Combat AUV

Abstract

A new combat AUV (1) for reuse after a mission has the following features: • the combat AUV (1) comprises a sonar (2) with a sound transmitter and a sound receiver, • with the sonar (2) an enemy ship (50) can be detected and a value of a distance (A) to the enemy ship (50) can be measured, • the combat AUV (1) further comprises one to four unguided explosive charge barrels (20), each arranged externally in launch tubes (10), which can be accelerated to 10.29 to 30.87 m / s (20 to 60 knots), each with an explosive charge (21) with a mass of 0.5 to 5 kg and an impact fuse (23), • the combat AUV (1) comprises a computer (4) for determining the firing time of one or more of the explosive charge barrels (20), which computer only triggers the firing of one or more of the barrels (20) when a value of a distance (A) obtained from the sonar (2) is between 25 and 50 m, so that the combat AUV (1) is not damaged.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a combat AUV (autonomous underwater vehicle) for reuse after a mission.

[0002] US Pat. No. 9,440,718 B1 discloses a system with two combat AUVs. One combat AUV is connected to one end of a tether, and the other combat AUV is connected to the other end of the tether. An explosive charge is attached to the tether. The tether and the attached explosive charge are guided around a ship to be attacked. The explosive charge is detonated via radio.

[0003] Combat AUVs, which are attached to an unmanned carrier platform, are known from GR 1005392 B. The combat AUVs carry an explosive charge that is detonated at the target.

[0004] An AUV with a disposable anchor is known from CN 115009483 A. The disposable anchor has an anchor rope. The disposable anchor is releasably attached to the AUV with a first release device, which allows the disposable anchor to be lowered to secure the AUV's position on the seabed. When the anchor is no longer needed, the anchor rope and the attached disposable anchor are released using a second release device.

[0005] DE-OS 20 35 833 discloses an unguided explosive charge barrel in the shape of a harpoon, which can be fired from a launch tube. The harpoon contains an explosive charge and an impact fuse.

[0006] The invention is based on the object of designing a combat AUV in such a way that a contribution is made to the reusability of the combat AUV.

[0007] This object is achieved according to the invention by the features of claim 1.

[0008] The advantages of the invention are based on the fact that a combat AUV for reuse after a mission has the following features: The combat AUV includes a sonar with a sound transmitter and a sound receiver to avoid collisions with obstacles. The sonar can also detect an enemy ship and determine the distance to the enemy ship. This distance is needed to determine whether an enemy ship can be engaged without damaging the combat AUV. The combat AUV is armed with one to four explosive charge barrels. Once the explosive charge barrels are exhausted, the combat AUV returns to its home port to reload ammunition and recharge its batteries. The combat AUVs are mounted externally in launch tubes, which facilitates handling. The explosive charge barrels are unguided effectors that can be accelerated to 10.29 to 30.87 m / s (20 to 60 knots). Each one contains an explosive charge weighing 0.5 to 5 kg and an impact fuse.The explosive charge propellants are so fast that the speed of the attack AUV or the speed of the enemy ship is negligible. The attack AUV includes a computer to determine the timing of the launch of one or more of the explosive charge propellants. This computer only triggers the launch of one or more of the propellants when a distance value obtained from the sonar is between 25 and 50 meters, so that the attack AUV does not sustain damage. This safety distance prevents damage to the attack AUV.

[0009] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the combat AUV comprises, in addition to the sonar sound receiver, a direction-finding microphone for navigating to the enemy ship. The enemy ship represents a sound source that the AUV targets via the direction-finding microphone. This very simple navigation is entirely sufficient. A missile launched 25 to 50 meters in front of the enemy ship will hit its target because the enemy ship, which is several meters long, represents a huge target for the missile. As the combat AUV targets the enemy ship, the missile is simultaneously aligned with the enemy ship by simply arranging the longitudinal axis of the launch tube coaxially with the longitudinal axis of the combat AUV, with only a slight offset.

[0010] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the explosive charge barrel is accelerated in the launch tube using compressed gas. This is simple to implement and allows for easy reloading.

[0011] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the explosive charge is part of a shaped charge in order to achieve high damage to the enemy ship with the mass of explosive used.

[0012] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the combat AUV has a disposable anchor with a 20 to 200 m long anchor rope. The disposable anchor is detachably attached to the combat AUV with a first release device for depositing the disposable anchor on the seabed to secure the position of the combat AUV. The anchor rope is detachably attached to the combat AUV with a second release device for releasing the AUV from the anchor rope and disposable anchor. Surprisingly, a disposable anchor offers naval tactical advantages for the specific application of a combat AUV. This is because the combat AUV can remain in a waiting or parking position without requiring any significant battery power.

[0013] A further advantageous embodiment builds on the previous embodiment. The combat AUV has a radio device via which the second release device is actuated. Upon actuation of the second release device, the anchor cable and thus also the disposable anchor attached to it are separated from the combat AUV in order to engage an enemy vessel. For this purpose, the combat AUV can conduct searches in an area with a radius of, for example, 2 km. If multiple combat AUVs are deployed, each combat AUV can have its own operational area. Suitable measures ensure that neighboring combat AUVs do not interfere with each other.

[0014] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the combat AUV has a charge level sensor for a battery of its electric drive, which determines a charge level value and communicates this to the computer, which automatically initiates a return journey, taking into account the required residual energy for the journey home, in order to ensure reuse of the combat AUV.

[0015] Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 a combat AUV, as a simple schematic diagram in perspective view; Fig. 2 the bow of the previously shown combat AUV, an explosive charge barrel fired immediately before and the bow of a ship to be attacked, as a simple schematic diagram in perspective representation.

[0016] Fig. Figure 1 shows a combat AUV 1 for reuse after a mission. The combat AUV 1 includes a sonar 2 with a sound transmitter and a sound receiver. The sonar 2 can detect an enemy vessel and determine the distance to the enemy vessel.

[0017] The combat AUV 1 comprises two launchable, unguided explosive charge barrels 20, each arranged externally in launch tubes 10, which can be accelerated to an exemplary speed of 20.58 m / s (40 knots), each with an explosive charge 21 with a mass of an exemplary mass of 1.5 kg and an impact fuse 23. The combat AUV 1 comprises a computer 4 to determine the launch time of the explosive charge barrel 20, which computer only triggers the launch of a barrel 20 when a distance value to an enemy ship obtained from the sonar 2 is an exemplary 35 m, so that the combat AUV 1 is not damaged.

[0018] In addition to the sonar receiver 2, the combat AUV 1 includes a direction-finding microphone 7 for navigating to the enemy ship 50. The combat AUV 1 navigates to the point of the largest sound source of the enemy ship 50.

[0019] The explosive charge barrel 20 can be accelerated with compressed gas in the launch tube 10. The combat AUV 1 has a disposable anchor 30 with an anchor rope 40 that is, for example, 50 m long, because the water depths in the operational area range from 0 m to 40 m.

[0020] The one-way anchor 30 is detachably attached to the combat AUV 1 by a first release device 31, allowing the one-way anchor 30 to be lowered to secure the position of the combat AUV 1 on the seabed. The anchor rope 40 is attached to the combat AUV 1 by a second release device 41, allowing the AUV 1 to be released from the anchor rope 40 and the one-way anchor 30.

[0021] The combat AUV 1 has a radio device 3 via which the second release device 41 is actuated in order, for example, to release a combat AUV from a parking position secured with the one-way anchor 30 so that it can hunt and engage an enemy ship 50.

[0022] The combat AUV 1 has a charge level sensor 5a for a battery 5 of its electric drive 6, which determines a charge level value and communicates this to the computer 4, which automatically initiates a return journey taking into account the required residual energy for the journey home.

[0023] Fig. Figure 2 shows an engagement scene. It depicts the bow of the previously depicted combat AUV 1, the bow of the vessel 50 being engaged, and an explosive charge 20 that was fired immediately before and is aimed at the enemy vessel 50.

[0024] The explosive charge barrel 20 shows, in addition to the impact fuse 23, the explosive charge 21, which is part of a shaped charge 22.

[0025] The combat AV 1 moves toward the enemy ship 50. The longitudinal axis of the launch tube 10 is coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the combat AUV 1, except for an offset. As a result, an explosive charge barrel 20 to be launched is aligned with the enemy ship 50.

[0026] The following describes the deployment of several combat AUVs 1. A port is to be protected from enemy ships. - A large number of combat AUVs 1 are ready for use in the port. - In the event of a threat situation, the combat AUVs 1 move to predetermined GPS positions to form a barrier around the port. - The combat AUVs 1 are secured in position with the disposable anchors 30. - The combat AUVs 1 are in a low-energy parking position. - Via radio device 3 ( Fig. 1) the combat AUVs 1 receive the order to attack an enemy ship 50. - The radio device 3 ( Fig. 1) actuates the second release device 41 ( Fig. 1) of the combat AUVs. The mooring lines 40 and the disposable anchors 30 of the combat AUVs are released. - The Combat AUVs 1 hunt and engage the enemy ship 50. - The charge level sensors 5a ensure that the combat AUVs 1 can return to the port before the batteries 5 are exhausted. - In the port, the batteries 5 are recharged and new explosive charge barrels 20 are installed.

[0027] Deviations from the illustrated embodiment are possible, for example, as follows: - In general, the combat AUV 1 can comprise one to four launchable, unguided explosive charge barrels 20, each arranged externally in launch tubes 10, which can be accelerated to 10.29 to 30.87 m / s (20 to 60 knots), each with an explosive charge 21 with a mass of 0.5 to 5 kg and an impact fuse 23. - The computer 4 triggers the firing of one or more of the moving bodies 20 only when a distance value obtained from the sonar 2 is between 25 and 50 m, so that the combat AUV 1 is not damaged. List of reference symbols 1 control AUV 2 Sonar 3 Radio equipment 4 computers 5 Battery 5a Charge level sensor 6 electric drive 7 Direction finding microphone 10 launch tube 20 explosive charge barrels 21 explosive charge 22 shaped charge 23 impact fuses 30 disposable anchors 31 first release device 40 anchor rope 41 second release device 50 enemy ship A distance QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] US 9 440 718 B1

[0002] CN 115009483 A

[0004] DE-OS 20 35 833

[0005]

Claims

[1] Combat AUV (1) for reuse after a mission, with the following characteristics: • the combat AUV (1) comprises a sonar (2) with a sound transmitter and a sound receiver, • with the sonar (2) an enemy ship (50) can be detected and a value of a distance (A) to the enemy ship (50) can be measured, • the combat AUV (1) further comprises one to four unguided explosive charge barrels (20), each arranged externally in launch tubes (10), which can be accelerated to 10.29 to 30.87 m / s, each containing an explosive charge (21) with a mass of 0.5 to 5 kg and an impact fuse (23), • the combat AUV (1) comprises a computer (4) for determining the firing time of one or more of the explosive charge barrels (20), which computer only triggers the firing of one or more of the barrels (20) when a value of a distance (A) obtained from the sonar (2) is between 25 and 50 m, so that the combat AUV (1) is not damaged. [2] Combat AUV (1) according to claim 1, having the features: • the combat AUV (1) includes, in addition to the sonar sound receiver (2), a direction finding microphone (7) to navigate to the enemy ship (50). [3] Combat AUV (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the explosive charge barrel (20) in the launch tube (10) is accelerated with compressed gas. [4] Combat AUV (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the explosive charge (21) is part of a shaped charge (22). [5] Combat AUV according to one of claims 1 to 4, having the features: • the combat AUV (1) has a disposable anchor (30) with a 20 to 200 m long anchor rope (40), • the disposable anchor (30) is detachably attached to the combat AUV (1) by a first release device (31) in order to lower the disposable anchor (30) to secure the position of the combat AUV (1) on the lake bed, • the anchor rope (40) is releasably attached to the combat AUV (1) with a second release device (41) in order to release the AUV (1) from the anchor rope (40) and disposable anchor (30). [6] Combat AUV (1) according to claim 5, wherein the combat AUV (1) has a radio device (3) via which the second release device (41) is actuated to release the anchor rope (40) and the one-way anchor (30). [7] Combat AUV (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, having the features: The combat AUV (1) has a charge level sensor (5a) for a battery (5) of its electric drive (6), which determines a charge level value and communicates this to the computer (4), which automatically initiates a return journey taking into account the required residual energy.

Images