Targeted two-stage aerial bombing system with unmanned aerial vehicle

Abstract

A system for targeted aerial bombing includes a first munition configured to be dropped from an aerial vehicle onto a roof, and to open a hole in the roof when exploded, the first munition comprising a frame and an explosive payload located within a bottom portion of the frame; and a second munition configured to be dropped from the same or different aerial vehicle into a hole generated by the first munition. The frame may be substantially pyramidal or conical in shape, and may be structured with a flat base configured to enable stable landing of the first munition on the roof of the structure. The second munition may not have a flat base and may be capable of passing through a hole formed by explosion of the first munition. Each munition may be lightweight and may be dropped from a tether attached to the aerial vehicle.

Description

[0001] TARGETED TWO-STAGE AERIAL BOMBING SYSTEM WITH UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE

[0002] RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0003] This Application claims the benefit of priority to Israeli Patent Application No. 314521, filed July 24, 2024, entitled “Targeted Two-Stage Aerial Bombing System,” the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

[0004] TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

[0005] The present disclosure relates to the field of munitions, and more specifically, but not exclusively, to systems and methods for targeted bombing of an interior of a building.

[0006] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVS), also known as drones, have become widespread for delivery of packages and other payloads. These payloads may include, for example, mail, food, or firefighting chemicals. UAVs have also been utilized to drop bombs or other munitions.

[0008] Various strategies have been employed for dropping packages from drones in a manner that ensures that the packages are undamaged and remain upright. These include, for example, the use of miniature parachutes on the packages, and lowering the package to the ground or delivery surface with a tether.

[0009] In addition, technologies have been developed for delivering payloads from a drone to an interior of a building. In one example, a firefighting drone is equipped with means for breaking a glass pane on an upper floor of a high-rise building. These means may include, for example, a glass-breaking torpedo, or a glass-breaking tool formed integral with the drone. Once the glass is broken, the drone delivers a firefighting material (e.g., a liquid or powder) to the interior of the building.

[0010] Weapons have been previously described for penetrating a roof of a building and delivering a secondary explosion within the building. U.S. Patent Publication 2009 / 0090265 discloses a projectile capable of penetrating the roof of a building, and of releasing sub-munitions within the building in order to destroy containers stored therein. The sub-munitions are substantially smaller than the penetrative body, and there is a challenge of ensuring that the sub-munitions are detonated at the right time and in a manner that would destroy the containers. One disclosed solution includes equipping the penetrative projectile with an inflatable balloon that is activated by an on-board computer and which holds the sub-munitions close to the roof until they are discharged. A second solution includes equipping the projectile with mini -rockets that are launched from the projectile, by the on-board computer, when the projectile is close to the roof. The minirockets break the hole in the roof, allowing the projectile to enter the hole with a larger payload of sub-munitions and at a more predictable speed. In the provided examples, the projectile weighs 200-300 kg, and impacts the roof at a very high speed, in the order of 300 m / s.

[0011] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] It may be desired to bomb or destruct only a portion of an interior of a building. For example, it may be desired to perform a surgical strike in order to target a specific high-value asset within the building, without destroying the rest of the building. Although such scenarios have been previously described in a military context, as set forth above, performing such a targeted operation with a drone poses particular challenges.

[0013] First, in general, in order to reach the asset within the building, it is necessary to breach the roof of the building. Breaching the roof may require a powerful explosive. The explosive for breaching the roof typically needs to be more powerful than, for example, a device for breaking a window. If, however, this explosive is too powerful, it will destroy parts of the building that may not be desired to be targeted.

[0014] Conversely, in many instances, it is specifically required for the payload that targets the interior of the building to be heavier than the payload that is used to breach the roof. Thus, a projectile which delivers only lightweight sub -munitions to an interior of a building and is designed only to breach containers that are stored in the building, does not address a scenario in which an especially powerful and concentrated explosion is required within the building.

[0015] Finally, particularly with regards to drones, a drone may be subject to a strict weight limit. A munition that is sufficiently powerful to both breach a roof and penetrate into a unit of the building below the roof may exceed the available payload capacity of the drone. Drones typically are not equipped to carry payloads above 25 kg. While some drones have been specially designed to carry industrial payloads of up to around 200 kg, such drones are expensive and not readily available.

[0016] Accordingly, there remains a need for developing a system for penetrating a roof of a building and targeting material contained therein, that is adapted for drone warfare. In particular, there is a need for a system that incorporates payloads suitable for readily available drones, and which may be used to deliver an explosion within an interior of a building which is more powerful than the explosion used to open the roof. Existing systems which utilize heavy projectiles, not delivered by a drone, in which the initial strike may be more powerful than the secondary strike, do not address all current needs.

[0017] The present disclosure introduces a system and method for targeted bombing from a drone. In particular, the present disclosure utilizes a two-stage delivery of the munition. In the first stage, a first munition is lowered onto the roof. The first munition is designed in a manner so that it is stable when lowered. The munition may be attached to a tether via the hook and dropped to the building from the tether. Once on the roof, the first munition is exploded to thereby open a hole in the roof. In a second stage, a second munition is dropped from the same drone or a different drone. This second munition is substantially cylindrical in shape and of a diameter capable of entering the hole formed by the first munition. When entering the building, the second munition may explode within the building.

[0018] Advantageously, the system and method described herein enable targeted bombing of the interiors of the building. The first munition, being stable when landing on the roof, is capable of forming a hole of predictable and precise dimensions. The second munition, while large enough to carry out elimination of the target within the building, may be dimensioned specifically in order to fit within the hole formed by the first munition. This targeted bombing is thus performed with munitions that have the size and weight to be carried by the drone and to achieve the desired explosions, without exceeding the payload capacities of the drones and without causing undesired destruction to the interior of the building.

[0019] According to a first implementation, a system for targeted aerial bombing, includes a first munition configured to be dropped from an aerial vehicle onto a roof of a structure, and to open a hole in the roof of the structure when exploded, the first munition comprising a frame and an explosive payload located within a bottom portion of the frame; and a second munition configured to be dropped from an aerial vehicle into a hole generated by the first munition.

[0020] Optionally, the frame of the first munition is substantially pyramidal in shape. The frame of the first munition may include one or more handles arranged at an apex of the frame and configured to support the first munition when the munition is carried from a tether.

[0021] The first munition may include a non-explosive filler within an upper portion of the frame. The first munition may include a booster at a central portion thereof. The booster may be surrounded by a stabilizing material.

[0022] The second munition may have a cross-section or a diameter that is narrower than a cross-section or diameter of the first munition.

[0023] One or both of the first and second munitions may include a remote-controlled ignition mechanism or a delay ignition mechanism.

[0024] The system may further include a tether. The tether may be configured to be attached to an aerial vehicle on one end and the first and second munitions on another end. The tether may be configured to hold the first munition on a lower portion thereof and the second munition on an upper portion thereof.

[0025] As disclosed and exemplified herein, the first munition is typically structured with a flat base. The second munition may or may not have a flat base and is of a diameter capable of passing through a hole formed by explosion of the first munition. Typically, the second munition does not have a flat base, as there is no need for the second munition to rest stably on any surface. Optionally, the second munition may have a pointed base.

[0026] Unlike many projectiles and munitions fired from aircrafts or other ground weapons, each of the first and second munitions are lightweight. The weight of each of the munitions may range between a few kilograms, e.g., 3-5 kilograms, to several dozen kilograms, e.g., 50-100 kilograms. The size and weight of each of the munitions is selected such that a maximal effect is achieved by a minimum weight that can be carried by a UAV.

[0027] The UAV carrying the first and second munitions may be same or different. It may be a lightweight UAV or a larger UAV of any form or size. In some embodiments, and depending, inter alia, on the capabilities of the UAV, both munitions may be carried on a same tether, with the first munition on a lower portion thereof, and the second tether on the upper portion thereof, and wherein detonation of an explosive in said second munition is timed after the first munition has caused a hole in the roof of the structure.

[0028] Notwithstanding the size and shape of the first and second munitions, the system is configured for use in penetrating an interior of a structure through a roof region.

[0029] Typically, the first munition and the second munition are not associated or connected to each other and each is separately deployed. The first munition is deployed first, the second munition is deployed only after a hold has been blasted in the roof.

[0030] Each of the first and second munitions, independently, may be configured for contact explosion or timed explosion or proximity explosion. As such, in some embodiments, the munitions may be equipped with a fuze system or a timer permitting controlled detonation.

[0031] According to a further implementation, a method of performing targeted bombing of an interior portion of a structure is disclosed. The method includes dropping a first munition on a roof of the structure; detonating the first munition to thereby blast a hole in the roof; dropping a second munition into an interior of the building through the hole blasted in the roof; and detonating the second munition within the interior of the building.

[0032] Optionally, the method further includes performing the detonating steps through a remote-controlled mechanism or a timing mechanism.

[0033] Optionally, the method further includes performing the dropping steps from an unmanned aerial vehicle.

[0034] Optionally, the dropping steps are performed by dropping the first munition and the second munition sequentially from the same tether.

[0035] The structure to be penetrated by the first munition is any ground structure or any underground structure that has a top surface or a roof region that separates the interior of the structure form the outside. The structure may be a building, a house, a shed, a tunnel, an underground structure, a bunker, a shelter, a storage facility, etc. Typically, the roof is any top surface or top covering of the structure, which may be made of any material, as acceptable and known, e.g., cement, concrete, metal, wood, glass, asphalt, etc.

[0036] The explosive materials used in the first and / or second munitions may be same or different. Each munition may be independently selected from any military grade or civilian grade explosive material as known in the art. The explosive may be selected amongst primary, secondary or tertiary explosives. In some embodiments, the explosive material is selected from acetone peroxide, alkali metal ozonides, ammonium permanganate, ammonium chlorate, azidotetrazolates, azoclathrates, benzoyl peroxide, benzvalene, 3,5-bis(trinitromethyl)tetrazole, chlorine oxides, copper acetylide, copper azide, cyanogen azide, cyanuric triazide, diacetyl peroxide, l-diazidocarbamoyl-5- azidotetrazole, diazodinitrophenol, diazomethane, diethyl ether peroxide, 4-dimethyl aminophenylpentazole, disulfur dinitride, ethyl azide, explosive antimony, fluorine perchlorate, fulminic acid, fluorine azide, chlorine azide, bromine azide, hexamethylene triperoxide diamine, hydrazoic acid, hypofluorous acid, lead azide, lead styphnate, lead picrate, manganese heptoxide, mercury fulminate, mercury nitride, methyl ethyl ketone peroxide, nickel hydrazine nitrate, nickel hydrazine perchlorate, nitrogen trichloride, nitrogen tribromide, nitrogen triiodide, nitroglycerin, nitronium perchlorate, nitrosyl perchlorate, nitrotetrazolate-n-oxides, octaazacub ane, pentazenium hexafluoroarsenate, peroxy acids, peroxymonosulfuric acid, silver azide, silver acetylide, silver fulminate, silver nitride, tellurium tetraazide, tert-butyl hydroperoxide, tetraamine copper complexes, tetraazidomethane, tetrazene explosive, tetranitratoxycarbon, titanium tetraazide, triazidomethane, TNT, RDX, black powder, ANFO and others.

[0037] In some embodiments, the explosive is selected amongst acetylides of heavy metals, aluminum containing polymeric propellant, aluminum ophorite explosive, amatex, amatol, ammonal, ammonium nitrate explosive mixtures, ammonium nitrate explosive mixtures, aromatic nitro-compound explosive mixtures, ammonium perchlorate explosive mixtures, ammonium perchlorate composite propellant, ammonium picrate, ammonium salt lattice with isomorphously substituted inorganic salts, ANFO, baratol, baronol, BEAF [1, 2-bis (2, 2-difluoro-2-nitroacetoxy ethane)], black powder, black powder based explosive mixtures, blasting agents, blasting caps, blasting gelatin, blasting powder, BTNEC [bis (trinitroethyl) carbonate], bulk salutes, BTNEN [bis (trinitroethyl) nitramine], BTTN [1,2,4-butanetriol trinitrate], butyl tetryl, calcium nitrate explosive mixture, cellulose hexanitrate explosive mixture, chlorate explosive mixtures, composition A and variations, composition B and variations, composition C and variations, copper acetylide, cyanuric triazide, cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine [RDX], cyclotetramethylenetetranitramine [HMX], cyclonite [RDX], cyclotol, DATB [diaminotrinitrobenzene], DDNP [diazodinitrophenol], DEGDN [diethyleneglycol dinitrate], detonating cord, detonators, dimethylol dimethyl methane dinitrate composition, dinitroethyleneurea, dinitroglycerine [glycerol dinitrate], dinitrophenol, dinitrophenolates, dinitrophenyl hydrazine, dinitroresorcinol, dinitrotoluene-sodium nitrate explosive mixtures, DIPAM, dipicryl sulfone, dipicrylamine, display fireworks, DNPD [dinitropentano nitrile], DNPA [2,2-dinitropropyl acrylate], dynamite, EDDN [ethylene diamine dinitrate], EDNA, ednatol, EDNP [ethyl 4,4-dinitropentanoate], erythritol tetranitrate explosives, esters of nitro-substituted alcohols, EGDN [ethylene glycol dinitrate], ethyl-tetryl, explosive conitrates, explosive gelatins, explosive mixtures containing oxygen releasing inorganic salts and hydrocarbons, explosive mixtures containing oxygen releasing inorganic salts and nitro bodies, explosive mixtures containing oxygen releasing inorganic salts and water insoluble fuels, explosive mixtures containing oxygen releasing inorganic salts and water soluble fuels, explosive mixtures containing sensitized nitromethane, explosive mixtures containing tetranitromethane (nitroform), explosive nitro compounds of aromatic hydrocarbons, explosive organic nitrate mixtures, explosive liquids, explosive powders, flash powder, fulminate of mercury, fulminate of silver, fulminating gold, fulminating mercury, fulminating platinum, fulminating silver, gelatinized nitrocellulose, gem-dinitro aliphatic explosive mixtures, guanyl nitrosamino guanyl tetrazene, guanyl nitrosamino guanylidene hydrazine, guncotton, heavy metal azides, hexanite, hexanitrodiphenylamine, hexanitrostilbene, hexogen (RDX), hexogene or octogene and a nitrated N-methylaniline, hexolites, HMX [cyclo-l,3,5,7-tetramethylene 2,4,6, 8-tetranitramine; Octogen], hydrazinium nitrate / hydrazine / aluminum explosive system, hydrazoic acid, igniter cord, igniters, initiating tube systems, KDNBF [potassium dinitrobenzofuroxane], lead azide, lead mannite, lead mononitroresorcinate, lead picrate, lead salts, lead styphnate [styphnate of lead, lead trinitroresorcinate], liquid nitrated polyol and trimethylolethane, liquid oxygen explosives, magnesium ophorite explosives, mannitol hexanitrate, MDNP [methyl 4,4-dinitropentanoate], MEAN [monoethanolamine nitrate], mercuric fulminate, mercury oxalate, mercury tartrate, metriol trinitrate, minol-2 [40% TNT, 40% ammonium nitrate, 20% aluminum], MMAN [monomethylamine nitrate], mononitrotoluenenitroglycerin mixture, monopropellants, NIBTN [nitroisobutametriol trinitrate], nitrate sensitized with gelled nitroparaffin, nitrated carbohydrate explosive, nitrated glucoside explosive, nitrated polyhydric alcohol explosives, nitrates of soda explosive mixtures, nitric acid and a nitro aromatic compound explosive, nitric acid and carboxylic fuel explosive, nitric acid explosive mixtures, nitro aromatic explosive mixtures, nitro compounds of furane explosive mixtures, nitrocellulose explosive, nitroderivative of urea explosive mixture, nitrogelatin explosive, nitrogen trichloride, nitrogen tri-iodide, nitroglycerine [NG, RNG, nitro, glyceryltrinitrate, trinitroglycerine], nitroglycide, nitroglycol (ethylene glycol dinitrate, EGDN), nitroguanidine explosives, nitroparaffins explosive grade and ammonium nitrate mixtures, nitronium perchlorate propellant mixtures, nitrostarch, nitro-substituted carboxylic acids, nitrourea, octogen [HMX], octol [75 % HMX, 25 % TNT], organic amine nitrates, organic nitramines, PBX [RDX and plasticizer], pellet powder, penthrinite composition, pentolite, perchlorate explosive mixtures, peroxide based explosive mixtures, PETN [nitropentaerythrite, pentaerythrite tetranitrate, pentaerythritol tetranitrate], picramic acid and its salts, picramide, picrate of potassium explosive mixtures, picratol, picric acid (manufactured as an explosive), picryl chloride, picryl fluoride, PLX [95% nitromethane, 5% ethylenediamine], polynitro aliphatic compounds, polyolpolynitrate-nitrocellulose explosive gels, potassium chlorate and lead sulfocyanate explosive, potassium nitrate explosive mixtures, potassium nitroaminotetrazole, pyrotechnic compositions, PYX (2,6-bis(picrylamino))-3,5- dinitropyridine, RDX [cyclonite, hexogen, T4, cyclo-1, 3, 5, -trimethylene-2, 4, 6,- trinitramine; hexahydro-1, 3, 5-trinitro-S-triazine], salutes, salts of organic amino sulfonic acid explosive mixture, silver acetylide, silver azide, silver fulminate, silver oxalate explosive mixtures, silver styphnate, silver tartrate explosive mixtures, silver tetrazene, slurried explosive mixtures of water, inorganic oxidizing salt, gelling agent, fuel and sensitizer, smokeless powder, sodatol, sodium amatol, sodium azide explosive mixture, sodium dinitro-ortho-cresolate, sodium nitrate-potassium nitrate explosive mixture, sodium picramate, special fireworks, styphnic acid explosives, tacot [tetrani tro-2, 3,5,6- dibenzo-l,3a,4,6a tetrazapentalene], TATB [triaminotrinitrobenzene], TEGDN [triethylene glycol dinitrate], Tetrazene [tetracene, tetrazine, l(5-tetrazolyl)-4-guanyl tetrazene hydrate], tetranitrocarbazole, tetryl [2,4,6-tetranitro-N-methylaniline], tetrytol, thickened inorganic oxidizer salt slurried explosive mixture, TMETN [trimethylolethane trinitrate], TNEF [trinitroethyl formal], TNEOC [trinitroethylorthocarbonate], TNEOF [trinitroethylorthoformate], TNT [trinitrotoluene], torpex, tridite, trimethylol ethyl methane trinitrate composition, trimethylolthane trinitrate-nitrocellulose, trimonite, trinitroanisole, trinitrobenzene, trinitrobenzoic acid, trinitrocresol, trinitro-meta-cresol, trinitronaphthalene, trinitrophenetol, trinitrophloroglucinol, trinitroresorcinol, tritonal, urea nitrate, xanthamonas hydrophilic colloid explosive mixture and others. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] In order to better understand the subject matter that is disclosed herein and to exemplify how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0039] FIG. 1A depicts a schematic perspective view of a first munition, according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0040] FIG. IB depicts a side view of the first munition of FIG. 1A;

[0041] FIG. 1C depicts a top view of the first munition of FIG. 1 A;

[0042] FIG. 2A depicts a schematic view of a drone carrying the first munition of FIGS. 1A-1C;

[0043] FIG. 2B depicts a photograph of an exemplary drone and a first munition of FIG. 2A;

[0044] FIG. 3A depicts a schematic view of a drone carrying a second munition;

[0045] FIG. 3B depicts a photograph of an exemplary drone and second munition of FIG. 3 A; and

[0046] FIGS. 4A-4C depict a sequence of explosions in a building utilizing the first and second munitions.

[0047] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0048] The present disclosure relates to the field of munitions, and more specifically, but not exclusively, to systems and methods for targeted bombing of an interior of a building.

[0049] Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components and / or methods set forth in the following description and / or illustrated in the drawings and / or the Examples. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways.

[0050] Generally, the present disclosure relates to a system which includes a first munition and a second munition. As used in the present disclosure, the term “first munition” refers to a munition that is designed to explode on the exterior of a building, such as on a rooftop. The term “second munition” refers to a munition that is designed to explode within a building, after the first munition has opened a hole in the rooftop. The first and second munitions may be designed with different shapes and configurations in order to meet these requirements, as will be detailed herein. In all other aspects, the first and second munitions may be constructed similarly or identically. For example, the munitions may include the same explosive materials and may include the same delay or remote controlled explosion mechanism.

[0051] Referring to FIGS. 1 A-1C, the first munition 10 is depicted as having a frame with a pyramidal shape. The interior of the frame may be filled with an explosive payload 12 (reference numeral points to general location) and a non-explosive filler 14 (reference numeral points to general location) which may be a lightweight material (e.g., a foam) or an enclosed gas. The explosive payload 12 is heavier than the filler 14. As a result, the center of gravity of the munition 10 is towards its bottom. More specifically, in a pyramid having a uniform distribution of mass, the center of gravity is on the line connecting the apex to the centroid of the base, and is % of the distance from the base to the apex. In the embodiment described herein, the center of gravity is still on this line, but closer to the base than the % distance. The pyramidal shape further ensures that the explosive payload 12 occupies a wider surface area than the non-explosive filler 14. Obviously, the crosssection of the frame need not be exactly square as in a pyramid, and may take any other similar shape or cross section, such as a cone. Regardless, the shape and relative weights of the different components of the munition 10 are designed so that the center of gravity is at or near the center of the bottom. As a result, when the munition 10 is dropped from a height, even if it does not initially land exactly evenly, it is expected to reach a final resting configuration that is face up.

[0052] Munition 10 further includes one or more handles 16. The handles 16 are suitably strong to support the weight of the munition 10 and its contents. The handles 16 may be of a rigid nature, or may be flexible straps.

[0053] Booster 20 is optionally located at the center of the frame. The purpose of the booster is to convey an explosive charge from an igniter, which may be at the apex of the frame, to the explosive payload, which may be at the base of the frame. The booster 20 is depicted as a cylinder, although it may also take other suitable shapes, such as a block or a sphere. The booster may be constructed of aluminum, or of any other suitable material. The booster may be surrounded by a stabilizing material 22, such as a polyethylene foam. For clarity, the polyethylene foam is depicted as being only at the base of the cylinder; however, the foam may extend to any suitable height of the cylinder and of the first munition.

[0054] The munition 10 optionally includes a zipper 18, extending from a base of the munition 10 to an apex 19 thereof. During assembly of the munition 10, the booster 20 is fixed within the center of the munition 10. The zipper 18 is then zipped up, and the munition 10 is filled with the explosive payload 12 and the non-explosive filler 14.

[0055] Referring to FIG. 2A, a drone 100 is configured to carry munition 10. Drone 100 is depicted as a quadcopter; other types of unmanned aerial vehicles, or even manned aerial vehicles, may likewise be used. Drone 100 is equipped with a tether 102. The tether 102 has one or more hooks or other attachment means, for attaching the munition 10 via the one or more handles 16. Other attachment and release means may be contemplated, including those used for delivery of parcels with drones, as is known to those of skill in the art.

[0056] FIG. 2B depicts a photograph of an embodiment of a munition 10 hanging from a drone 100 via a tether 102.

[0057] FIG. 3A illustrates a second munition 50. The second munition 50 may be substantially cylindrical, as shown, or may be any other suitable shape (e.g., spherical). Munition 50 is designed to penetrate into a hole in a roof formed by the first munition 10. In the illustrated embodiment, munition 50 is shown schematically as being formed of substantially a single explosive material. Because munition 50 is not designed to land on a surface, there is no need for a filler, nor is there a need for a wide base. In exemplary embodiments, the second munition 50 has a narrower cross section than the first munition 10. Also, in exemplary embodiments, the second munition is heavier and has more explosive power than the first munition, even as both munitions are relatively lightweight, e.g. weighing less than 100 kg.

[0058] FIG. 3 A schematically depicts munition 50 hanging from a drone 100 via a tether 102. FIG. 3B depicts a photograph of the munition 50 hanging from the drone 100. As illustrated, the second munition 50 is covered by a flexible protective covering.

[0059] In the described embodiments, the tether 102 has a single hook. Thus, two separate drones 100 are required to carry first munition 10 and second munition 20, or the two munitions must be loaded onto the drone one after the other. In alternative embodiments, the tether 102 has two separate hooks, including a lower hook for first munition 10 and an upper hook for second munition 20. In some embodiments, both munitions may be carried on the same tether, with the first munition on a lower portion thereof, and the second munition on the upper portion thereof.

[0060] FIGS. 4A-4D illustrate steps in a method of performing targeted bombing of an interior portion of a building 200.

[0061] At FIG. 4 A, a drone 100 (or other suitable aircraft) drops a first munition 10 onto the roof 202 of a building 200. As discussed, due to the design of the first munition 10, the munition is expected to land flat on the roof 202, regardless of the precise angle at which it is dropped.

[0062] At FIG. 4B, first munition 10 is detonated, to thereby blast a hole in the roof 202. This detonation may be initiated through a remote control or delay mechanism, once the drone or a user operating the drone verifies that the first munition has landed on the roof 202. Alternatively, the explosion may be initiated by a timing mechanism. The timing mechanism may be set prior to, or at the moment of, the dropping of the munition 10 from the drone 100, based on calculations of expected time required for the munition 10 to reach the roof 202 from the moment of dropping. Preferably, the detonation of first munition 10 is performed in a controlled manner, so that a hole of precise dimension is made in the roof. For example, the detonation of the first munition may be performed after the munition has landed stably and when the munition is resting flat on the roof.

[0063] At FIG. 4C, a drone 100 drops the second munition 50 into a hole 204 formed in roof 202. The second munition 50 may be dimensioned so as to fit precisely within the hole 204 that was formed by the explosion of the first munition 10. As discussed above, drone 100 may be the same as the drone used to drop first munition 10. In some instances, the second munition 50 may be loaded onto the same tether as the first munition 20, at a higher portion thereof, as discussed.

[0064] At FIG. 4D, the second munition 50 explodes within the building 200. As with the first munition 10, the second munition 50 may be exploded through a delay mechanism or through a remote control mechanism.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A system for targeted aerial bombing, comprising: a first munition configured to be dropped from an aerial vehicle onto a roof of a structure, and to open a hole in the roof of the structure when exploded, the first munition comprising a frame and an explosive payload located within a bottom portion of the frame; and a second munition configured to be dropped from the same or different aerial vehicle into the hole generated by the first munition and explode within the structure.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the frame of the first munition is substantially pyramidal or conical in shape.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein a center of gravity of the first munition is below one quarter of a distance from a centroid of a base of the frame to an apex of the frame.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the frame of the first munition further comprises one or more handles arranged at an apex of the frame and configured to support the munition when the munition is carried from a tether.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the first munition further comprises a nonexplosive filler within an upper portion of the frame.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the first munition further comprises a booster at a central portion thereof.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the booster is at least partially surrounded by a stabilizing material.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the second munition has a cross-section that is narrower than a cross-section of the first munition.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein one or both of the first and second munitions comprises a remote-controlled ignition mechanism or a delay ignition mechanism.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising a tether, the tether configured to be attached to an aerial vehicle on one end and the first and second munitions on another end.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the tether is configured to hold the first munition on a lower portion thereof and the second munition on an upper portion thereof.

12. The system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second munitions comprise same or different explosive materials.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the first munition is structured with a flat base configured to enable stable landing of the first munition on the roof of the structure.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the second munition does not have a flat base and is of a diameter capable of passing through a hole formed by explosion of the first munition.

15. The system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the first and second munitions has a weight of 100 kg or less.

16. The system of claim 1 or 15, wherein the second munition is heavier and has more explosive power than the first munition.

17. The system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein both munitions are carried on a same tether, with the first munition on a lower portion thereof, and the second tether on the upper portion thereof, and wherein detonation of an explosive in said second munition is timed after the first munition has caused a hole in the roof of the structure.

18. The system of any one of the preceding claims, for use in penetrating an interior of a structure through a roof region.

19. A method of performing targeted bombing of an interior portion of a structure, the method comprising:-dropping a first munition on a roof region of the structure;-detonating the first munition to thereby blast a hole in the roof region;-dropping a second munition into an interior of the structure through the hole formed in the roof; and-detonating the second munition within the interior of the structure.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising performing the detonating steps through a remote-controlled mechanism or a timing mechanism.

21. The method of claim 19, further comprising performing the dropping steps from an unmanned aerial vehicle.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein the dropping steps comprise dropping the first munition and the second munition sequentially from the same tether.

23. The method of claim 19, wherein the second munition has a cross-section that is narrower than a cross-section of the first munition.

24. The method of claim 19, wherein the second munition is heavier and has more explosive power than the first munition.

25. The method of claim 19, wherein one or both of the first and second munitions comprises a remote-controlled ignition mechanism or a delay ignition mechanism.

26. The method of claim 19, wherein the first and second munitions comprise same or different explosive materials.

27. The method of claim 19, wherein the first munition is structured with a flat base.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising landing the first munition on the roof region and detonating the first munition when the first munition is stably situated on the roof region.

29. The method of claim 19, wherein the second munition does not have a flat base and is of a diameter capable of passing through a hole formed by explosion of the first munition.

30. The method of any one of the claims 19 to 29, wherein each of the first and second munitions has a weight of 100 kg or less.

31. The method of any one of claims 19 to 30, wherein both munitions are carried on a same tether, with the first munition on a lower portion thereof, and the second tether on the upper portion thereof, and wherein detonation of an explosive in said second munition is timed after the first munition has caused a hole in the roof of the structure.

32. The method of any one of claims 19 to 30, for use in penetrating an interior of a structure through a roof region.

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