periscope imaging system
Modern submarine periscope was invented in the early 2th century. When the German Navy built its first submarine in 196, it had already used quite perfect optical periscope, which consisted of objective lens, image conversion system and eyepiece. At that time, the periscope had a periscope power of 5~7 meters, a close observation distance, a narrow field of view and poor image quality, and it could not be used at night. The main functions of traditional periscope include observing ships on the water surface, observing aircraft in the air, estimating the distance of the attacked target, providing its position and distance to the fire control system, and implementing landmark navigation or astronomical navigation in the submerged state.
Modern periscope manufacturers have developed a new generation of photoelectric periscope by applying the latest achievements of low-light-level night vision, infrared thermal imaging, laser ranging, computer, automatic control, stealth and other photoelectric technologies. Take the latest SERO 4 periscope developed by Germany in 23 as an example. The main technical performance includes: the pitch range is -15 degrees to+6 degrees, 1.5 times, 6 times and 12 times magnification, the high-precision aiming line is biaxial stable, and the periscope entrance pupil diameter >; 21 mm, periscope is about 12 meters. It can be equipped with a variety of cameras and sensors, such as digital cameras, low-light-level television cameras, color television cameras, thermal cameras, eye-safe laser rangefinders, etc., for submarine commanders to choose according to actual needs; It can also provide the video signal to the monitor of the combat system in real time to realize synchronous observation. The serial interface of periscope system can be used for remote control of different battle system consoles. The periscope system has a good observation effect in daytime and nighttime conditions, which can effectively monitor the sea surface and air, collect navigation data, search and identify various maritime targets, and the observed images can be recorded for playback.
The panoramic periscope recently developed by the US Navy is also worthy of attention. It is the re-application of early panoramic periscope technology under modern technical conditions, and the prospect of the technology is still being verified. In addition, foreign countries attach great importance to the modular design of periscope and have widely adopted it. Without changing the basic structure and function of periscope, the old sensor can be easily replaced as needed, and the performance of periscope can be improved.
the modern photoelectric periscope technology is quite mature, and it is impossible to improve it greatly. The inherent disadvantages of the traditional penetrating periscope are very obvious: the main defect is that the periscope must penetrate the submarine shell, and the larger the diameter of the mirror tube, the greater the influence on the submarine pressure resistance; Secondly, the rotating diameter of the periscope lens is generally .6 meters, which occupies too much space in the originally limited boat, which is very unfavorable to the layout of the submarine command module. Thirdly, the periscope is only suitable for one person to operate and observe, and it is impossible for many people to observe at the same time, which is not conducive to the enjoyment of operational information resources. Although there are progressive defects, photoelectric periscope is still the most commonly used imaging observation device for naval submarines in various countries at present and in the future.
Figure 4:
Photoelectric mast system
In 1976, kollmorgen Company of the United States formally put forward the original principle of photoelectric mast for naval review. In 198s, the development plan of non-penetrating photoelectric mast was officially launched. Nowadays, photoelectric mast has developed from concept and principle prototype to engineering model. The navies of the United States, Britain and France have eliminated the traditional penetrating periscope on new nuclear-powered submarines, and they will all be equipped with photoelectric masts. The selection indicates that the submarine photoelectric mast technology has reached a quite mature and reliable level. The biggest difference between photoelectric mast and conventional periscope is that photoelectric mast is a "non-penetrating mast". It consists of three parts: photoelectric mast observation head, non-penetrating mast and in-boat control console. An/BVS-1 imaging system is the photoelectric mast system on the Virginia class submarine in the United States. Besides the functions of the existing periscope system, it can also provide functions such as electronic intelligence collection, surveillance and target attack.
Compared with the traditional penetrating periscope, the photoelectric mast has many advantages: for example, the photoelectric mast does not penetrate the pressure hull, but is directly arranged in the appropriate position of the command module, which not only improves the pressure strength of the submarine, but also facilitates the layout of the command module; The observation head of the photoelectric mast is equipped with various photoelectric detection sensors, electronic warfare and communication antennas. The situation outside the boat can be photographed by TV and infrared camera, then transmitted to the boat and displayed on the monitor and big screen of the console. Photoelectric mast is gradually replacing penetrating periscope and becoming an important part of submarine combat information system.
However, due to the complicated technology and high price, only a few submarines have used a photoelectric mast at present. For example, Russian "Delta Ⅲ" and "Delta Ⅳ" missile nuclear submarines are equipped with a "Brick Rain" photoelectric mast. Only the American "Virginia" class attack nuclear submarine used two photoelectric masts. Although the British "Smart" and French "Victory" attack nuclear submarines are also equipped with two photoelectric masts, they have not yet been launched and it will take time to serve. At present, a photoelectric mast and a periscope are commonly used together. For example, some submarine snorkel camera monitoring systems in the United States, Britain, Germany, France, Russia, Japan, Egypt and other countries were invented by Germany during World War II. In the 196s, we began to study how to use the periscope observation device under the condition of the snorkel, so that the snorkel can be used for multiple purposes. At that time, the first choice was to install periscope on the snorkel, for example, the NavS periscope of Zeiss company in Germany could be installed on the snorkel of submarine. In recent years, more attention has been paid to the installation of observation and communication devices on submarine snorkel. In the American patent "snorkel device of submarine" applied by IKL company in Germany in September 24, how to configure periscope, radar and communication antenna on snorkel is described in detail, mainly involving electronic imaging technology and radar early warning technology. The snorkel camera monitoring system applies the submarine photoelectric mast technology to the snorkel device, so that the submarine can keep alert observation, communication and radar early warning while working in the snorkel state, which improves the concealment of the submarine. From a technical point of view, if you have mastered the photoelectric mast technology, it will not be very difficult to realize it on the snorkel. This technology has attracted the attention of people in the submarine industry.
Figure 5:
Camera TV system of enclosure and shell
This is a special application of TV camera system in submarine. It is mainly used to inspect and monitor the external environment and various launching conditions of the submarine, and can also provide optical navigation for submarine activities under the ice. The application of TV camera system in submarine hull has a history of at least 3 years, and the specific application is more common in British, Russian and Nordic naval submarines. The underwater television camera system installed on the British submarine enclosure is specially developed for the needs of submarine activities on ice or underwater. It can provide safe underwater navigation and is an important auxiliary device for submarine to float. Generally speaking, as far as navigation systems are concerned. Two underwater TV cameras should be arranged on the submarine enclosure, one of which is placed in the upward observation position and the other in the forward view position at an angle of 4 degrees with the horizontal direction. This arrangement is very beneficial for the submarine to get the best quality image when it is floating or maneuvering forward. The OE-285 camera of British Unitary Mlad Company has been equipped with British submarines. It is an enhanced silicon target camera, which can observe various targets by weak light under the condition of cloudy starlight. OE-285 camera is an important auxiliary equipment when submarine moves in the Arctic Ocean.
Figure 6:
Virtual periscope system
This is the submarine underwater camera system being studied by the US Navy. Although it is called a "virtual" periscope, it is completely different from the "virtual reality" in the field of computer technology and the camera system on the enclosure. Virtual periscope is a kind of optical sensor that looks through the water completely from the submarine platform, including submarine underwater camera, processor and image display. The so-called "virtual" means that the image display can reproduce the incomplete image in the hemispherical field of view of the upper part of the sea as a complete image. Virtual periscope is integrated with submarine sensor system, which can reduce the number of times submarine commanders use conventional periscope and improve submarine stealth.
Virtual periscope technology can also minimize the probability of collision between submarines and surface ships. Before the submarine floats to the submerged depth, it must be confirmed that there are no ships in the floating area. The "transition zone" from the diving depth to about 15 feet (46 meters) underwater is an unsafe area for submarine underwater activities. In this embarrassing area, the submarine can't see whether there is a sailing ship above because it is "too deep" and can't pass safely because it is "too shallow" below the sailing ship. However, this transition zone may contain the best underwater acoustic search depth and the best avoidance depth, and it is the most ideal depth area for submarines to operate safely in shallow water. If the submarine loses this transition zone, its mobility will be greatly reduced. If the submarine uses virtual periscope technology to observe the surrounding situation, it can move safely in this transition area.
the optical principle of virtual periscope is different from that of ordinary periscope. Ordinary periscope receives light at a certain position on the sea; Virtual periscope is to use one or several upward-looking cameras under water to receive light from space and penetrate the sea. The virtual periscope project uses the imaging technology of reconstructing weak refracted light to develop an underwater camera system (including software system) that can detect water targets. Virtual periscope is not only a special imaging technology, but also fully suitable for the application of submarine special operations forces. This technology is in the experimental stage.
Figure 7:
Photoelectric buoy system
The United States applied for a patent for photoelectric buoy technology as early as the early 198s. In 199s, the ship imaging system company in Pocahontas, Massachusetts, USA started the design and research of photoelectric buoys for submarines. The company signed a $1 million research contract with the United States Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to design and manufacture a camera buoy system (BCD) launched from submarines. BCD uses CCD sensor and keeps connection with submarine through optical fiber and cable. The stability and monitoring direction of CCD sensor are controlled by the submarine, and the target image data is obtained on the water surface, and then converted into optical fiber signals and transmitted to the submarine. The obtained information is processed by image enhancement algorithm software. The photoelectric buoy for submarine can be stealthed to improve its concealment, such as disguised as ice or floating objects at sea. If the cost can be reduced, the photoelectric buoy can be designed to be disposable. It is also suggested to develop a multi-sensor photoelectric buoy system.
Figure 8:
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle System
The development of submarine unmanned aerial vehicle has solved the problem that periscope and photoelectric mast have low periscope height and cannot be observed from a distance. The submarine can get the images taken by the unmanned aerial vehicle in the submerged state, thus improving the concealment. The research on submarine-related UAV technology began in the mid-198s. At that time, the UAV was launched from a torpedo tube, and now it can be launched from the submarine mast. For example, the UAV launcher developed by kollmorgen Company in the United States is installed in the submarine mast, which can hold four UAVs at a time. The U.S. Navy has applied UAV technology to Virginia-class and Ohio-class attack nuclear submarines. UAV can transmit the detected information to the launching submarine through military satellites, or forward it to other submarines, surface ships and operational command centers on land, and form an integrated information network with various systems such as underwater vehicles.