Drone-type missile

• US 4,296,894 A
• Filed: 02/23/1979
• Issued: 10/27/1981
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm GmbH
• Original Assignee: Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm GmbH
• Inventors: Rieger, Ulrich, Schnabele, Werner, Buckley, Jack
• Primary Examiner(s): TUDOR, HAROLD JAY
• Application Number:
  US06/014,720
• Time in Patent Office: 977 Days
• Field of Search: 244/3.27, 244/3.28, 244/3.29, 244/3.1
• US Class Current: 244/3.27
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 10/14 using fins spread or deployed after launch, e.g. after leaving the barrel
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 15/10 Missiles having a trajectory only in the air

Abstract

The invention relates to a drone-type missile for combatting ground targets from the ground, particularly for the use against targets which emit electromagnetic rays, such as radar stations; with built-in target-seeking head, guidance system, self-propulsion and take-off assist, preferably a booster rocket.

Claims

1. A drone missile system, comprising:

a missile having a target-seeking head,

a guidance system,

a self-propulsion and take-off system,

electronic means for storing individual mission data prior to the mission,

a pair of wings,

a tail assembly, and

a propeller,

said missile having a shape defining a longitudinal direction,

said wings, as well as said tail assembly and said propeller being foldable in the longitudinal direction of the missile and automatically unfoldable transverse to the longitudinal direction of the missile,

said wings and said propeller being automatically detachable in flight after launching, and

a container for storing as well as transporting and launching the missile when the wings as well as said tail assembly and said propeller are folded in the longitudinal direction.

3. A missile system as in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said missile includes means for receiving a booster rocket and a warhead, wherein said container includes a cover located behind the missile through which said booster rocket and said warhead can be mounted on the missile.

4. A missile system as in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said container surrounds the missile with the wings as well as said tail assembly and said propeller being folded.

2. A drone missile system, comprising:

a missile having a target-seeking head,

a guidance system,

a self-propulsion and take-off system,

electronic means for storing individual mission data prior to the mission,

a pair of wings,

a tail assembly, and

a propeller,

said missile having a shape defining a longitudinal direction,

means for allowing folding of said wings as well as said tail assembly and said propeller in the longitudinal direction of the missile and for automatically unfolding them transverse to the longitudinal direction of the missile,

means for automatically detaching said wings and said propeller in flight after launching, and

a container for storing as well as transporting and launching the missile when the wings as well as said tail assembly and said propeller are folded in the longitudinal direction.

5. A missile system as in claim 4 or claim 2, wherein said missile includes a piston engine for driving said propeller, said piston engine being startable within the container while uncoupled from the propeller, and electromagnetic couplings for automatically coupling said propeller to said piston engine.

6. A missile system as in claim 4 or claim 2, further comprising a programming device connectable to said electronic means for entering mission data into said electronic means.

7. A missile system as in claim 6 or claim 2, wherein said programming device includes means for entering preprogrammed mission data.

8. A missile system as in claim 6 or claim 2, wherein said programming means includes a data entry board for manually entering data.