May 5, 2026

US12618977 - Optical detection system and method for detecting a hostile optical component

An optical detection system for detecting a hostile optical component without exposing the surrounding to unnecessary hazards is disclosed. The system comprises a laser unit configured to provide an adjustable laser beam along an optical path to scan for the optic component or to act as jammer by providing a target spoofing; a single aperture for the optical path; a detector configured to detect through the single aperture retroreflections of the laser beam at the optical component; and a camera for detecting through the single aperture potential candidates for the hostile optical component.

Assignee: HENSOLDT Sensors GmbH HENSOLDT Optronics GmbH
Inventors: Oliver Rudow, Lutz Hoering
Filing date: 2022-09-01

The patent describes an optical detection system designed to identify hostile optical components while minimizing hazards to the surrounding area. It features a laser unit for scanning and jamming, a single aperture for detection, and a control unit that adjusts the laser beam’s divergence based on the distance to the target.

Claim 1

1 . An optical detection system for detecting a hostile optical component without exposing the surrounding to unnecessary hazards, the system comprising: a laser unit configured to provide an adjustable laser beam along an optical path to scan for the optic component or to act as jammer by providing a target spoofing; a single aperture for the optical path; a detector configured to detect through the single aperture retroreflections of the laser beam at the hostile optical component; a camera for detecting through the single aperture potential candidates for the hostile optical component; and a control unit, the control unit being configured to: (i) determine a distance between the optical detection system and the optical component; (ii) utilize the laser unit for a laser-based countermeasure, and (iii) adjust the divergence of the laser beam, based on the determined distance, to minimize a laser hazard area for the laser beam. a laser unit configured to provide an adjustable laser beam along an optical path to scan for the optic component or to act as jammer by providing a target spoofing; a single aperture for the optical path; a detector configured to detect through the single aperture retroreflections of the laser beam at the hostile optical component; a camera for detecting through the single aperture potential candidates for the hostile optical component; and a control unit, the control unit being configured to: (i) determine a distance between the optical detection system and the optical component; (ii) utilize the laser unit for a laser-based countermeasure, and (iii) adjust the divergence of the laser beam, based on the determined distance, to minimize a laser hazard area for the laser beam.

Google Patents

https://patents.google.com/patent/US12618977

USPTO PDF

https://image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/12618977