Target Assignment Projectile

• US 20170336185A1
• Filed: 05/01/2017
• Published: 11/23/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Marsupial Holdings Inc.
• Original Assignee: Marsupial Holdings Inc.
• Inventors: Parker, William P., Bibby, Thomas F. A.
• Granted Patent: US 10,088,286 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 12/365 Projectiles transmitting information to a remote location using optical or electronic means F42B12/385 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 12/382 emitting an electromagnetic radiation, e.g. laser beam or infrared emission

Abstract

A system for communicating with a projectile in flight toward an intended target includes a barrel-launched projectile and a remote receiver. The barrel-launched projectile includes an ordnance portion, an active communications apparatus and an onboard speed control. The active communications apparatus includes an onboard receiver, an electromagnetic wave reception device, and an active transmitter. The electromagnetic wave reception device includes at least one from the group consisting of an antenna and a photo receptor and is configured to receive an electromagnetic signal. The electromagnetic wave reception device is connected to provide a signal derived from the electromagnetic signal to the onboard receiver to deploy the onboard speed control. The active transmitter is connected and configured for transmitting a signal to the remote receiver during flight and before activation of the speed control. The transmitted signal is directed within a cone angle extending in a direction opposite of the barrel-launched projectile'"'"'s flight direction. The onboard speed control includes a shaped explosive charge. Deploying the onboard speed control initiates explosion of the shaped explosive charge. The explosion of the shaped explosive charge adjusts velocity of the barrel-launched projectile.

Claims

1. A system for communicating with a projectile in flight toward an intended target, comprising a barrel-launched projectile and a remote receiver, wherein said barrel-launched projectile includes an ordnance portion, an active communications apparatus and an onboard speed control, wherein said active communications apparatus includes an onboard receiver, an electromagnetic wave reception device, and an active transmitter, wherein said electromagnetic wave reception device includes at least one from the group consisting of an antenna and a photo receptor and is configured to receive an electromagnetic signal, wherein said electromagnetic wave reception device is connected to provide a signal derived from said electromagnetic signal to said onboard receiver to deploy said onboard speed control, wherein said active transmitter is connected and configured for transmitting a signal to said remote receiver during flight and before activation of said speed control, wherein said transmitted signal is directed within a cone angle extending in a direction opposite of said barrel-launched projectile'"'"'s flight direction, wherein said onboard speed control includes a propellant a shaped explosive charge, wherein said deploying said onboard speed control initiates explosion of said shaped explosive charge, wherein said explosion of said shaped explosive charge adjusts velocity of said barrel-launched projectile.

2. The projectile of claim 1, wherein said active transmitter includes a light source.

3. The projectile of claim 2, wherein light provided by said light source is infrared.

4. The projectile of claim 2, wherein said communications apparatus further includes a lens assembly positioned for refracting said light .

5. The projectile of claim 2, wherein said light source includes at least one from the group consisting of an LED, a laser, a chemical reaction and combustion.

6. The projectile of claim 5, further comprising a plurality of said light sources, and wherein said communications apparatus further includes a driver circuit for sequentially exciting each of said light sources.

7. The projectile of claim 6, wherein said communications apparatus further includes a lens assembly configured to project said light transmitted from a first of said plurality of light sources at a first radial angle and to project said infrared energy transmitted from a second of said plurality of light sources at a second radial angle.

8. The projectile of claim 6, wherein said communications apparatus further includes a lens assembly configured to project said light transmitted from a first of said plurality of light sources at a first longitudinal angle and to project said light transmitted from a second of said plurality of light sources at a second longitudinal angle.

9. The projectile of claim 6, wherein said communications apparatus further includes a lens assembly configured to project said light transmitted from a first of said plurality of light sources at a first longitudinal angle and a first radial angle and to project said light transmitted from a second of said plurality of light sources at a second longitudinal angle and a second radial angle.

10. The projectile of claim 1, wherein said ordnance portion and said communications apparatus are arranged so said ordnance portion extends in the direction of flight ahead of said communications portion so said ordnance portion is first to impact the target, wherein said shaped charge is configured to reduce enough of the energy of impact with the target to protect said communications apparatus from damage during the impact while leaving sufficient remaining energy for attachment of said communications apparatus to the target.

11. The projectile of claim 10, wherein said communications apparatus is structured to substantially withstand said remaining energy of the impact so said communications apparatus can communicate after the impact.

12. The projectile of claim 10, wherein said remaining energy for attachment is sufficient to provide attachment based on at least one from the group consisting of partial penetration into the target and melt of a part of said ordnance portion on impact, where said melt of a part of said ordnance portion is for facilitating said attachment to the target.

13. The projectile of claim 10, wherein said ordnance portion is configured so in said attachment at least a portion of the communication apparatus is remotely visible after said partially penetrating attachment.

14. The projectile of claim 1, further comprising a system board mounted within a plane that is essentially orthogonal to said direction of flight.

15. The projectile of claim 14, further comprising an essentially planar mounting structure that is essentially orthogonal to said direction of flight, wherein said essentially planar mounting structure is configured to receive said system board.

16. The projectile of claim 1, wherein said active communication apparatus includes one or more surface mount electronic components mounted on a shock-resistant system board.

17. The projectile of claim 1, further comprising electrical components and an electrical interconnection there between, wherein said electrical interconnection is configured to allow relative movement between said electrical components.

18. The projectile of claim 1, further comprising a power supply for providing energy to at least said communication apparatus.

19. The projectile of claim 1, wherein said active transmitter includes an antenna and wherein transmitted energy includes RF energy.

20. The projectile of claim 1, further comprising a sensor.

21. The projectile of claim 20, wherein said sensor is capable of detecting at least one from the group consisting of vibration, motion, chemicals, biological agents, nuclear decay particles, sound, or electromagnetic signals and position.

22. The projectile of claim 20, further comprising a device for recording sensor data.

23. The projectile of claim 1, wherein said transmitter includes an electronic tracer.