Precision guidance system for aircraft launched bombs

• US 5,866,838 A
• Filed: 05/09/1997
• Issued: 02/02/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Inventors: Mayersak, Joseph R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jordan, Charles
• Assistant Examiner(s): MONTGOMERY, CHRISTOPHER KEITH
• Application Number:
  US08/853,603
• Time in Patent Office: 634 Days
• Field of Search: 342/62, 342/357, 244/3.19, 89/1.56, 89/1.51
• US Class Current: 89/1.56
• 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 radio frequency 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 a deployable ordnance from an airborne aircraft comprising:

receiving GPS information from GPS satellites by a receiver on board said aircraft, and continuously broadcasting at radio frequency the received GPS information to the deployable ordnance prior to deployment from said aircraft.

2. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the deployable ordnance receiving the broadcast GPS information prior to deployment.

3. The method set forth in claim 1 in which initialization includes using a beginning of a message code which designates the guidance and control systems on selected ordnance to be activated, actuating said guidance and control systems, providing terminal GPS position and velocity information, and transmitting said information via multiple radio frequency data links to said selected ordnance prior to deployment.

4. A deployable ordnance initialization system for deploying ordinance carried by an airborne aircraft comprising;

a GPS receiver carried by said aircraft and adapted to receive GPS information from GPS satellites;

a repeater carried by said aircraft and operationally coupled to receive the GPS information from said GPS receiver and continuously broadcast at radio frequency the GPS information from said GPS receiver to said deployable ordnance prior to deployment; and

a receiver carried by said deployable ordnance and operatively coupled to receive the GPS information broadcast at radio frequency by said repeater.