FR2791437A1 - Target recognition and detection method and system for use onboard an aircraft, comprises of a long range optical detection system linked to the onboard radar system - Google Patents

Abstract

The system comprises of a long range optical imaging system (3) linked to a camera (4) and the radar system of the aircraft. Upon designation of a target by the pilot from information received from the onboard radar system, the optical imaging system and camera located the target and project an image of the target on to a screen within the cockpit of the aircraft. An Independent claim is included for an target imaging system.

Description

Method and device for enabling the pilot of an aircraft to recognize

a flying target detected by

his on-board radar.

  The invention relates to the recognition in flight of a flying object detected by an aircraft radar. The object of the invention is in particular to allow the pilot who has detected on his on-board radar the presence of another aircraft, to be able to identify this other aircraft. This is achieved according to the invention by implementing a method in which the radar data are used to slave an optical image acquisition system so that the target detected by the radar appears and remains in the field of vision of this system, and we provide the pilot with the target image

provided by said system.

  Preferably, the method includes a step of comparing said image and the images of targets.

stored in memory.

  The subject of the invention is also a device which comprises a long focal length optical system capable of forming an image of the objectives which are in its field of vision and rigidly linked to the aircraft, means for forming on a screen placed at the provision of the pilot an image representative of that formed by the optical system and of means which, on the basis of information from the radar, orient the aircraft so that the target detected by the radar is in the field of vision of the optical system and that its picture appears

on said screen.

  An exemplary embodiment of a device according to the present invention will be described below, with reference to the figures of the attached drawing in which: - Figure 1 is a block diagram of the device; FIG. 2 is a diagram of the part of the device which is located in the cabin, and

  - Figure 3 is a flow diagram of the device.

  The device shown in Figure 1 comprises a carry pod or "pod" (1) provided with rings

  attachment (2) for fixing under the aircraft.

  It is not useful to describe in detail such a nacelle and its means of attachment, similar nacelles being commonly used in aeronautics

to carry various loads.

  According to the present invention, the nacelle is equipped at the front with an optical system (3) allowing the visual acquisition of objectives such as planes or helicopters at a distance of about 15 km in good daylight conditions. , or if necessary, by fine

night time.

  A camera (4) allows the storage of the images for their possible processing is a later restitution

of the mission.

  The image supplied by the optical system is transferred by a line (5) to an electronic device (6) which allows the storage, processing and even correlation of images by comparison with images stored in a database, and which produces an image which can be transmitted, for example, by a link (7) to a screen (10) placed in the cockpit, which is shown diagrammatically by the rectangle (8)

(Figures 1 and 2).

  The pilot has in this cabin: - a "head-up" screen (9) for radar visualization associated with a device which develops piloting orders to bring the airplane into a position allowing the optical system of the nacelle to acquire target; - a screen (10) "head down" for viewing the image of the target provided by the optical system; - a selection box (11) which allows the pilot to trigger the start and end of the recognition process; - a joystick (12) on or near the throttles to designate the target; - commands (13) to process the image

(magnification, contrast, etc.).

  The means of the invention are already used in aircraft or can be carried out by the skilled person from his knowledge

  information and directions provided here.

  Optionally, the device includes a catalog of flying object images which provides information making it possible to identify the target from among images of targets. Preferably, this catalog is constituted in the form of a computer memory and means are provided for the automatic comparison of the image supplied by the optical system and of the information in the catalog. Figure 3 shows the flowchart of a

device according to the invention.

  The different stages are as follows: I- Start of presentation order: the start of presentation order is carried out by pressing a selection button on the panel

of arming the aircraft.

  II- Elaboration of guidance orders to orient the carrier towards the target: the radar hung on the target develops rallying orders of the "cannon pass" type (orders already present in the weapon system) making it possible to align

the pod towards the target.

  III- Presentation of guidance orders: these orders are presented to the pilot in the display

head up (viewfinder).

  IV- Unmasking of the optics: the protective cover of the optics is raised allowing

  acquire the visual of the covered area.

  V- Scanning of the zone designated by the weapon system: the target is detected in the field of optics and its image appears on the screen

"head down" display.

  VI- Visualization of the target: the pilot uses the optical control unit to refine the image (contrasts, magnification, etc.). VIIAining the target, choosing the target: the pilot chooses his target from among those

  visible on its "head down" screen.

  VIII-Designation of the target: the pilot designates his target by moving the reticle then by

  press on a designation button.

  IX- Target follow-up orders: the pod's optics then remain subject to the designated target by means of radar data which remains attached to the target and the weapon system draws up the flight orders presented head-up , so that the plane stays properly

oriented towards the designated target.

  X- Analysis of the target; comparison to the database: the software compares the present target to reference targets stored in memory. XI- Development of information on the target: this comparison makes it possible to determine the foreseeable characteristics of the target

present.

  XII- Visualization of the data on the target: these characteristics are presented to the pilot on

its "head down" display.

  XIII-End of the pass: the pilot having identified his target leaves the recognition function by deselecting this function which leads to masking the optics (to protect it from external aggressions) then cutting

feeding the pod.

  The invention is not limited to these exemplary embodiments.

Claims (5)

  1. Method for enabling the pilot of an aircraft to recognize a flying target detected by his on-board radar, characterized in that the radar data is used to control an optical image acquisition system so that the target detected by the radar appears and remains in the field of vision of this system, and the pilot is provided with the image of the target obtained by said system.   2. Method according to claim 1, and which comprises a step of comparing said image and the target images stored in memory. 3. Device for enabling the pilot of an aircraft to recognize a flying target detected by his on-board radar, characterized in that it comprises a long-range optical system (3) capable of forming an image of the objectives which are in its field of vision and rigidly linked to the aircraft, means (6,7) for forming on a screen (10) placed at the disposal of the pilot an image representative of that formed by the optical system and means (9) which , from radar information, help the pilot orient the aircraft so that the target (O) detected by the radar is in the field of vision of the optical system and that its   image appears on said screen (10).   4. Device according to claim 3 which comprises a catalog of images of flying objects and means (6) to allow the automatic comparison of the images of these objects of the   catalog and target image.   5. Device according to claim 3 or 4 which comprises a carry basket (1) to be hung under the aircraft, this basket containing at the front said optical system (3) and containing an electronic device (6) which allows the storage and processing of the images formed by the optical system and capable of transferring by a link (7) to the screen (10) of the cockpit (9) the image supplied by the system optical.