Optronic systems design and performance of the new MILAN ADT firing post

A new firing post MILAN ADT ("Advanced Technology") is developed by EADS-Lenkflugkoerpersysteme GmbH with the aim to improve the performance of the MILAN weapon system substantially while maintaining all operational features to which MILAN operators are accustomed. The missile tracking sensor of MILAN ADT is now equipped with a single, wide field-of-view optics and a large CMOS detector covering both gathering and guidance phase. Using adaptive windowing and sub-sampling functions of the detector combined with differential imaging modes, all types of MILAN missile are localized with optimum precision over the entire flight path. Another novel feature is the integration of a thermal imager into the optical scheme of the MILAN ADT guidance unit. This replaces the earlier ancillary TIs MIRA and MILIS thus saving the weight of the additional housing and reducing logistic effort. The TI image is displayed on an internal micro-monitor and projected into the eyepiece of the daysight. Optimum boresight harmonization between both missile tracking and sighting channels is ensured by projection of reference marks into each optical sensor path from a common multispectral projector. MILAN ADT is compatible with all existing MILAN missile versions and with MIRA and MILIS TIs; the integrated TI is offered as an option. A planned future range increase of the MILAN weapon system will also be discussed in brief.