Abstract:
An apparatus (100) includes a first component (102) having a first surface (106) and a second component (104) having a second surface (110). The first surface includes sputtered gold, and the second surface includes a stainless steel alloy. The first surface is configured to contact the second surface, and one of the components is configured to move against another of the components. The stainless steel alloy could consist of a UNS 21800/AISI Type S21800 metal. The sputtered gold could include ion sputtered gold, and the sputtered gold could have a thickness of about 1 micron. The first component could include a first blade (306) of an adjustable aperture mechanism, where the adjustable aperture mechanism also includes a second blade (308). The second component could include a first plate (310) of the adjustable aperture mechanism, where the adjustable aperture mechanism further includes a second plate (312). The blades can be configured to move within a space between the plates.
Abstract:
A beam director subsystem (12) and method for use in a weapons system. The beam director subsystem includes a source (20) of electromagnetic radiation for generating a high energy laser (HEL) beam (18). The electromagnetic radiation is directed to a secondary mirror (22) that reflects the electromagnetic radiation to a primary mirror (24) for output of the HEL beam. The secondary mirror is generally curved and expands the electromagnetic radiation received from the source prior to outputting the HEL beam from the primary mirror. The subsystem further includes a track telescope (28) coupled to the housing. The track telescope has a track detector (30) configured to receive electromagnetic radiation originating from the HEL and electromagnetic radiation emitted from an illuminator (32) and reflected from an airborne target.
Abstract:
A beam director subsystem (12) and method for use in a weapons system. The beam director subsystem includes a source (20) of electromagnetic radiation for generating a high energy laser (HEL) beam (18). The electromagnetic radiation is directed to a secondary mirror (22) that reflects the electromagnetic radiation to a primary mirror (24) for output of the HEL beam. The secondary mirror is generally curved and expands the electromagnetic radiation received from the source prior to outputting the HEL beam from the primary mirror. The subsystem further includes a track telescope (28) coupled to the housing. The track telescope has a track detector (30) configured to receive electromagnetic radiation originating from the HEL and electromagnetic radiation emitted from an illuminator (32) and reflected from an airborne target.