StepZoom for razor sharp. (Digest).

This image sequence, of a Pac3 interceptor playing tag with a Hera target missile, was taken with Questar's SZ180 telescope connected to a Cohu 8215 colour CCD camera. The equipment composes part of a suite of sensors mated to Raytheon's Sea Lite Beam Director (SLBD) located at the US Army's High Energy Laser Test Facility. Questar's motorised StepZoom 180 is an 8:1 variable focal length lens with what the company describes as the longest focal length available in an optic of its size. The system is fully motorised with microprocessor control, and the lens offers parfocal selection of five effective focal lengths, four selectable filters and a four-line backlit display of focal length, filter position, focus range and operating status. Working range of the system is from 75 metres to infinity with a resolution of 0.7 arc second and a clear aperture of 178 mm. A remote control feature allows operation from a distance of about 1220 metres from the hand-held terminal. Camera pictured bottom left.