Aerospace and Electronic Systems Magazine July 2018 - 35

Javelin Block 1 missile in flight. This image is a work of a U.S. Army soldier and in the public domain.

RELATED RESEARCH

The Lockheed Martin FGM-148 javelin missile participated in actual combat in 2003, and ever since, it has been a major short-range
weapon for the U.S. Army. The javelin missile is positioned behind
a launching weapon. It contains an infrared image seeker, which
uses a portable command and launch unit (CLU) to lock onto a
target [7]. Although, the missile is not controlled after launching,
flight accuracy is controlled by a loop control [8]. The initial Block
0 of CLU 1 was improved in 2007, and thereafter it has been produced. Improvements to the thermal sight and the flat-panel display, which involved the replacement of a cathode ray tube, increased the missile range from 1.8 to 2.5 km. However, Lockheed
Martin is still working on the precise terminal guidance enhancement method to increase the data chain and enable the operator to
adjust the javelin missile launch toward the target.
Russia developed the Hermes guided weapon system for its
armed forces. Because experimental work on the missile system
is complete, mass production has started. Hermes was developed
by a Russian institute [9] and represents a weapon system based
on the noncontact fighting theory. Hermes is designed according
to general requirements for ground-based, space-based, and seabased schemes, and it can effectively attack tanks and light armored vehicles, fortifications, and low-altitude and low-speed air
targets, as well as displace 500-ton water targets [10], [11]. Moreover, Hermes is intended for land-based tactical targets within an
attack range of 100 km. It has missile launchers installed on a motorized chariot with off-road capability. It can also provide both
single-shot and volley configurations on an enemy artillery target
or targets, allowing it to hit one target or a group of targets. The
multichannel radio command guidance was adopted in the Hermes
system to ensure remote control of the missile. During flight, the
radio command guidance system is used to measure the direction
of missile flight. In addition, Hermes was initially equipped with a
new-generation antitank missile prototype [12].
The most commonly used antitank missiles are the H-8, H-9,
and H-73C red arrow models. From the 1980s to the 1990s, the red
arrow antitank missile guidance system was based on the threepoint method and photoelectric guidance, but because of conductor
system limitations [13], it had three major shortcomings:

JULY 2018

Inability to damage a tank-The conductor causes the following limitations: the missile can attack only tanks with straightforward placement, i.e., in direct light. Damage efficiency is
low, and it is difficult to break a foreign advanced main battle
tank. The simulation test of damage efficiency has shown that
recently launched H-9 and H-73C red arrows can penetrate
the reactive armor T-80U tank for less than 5 mm.
Insufficient adaptability to terrain-In complex, flat terrains covered by ballistics and disturbances, the actual firing
range obtained is lower than the maximal firing range.
Inability to survive in a battlefield-The missile flight requires continuous tracking after launching, and smoke is released at the firing position, revealing the firing position and
making it vulnerable.

HYBRID GUIDANCE SYSTEM STRUCTURE
INFRARED IMAGING GUIDANCE
An uncooled staring infrared imaging seeker provides the inertial
guidance for a missile after launching. Specifically, the missile seeker performs search, recognition, and tracking of the target, and when
strategic conditions are met, the missile flight is launched and performs according to preprogrammed guidance steps [14], [15]. Thus,
the missile cost is reduced and its reliability is improved, especially
when severe weather or smoke obscures vision. The infrared imaging guidance seeker without refrigeration is presented in Figure 1.

Figure 1.

Infrared imaging guidance seeker without refrigeration.

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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Aerospace and Electronic Systems Magazine July 2018