A target tracking device for target tracking missiles having an electro-optical
seeker assembly mounted in a missile structure through gimbals. The seeker assembly
responds to target radiation and provides target deviation signals. Actuators,
controlled by the target deviation signals, cause the seeker assembly to track
the target. The electro-optical seeker assembly is pivotally mounted in the missile
structure about a roll axis and a pitch axis only, the pitch axis being orthogonal
to the roll axis. First and second pick-offs, providing pick-off signals, are provided
for picking off angles of rotation of the seeker assembly about the roll and pitch
axes. A structure-fixed inertial sensor unit is provided for measuring the angular
rates about three mutually orthogonal axes and providing angular rate signals.
The target deviation signals from the seeker assembly, the pick-off signals from
the pick-offs and the angular rate signals from the inertial sensor unit are applied
to a computer, which is programmed to define a seeker reference system with three
degrees of freedom. This seeker reference system is decoupled from movements of
the missile and the seeker assembly. The roll movement of the seeker reference
system is zero. The seeker reference system is caused to track a target detected
by the seeker assembly. The computer, in addition, generates positioning commands
for the actuators depending on the position of the seeker reference system. The
device for generating the positioning command is a case discriminating logic for
selecting one of a plurality of specific positioning commands, when the target
approaches the roll axis.