Precision guidance system for aircraft launched bombs

• US 5,657,947 A
• Filed: 11/24/1995
• Issued: 08/19/1997
• 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): Carone, Michael J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MONTGOMERY, CHRISTOPHER KEITH
• Application Number:
  US08/562,426
• Time in Patent Office: 634 Days
• Field of Search: 342/357, 342/353, 342/62, 244/3.14, 244/3.19, 102/384, 89/1.11, 89/1.56, 89/41.03
• US Class Current: 244/3.19
• 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: F42B 15/01 Arrangements thereon for guidance or control steering arrangements F42B10/60; aircraft flight control B64C; guidance systems other than those installed aboard F41G7/00, F41G9/00; locating by use of radio or other waves G01S; flight control in general G05D1/00; computer aspects G06]
• CPC Class Codes: F42C 19/00 Details of fuzes except F42C15/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/05 providing aiding data
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/11 wherein the cooperating elements are pseudolites or satellite radio beacon positioning system signal repeaters
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/18 Military applications

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 initializing aircraft launched individual bombs having a GPS receiver to provide initial GPS position and velocity states with a RF repeater link consisting of the steps of:

a) selecting four GPS satellites and acquiring and tracking the navigation messages from these satellites using a conventional GPS receiver;

b) activating the bombs through the use of a beginning message code monitored by station keeping electronics on each bomb;

c) amplifying and adjusting the received navigation messages and transmitting the messages through a co-axial cable distribution system to one or more GPS repeater transmitters;

d) transmitting the adjusted GPS navigation messages into the bomb bay location of the aircraft where the GPS receivers on the bombs acquire and track the navigation messages and use the GPS RF transmitted data to determine the satellites being used by the GPS system and determine bomb position and velocity in the bomb bay during flight, prior to weapon launch.

2. The method set forth in claim 1 in which the activation signal is a RF signal.

3. The method set forth in claim 1 in which the activation signal is electro-optical.

4. The method set forth in claim 1 in which the activation signal is infra-red.

5. The method set forth in claim 1 in which the activation signal is an acoustic coded signal.