Precision guidance system for aircraft launched bombs

• US 5,507,452 A
• Filed: 08/24/1994
• Issued: 04/16/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Loral Corporation (Newell Brands Inc.)
• Inventors: Mayersak, Joseph R.
• Primary Examiner(s): TUDOR, HAROLD JAY
• Application Number:
  US08/295,108
• Time in Patent Office: 601 Days
• Field of Search: 244/3.15, 244/3.16, 244/3.19, 244/3.21, 244/3.22, 102/384, 342/62, 342/357
• US Class Current: 244/3.15
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 7/007 Preparatory measures taken before the launching of the guided missiles
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 7/346 using global navigation satellite systems, e.g. GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 10/663 using a plurality of transversally acting auxiliary nozzles, which are opened or closed by valves
• CPC Class Codes: F42C 19/00 Details of fuzes except F42C15/00

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a low cost and highly accurate precision guided system suitable for use in conventional aircraft launched bombs. The system includes a kit mounted upon the nose of the conventional bomb which replaces the conventional fuse disposed in a fuse well, the kit including guidance electronics controlling a self-contained jet reaction device and GPS P-code receiver electronics. The bombs are readied for discharge by signals broadcast from the aircraft into the bomb bay which transfer initial GPS data and commence operation of a gas generator which powers the jet reaction device.

Claims

1. A method of guiding an aircraft launched individual bomb to a target using position and velocity states only comprising the steps of:

a) determining target coordinates to a required degree of precision;

b) integrating plural possible trajectories from the target coordinates backward into space to define all of the trajectories which have their end points at the target;

c) determining a plane which traverses all of said trajectories;

d) determining the intersection point of all of the trajectories which impact the target;

e) determining the velocity and position states of said bomb passing through said plane;

f) determining the nearest state to the best path trajectory which would intercept the target; and

g) effecting a course correction to move the bomb to the best path trajectory.

2. In the method set forth in claim 1, the additional steps of:

h) integrating all of the trajectories backward at one second intervals;

i) storing the state data in terms of velocity and position in a microprocessor;

j) providing an adaptive polynomial network to calculate a multi-tier polynomial curve fit relative to said trajectories.

3. In the method set forth in claim 2, the additional step of:

k) continuously determining the best trajectory in fixed time increments, and continuously correcting flight of the bomb to the best path trajectory.

4. In the method of claim 3, the additional steps of:

l) determining trajectory in a vacuum using GPS provided velocity and position data;

m) determining differential ballistic effects and aeroballistic wind; and

n) employing a second adaptive polynomial network and inputting the resultant data to said first polynomial network to calculate the force and direction necessary to move the bomb to the best path intercept trajectory.