Feed Forward Guidance Kit for Ballistic Missile Targeting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional guidance systems for missiles rely on reactive measurements of airborne target acceleration, which limits the maneuverability difference between the missile and the target, requiring significant modifications to the missile to maintain effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A feed forward guidance kit equipped with optical imaging sensors, a processor, and a feed forward guidance protocol that proactively calculates the anticipated position of an aircraft based on its type and orientation changes, allowing the missile to anticipate and engage the target more effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If reactive feedback measurement is used to track target acceleration, then the guidance system can respond to target movements, but the maneuverability difference between missile and target increases and components must be modified
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using feed-forward guidance that proactively calculates anticipated target position based on current state and kinematic models, rather than reacting to past movements. This allows the missile to anticipate target maneuvers before they occur, reducing the maneuverability gap without requiring additional complex components
2Reliability
If proportional navigation with 3-to-1 maneuver overmatch is used, then the missile can intercept the target, but the missile requires significant propulsion and payload components to compensate for maneuverability differences
Solution Approach 1:
By calculating the anticipated target position in advance using feed-forward guidance and kinematic models, the missile can plan its interception trajectory more efficiently. This reduces the need for excessive maneuvering capacity and associated propulsion/payload components, thereby reducing overall missile mass while maintaining interception capability
3Measurement precision
If reactive feedback guidance is used, then the missile can track target position, but continuous reactive adjustments reduce the missile's maneuverability advantage
Solution Approach 1:
The feed-forward guidance system proactively calculates the anticipated target position based on current state and predicted maneuvers, allowing the missile to adjust its trajectory in advance rather than continuously reacting to past target movements. This preserves the missile's maneuverability advantage while maintaining accurate tracking
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines feed-forward prediction with feedback mechanisms, using optical sensors to detect target orientation changes and feed this information into the prediction model. This hybrid approach maintains measurement precision while reducing the need for continuous reactive adjustments, thereby preserving missile maneuverability
Data Source
AI summary
A feed forward guidance kit for a ballistic device that includes at least one optical imaging sensor, a processor that is operatively in communication with the at least one optical imaging sensor, and a feed forward guidance protocol that is stored on a computer readable medium and that is operatively in communication with the processor. When the at least one optical imaging sensor initially intercepts an aircraft at an initial location during combat, the feed forward guidance protocol instructs the processor to proactively calculate an anticipated second position of the aircraft as an orientation of the aircraft changes from an initial orientation to a translated orientation.