All weather precision guidance of distributed projectiles

A system and method (32) for measuring line-of-sight angular rates for all-weather precision guidance of distributed projectiles (16) and a guidance system (10) based thereon. In accordance with the novel method (32) for measuring line-of-sight angular rates, first the range rates of the target (14) relative to at least two projectiles (16) is determined, as well as the position and velocity of each projectile (16). Then, the line-of-sight angular rate of the target (14) relative to at least one projectile (16) is computed from the range rates, positions, and velocities. In the illustrative embodiment, the range rate of the target (14) relative to a projectile (16) is determined based on a monostatic target Doppler measurement, a monostatic projectile Doppler measurement, a bistatic Doppler measurement of the target (14) by the projectile (16), and the carrier frequency of a data link (26) between the projectile and the shipboard system. The guidance system (10) of the present invention includes a monostatic radar (18) illuminating the target (14), bistatic receivers (44) aboard at least two projectiles (16) fired at the target (14), and a system (32) for determining line-of-sight angular rates to the target based on the monostatic measurements and the bistatic measurements from at least two projectiles. The guidance system (10) further includes a system (34) for computing guidance command signals for at least one projectile based on the line-of-sight angular rates, and a projectile steering unit (52) aboard at least one projectile for steering the projectile based on the guidance command signals.