Patent ID: 7888644

Claim:
An infrared search and tracking (IRST) system for a waterborne vessel, the system comprising: (A) at least one stabilized platform stabilized to within a predefined level of precision; (B) at least one imaging assembly having a plurality of imaging systems, each of said imaging systems comprising: (a) a two-dimensional imaging sensor array; and (b) an optical system including: (i) at least one optical arrangement associated with the imaging sensor array and defining a field of view of given angular dimensions; and (ii) an optical switching mechanism for alternately switching an optical axis of the imaging system between a first direction and a second direction, said optical switching mechanism and said at least one optical arrangement being deployed such that said imaging sensor array generates staring images of at least two substantially non-overlapping fields of view of equal angular dimensions, said substantially non-overlapping fields of view having diverging optical axes in fixed spatial relation, wherein said plurality of imaging systems are deployed in fixed spatial relation such that said substantially non-overlapping fields of view of said plurality of imaging systems together form a substantially contiguous effective field of view spanning substantially 360°; and (C) a fine stabilization arrangement including: (a) an inertial sensor arrangement associated with said stabilized platform for measuring residual motion of said stabilized platform; and (b) a processing system responsive to said inertial sensor arrangement to process images from said imaging assembly so as to correct said images so as to compensate for said residual motion.