orientation of the weapon during superelevation from the gyroscope and to obtain the change in the angular orientation of the weapon during superelevation from the angle measuring device. The processor is further configured to control the drive mechanism to rotate the imaging system in a manner that maintains a desired angular orientation of the imaging system based, at least in part, on information provided by the gyroscope when the gyroscope detects a change in angular orientation of the weapon while the weapon is superelevated. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagrammatic view illustrating a gun sight made in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagrammatic view illustrating a non-limiting embodiment the gun sight of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagrammatic view illustrating another non-limiting embodiment the gun sight of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating a weapon system including the gun sight of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an expanded perspective view illustrating the gun sight of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded view illustrating the gun sight of  FIG. 5 ; and 
         FIG. 7  is an expanded perspective view illustrating a housing for use with the gun sight of  FIG. 5 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of the invention. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background or the following detailed description. 
     An improved gun sight is disclosed herein that is configured to maintain a line of sight to the target during superelevation of the weapon. The gun sight, or a portion of the gun sight, is configured to rotate with respect to the weapon. The gun sight utilizes a processor, a gyroscope, and a drive mechanism to steady itself at an elevation that aligns the gun sight with a line of sight to a target. The gun sight is mounted to the weapon and will rotate together with the weapon in azimuth and will further rotate together with the weapon elevation during non-superelevating changes in elevation of the weapon. When superelevation is initiated, the processor will use information that is provided by the gyroscope to operate the drive mechanism to rotate the gun sight, or a portion of the gun sight, in a manner that offsets the rotation of the superelevating weapon, thereby allowing the gun sight to maintain a line of sight to the target. 
     In one embodiment, the gyroscope may be mounted to the gun sight. When superelevation is initiated, the gun sight will detect its initial angular orientation and the processor will obtain the initial angular orientation from the gyroscope. As the weapon is superelevated, the gyroscope will detect a deviation of the gun sight from the initial angular orientation. When the processor receives information from the gyroscope indicative of the deviation of the gun sight from the initial angular orientation, the processor will instruct the drive mechanism to rotate the gun sight, or a portion of the gun sight, in a manner that offsets the deviation and that maintains the gun sight at the initial angular orientation and, as a result, directs the gun sight&#39;s line of sight to the target. 
     In another embodiment, the gyroscope may be mounted to the weapon and will detect the angular orientation of the weapon. The weapon will include an additional angle measuring device that is used to provide elevation information to the weapon&#39;s fire control system for use in calculating a firing solution. In some embodiments, the additional angle measuring device will measure the angle between the weapon and the gun sight&#39;s line of sight (i.e., the superelevation angle). As the weapon is superelevated, changes in the angular orientation of the weapon will be detected by the gyroscope. Changes in the elevation of the weapon will be measured by the angle measuring device. The gyroscope and the angle measuring device will provide information to the processor that indicates that a deviation in the angular orientation of the weapon has occurred and the amount of such deviation. The processor will use this information to control the drive mechanism to rotate the gun sight, or a portion thereof, in a manner that maintains the gun sight at a desired angular orientation that provides the gun sight with a line of sight to the target. 
     A greater understanding of the embodiments of the gun sight disclosed herein may be obtained through a review of the illustrations accompanying this application together with a review of the detailed description that follows. 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a non-limiting embodiment of a gun sight  10 , made in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. Gun sight  10  may be adapted for mounting to weapon  12  such that gun sight  10  rotates in azimuth together with weapon  12  and also rotates in elevation together with weapon  12  at times other than when weapon  12  is being superelevated. By locking the rotation of gun sight  10  to that of weapon  12 , the operator is able to both rotate and elevate weapon  12  while looking through a view finder displaying images captured by gun sight  10 , allowing the operator to identify and select targets downrange. In some embodiments, weapon  12  and gun sight  10  may be bore sighted such that weapon  12  and gun sight  10  remain optically locked together in an aligned position, such that the weapon and the gun sight remain pointing at a single down range location. Weapon  12  may be any weapon that utilizes superelevation including, but not limited to mortar launchers, grenade launchers, machine grenade launchers, artillery, rifles, machine guns, and the like. 
     Gun sight  10  includes an imaging system  14 , a drive mechanism  16 , a gyroscope  18 , and a processor  20 . In other embodiments, gun sight  10  may include a greater number of components without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, each of the components of gun sight  10  may be enclosed in a single housing, while in other embodiments, only some of the components may be contained within a housing. In still other embodiments, each of the components may be housed separately. In some embodiments, the components of gun sight  10  may be used exclusively by gun sight  10  while in other embodiments, one or more components may be shared with weapon  12  or some other device. 
     Imaging system  14  may comprise any suitable imaging system including, without limitation, a daytime imaging system (e.g., a video camera, television camera), a thermal imaging system, an infrared imaging system, a laser range finder, a radar system, a sonar system, or any other type of system that is configured to perceive and/or detect the presence of an object at a downrange location. In some embodiments, imaging system  14  may include only one type of imaging system while in other embodiments, imaging system  14  may include two or more types of imaging system. By including multiple types of imaging systems, an operator is provided with the flexibility that may be needed to accommodate different or changing battlefield conditions such as nightfall and inclement weather. 
     Imaging system  14  is configured to rotate in elevation with respect to weapon  12 . Such configuration may be accomplished in any suitable manner. In some embodiments, imaging system  14  may be directly configured to rotate, such as through the use of a central axis extending through imaging system  14  and/or through rolling engagement between an outer surface of imaging system  14  and an external supporting surface. In other embodiments, imaging system  14  may be mounted to a carrier or drum that is configured to rotate with respect to weapon  12 . In still other embodiments, imaging system  14  may be contained within a housing and the housing may be configured to rotate with respect to weapon  12 . In still other embodiments, imaging system  14  may be contained within a housing that remains stationary with respect to weapon  12  and is configured to rotate with respect to the housing. Any other suitable configuration that permits imaging system  14  to rotate in elevation with respect to weapon  12  may also be employed. 
     Imaging system  14  is configured to be operatively coupled with, and to control, a display unit  22 . Display unit  22  includes a display  24  that may be configured to utilize any display technology capable of displaying graphic images. Imaging system  14  is configured to control display unit  22  to display images on display  24  of objects detected by imaging system  14 . In this manner, potential targets located down range of gun sight  10  may be presented visually to an operator of weapon  12 . Weapon  12  may include a fire control system that may also be operatively coupled with display unit  22  and that is configured to calculate a firing solution based on the position of weapon  12 . In cases where superelevation of weapon  12  is necessary, the firing solution will require a change in the elevation angle of weapon  12 . The need to change the elevation angle of weapon  12  may be communicated to an operator by movement or relocation of one or more reticles on the display. When combined with the images presented by imaging system  14 , the reticles allow an operator to target specific objects down range of weapon  12  and the repositioning of one or more of the reticles on display  24  by the fire control system of weapon  12  may signal to the operator that superelevation is needed. 
     Drive mechanism  16  is associated with imaging system  14 . Drive mechanism  16  may comprise any suitable type of drive mechanism including, but not limited to, a servo motor; gear train; feedback device including, but not limited to, an angle encoder. Drive mechanism  16  may be mounted to imaging system  14  or to another structure proximate to imaging system  14 . Drive mechanism  16  is configured, mounted, and/or arranged so as to cause imaging system  14  to rotate when drive mechanism  16  is actuated. In some embodiments, drive mechanism  16  may be configured to cause imaging system  14  to selectively rotate in either a clockwise and a counter-clockwise direction. In some embodiments, gun sight  10  may include more than one drive mechanism  16  to control rotation of imaging system  14 . 
     Gyroscope  18  may comprise any suitable electronic device configured to measure angles of elevation, tilt, slope or depression of an object with respect to a gravitational vector or horizon. Gyroscope  18  may further be configured to output such measured angles to other components that are coupled with gyroscope  18 . Gyroscope  18  may be mounted to imaging system  14  or to weapon  12  and, once mounted, gyroscope  18  will detect the angular orientation of imaging system  14  or gyroscope  18 , respectively. As used herein, any reference to measurement of angular orientation by gyroscope  18  refers to the measurement of an elevation angle. The angular orientation detected by gyroscope  18  can be provided to, or retrieved by, processor  20 , as discussed below. 
     Processor  20  may be any type of computer, controller, micro-controller, circuitry, chipset, computer system, or microprocessor that is configured to perform algorithms, to execute software applications, to execute sub-routines and/or to be loaded with and to execute any other type of computer program. Processor  20  may comprise a single processor or a plurality of processors acting in concert. 
     Processor  20  is communicatively coupled to drive mechanism  16  and gyroscope  18 . Such coupling may be accomplished through the use of any suitable means of transmission including both wired and wireless connections. In the illustrated embodiment, processor  20  is directly communicatively coupled to each drive mechanism  16  and gyroscope  18 , but it should be understood that in other embodiments, processor  20  may be indirectly coupled with drive mechanism  16  and/or gyroscope  18 . For example, such communicative couple may be achieved through the use of a communications bus or via the interposition of intervening components. In still other examples, such coupling may be accomplished through the use of wireless communications such as Bluetooth′ communications or through any other suitable short range radio communications without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure. 
     Being communicatively coupled provides a pathway for the transmission of commands, instructions, interrogations and other signals between processor  20 , on the one hand, and drive mechanism  16  and gyroscope  18 , on the other hand. Drive mechanism  16  and gyroscope  18  may be configured to interface and engage with processor  20 . For example, drive mechanism  16  may be configured to receive commands from processor  20 , either directly or indirectly, and may initiate actuation and/or cease actuation in response to such commands. Gyroscope  18  may be configured to provide angular orientation information to processor  20  in response to queries from processor  20  or, alternatively, gyroscope  18  may be configured to continuously or periodically broadcast such information and processor  20  may be configured to receive such information. 
     Processor  20  is configured to interact with, coordinate, and/or orchestrate the activities of drive mechanism  16  and gyroscope  18  for the purpose of maintaining imaging system  14  at a desired (e.g., initial) angle when weapon  12  is being superelevated. When superelevation is initiated, a signal may be sent to processor  20  indicating such initiation. At that time, processor  20  will obtain from gyroscope  18 , information that pertains to the angular orientation of gyroscope  18 . If gyroscope  18  is mounted to imaging system  14 , then the information obtained from gyroscope  18  will be indicative of an initial angular orientation of imaging system  14  with respect to gravity. If gyroscope  18  is mounted to weapon  12 , then the information obtained from gyroscope  18  will be indicative of a current angular orientation of weapon  12  with respect to gravity. Processor  20  will utilize the information provided by gyroscope  18  to determine when and how to actuate drive mechanism  16  in order to maintain imaging system  14  at an angle that permits imaging system  14  to a maintain line of sight with a desired target. Prior to any change in elevation of weapon  12 , processor  20  will not issue any commands to drive mechanism  16  and the angular orientation of imaging system  14  will remain unchanged. 
     When the elevation angle of weapon  12  begins to change during superelevation, processor  20  will receive updated information from gyroscope  18  that is reflective of a change in the angular orientation of either imaging system  14  or weapon  12 . Processor  20  will utilize this updated information to provide instructions to drive mechanism  16  to thereby cause drive mechanism  16  to rotate imaging system  14  in a manner that offsets the change in elevation of weapon  12 , the goal being to maintain a line of sight between imaging system  14  and the target. Further changes in the elevation angle of weapon  12  will cause further changes in the angular orientation of gyroscope  18 , which will be obtained by processor  20  and used to provide further instructions to drive mechanism  16  to adjust the angular orientation of imaging system  14 . This process will continue in an iterative manner throughout the period when weapon  12  is being superelevated, causing the angular orientation of imaging system  14  to be repeatedly adjusted in a manner that offsets the rotation of weapon  12 . This ensures that imaging system  14  maintains the line of sight to the target. This, in turn, allows the image of the desired target to remain on display  24  throughout the entire period of superelevation of weapon  12 . 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating another non-limiting embodiment of gun sight  10  of  FIG. 1 . In gun sight  26 , gyroscope  18  is associated with imaging system  14 . In some embodiments, gyroscope  18  may be mounted directly to imaging system  14 . In other embodiments, gyroscope  18  may be mounted indirectly to imaging system  14 . For example, gyroscope  18  may be mounted to a structure that is connected to imaging system  14 , one that will rotate together with imaging system  14 . Mounted in this manner, gyroscope  18  will be able to detect the angular orientation of imaging system  14 . 
     In gun sight  26 , processor  20  is configured to stabilize imaging system  14  during superelevation of weapon  12  by controlling drive mechanism  16  to maintain an initial angular orientation of imaging system  14 . Processor  20  may be configured to receive input from an operator or from weapon  12  that contains information that is indicative of the initiation of superelevation of weapon  12 . For example, to initiate superelevation of weapon  12 , an operator may actuate a switch on weapon  12 . This actuation may send a signal to processor  20  indicating that superelevation has commenced. 
     In response to receiving the information that superelevation has commenced, processor  20  will obtain the current angular orientation of imaging system  14  from gyroscope  18  and store this angle as the initial angular orientation of imaging system  14 . Because imaging system  14  is mounted to weapon  12 , as weapon  12  is superelevated, the angular orientation of imaging system  14  will begin to change. As the angular orientation of imaging system  14  begins to change, gyroscope  18  will report the new angular orientation of imaging system  14  to processor  20 . When processor  20  detects that the new angular orientation of imaging system  14  differs from the initial angular orientation of imaging system  14 , processor  20  will send instructions to drive mechanism  16  to rotate imaging system  14  in a manner that counteracts the rotation of weapon  12  and that restores processor  20  to (or maintains processor  20  at) its initial angular orientation. This process of correcting any deviation detected in the angular orientation of imaging system  14  will continue in an iterative manner throughout the period when weapon  12  is being superelevated. Once weapon  12  has reached the desired elevation angle, the operator of weapon  12  or weapon  12  itself or the fire control system associated with weapon  12  will provide a second input to processor  20  indicating that superelevation has been completed. At this point, processor  20  may cease providing instructions to drive mechanism  16  and imaging system  14  will be permitted to, once again, rotate together with weapon  12 . 
     By implementing the above described protocol, any change in angular orientation of imaging system  14  that would have otherwise resulted from the superelevation of weapon  12  is offset by a series of counter-rotations of imaging system  14  or, depending upon calibrations and sensitivities of equipment, by a smooth, continuous counter-rotation of imaging system  14 . This counter-rotation allows imaging system  14  to maintain its line of sight to the desired target throughout the period when weapon  12  is being superelevated. So long as imaging system  14  maintains its line of sight to the desired target, the image of the desired target that is captured by imaging system  14  will remain on display  24 . 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating another non-limiting embodiment of gun sight  10  of  FIG. 1 . In gun sight  28 , gyroscope  18  is associated with weapon  12 . In some embodiments, gyroscope  18  may be mounted directly to weapon  12  while in other embodiments, gyroscope  18  may be indirectly mounted to weapon  12  such as through an intervening structure or other component that is mounted to weapon  12 . Mounted in this manner, gyroscope  18  will be able to detect the angular orientation of weapon  12 . 
     In  FIG. 3 , weapon  12  includes an angle measuring device  30  that is configured to measure changes in the angle between the weapon  12  and imaging system  14 . Angle measuring device  30  may be any device suitable for measuring change in angular orientation between two components including, but not limited to, an encoder and a resolver. In some embodiments, a gyroscope may be utilized as angle measuring device  30 . 
     Angle measuring device  30  is configured to report measured changes in angular orientation of weapon  12  relative to gun sight imaging system  14  in elevation axis to a fire control system associated with weapon  12 . The fire control system may utilize such measured changes in angular orientation to determine firing solutions and also to control the placement of a reticle on display  24 . 
     Angle measuring device  30  may also configured to measure the angular orientation of the gun sight (gun sight  28 ) with respect to weapon  12 . In other embodiments, weapon  12  may include two angle measuring devices, one to measure the change in angular orientation of weapon  12  and the other to measure the angular orientation of gun sight  28  with respect to weapon  12 . 
     In gun sight  28 , processor  20  is configured to receive information from gyroscope  18  indicative of the angular orientation of weapon  12 . Processor  20  is further configured to receive information from angle measuring device  30  indicative of the then current angular orientation or change in angular orientation of weapon  12 . Processor  20  is further configured to receive input from either an operator or from weapon  12  containing information that is indicative of the initiation of superelevation of weapon  12 . For example, to initiate superelevation of weapon  12 , the operator may actuate a switch on weapon  12 . This actuation may send a signal to processor  20  indicating that superelevation has commenced. At the start of superelevation, imaging system  14  is oriented at an angle that provides a line of sight to the desired target. This angle will be referred to herein as the desired angular orientation of imaging system  14 . Processor  20  will maintain imaging system  14  at the desired angular orientation throughout the superelevation of weapon  12 . 
     In response to receiving the information that superelevation has commenced, processor  20  will obtain the current angular orientation of weapon  12  from gyroscope  18  and the change in angular orientation of weapon  12  which, at the outset of superelevation, will be zero. As weapon  12  is superelevated, the angular orientation of weapon  12  will begin to change. The change in angular orientation will be detected by gyroscope  18  and reported to processor  20 . Additionally, as weapon  12  is superelevated, angle measuring device  30  will begin to measure or otherwise detect changes in the angular orientation of weapon  12  and will report such changes to processor  20 . 
     Processor  20  is configured to utilize the information provided by gyroscope  18  and by angle measuring device  30  to control drive mechanism  16  in a manner that maintains imaging system  14  at the desired angular orientation. For example, processor  20  will send instructions to drive mechanism  16  that will control drive mechanism  16  to rotate imaging system  14  in a direction and by an amount that offsets the change in angular orientation measured by angle measuring device  30 . As weapon  12  continues to superelevate, new angular orientations will repeatedly be detected by gyroscope  18  and new measured changes in elevation will repeatedly be measured by angle measuring device  30 . As this new information is received by processor  20 , processor  20  will repeatedly send additional commands to drive mechanism  16  that will cause drive mechanism  16  to rotate imaging system  14  in a manner that offsets the changes in angular orientation that would otherwise be brought about by the superelevation of weapon  12 . In this iterative manner, imaging system  14  will be maintained at the desired angular orientation during the superelevation of weapon  12 . 
     Once weapon  12  has reached the desired elevation angle, the operator of weapon  12  or weapon  12  itself or the fire control system associated with weapon  12  may provide a second input to processor  20  indicating that superelevation has been completed. At this point, processor  20  will cease providing instructions to drive mechanism  16  that cause drive mechanism  16  to rotate imaging system  14  and imaging system  14  will, once again, be permitted to rotate together with weapon  12  in both azimuth and elevation. 
     By implementing the above described protocol, any change in angular orientation of imaging system  14  that would have otherwise resulted from the superelevation of weapon  12  may be offset by a series of counter-rotations of imaging system  14  or, depending upon the calibration and sensitivities of equipment, by a smooth, continuous rotation of imaging system  14 . These counter-rotations allow imaging system  14  to maintain its line of sight to the desired target throughout the period when weapon  12  is being superelevated. So long as imaging system  14  maintains its line of sight to the desired target, the image of the desired target that is captured by imaging system  14  will remain on display  24 . 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a weapon system  32  including a machine grenade launcher  34  and a gun sight  36 . Machine grenade launcher  34  is configured for superelevation and gun sight  36  has been configured to maintain a line of sight with a target as machine grenade launcher  34  is being superelevated. A display unit  35  is illustrated extending from machine grenade launcher  34  and is used by the operator to scan the down field area for targets. 
       FIG. 5  is an expanded perspective view of gun sight  36 . Gun sight  36  includes an imaging system  37  including three discrete imaging sub-systems; a laser range finder  38 , a daylight imaging sub-system  40 , and a thermal imaging sub-system  42 . With continuing reference to  FIG. 4 , underside  44  of gun sight  36  is configured to be mounted to machine grenade launcher  34  via mount  46  (see  FIG. 4 ). A housing  48  surrounds imaging system  37  to protect it from the elements. Imaging system  37  is configured to rotate with respect to housing  48  and housing  48  is configured to rotate together with machine grenade launcher  34  when machine grenade launcher is superelevated. Thermal imaging sub-system  42  is physically connected with the remainder of imaging system  37 , but extends outside of housing  48 . Because of its physical connection to the remainder of imaging system  37 , thermal imaging sub-system  42  also rotates with respect to housing  48  during superelevation of machine grenade launcher  34 . Circuit card assembly  50  contains various circuit cards and/or controllers and/or processors which may be configured to control the angular orientation of imaging system  37  in the manner discussed above with respect processor  20  of  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
       FIG. 6  is an exploded view of gun sight  36 . Housing  48  includes a bore  52  extending laterally through housing  48 . Imaging system  37  is mounted within a drum  54 . Drum  54  is generally cylindrical in configuration and has a circular cross section. Bore  52  is configured to receive drum  54  and drum  54  is configured to rotate with respect to housing  48  while received within bore  52 . 
     A gyroscope  56  is also illustrated in  FIG. 6 . Depending upon how circuit card assembly  50  is programmed (i.e., in accordance with the protocol discussed above with respect to either  FIG. 2  or  FIG. 3 ), gyroscope  56  may be assembled to drum  54 , to imaging system  37 , to housing  48 , to circuit card assembly  50 , or to machine grenade launcher  34 . In embodiments where circuit card assembly  50  is programmed to follow the protocol discussed above in conjunction with  FIG. 2 , then gyroscope  56  would be mounted either to drum  54  or to imaging system  37 . In embodiments where circuit card assembly  50  is programmed to follow the protocol discussed above in conjunction with  FIG. 3 , then gyroscope  56  will be mounted to housing  48 , to circuit card assembly  50 , or on machine grenade launcher  34 . 
     A drive mechanism  58  is also illustrated in  FIG. 6 . Drive mechanism  58  is configured to mount to housing  48  and to engage drum  54 . When drive mechanism  58  is actuated by circuit card assembly  50 , it will cause drum  54  to rotate either clockwise or counter-clockwise, as needed, to maintain imaging system  37  in a steady angular orientation as machine grenade launcher  34  is superelevated. 
       FIG. 7  is an expanded perspective view of housing  48 . Housing  48  includes windows  60  and  62 . With continuing reference to  FIG. 5 , windows  60  and  62  permit laser range finder  38  and daylight imaging sub-system  40  to receive images of the down range area without obstruction, while still permitting the use of dry air or dry nitrogen inside of housing  48  to inhibit fogging of the optical elements comprising imaging system components. 
     In an embodiment, the gyroscope may be configured to measure, detect, or otherwise determine the angular rate of change of the weapon (e.g., degrees per second) when the weapon is superelevated. The gyroscope is further configured to provide information to the processor indicative of the angular rate of change of the weapon. The processor is configured to utilize the information provided by the gyroscope to determine the change of the angle of the weapon. For example, based on the sampling rate and the angular rate of change, the processor may be configured to determine how many degrees the weapon has elevated. The processor is further configured to provide instructions to the motor based on this determination to counter rotate the gun sight to offset the angular change of the weapon. In some embodiments, the gyroscope may be configured to provide information to the processor only when the weapon is being superelevated. 
     While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description of the invention, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing an exemplary embodiment of the invention. It being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.