Improved laser ranging using video tracking

David James Dwyer; Steve Hogg; Lee Wren; Gordon Cain

doi:10.1117/12.514445

4 August 2003 Improved laser ranging using video tracking

David James Dwyer, Steve Hogg, Lee Wren, Gordon Cain

Proceedings Volume 5082, Acquisition, Tracking, and Pointing XVII; (2003) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.514445
Event: AeroSense 2003, 2003, Orlando, Florida, United States

Abstract

Many future infantry weapons will incorporate a laser range finder. There is often a requirement to measure the range of small targets at distances of over one kilometre, which means that the necessary pointing accuracy is in the order of milliradians. The weapon is being aimed by a soldier who could be cold, tired and suffering from combat stress. Trials have shown that the stability of a hand held weapon is unlikely to allow an accurate range measurement on small moving targets at long range, using a standard laser range finder. Octec have been investigating the use of a video tracker to control the firing or processing of a laser range finder in an attempt to significantly improve the probability of reporting the correct range. This paper presents the results of trials carried out to measure the drift or 'wobble' of a soldier's aim and goes on to demonstrate how the use of angular information provided by a tracker could help provide an accurate range from small moving targets. The equipment necessary to test a tracker controlled laser range finder in the field will be described as well as the results of simulations indicating an increase in the probability of a correct lase on small, moving targets.

Citation Download Citation

David James Dwyer, Steve Hogg, Lee Wren, and Gordon Cain "Improved laser ranging using video tracking", Proc. SPIE 5082, Acquisition, Tracking, and Pointing XVII, (4 August 2003); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.514445

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