Legacy CMDS Breechplate Expansion for More Countermeasure Expendables
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Countermeasure Dispenser Systems (CMDS) on military platforms are limited to carrying only thirty expendables and thirty firing lines, restricting the capability to dispense a larger number of countermeasures without replacing legacy hardware.
Innovation Solution
The CMDS is enhanced with a breechplate and magazine configuration that includes multiple sets of firing pins and firing lines, allowing for increased capacity by integrating a sequencer that controls these pins via a circuit card and field programmable gate array (FPGA) for expanded expendable dispensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the number of expendables in a CMDS is increased, then the countermeasure dispensing capability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to requiring more firing lines and sequencer capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the firing pins into multiple sets (first set and second set) that can be independently controlled. Each set corresponds to different expenditure patterns, allowing the sequencer to manage complexity by controlling discrete, manageable groups rather than managing each firing pin individually across a large array.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between different firing pin sets based on operational requirements. The sequencer can select which set (first or second) to activate, enabling flexible adaptation to different countermeasure dispensing scenarios without requiring all possible firing lines to be permanently configured.
2Quantity of substance
If the number of firing lines is increased to match expanded expendable capacity, then the dispensing capability is improved, but the hardware replacement requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The existing sequencer hardware is designed to handle multiple firing pin sets through software configuration rather than requiring physical hardware changes. The same sequencer unit can control different numbers and arrangements of firing pins by programming, eliminating the need to replace hardware when expanding expendable capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (firing pin selection, expenditure patterns) through software rather than changing physical hardware. By modifying control parameters and selecting different firing pin sets via programming, the system achieves expanded capacity without manufacturing or replacement activities.
3Ease of operation
If legacy hardware is retained in the CMDS, then the ease of operation is improved, but the quantity of expendables that can be carried is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates virtual copies or representations of firing lines through software logic rather than physical duplicates. By programming the sequencer to simulate additional firing lines through logical control of existing hardware, the system achieves expanded functionality while retaining the original physical hardware structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical/expansion-based solutions (adding physical firing lines and hardware components) with electronic/software-based solutions (programming the sequencer to control existing hardware in different configurations). This substitution enables expanded capacity while maintaining legacy hardware simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
Various systems and methods for leveraging legacy countermeasure dispensing systems (CMDSs). The legacy CMDSs are leveraged through the expansion of breechplates and magazines in a CMDS by expanding the amount of expendables carried by a CMDS while still maintaining the legacy sequencer and dispenser in a legacy military platform, such as an aircraft. In addition, various circuitry systems are included in a circuit card of the breechplate for duplicating and/or expanding the firing lines provided in a legacy CMDS.