External Winged Guidance Platform for Barrel-Fired Projectiles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional artillery shells and projectiles have limited sensor capabilities, range, and maneuverability due to the high-stress environment inside the barrel, and require large aircrafts for external guidance, which is costly and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
An external winged guidance platform is coupled with the projectile outside the barrel, using cheaper electronics and kinetic energy to deploy GPS, INS, and camera sensors for precise targeting, eliminating the need for aircrafts and reducing stress on navigation systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hardened expensive military electronics are used inside the barrel, then the navigation system can withstand high pressure, vibrations and temperature, but the cost increases and sensor capabilities remain limited
Solution Approach 1:
The navigation system is extracted from the projectile interior and placed on an external aerial platform. This removes the system from the high-stress barrel environment, allowing the use of conventional, cheaper electronics while maintaining reliability through the protective external platform design.
Solution Approach 2:
An external aerial platform acts as an intermediary between the projectile and the navigation system. This mediator provides a protected environment for sensitive electronics while still enabling navigation functions, avoiding the need for expensive hardened electronics inside the projectile.
2Reliability
If conventional electronic guidance systems are used inside the barrel, then the system can operate in high-stress environment, but the range and maneuverability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The navigation system is extracted from the projectile interior and placed on an external aerial platform. This extraction enables the deployment of advanced sensors and communication systems that were previously impossible inside the projectile, significantly improving range and maneuverability while maintaining operational reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The navigation system transitions from a three-dimensional constrained space inside the projectile to a six-dimensional external platform with freedom of movement and sensor placement. This dimensional change enables superior maneuverability and extended range through advanced flight control and sensor capabilities.
3Adaptability or versatility
If aircrafts are used to carry the projectiles, then external guidance can be provided, but large aircrafts are required which increases cost and reduces efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The projectile itself serves as the platform for the navigation system by carrying the external guidance device attached to its exterior. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate aircraft to provide guidance, reducing weight and cost while maintaining external guidance capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The navigation system is merged with the projectile by attaching it to the exterior surface. This combination allows the projectile to function as both the delivery vehicle and the platform for advanced navigation, eliminating the need for separate aircraft and reducing overall system weight and cost.
4Ease of manufacture
If the navigation system is placed outside the barrel, then cheaper electronics and better sensors can be used, but the system must be attached to the projectile exterior
Solution Approach 1:
The navigation system is extracted from the projectile interior and placed on an external aerial platform. This extraction allows the use of conventional, cheaper electronics while the attachment mechanism provides the necessary connection to the projectile, resolving the cost advantage while managing the added complexity.
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
Enables pin-point accuracy for moving targets behind mountains with improved range and performance, reducing costs by using cheaper electronics and eliminating the need for large aircrafts, while allowing for reusable and intelligent data collection post-impact.
Implementation Method 1
uses the kinetic energy of the fired projectile to carry the winged guidance frame
Implementation Method 2
This external guidance device is attached to the projectile via a male coupling rod which clutches on to the female receiver while exiting the barrel
Data Source
AI summary
A winged external guidance frame placed on the muzzle that can couple with a projectile while exiting the barrel utilizing the kinetic energy of the projectile to travel to the target while the accuracy is provided by on board electronics and corrected using the wings. Alternately a reusable unmanned aerial system that travels in the speed and direction of the projectile and couples with the projectile as it exits the barrel.