Fire Control System for Rapid Projectile Targeting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing countermeasures for neutralizing short-range threats like rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) often require quick deployment but may not be effective due to limited reaction time and are not universally suited to all military units, particularly in urban environments where RPGs are commonly used.
Innovation Solution
A fire control system that uses sensor data to generate and provide a fire control solution to a projectile, enabling rapid and targeted interception of incoming threats by launching a countermeasure projectile, such as a guided missile, from a launcher, which can be adapted for vertical launch and includes control elements like fins and a fuze for precise targeting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If existing countermeasures are deployed quickly to neutralize short-range threats, then response time is reduced, but effectiveness is limited due to insufficient reaction time for accurate targeting
Solution Approach 1:
The fire control system pre-calculates and prepares targeting solutions before the projectile is launched. The system receives sensor data, computes fire control solutions, and queues them for delivery during flight, so that accurate targeting information is already ready when the projectile reaches the target, eliminating the need for complex mid-flight updates
Solution Approach 2:
A wireless communication system acts as an intermediary to deliver pre-computed fire control solutions from the ground-based fire control system to the airborne projectile during its flight. This allows the projectile to receive updated targeting information without requiring complex onboard calculation systems or extended reaction time
2Device complexity
If traditional fire control systems wait to generate solutions after launch, then system complexity is reduced, but targeting accuracy deteriorates due to outdated data
Solution Approach 1:
The fire control system performs all complex calculations and generates complete fire control solutions before the projectile is launched. By pre-computing the targeting data based on current sensor information, the system maintains high targeting accuracy while keeping the onboard projectile system simple, as it only needs to receive and execute pre-prepared solutions
3Measurement precision
If fire control solutions are provided before launch, then targeting accuracy is improved, but reaction time is extended due to additional processing time
Solution Approach 1:
The fire control system continuously receives sensor data and continuously computes fire control solutions during the projectile's flight. Multiple solutions are generated in sequence and queued for delivery at different moments during flight, ensuring that the latest available targeting information is always being prepared and can be delivered to update the projectile's trajectory for maximum accuracy
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for launching an effector according to various aspects of the present invention may include a fire control system. The fire control system may be responsive to a sensor, such as a radar, and may be connected to the effector, such as via a launcher. The file control system may be adapted to generate a fire control solution according to the data from the sensor, initiate a launch of the effector, and provide the fire control solution to the effector after initiating the launch.