WO2012170229A1 - Clip-on target designation sensor to night vision goggles - Google Patents

Clip-on target designation sensor to night vision goggles Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2012170229A1
WO2012170229A1 PCT/US2012/039825 US2012039825W WO2012170229A1 WO 2012170229 A1 WO2012170229 A1 WO 2012170229A1 US 2012039825 W US2012039825 W US 2012039825W WO 2012170229 A1 WO2012170229 A1 WO 2012170229A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
light
wavelength
night vision
target
receive
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2012/039825
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Nils I. Thomas
Daniel M. THORSEN
Kevin P. Hines
Original Assignee
Exelis, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Exelis, Inc. filed Critical Exelis, Inc.
Priority to KR1020147000642A priority Critical patent/KR101780001B1/en
Priority to CA2836329A priority patent/CA2836329C/en
Priority to EP12729765.3A priority patent/EP2718659B1/en
Priority to PL12729765T priority patent/PL2718659T3/en
Priority to CN201280028350.8A priority patent/CN103635773A/en
Priority to AU2012268659A priority patent/AU2012268659B2/en
Priority to JP2014514489A priority patent/JP6100763B2/en
Publication of WO2012170229A1 publication Critical patent/WO2012170229A1/en
Priority to IL229406A priority patent/IL229406A/en

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F41—WEAPONS
    • F41G—WEAPON SIGHTS; AIMING
    • F41G1/00—Sighting devices
    • F41G1/32—Night sights, e.g. luminescent
    • F41G1/34—Night sights, e.g. luminescent combined with light source, e.g. spot light
    • F41G1/35—Night sights, e.g. luminescent combined with light source, e.g. spot light for illuminating the target, e.g. flash lights
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B23/00—Telescopes, e.g. binoculars; Periscopes; Instruments for viewing the inside of hollow bodies; Viewfinders; Optical aiming or sighting devices
    • G02B23/12—Telescopes, e.g. binoculars; Periscopes; Instruments for viewing the inside of hollow bodies; Viewfinders; Optical aiming or sighting devices with means for image conversion or intensification
    • G02B23/125—Telescopes, e.g. binoculars; Periscopes; Instruments for viewing the inside of hollow bodies; Viewfinders; Optical aiming or sighting devices with means for image conversion or intensification head-mounted
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B23/00—Telescopes, e.g. binoculars; Periscopes; Instruments for viewing the inside of hollow bodies; Viewfinders; Optical aiming or sighting devices
    • G02B23/12—Telescopes, e.g. binoculars; Periscopes; Instruments for viewing the inside of hollow bodies; Viewfinders; Optical aiming or sighting devices with means for image conversion or intensification
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J31/00—Cathode ray tubes; Electron beam tubes
    • H01J31/08—Cathode ray tubes; Electron beam tubes having a screen on or from which an image or pattern is formed, picked up, converted, or stored
    • H01J31/50—Image-conversion or image-amplification tubes, i.e. having optical, X-ray, or analogous input, and optical output
    • H01J31/506—Image-conversion or image-amplification tubes, i.e. having optical, X-ray, or analogous input, and optical output tubes using secondary emission effect
    • H01J31/507—Image-conversion or image-amplification tubes, i.e. having optical, X-ray, or analogous input, and optical output tubes using secondary emission effect using a large number of channels, e.g. microchannel plates

Definitions

  • the present invention in general, relates to night vision goggles and, more particularly, the present invention relates to laser target designators for night vision goggles.
  • Detecting human targets is a primary task of an infantry soldier.
  • Completing this task at night poses peculiar difficulties to the soldier.
  • the soldier must be able to see the target and then aim his weapon at the target to ensure hitting the target.
  • Soldiers are outfitted with night vision goggles (NVGs) that permit target detection at night.
  • NVGs night vision goggles
  • the soldier has a laser aiming light mounted on, and boresighted to his weapon.
  • the aiming light provides energy at a particular wavelength that the image intensifier (I 2 ) tube in the NVG can detect.
  • I 2 image intensifier
  • the soldier sees the target with the NVG.
  • He also sees the aiming light through his night vision goggle and, thus, can move the aiming light onto the target. Since the aiming light is boresighted with his weapon , he can pull the trigger when viewing the aiming light on the target.
  • the aiming light which is sensed by the night vision goggle is not visible to the human eye.
  • this combination enabled the advantage of covert operation; e.g. the solder can see the enemy, but the enemy cannot see the soldier.
  • the enemy is capable of fielding a night vision goggle that can detect the aiming light. Consequently, covert operation is no longer possible.
  • covert operation is no longer possible.
  • the enemy can see him and can engage to target him.
  • the laser projecting light includes : a laser module for projecting light onto a target.
  • the light operates at a wavelength outside of a wavelength band detectable by a night vision goggle system.
  • the laser module is removably attached to a weapon system, and is boresighted to the weapon system.
  • the light may operate at a wavelength longer than 950 nanometers.
  • the light may operate at a short wave infrared (SWIR) wavelength.
  • SWIR short wave infrared
  • the light may also operate at a wavelength shorter than 400 nanometers.
  • a target engagement system including a night vision goggle system operating within a wavelength band, a laser module for projecting light onto a target, the light operating at a wavelength and outside of the wavelength band. Also included is a receive system for receiving the light reflected from the target and converting the light into a wavelength within the wavelength band. The receive system provides the converted light to the night vision goggle system, and the night vision goggle system amplifies the converted light for viewing by a user.
  • the receive system includes a clip-on device for removably attaching the receive system between the target and the night vision goggle system.
  • the receive system is configured to up-convert the received light into a wavelength detectable by the night vision goggle system.
  • the receive system may include a relay objective, a fold mirror and an insertion beam combiner for relaying the received light to the night vision goggle system.
  • the receive system may include a fiber optic bundle for relaying the converted light directly into the night vision goggle system.
  • the light reflected from the target is invisible to the user, and the converted light is visible to the user.
  • Yet another embodiment of the present invention is a target engagement system including a night vision goggle system operating within a wavelength band; a laser module, boresighted to a weapon system, for projecting light onto a target, the light operating at a wavelength outside of the wavelength band detectable by the night vision goggle system; a receive system for receiving light reflected from the target and converting the light into a wavelength within the wavelength band; and a clip-on device for removably disposing the receive system between the target and the night vision goggle system.
  • the receive system sends the converted light to the night vision goggle system, and the night vision goggle system amplifies the converted light for viewing by a user.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a covert target designation system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of an SWIR receive system coupled to an I 2 night vision goggle system, which forms a part of the covert target designation system of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of another SWIR receive system coupled to an I 2 night vision goggle system, which forms a part of the covert target designation system of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of a clip-on receive system
  • FIG. 1 there is shown an embodiment of the present invention, referred to herein as a covert target designation system 10.
  • the system includes two components : an aiming light module 12 that transmits light which is not detectable by Gen II or Gen III night vision goggles and a clip-on detection device 14 that attaches to a night vision goggle system 16.
  • a typical light module 12 may include a short wave infrared (SWIR) targeting laser which is boresighted to a soldier's weapon.
  • the aiming ligh t module 12 may include a battery, a laser and a collimating lens, packaged as a unit and mounted to the weapon, with the aid of a mechanical device to permit attachment and removal from the weapon.
  • the wavelength of the aiming light may be any wavelength longer than 950 nm, It is preferred that a laser be the source of the aiming light, as a laser has a collimated beam, which projects a small spot onto the target at a long range.
  • the typical laser sight is mounted on the top of a weapon, or on the bottom of the weapon.
  • the laser sight when properly aligned, places a red dot of light on the target, where the bullet will also strike when the gun is fired .
  • This type of sight enables the soldier to rapidly position the weapon and verify the desired target.
  • Using a laser sight enables accurate shots to be fired at distances of more than 50 feet.
  • the SWIR receive system 14 may be a clip-on device which includes a light collection lens, an up-converting phosphor, and either an optical system or a fi beroptic bundle to relay and invert the image for presentation to an input of the I 2 system 16 in the night vision goggle system .
  • the SWIR receive system 14 and the I 2 system 16 are shown in greater detail.
  • the receive system 14 includes relay objective 20, fiber inverter 21, up-converting phosphor surface 22, mirror 23, relay eyepiece 24, and beam combiner 25.
  • the objective lens 20 focuses the received image onto the up-converting phosphor surface 22.
  • the up-converting phosphor detects light from the SWIR targeting laser 12 and up-converts the light to a shorter wavelength . That is, by example, if the laser wavelength is 1.55nm, then the phosphor surface detects this energy and outputs light at 810nm wavelength.
  • the 1.55nm wavelength cannot be detected by the I 2 system 16, but the 810nm is spectrally positioned near the peak sensitivity of the I 2 system .
  • the image formed by the phosphor su rface needs to be inverted, tra nslated and collimated, in order to be observed properly by the night vision device.
  • the image inversion is accomplished by depositing an u p -converting phosphor layer onto a fiber optic mod ule.
  • the translation and/or the inversion may be accomplished by two fold mirrors 23 and 25, and the collimation is accomplished by a relay eyepiece 24, as shown in FIG. 2.
  • the image is presented to the NVG I 2 system 16, which can amplify and output the out-of band laser wavelength to the soldier as part of his nig ht vision scene.
  • one of the fold mirrors namely i nsertion beam combiner 25, is coated as a beam spl itter.
  • the coating is desig ned to be hig hly reflective at the emission wavelength of the phosphor su rface (for example, 95% reflective at 810nm) and highly transmissive at all other wavelengths.
  • the nig ht vision goggle ( NVG) I 2 system 16 is positioned to receive the lig ht reflected from beam combiner 25, includ ing the u p -converted retu rned SWIR energy reflected from the target. Of cou rse, the NVG I 2 system 16 also receives light from the target that is transmitted through beam combiner 25. Thus, if the SWIR receive system 14 is disabled, the NVG system 16 remains operational in order to view a target in the normal night vision scene.
  • the NVG I 2 system 16 includes objective lens 26, image intensifier assembly 27 and eyepiece 28.
  • the soldier clips the SWIR receive system 14 onto the front of his nig ht vision gogg le.
  • the out-of- band laser is turned ON, the sold ier sees a round dot, wherever the laser reflects off a target. He also sees other objects i n the scene by way of the insertion beam combiner 25.
  • FIG. 3 Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG . 3, which provides increased efficiency when compared to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2.
  • an u p-converti ng phosphor designated as 32
  • 32 may be " pu mped" with light from an LED pu m p 30.
  • the LED pump 30 may be placed in a position in which the LED light can strike the up-converting phosphor, as illustrated in FIG. 3. It is desirable that the wavelength of the LED pumping light be blue ( ⁇ 500nm) and , therefore, not be visible to the NVG I 2 system.
  • the LED pump may be powered by a battery 31, such as a small
  • the pumping of the LED pump may be, optionally (as shown by a
  • FIG. 4, i o which functionally illustrates a clip -on receive system 42 that is located on top of, or beside an NVG system 40.
  • the clip-on receive system 42 is removably attached to NVG system 40 by way of clips, or hinges, generally indicated as 48.
  • the eyepiece lens of the NVG system and the up-converting phosphor layer of the clip-on receive system,
  • the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 relocates the relay objective and the phosphor layer, so that they are disposed beside the NVG system
  • 25 clip-on device moves the center of gravity further away from the neck, thereby more easily tiring the soldier, when the NVG is used for an extended period of time.
  • a fiber optic cable 50 is used, as shown in FIG. 4, to translate the image toward the front of the NVG system from the back of the phosphor plane.
  • the fiber optic inverter may be
  • optical inversion may be done with the fiber cable that transl ates the image.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Astronomy & Astrophysics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Optical Radar Systems And Details Thereof (AREA)
  • Telescopes (AREA)
  • Optical Couplings Of Light Guides (AREA)

Abstract

A target engagement system includes a night vision goggle system operating within a predetermined wavelength band, and a laser module projecting light onto a target, where the light operates at a wavelength that is outside of the predetermined wavelength band. Also included is a receive system for receiving the light reflected from the target and converting the light into a wavelength within the predetermined wavelength band. In this manner, the receive system provides the converted light to the night vision goggle system, and the night vision goggle system amplifies the converted light for viewing by a user. The receive system includes a clip - on device for removably attaching the receive system between the target and the night vision goggle system. The receive system includes an up-converting phosphor layer for up-converting the received light into a wavelength detectable by the night vision goggle system.

Description

CLIP-ON TARGET DESIGNATION SENSOR TO NIGHT VISION GOGGLES
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention, in general, relates to night vision goggles and, more particularly, the present invention relates to laser target designators for night vision goggles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Detecting human targets is a primary task of an infantry soldier.
Completing this task at night poses peculiar difficulties to the soldier. First, the soldier must be able to see the target and then aim his weapon at the target to ensure hitting the target. Soldiers are outfitted with night vision goggles (NVGs) that permit target detection at night. In order to engage the target, the soldier has a laser aiming light mounted on, and boresighted to his weapon. The aiming light provides energy at a particular wavelength that the image intensifier (I2) tube in the NVG can detect. Thus, the soldier sees the target with the NVG. He also sees the aiming light through his night vision goggle and, thus, can move the aiming light onto the target. Since the aiming light is boresighted with his weapon , he can pull the trigger when viewing the aiming light on the target.
The aiming light, which is sensed by the night vision goggle is not visible to the human eye. In the past, this combination enabled the advantage of covert operation; e.g. the solder can see the enemy, but the enemy cannot see the soldier. Today, as a countermeasure, the enemy is capable of fielding a night vision goggle that can detect the aiming light. Consequently, covert operation is no longer possible. Presently, when a soldier turns on his aiming light, the enemy can see him and can engage to target him.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To meet this and other needs, and in view of its purposes, the present invention provides a laser projecting light. The laser projecting light includes : a laser module for projecting light onto a target. The light operates at a wavelength outside of a wavelength band detectable by a night vision goggle system. The laser module is removably attached to a weapon system, and is boresighted to the weapon system. The light may operate at a wavelength longer than 950 nanometers. The light may operate at a short wave infrared (SWIR) wavelength. The light may also operate at a wavelength shorter than 400 nanometers.
Another embodiment of the present invention is a target engagement system including a night vision goggle system operating within a wavelength band, a laser module for projecting light onto a target, the light operating at a wavelength and outside of the wavelength band. Also included is a receive system for receiving the light reflected from the target and converting the light into a wavelength within the wavelength band. The receive system provides the converted light to the night vision goggle system, and the night vision goggle system amplifies the converted light for viewing by a user.
The receive system includes a clip-on device for removably attaching the receive system between the target and the night vision goggle system. The receive system is configured to up-convert the received light into a wavelength detectable by the night vision goggle system.
The receive system may include a relay objective, a fold mirror and an insertion beam combiner for relaying the received light to the night vision goggle system.
The receive system may include a fiber optic bundle for relaying the converted light directly into the night vision goggle system.
In the target engagement system, the light reflected from the target is invisible to the user, and the converted light is visible to the user.
Yet another embodiment of the present invention is a target engagement system including a night vision goggle system operating within a wavelength band; a laser module, boresighted to a weapon system, for projecting light onto a target, the light operating at a wavelength outside of the wavelength band detectable by the night vision goggle system; a receive system for receiving light reflected from the target and converting the light into a wavelength within the wavelength band; and a clip-on device for removably disposing the receive system between the target and the night vision goggle system. The receive system sends the converted light to the night vision goggle system, and the night vision goggle system amplifies the converted light for viewing by a user.
It is understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary, but are not restrictive, of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
The invention may be understood from the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying figures:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a covert target designation system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of an SWIR receive system coupled to an I2 night vision goggle system, which forms a part of the covert target designation system of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of another SWIR receive system coupled to an I2 night vision goggle system, which forms a part of the covert target designation system of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of a clip-on receive system
removably connected to an I2 night vision goggle system, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring first to FIG. 1, there is shown an embodiment of the present invention, referred to herein as a covert target designation system 10. The system includes two components : an aiming light module 12 that transmits light which is not detectable by Gen II or Gen III night vision goggles and a clip-on detection device 14 that attaches to a night vision goggle system 16.
A typical light module 12 may include a short wave infrared (SWIR) targeting laser which is boresighted to a soldier's weapon. The aiming ligh t module 12 may include a battery, a laser and a collimating lens, packaged as a unit and mounted to the weapon, with the aid of a mechanical device to permit attachment and removal from the weapon. The wavelength of the aiming light may be any wavelength longer than 950 nm, It is preferred that a laser be the source of the aiming light, as a laser has a collimated beam, which projects a small spot onto the target at a long range.
The typical laser sight is mounted on the top of a weapon, or on the bottom of the weapon. The laser sight, when properly aligned, places a red dot of light on the target, where the bullet will also strike when the gun is fired . Using this type of sight, enables the soldier to rapidly position the weapon and verify the desired target. Using a laser sight enables accurate shots to be fired at distances of more than 50 feet.
The SWIR receive system 14 may be a clip-on device which includes a light collection lens, an up-converting phosphor, and either an optical system or a fi beroptic bundle to relay and invert the image for presentation to an input of the I2 system 16 in the night vision goggle system .
Referring next to FIG. 2, the SWIR receive system 14 and the I2 system 16 are shown in greater detail. As shown, the receive system 14 includes relay objective 20, fiber inverter 21, up-converting phosphor surface 22, mirror 23, relay eyepiece 24, and beam combiner 25. The objective lens 20 focuses the received image onto the up-converting phosphor surface 22. The up-converting phosphor detects light from the SWIR targeting laser 12 and up-converts the light to a shorter wavelength . That is, by example, if the laser wavelength is 1.55nm, then the phosphor surface detects this energy and outputs light at 810nm wavelength. The 1.55nm wavelength cannot be detected by the I2 system 16, but the 810nm is spectrally positioned near the peak sensitivity of the I2 system .
The image formed by the phosphor su rface needs to be inverted, tra nslated and collimated, in order to be observed properly by the night vision device. The image inversion is accomplished by depositing an u p -converting phosphor layer onto a fiber optic mod ule. The translation and/or the inversion may be accomplished by two fold mirrors 23 and 25, and the collimation is accomplished by a relay eyepiece 24, as shown in FIG. 2. Thus, the image is presented to the NVG I2 system 16, which can amplify and output the out-of band laser wavelength to the soldier as part of his nig ht vision scene.
In order to permit the night vision gogg le to view a normal night vision scene, one of the fold mirrors, namely i nsertion beam combiner 25, is coated as a beam spl itter. The coating is desig ned to be hig hly reflective at the emission wavelength of the phosphor su rface (for example, 95% reflective at 810nm) and highly transmissive at all other wavelengths.
The nig ht vision goggle ( NVG) I2 system 16 is positioned to receive the lig ht reflected from beam combiner 25, includ ing the u p -converted retu rned SWIR energy reflected from the target. Of cou rse, the NVG I2 system 16 also receives light from the target that is transmitted through beam combiner 25. Thus, if the SWIR receive system 14 is disabled, the NVG system 16 remains operational in order to view a target in the normal night vision scene.
As shown, the NVG I2 system 16 includes objective lens 26, image intensifier assembly 27 and eyepiece 28.
In operation, the soldier clips the SWIR receive system 14 onto the front of his nig ht vision gogg le. For navigation and detection of targets, he sees only the normal nig ht vision scene. When the out-of- band laser is turned ON, the sold ier sees a round dot, wherever the laser reflects off a target. He also sees other objects i n the scene by way of the insertion beam combiner 25.
Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG . 3, which provides increased efficiency when compared to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2. It will be appreciated that many up-converting phosphors are not very efficient and, thus, the transmitti ng SWIR laser's power requ irement needs to be hig h, in order to engage the target at normal ranges. In order to reduce power or increase engagement range, an u p-converti ng phosphor, designated as 32, may be " pu mped" with light from an LED pu m p 30. These pu mped phosphors are more efficient than passive, non -pumped phosphors. The LED pump 30 may be placed in a position in which the LED light can strike the up-converting phosphor, as illustrated in FIG. 3. It is desirable that the wavelength of the LED pumping light be blue ( < 500nm) and , therefore, not be visible to the NVG I2 system. The LED pump may be powered by a battery 31, such as a small
5 watch battery. The pumping of the LED pump may be, optionally (as shown by a
dashed line), synchronized to a laser ON/OFF switch, generally designated as 34, which may also control the SWIR transmit system 12. As a result, power may be saved by shutting off the SWIR transmit light 12 and the LED pump 30.
Yet another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 4, i o which functionally illustrates a clip -on receive system 42 that is located on top of, or beside an NVG system 40. The clip-on receive system 42 is removably attached to NVG system 40 by way of clips, or hinges, generally indicated as 48.
Also shown, adjacent to a viewer's eye, are the eyepiece lens of the NVG system and the up-converting phosphor layer of the clip-on receive system,
15 respectively, designated by 46 and 54. Disposed remotely from the viewer's eye are the objective lens of the NVG system and the relay objective of the clip-on receive system, respectively, designated by 44 and 52.
Accordingly, the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 relocates the relay objective and the phosphor layer, so that they are disposed beside the NVG system
20 instead of being disposed in front of the NVG system, the latter NVG system shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. It will be appreciated that clipping onto the front of the objective lens extends the length of the NVG system. As a result, the NVG system is prone to snagging on environmental hazards, such a vines and branches. Soldiers may tire and have neck pain due to the clip-on device. By adding weight to the front of the NVG, the
25 clip-on device moves the center of gravity further away from the neck, thereby more easily tiring the soldier, when the NVG is used for an extended period of time.
To relocate the lens and phosphor to a location beside the NVG, a fiber optic cable 50 is used, as shown in FIG. 4, to translate the image toward the front of the NVG system from the back of the phosphor plane, The fiber optic inverter may be
30 eliminated since the optical inversion may be done with the fiber cable that transl ates the image.

Claims

What is Claimed :
1. A laser projecting light comprising :
a laser module for projecting light onto a target, the light operating at a wavelength outside of a wavelength band detectable by a night visi on goggle system, and
the laser module removably attached to a weapon system, and boresighted to the weapon system.
2. The laser projecting light of claim 1 wherein
the light operates at a wavelength longer than 950 nanometers.
3. The laser projecting light of claim 1 wherein
the light operates at a short wave infrared (SWIR) wavelength .
4. The laser projecting light of claim 1 wherein
the light operates at a wavelength shorter than 400 nanometers.
5. A target engagement system comprising :
a night vision goggle system operating within a wavelength band, a laser module for projecting light onto a target, the light operating at a wavelength outside of the wavelength band, and
a receive system for receiving the light reflected from the target and converting the light into a wavelength within the wavelength band,
wherein the receive system provides the converted light to the night vision goggle system, and
the night vision goggle system amplifies the converted light for viewing by a user.
6. The target engagement system of claim 5 wherein the receive system includes a clip-on device for removably attaching the receive system between the target and the night vision goggle system.
7. The target engagement system of claim 5 wherein the receive system is configured to up-convert the received light into a wavelength detectable by the night vision goggle system.
8. The target engagement system of claim 5 wherein the light operates at a short wave infrared (SWIR) wavelength.
9. The target engagement system of claim 5 wherein the light operates at a wavelength shorter than 400 nanometers.
10. The target engagement system of claim 5 wherein the receive system includes an up-converting phosphor layer for up- converting the received light into a wavelength detectable by the night vision goggle system.
11. The target engagement system of claim 10 wherein
the receive system includes a relay objective, a fold mirror and an i nsertion beam combiner for relaying the received light to the nig ht vision go ggle system .
12. The target engagement system of claim 11 wherein the insertion bea m combi ner is configu red to :
receive the u p-converted lig ht from the relay objective and the fold mirror,
receive another light d irectly reflected from the target, and transmit both, the up-converted light and the other light, to the night vision gogg le system .
13. The target engagement system of claim 5 wherein the laser module is configu red to operate at a wavelength greater than 950 nanometers, and
the night vision goggle system is config u red to operate at a wavelength of less than 950 nanometers.
14. The target engagement system of claim 5 wherein the receive system includes
an up-converting phosphor layer for up-converting the received lig ht into a wavelength detectable by the nig ht vision goggle system, and
a light emitting d iode ( LED) for pu mping the up-converted l ight for i ncreased efficiency.
15. The target engagement system of claim 5 wherein the receive system includes
a fiber optic bu nd le for relaying the converted lig ht d irectly into the night vision gogg le system .
16. The target engagement system of claim 5 wherein the lig ht reflected from the target is invisible to the user, and the converted lig ht is visible to the user.
17. A target engagement system comprising :
a night vision gogg le system operating within a wavelength band, a laser module, boresighted to a weapon system, for projecting lig ht onto a target, the lig ht operating at a wavelength outside of the wavelength band detectable by the nig ht vision gogg le system,
a receive system for receiving lig ht reflected from the ta rget and converting the light into a wavelength within the wavelength band, and a clip-on device for removably disposing the receive system between the target and the nig ht vision gogg le system,
wherein the receive system sends the converted lig ht to the night vision gogg le system, and
the night vision goggle system amplifies the converted lig ht for viewing by a user.
18. The target engagement system of claim 17 wherein the receive system includes
an up-converting phosphor layer for u p-converting the received lig ht into a wavelength detectable by the night vision goggle system, and
a fold mirror and an insertion beam combiner for relaying the up - converted light to the nig ht vision goggle system .
19. The target engagement system of clai m 17 wherein the laser modu le is configu red to operate at a wavelength greater than 950 nanometers, and
the night vision gogg le system is config ured to operate at a wavelength less than 950 nanometers.
20. The target engagement system of claim 17 wherein the receive system includes
an up-converting phosphor layer for u p-converting the received lig ht into a wavelength detectable by the night vision goggle system, and
a lig ht emitting d iode (LED) for pu mping the u p-converted light for increased efficiency.
21. The target engagement system of claim 17 wherein the receive system i ncludes
a fiber optic bundle for relayi ng the converted lig ht d irectly into the night vision gogg le system .
22. The target engagement system of claim 17 wherein the lig ht reflected from the ta rget is invisible to the user, and the converted light is visible to the user.
23. The target engagement system of claim 17 wherein the light operates at a wavelength shorter tha n 400 nanometers.
PCT/US2012/039825 2011-06-09 2012-05-29 Clip-on target designation sensor to night vision goggles WO2012170229A1 (en)

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KR1020147000642A KR101780001B1 (en) 2011-06-09 2012-05-29 Clip-on target designation sensor to night vision goggles
CA2836329A CA2836329C (en) 2011-06-09 2012-05-29 Clip-on target designation sensor to night vision goggles
EP12729765.3A EP2718659B1 (en) 2011-06-09 2012-05-29 Clip-on target designation sensor to night vision goggles
PL12729765T PL2718659T3 (en) 2011-06-09 2012-05-29 Clip-on target designation sensor to night vision goggles
CN201280028350.8A CN103635773A (en) 2011-06-09 2012-05-29 Clip-on target designation sensor to night vision goggles
AU2012268659A AU2012268659B2 (en) 2011-06-09 2012-05-29 Clip-on target designation sensor to night vision goggles
JP2014514489A JP6100763B2 (en) 2011-06-09 2012-05-29 Target indication detector clipped to night vision goggles
IL229406A IL229406A (en) 2011-06-09 2013-11-12 Clip-on target designation sensor to night vision goggles

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US13/156,696 US8735817B2 (en) 2011-06-09 2011-06-09 Clip-on target designation sensor to night vision goggles
US13/156,696 2011-06-09

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CN103635773A (en) 2014-03-12
US8735817B2 (en) 2014-05-27
JP2014519011A (en) 2014-08-07
PL2718659T3 (en) 2021-04-19
US20120313007A1 (en) 2012-12-13
KR101780001B1 (en) 2017-09-19
CA2836329C (en) 2017-07-11
CA2836329A1 (en) 2012-12-13
IL229406A (en) 2017-03-30
AU2012268659B2 (en) 2016-05-12
AU2012268659A1 (en) 2013-11-28
IL229406A0 (en) 2014-01-30
KR20140034903A (en) 2014-03-20
JP6100763B2 (en) 2017-03-22
EP2718659B1 (en) 2020-09-09
EP2718659A1 (en) 2014-04-16

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