As an available precision strike approach, semi-active laser (SAL) guided munitions have ability to attack pinpoint targets accurately in coordination with laser-target designator (LTD). This method can achieve precise strike, but the problems are obviously as well. Not only the carriers of LTD (aircraft or soldiers) face with security threats, but also the capability of multi-target handling is limited. A novel device, unattended laser-target designator (ULTD) was designed and analyzed. It can replace conventional method by acoustic, seismic, magnetic and imaging sensors; of course, a laser generator is absolutely necessary. The target's identification,, velocity and location can be determined by multi-sensor, then appropriate laser beam will be emitted to mark the excellent position of target at an excellent time. This device can avoid loss of life, be deployed massively, and accomplish battle damage assessment (BDA), also it is fit for information-based warfare. To be a new concept, its demands, important modules, and application were discussed. Keywords -laser-target designator, unattended device, multi-sensor, precision location.
I. CONCEPTNowadays semi-active laser (SAL) guided munitions are of prime importance to accomplish precision strike pinpoint targets, the man-in-the-loop mode is very useful to achieve target recognition, intelligent control, and battle damage assessment (BDA). Of course, its obvious shortcoming is laser-target designator (LTD) must be carried by platforms which are controlled by soldiers, that means we have to invade opponent fire range to mark our targets. A novel unattended laser-target designator (ULTD) was designed to solve this problem partly; and it is fit in with the foreseeable future information-based warfare. Pre-battle deployment can endue SAL guided munitions with fire-and-forget and stand off attack abilities.
II. DEMANDSWith the development of components and parts, integrated circuit, new approaches and correlation techniques, precision strike weapons were improving rapidly in the past years. On one hand, it is an available method to damage pinpoint targets, hard targets and armored targets effectively; on the other hand, minimum collateral damage must be considered in earnest, especially in urban warfare, anti-terrorist war and asymmetric warfare situations, which may be the major patterns of battle in the future.
A. TargetsThe conventional guided munitions isn't able to attain adequate accuracy and damage, they always cause serious additional damage to ordinary people. From the several anti-terrorist wars, underground caves, buildings in urban and moving vehicles was becoming the major targets; actually most of which were destroyed by precision guided munitions.At the same time, the opponents use a variety of means to protect high-value targets, including full spectrum obstruction, decoy target, underground command center, armored layer, etc. To follow the two factors mentioned before, the circular error probable (CEP) of modern precision munitions are requested to b...
