Missile for a beyond line of sight (BLOS) target

Abstract

A gun-launched missile (1) is for use against a beyond line of sight (BLOS) target. The missile (1) comprises a HEAT warhead (15), a soft-launch assembly (19) configured to soft-launch the missile from a gun barrel, and a rocket motor (17) configured to propel the missile (1), after soft-launch from the gun barrel, such as the barrel of a tank gun. The missile (1) also comprises a seeker unit (7) configured to autonomously seek a BLOS target and guide the missile to the target after launch.

Description

[0001]XA 2400a —1—MISSILE FOR A BEYOND LINE OF SIGHT (BLOS) TARGETFIELD The present invention relates to munitions. More specifically, the invention5 relates to a missile for a beyond line of sight (BLOS) target, and to methods ofusing a missile.BACKGROUND Military combat vehicles, such as tanks, tend to be designed primarily for10 engaging line of sight (LOS) targets. Munitions designed to destroy combatvehicles, such as tanks, are increasingly able to be launched from relatively faraway and may not be in range as a line of sight (LOS) target for the vehicle. Assuch, these combat vehicles have become potentially vulnerable, Alternativelyor additionally, munitions designed to destroy combat vehicles (whether fired15 from LOS or BLOS) have become more potent. As such, even the most heavilyarmoured vehicles have now become vulnerableIn response, combat vehicles are tending to be differently positioned onthe battlefield. Aspects of the present invention have arisen through a recognitionthat those vehicles are less able to engage in line of sight warfare in the manner20 previously envisaged. Aspects of the present invention seek to provide a solutionto that newly-identified problem.SUMMARY According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a missile25 for use against a beyond line of sight (BLOS) target. The missile comprises: awarhead comprising a chemical energy penetrator; a soft-launch assemblyconfigured to soft-launch the missile from a gun barrel; a rocket motor configuredto propel the missile, after soft-launch from the gun barrel; and a seeker unitconfigured to autonomously seek a target and guide the missile to the target after30 launch.Aspects of the present invention recognise that, due to a change in thenature of warfare, such an arrangement is especially desirable and beneficial. InXA2400-2-particular, it is desirable to have a barrel-launched missile that also provides aself-propelled, fire-and-forget, BLOS functionality.The known munitions below do not have this full functionality and do not,therefore, solve the newly-identified problem: The LAHAT missile developed byIsrael Aerospace industries can be barrel-launched. The LAHAT missile has asemi-active laser guidance system that enables it to be guided towards a predesignated target. However, when using the LAHAT, the launch vehicle tends toneed to maintain LOS with the target (for example to maintain a laser beam onthe target). Another example of a sophisticated barrel-launched munition is thePolynege munition developed by GIAT in France. Polynege is able to strikeBLOS targets by third party laser designation or by navigating to a pre-determinedlocation (as opposed to a target per so). This predetermined location may besome distance away and can, for example be beyond line of sight (BLOS). Otherexamples of barrel-launched munitions that can operate against BLOS targetsinclude the MRM-KE munition by Alliant Techsystems, and the MRM-CE munitionby Raytheon. The MRM-KE munition is a kinetic energy penetrator that is fireddirectly from a gun barrel. The firing of the MRM-KE imparts the velocity to carrythe munition to its target, and the MRM-KE comprises a rocket motor for only thefinal stage of flight in order to increase the kinetic energy at impact. The MRMCE on the other hand comprises a high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warhead. TheMRM-CE munition is a type of guided shell that comprises a seeker unit to enableit to seek and engage BLOS targets.According to embodiments of the invention, the warhead comprises achemical energy penetrator. The chemical energy penetrator may be a shaped-charge penetrator (also referred to as a High Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT)penetrator). The soft-launch assembly is configured to soft-launch the missile from thegun barrel. Soft-launch may also be referred to as cold launch’ and will beunderstood to mean the stage of launch that ejects the missile from the barrel.The skilled person will appreciate that a soft launch is different from a hard launch(also known as hot launch’) where, in contrast to soft launch, the rocket motor isimmediately ignited and launch is accompanied by the associated efflux. Thesoft-launch assembly may take a number of forms. For example, the soft-launchassembly may comprise a propellant unit for propelling the missile from the barrel. XA24001 -3-In other embodiments, the soft-launch assembly may achieve soft-launch inanother manner, such as via ejection of compressed gas.The missile is preferably unsuitable for firing from the gun barrel. It will beunderstood that firing involves a single explosion of concentrated propellant forimparting the motive force to a munition such that it can reach the target. This isdifferent to the sustained propulsion provided by a rocket motor. For example!the missile preferably does not comprise a cartridge for firing the missile from thebarrel. The soft-launch unit is preferably non-explosive. The soft-launch isunsuitable for propelling the missile to the target.The missile is configured such that after the missile has been ejected fromthe barrel (in the soft launch), sustained propulsion is then immediately provided.The propulsion may be initiated by engaging the rocket motor. The rocket motoris configured to propel the missile, after soft-launch from the gun barrel. Therocket motor is preferably configured to propel, for example continuously propel,the missile from its position after soft launch (for example in proximity to thelaunch vehicle) all the way to the target. It will be understood that the missile istherefore self-propelled.The seeker unit is configured to autonomously seek the target and guidethe missile to the target after launch. The seeker unit may comprise a detector,a target-identifying module configured to identify a target based on an output fromthe detector. The seeker unit may comprise a guidance module configured toguide the missile to the target. The detector unit is optionally an Infra-red (IR)detector unit.The missile preferably comprises a main body that is generally circularcylindrical in shape. The main body is preferably configured to be received in aclose-fit in the gun barrel. The circular cylinder may have a diameter of 130mmor less. Such an arrangement may allow the missile to be used on a range ofvehicles, including many types of vehicles equipped with mortar systems,battleships and tanks. Optionally, the circular cylinder has a diameter of 127mmor less, optionally the circular cylinder has a diameter of 120mm or less, and mostpreferably the circular cylinder has a diameter of substantially 120mm.An arrangement in which the diameter of the main body is 120mm hasbeen found to be especially beneficial because a significant number of tankXA2400-4-designs all contain a similar design of gun barrel, derived from the RheinmetallRh120, and which receive 120mm munitions. Embodiments having a 120mmdiameter are therefore able to have barrel-launch capability with this relativelycommon design of barrel found on combat vehicles.The missile may comprise an ammunition datalink (ADL) unit. The ADLunit may be located and configured such, when the missile is loaded prior to soft-launch, it interfaces with a data connection in the gun, and more preferably in thegun breech of the gun. The ADL unit may be configured to receive, via the dataconnection, targeting data. The ADL unit is preferably configured to provide thetargeting data to the seeker unit. The missile is preferably configured such thatthe targeting data is sufficient to allow the missile to seek and engage the targetwithout the need to receive further targeting data. Such an arrangement mayallow the missile to be a so-called fire and forget’ munition. For example, theADL may be configured to only receive data when the missile is located in thebarrel, and preferably only when located at the gun breech, prior to soft launch.The missile may not require, and preferably does not comprise, a receiver forreceiving targeting data from the launch vehicle after launch. The missile maynot require, and preferably does not comprise, a transmitter for transmittingtargeting data to the launch vehicle after launch.According to second aspect of the invention, there is provided a militaryvehicle comprising a gun with a barrel, and the missile according to any precedingclaim, for firing from the barrel. The vehicle may be a vehicle equipped with amortar. The vehicle may be a battleship. More preferably the vehicle is a tank.The missile of the first aspect of the invention has been found to be especiallybeneficial when used by a tank because tanks have been found to have becomeespecially vulnerable, and therefore increasingly needing to engage BLOStargets. According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a 120mmdiameter barrel launch missile for launching from a gun barrel on a tank, themissile comprising: a shaped charge warhead penetrator; an ammunition datalink(ADL) unit configured to interface with a data connection in the gun breech of thegun; a soft-launch assembly configured to eject the missile from the barrel; arocket motor configured to propel the missile after the soft-launch; and an InfraXA 2400-5-red (IR) seeker unit configured to autonomously seek a target and guide themissile to the target after launch.According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a methodof launching a missile, the method comprising the steps of: soft launching themissile from a gun barrel, the missile being configured to engage a rocket motorimmediately after soft launch to transport the missile towards a BLOS target, andthe missile being configured to autonomously seek, and engage, the target usinga seeker unit on-board the missile.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURESAn embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of exampleonly with reference to the figures, in which:Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a missile according to a first aspect ofthe invention;Figure 2 shows schematic view of a main battle tank (MBT) for launchingthe missile of the first embodiment; andFigure 3 shows a flow chart of the steps of launching the missile of the firstembodiment.DETAILED DESCRIPTIONFigure 1 shows a missile according to a first embodiment of the invention.The missile 1 comprises a main body 3 that is circular cylindrical and has an outerdiameter of 120mm. A folding or extending fin assembly 5 is deployable from therear of the main body following soft-launch (discussed in more detail below).The front of the missile comprises a seeker unit 7. The seeker unitcomprises an IR detector 9, a target identifying module 11 configured to identifya target based on an output from the IR detector 9, and a guidance module 13configured to guide the missile to the target. The seeker unit 7 therefore allowsthe missile 1 to autonomously identify and engage a target, without further inputor control from the launcher. This functionality is often referred to as fire-andforget’ functionality. The seeker unit 7 is powered by a thermal battery 14 locatedelsewhere in the missile. XA24001 -6- Immediately behind the seeker unit 7 is an anti-armour fuse 8 configuredto detonate the adjacent HEAT warhead 15. The HEAT warhead 15 comprisesa shaped charge penetrator (not shown). This HEAT warhead is thus a type ofchemical energy penetrator, configured to penetrate armour of military vehicles.The rear portion of the main body 3 is primarily occupied by a rocket motor17. The rocket motor 17 comprises solid-fuel and oxidiser, along with thenecessary igniter. The rocket motor 17 is configured to propel the missile 1,immediately after soft launch, all the way to a target. Adjustment of the flight pathof the missile is made via the guidance module 13 instructing the necessaryadjustment of the fin assembly 5.The rear face of the missile comprises a soft launch propellant cap 19.This cap 19 is arranged to eject propellant in a short burst, thereby ejecting themissile from a gun-barrel.In the first embodiment of the invention, the cap 19 surrounds anAmmunition data link (ADL) unit 21. The ADL unit is located and configured suchthat, when the missile is loaded prior to soft-launch, it interfaces with a dataconnection in the gun barrel. This arrangement will now be described in moredetail with reference to Figures 2 and 3.Figure 2 is a schematic image of a Main Battle Tank (MBT) 23. The gunbarrel 25 of the MBT is a standard 120mm calibre barrel and is therefore suitableto receive the missile 1 of Figure 1. The MBT 23 comprises a Fire ControlComputer (FCC) 26 and a Battlefield Management System (BMS) 27.When the missile 1 is loaded in the gun barrel 25 of the MBT, the ADL unit21 is configured to receive targeting data, via a data connection 29 in the breechblock of the gun barrel. In the missile 1, the ADL unit 21 is communicatively linkedto the seeker unit 7 such that the targeting data can be sent to the seeker unit 7.the targeting data is itself generated by the FCC 26 and BMS 27 and containsthe necessary targeting information (for example, data on the approximateexpected location of the target, and the expected IR signature of the target). Thistargeting data is then sufficient for the target to be autonomously engaged by themissile 1 without further input from the MBT 23 after launch.With reference to Figure 3, to launch the missile 1 of the first embodiment,the following steps are conducted. Firstly, the missile 1 is loaded into the gunXA 2400-7-barrel of the MBT (step 1). Targeting data is then transferred to the seeker unit7, via the ADL unit 21 interfacing with the data connection in the breech block ofthe gun (step 2). When the MBT wishes to fire the missile, a launch instructionis sent to the missile (via the ADL) and the soft-launch propellant cap 19 isactivated (step 3). The propellant ejects the missUe clear from the end of the gunbarrel, thereby effecting the soft-launch. This is immediately following by therocket motor being activated (step 4), to propel the missile towards the target.Seeker unit 7 seeks out the target, tracks said target, and guides the missile allthe way into the target (step 5). On impact, the HEAT warhead is activated,thereby destroying the target (step 6).The missile 1 of the first embodiment, and the above-mentioned aspectsof barrel-launching the missile 1, provide several advantages in the modernbattlefield. More specifically, the missile provides the new and advantageouscombination of fire-and-forget functionality (enabled by the seeker unit) againstenemy armoured vehicles (enabled by the HEAT warhead), in combination withbeing barrel-launched (enabled by the soft-launch unit). This arrangement solvesthe newly-identified problem, arising from combat vehicles needing to morefrequently operate away from LOS targets.

Claims

XA24001 -8- CLAIMS 1. A missile for use against a beyond line of sight (BLOS) target, themissile comprising:a warhead comprising a chemical energy penetrator;a soft-launch assembly configured to soft-launch the missile from agun barrel;a rocket motor configured to propel the missile, after soft-launchfrom the gun barrel; anda seeker unit configured to autonomously seek a target and guidethe missile to the target after launch.

2. The missile according to claim 1, wherein the missile comprises a mainbody that is generally circular cylindrical in shape, the circular cylinderhaving a diameter of 130mm or less.

3. The missile according to claim 2, where the circular cylinder has adiameter of 120mm or less.

4. A missile according to any preceding claim, wherein the missile furthercomprises an ammunition datalink (ADL) unit, the AOL unit beinglocated and configured such that, when the missile is loaded prior tosoft-launch, it interfaces with a data connection in the gun breech.

5. A missile according to claim 4, wherein the ADL unit is configured toreceive, via the data connection, targeting data, and wherein the ADLunit is configured to provide the targeting data to the seeker unit.

6. The missile according to any preceding claim, wherein the seeker unitis an Infra-red (IR) seeker unit comprising:an IR detector,a target identifying module configured to identify a target based onan output from the IR detector, anda guidance module configured to guide the missile to the target.XA24001 97. A 120mm diameter barrel launch missile for launching from a gunbarrel on a tank, the missile comprising;a shaped charge warhead penetrator;an ammunition datalink (ADL) unit configured to interface with adata connection in the gun breech of the gun;a soft-launch assembly configured to eject the missile from thebarrel arocket motor configured to propel the missile after the soft-launch;andan Infra-red (IR) seeker unit configured to autonomously seek a targetand guide the missile to the target after launch.

8. A military vehicle comprising a gun with a gun barrel, and the missileaccording to any preceding claim for firing from the gun barrel.

9. A military vehicle according to claim 8, wherein the vehicle is a tank.

10. A method of launching a missile, the method comprising the steps of:initially soft launching the missile from a gun barrel, the missilebeing configured to:engage a rocket motor immediately after soft launch to transport themissile towards a BLOS target, andautonomously seek, and engage, the target using a seeker unit onboard the missile.

Images