Process for the autonomous positional control of guided missiles

• US 5,397,079 A
• Filed: 10/08/1993
• Issued: 03/14/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lfk-Lenkflugkã¶Rpersysteme GmbH (MBDA)
• Original Assignee: Deutsche Aerospace AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Bittner, Gunther, Strentz, Wilfried
• Primary Examiner(s): Pihulic, Daniel T.
• Application Number:
  US08/134,277
• Time in Patent Office: 522 Days
• Field of Search: 244/3.15, 244/3.2, 244/3.21, 342/62, 364/462
• US Class Current: 244/3.2
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 7/007 Preparatory measures taken before the launching of the guided missiles

Abstract

Process for the autonomous positional control of guided missiles, which are to be launched from a carrier plane, but without the cooperation thereof, wherein data on the instantaneous position of the guided missile, as well as flight and target data are fed into a computer of the guided missile already on the ground. The initial data fed into the computer are continually updated with changing values from the inertial navigation and additional navigational aids and are further calculated to achieve autonomous flight guidance and self-guiding of the missile. An uninterruptible power supply of the guided missile is maintained beginning from the moment of data reception.

Claims

1. A process for the autonomous positional control of guided missiles, the guided missiles being launched from a carrier airplane, without cooperation from the carrier airplane, the process comprising the steps of:

feeding data on instantaneous position as well as flight and target data into a computer onboard the guided missile, the data being fed while the guided missile is on the ground;

carrying the guided missile into the air, with the carrier airplane;

continually updating the initial data entered into the computer, after said step of feeding data, by providing changing values without cooperation from the carrier airplane, the changing values being provided from an inertial navigation system including one or more navigational aids provided onboard the guided missile, said values being further calculated for performing autonomous flight guidance and self guiding of the missile; and

maintaining a power supply onboard the guided missile beginning from the moment of data reception and continuing during a duration of a mission.

2. A process according to claim 1, wherein:

the initial data is fed into the computer of the guided missile by a prelaunch device.

3. A process according to claim 1, wherein:

the initial position of the guided missile in relation to north is stored by the onboard computer and this initial position is obtained from electrical values supplied by a compass aligned with a longitudinal axis of the guided missile.

4. A process according to claim 3, wherein:

a compass provided in the guided missile is used for said storing of said initial position.

5. A process according to claim 3, wherein:

a compass coupled with said prelaunched device is used to store said initial position.

6. A process according to claim 1, wherein:

said horizontal position of said guided missile is calculated by said onboard computer on the ground from calculated values of acceleration transducers.

7. A process according to claim 1, wherein:

in addition to said inertial navigation system, additional navigational aids are provided include one of a radar altimeter, Doppler velocimeter, satellite navigation (GPS) laser telemeter, infrared homing head, thruster control unit, safety system, data from said additional navigational aids being fed into said computer of said guided missile.

8. A process for the positional control of a guided missile, the process comprising the steps of:

providing a computer on board the guided missile and providing one or more navigational aids on board the guided missile;

feeding data on instantaneous position as well as flight and target data into the computer, the data being fed while the guided missile is on the ground;

connecting the guided missile to a carrier airplane and subsequent to said step of feeding data, carrying said guided missile into the air, with the carrier airplane;

updating the initial data entered into the computer, said step of updating commencing after said step of feeding data and continuing while said guided missile is connected to said airplane, by providing changing positional values without interaction with the carrier airplane, the changing positional values being provided from an inertial navigation system including one of said navigational aids provided on board the guided missile;

separating said guided missile from said carrier airplane and further calculating changing values for performing autonomous flight guidance and self guiding of the guided missile; and

maintaining a power supply on board said guided missile, said power supply being maintained in an operational state from a time of data reception and continuing in an operational state for a duration of a mission.