Carrier Projectile With Separable Casing for Loitering Munition Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Loitering munitions face limitations in dwell time and range due to the need to travel to the target area under their own power, which consumes time and energy, reducing their operational flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A projectile design that integrates a loitering munition within a barrel weapon, utilizing a separable casing and ejection charge to rapidly deliver the munition to the target area, combining the projectile's and munition's ranges, and enabling on-board electronics for independent flight and target engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If loitering munition travels to the target area under its own power, then it can reach the target area, but it consumes time and energy, reducing dwell time and operational flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a carrier projectile as an intermediary vehicle to transport the loitering munition to the target area. The carrier projectile is fired by a barrel weapon and carries the loitering munition in its casing, delivering it to the target area without requiring the munition to travel under its own power. This resolves the contradiction by externalizing the energy-intensive transportation function to the carrier projectile, allowing the loitering munition to conserve energy for dwell time and target engagement activities.
2Loss of time
If loitering munition flies to the target area under its own power, then it can reach the target, but it limits the dwell time in the target area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the delivery system into two distinct functional components: the carrier projectile responsible for transportation and the loitering munition responsible for target engagement. The carrier projectile is fired separately and carries the munition to the target area, then the munition is ejected and begins its independent loitering phase. This segmentation allows the munition to maximize its dwell time in the target area without being constrained by the time required to fly there under its own power.
3Length of moving object
If loitering munition uses a larger energy storage device to increase range, then it can extend its operational range, but it increases the weight and size of the munition
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier projectile serves as an intermediary that provides the transportation function, allowing the loitering munition to use a smaller, lighter energy storage device. Since the carrier projectile handles the long-distance transportation, the munition only needs sufficient energy for its loitering and target engagement activities, reducing its weight and size requirements.
4Ease of manufacture
If the projectile casing is made as a single piece, then it is simpler to manufacture, but it cannot easily separate to eject the loitering munition
Solution Approach 1:
The projectile casing is divided into two separable parts: a first casing section and a second casing section that can be detached from each other. This segmentation allows the casing to remain simple to manufacture as two separate components that can be easily assembled, while also enabling easy separation to eject the loitering munition. The separation mechanism allows the first and second casing sections to be detached, facilitating the ejection of the munition while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances operational flexibility and dwell time by allowing faster delivery of loitering munitions, increasing the range of the barrel weapon system and reducing energy requirements for the munition, while enabling rapid target detection and engagement.
Implementation Method 1
an ejection charge, a programmable time fuse and loitering munition are arranged in the projectile casing
Data Source
AI summary
A projectile for firing via a barrel weapon, the projectile comprising a projectile casing with a first casing section and a second casing section which adjoin one another at a separation point, an ejection charge, a programmable time fuse and loitering munition being arranged in the projectile casing. A weapon system is also provided comprising the projectile.