COORDINATING MULTIPLE ORDNANCE TARGETING VIA OPTICAL INTER-ORDNANCE COMMUNICATIONS

Apparatus and associated methods relate to coordinating targeting among multiple guided ordnances using inter-ordnance optical communications. An inter-ordnance communications channel is optically established between leading (14A) and trailing (14C) guided ordnances travelling in substantially the same direction. The leading guided ordnance (14A) emits an optical beacon (28) in a direction aft of the direction of ordnance travel, and a trailing guided ordnance (14C) captures images that contain the optical beacon (28) emitted by the leading guided ordnance (14A). The trailing guided ordnance (14C) is configured to chart a trajectory of the leading guided ordnance (14A). The trailing guided ordnance (14C) is configured to predict which, among multiple targets (12A, 12B, 12C) identified in the captured images, is a first target consistent with the charted trajectory of and therefore selected by the leading ordnance (14A). The trailing guided ordnance (14C) is further configured to select, based on the captured images, a second target that is within a navigable range of the trailing guided ordnance (14C).