Anti-submarine warfare cluster munitions and cluster depth charges

• US 7,503,259 B2
• Filed: 02/15/2005
• Issued: 03/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Inventors: Howard, Robert J.
• Primary Examiner(s): HAYES, BRET C
• Application Number:
  US11/057,822
• Publication Number:
  US 20060180044A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,491 Days
• Field of Search: 102/390, 102/391, 114/21.3, 114/25
• US Class Current: 102/391
• 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: F42B 21/00 Depth charges F42B12/00 takes precedence; for practice or training F42B8/28; laying aspects B63G

Abstract

A system of cluster depth charges increases the probability of inflicting damage on an underwater target. In an embodiment, the cluster depth charges are within a housing, and have intelligent sensor, buoyancy, and tracking and homing systems. In another embodiment, the cluster depth charges have a gun attached to a buoyancy section. In another embodiment, the cluster depth charges have magnets so that the cluster depth charges can attach to the target.

Claims

1. A depth charge comprising:

a housing;

an explosive charge within said housing;

a buoyancy control system, a sensor, and a tracking and homing system positioned completely within said housing; and

a magnet, positioned within said housing, such that said depth charge is capable of becoming attached to an underwater target via said magnet;

wherein said depth charge is for deployment in an underwater environment;

wherein said sensor is for locating said underwater target in said underwater environment;

wherein said buoyancy control system and said tracking and homing system are for orienting said depth charge in proximity to said underwater target; and

further

wherein said buoyancy control system is configured to maintain a depth of said depth charge and move said depth charge up and down in said underwater environment.

2. The depth charge of claim 1, further comprising a detonator to detonate said explosive charge.

3. The depth charge of claim 1, wherein said housing is shaped to permit ease of attachment to a curved surface of a target.

4. The depth charge of claim 1, wherein said sensor is selected from the group consisting of passive SONAR, active SONAR, and LIDAR.

5. The depth charge of claim 1, further comprising a trigger mechanism, said trigger mechanism programmed to trigger on a particular course, at a particular speed, or at a particular depth.

6. The depth charge of claim 1, further comprising a timed self-destruct system.

7. A system comprising a plurality of depth charges, two or more of said depth charges comprising:

a housing;

an explosive charge within said housing;

a buoyancy control system, a sensor, and a tracking and homing system positioned completely within said housing; and

a magnet, positioned within said housing, such that said depth charge is capable of becoming attached to an underwater target via said magnet;

wherein said two or more depth charges are for deployment in an underwater environment;

wherein said sensor is for locating said underwater target in said underwater environment;

wherein said buoyancy control system and said tracking and homing system are for orienting said two or more depth charges in proximity to said underwater target; and

further wherein said buoyancy control system is configured to maintain a depth of said two or more depth charges and move said two or more depth charges up and down in said underwater environment.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said two or more depth charges further comprise a detonator to detonate said explosive charge.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein said housing of said two or more depth charges is shaped to permit ease of attachment to a curved surface of a target.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein said two or more depth charges are deployed in said underwater environment.

11. The system of claim 7, wherein said sensor of said two or more depth charges is selected from the group consisting of passive SONAR, active SONAR, and LIDAR.

12. The system of claim 7, wherein said two or more depth charges further comprise a trigger mechanism, said trigger mechanism programmed to trigger on a particular course, at a particular speed, or at a particular depth.

13. The system of claim 7, wherein said two or more depth charges further comprise a timed self-destruct system.