Weapon launched reconnaissance system

• US 7,437,985 B2
• Filed: 11/30/2005
• Issued: 10/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mistral Detection Ltd.
• Original Assignee: OE Electronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Gal, Ehud
• Primary Examiner(s): Eldred; John W
• Application Number:
  US11/791,625
• Publication Number:
  US 20080115687A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,056 Days
• Field of Search: 102/501, 102/502, 89/11, 89/11.1, 244/3.1, 244/3.16, 340/901, 340/904
• US Class Current: 89/1.11
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 12/362 Arrows or darts F42B12/38 takes precedence, having means for implantation, e.g. hypodermic projectiles F42B12/54; arrows or darts in general F42B6/00
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 12/365 Projectiles transmitting information to a remote location using optical or electronic means F42B12/385 takes precedence

Abstract

The present invention is an arrow-shaped reconnaissance means, which is designed to be connected to the barrel of a weapon and launched by firing a round of ammunition from the weapon. The reconnaissance means is designed to penetrate and stick into a wall or other target and transmit video and additional data from its location, providing information gathered from an elevated position about the area around the target.

Claims

1. A weapon launched reconnaissance system comprising:

a. a rear assembly connectable to the barrel of a weapon, said rear assembly having a hollow passage enabling a bullet and/or exhaust gases coming out of said barrel to pass through it when said weapon is fired;

b. a center assembly, connected to the front end of said rear assembly, said center assembly comprising components for absorbing the momentum of said bullet and/or gases and transferring said momentum to said reconnaissance system;

c. a sensor assembly, including one or more sensors and data transmission components, said sensor assembly located within or on said center assembly; and

d. a front assembly, connected to the front end of said center assembly, said front assembly comprising a nose portion capable of penetrating and sticking to solid materials upon impact;

wherein when said reconnaissance system is connected to the end of said barrel of said weapon by means of said rear assembly and a shot is fired from said weapon said reconnaissance system is launched from said weapon and projected towards a target by said momentum of said bullet and/or said gases and when impacting upon said target said front assembly penetrates and sticks in said target whereupon said sensor assembly transmits data from the target area.

2. A weapon launched reconnaissance system according to claim 1 wherein said rear assembly comprises fins on its exterior surface.

3. A weapon launched reconnaissance system according to claim 1 wherein the center assembly comprises slots or other mechanisms on its perimeter to release gas and pressure.

4. A weapon launched reconnaissance system according to claim 1, wherein the sensor assembly is located exterior to the center assembly.

5. A weapon launched reconnaissance system according to claim 1, wherein the sensor assembly is located inside the center assembly, in a portion of said center assembly which does not absorb the direct impact of the bullet or the gases.

6. A weapon launched reconnaissance system according to claim 1 wherein the sensor assembly comprises one or more sensors chosen from the group comprising:

a. electro-optical sensors;

b. acoustic sensors;

c. nuclear sensors;

d. biological sensors;

e. chemical sensors; and

f. thermal sensors.

7. A weapon launched reconnaissance system according to claim 6, wherein the acoustic sensor triggers operation of the sensor assembly upon detection of an acoustic signal.

8. A weapon launched reconnaissance system according to claim 1, wherein the sensor assembly comprises an imaging device positioned to directly acquire an image of a scene located exterior to said reconnaissance system.

9. A weapon launched reconnaissance system according to claim 1, wherein the sensor assembly comprises an imaging device and a reflective optical system, said optical system reflecting the image of a scene located exterior to said reconnaissance system towards said imaging device.

10. A weapon launched reconnaissance system according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the sensor assembly further comprises a motor connected to the imaging device and/or elements of the optical system.

11. A weapon launched reconnaissance system according to claim 10, wherein the motor can do one or more of the following:

a. rotate the imaging device and/or components of the optical system;

b. tilt said imaging device and/or components of said optical system;

c. move said imaging device or components of said optical system up or down; and

d. move said imaging device and/or components of said optical system in a sidewards direction.

12. A weapon launched reconnaissance system according to claim 1, wherein the sensor assembly comprises a receiver capable of receiving operation commands to control operation of said sensor assembly.

13. A weapon launched reconnaissance system according to claim 1, wherein the front assembly and/or sensor assembly can be detached from the system and replaced with a different front assembly and/or sensor assembly having different components or parameters.

14. A weapon launched reconnaissance system according to claim 1, wherein the front assembly comprises explosive material capable of detonating upon impact with a target, thereby creating a hole in said target.

15. A weapon launched reconnaissance system according to claim 1 comprising mechanical elements designed to absorb shocks and impacts that would affect the sensor assembly.

16. A weapon launched reconnaissance system according to claim 1, comprising a wire or a mechanical interface connecting the front assembly and the sensor assembly.

17. A weapon launched reconnaissance system according to claim 16, wherein the center assembly is disconnected from the front assembly upon impact, thereby leaving the front assembly with the sensor assembly connected to it stuck in the target.

18. A weapon launched reconnaissance system according to claim 1, comprising one or more additional devices selected from the following group:

a. a beacon;

b. electronic warfare components; and

c. communications jamming devices.

19. A method of operating the weapon launched reconnaissance system, said method comprising:

a. supplying a weapon launched reconnaissance system according to claim 1;

b. mounting the rear assembly of said weapon launched reconnaissance system on the barrel of said weapon and tightly fitting it;

c. aiming said weapon at the designated target and firing a single round of ammunition;

d. activating the sensor assembly when the front assembly of said weapon launched reconnaissance system impacts upon the target and penetrates it sticking to said target; and

e. receiving data sent by said sensor assembly of said weapon launched reconnaissance system to a receiver and data display unit.