Apparatus and method for remote guidance of cannon-launched projectiles
First Claim
1. A system for remotely guiding a ballistic projectile, comprising:
- a ground-based sub-system; and
an airborne sub-system wherein said airborne sub-system includes (a) a first transmission means for communicating with said ground-based subsystem in the radio frequency portion of the electro-magnetic spectrum to provide to said ground-based system at a predetermined time or upon interrogation the azimuthal and elevational position of said airborne sub-system with respect to said ground-based sub-system and (b) a second transmission means for generating a signal to provide to said ground-based sub-system a slant range from said airborne sub-system to said ground sub-system at predetermined time or upon receipt of an interrogation signal from said ground-based sub-system, for use in providing in-flight mid-course corrections to the flight trajectory of said projectile.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to ground-based electromechanical search and communications apparatus used in conjunction with airborne communications apparatus. The ground-based apparatus maintains contact with and determines the precise location of the airborne apparatus within a defined space. Additionally, the airborne apparatus may receive data from a satellite system as to its inertial coordinates within object space. The apparatus of the invention includes a ground-based electronically and/or mechanically controlled antenna, an integral transmitter and computer and an airborne transceiver with an integral antenna and computer. The airborne transceiver transmits to, and on occasion receives, discrete commands from the ground-based apparatus. The ground-based apparatus via transmissions received from the airborne apparatus, will be able to determine the precise location in object space of the airborne apparatus and extrapolate its future location. Additionally, the ground-based apparatus can issue commands to the airborne apparatus to alter its path of flight. The alterations of trajectory correction will be achieved via an onboard airborne trajectory correction module.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A system for remotely guiding a ballistic projectile, comprising:
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a ground-based sub-system; and an airborne sub-system wherein said airborne sub-system includes (a) a first transmission means for communicating with said ground-based subsystem in the radio frequency portion of the electro-magnetic spectrum to provide to said ground-based system at a predetermined time or upon interrogation the azimuthal and elevational position of said airborne sub-system with respect to said ground-based sub-system and (b) a second transmission means for generating a signal to provide to said ground-based sub-system a slant range from said airborne sub-system to said ground sub-system at predetermined time or upon receipt of an interrogation signal from said ground-based sub-system, for use in providing in-flight mid-course corrections to the flight trajectory of said projectile. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification