Gravity-Guided Kinetic Projectile Steering for Precise Aerial Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current weapon delivery systems from aerial vehicles lack precision and efficiency in guiding kinetic projectiles without onboard propulsion or explosive materials, relying on complex guidance systems and requiring costly and heavy guidance components.
Innovation Solution
A projectile delivery module for aerial vehicles that uses gravity-driven kinetic projectiles with onboard steering systems, controlled by a base system including a target tracking and guidance system, eliminating the need for onboard propulsion and explosive materials, and leveraging computer vision and RF communication for precise targeting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If kinetic projectiles use complex onboard guidance systems, then targeting precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the guidance computations from the projectile itself and relocates them to the base system on the aerial vehicle. The projectile only carries minimal steering components while the base system performs all complex tracking and guidance calculations, significantly reducing onboard projectile complexity while maintaining precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the target tracking, projectile tracking, and guidance computation functions into a single integrated base system. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate complex guidance systems on each projectile while achieving the same or better precision through centralized control
2Speed
If kinetic projectiles carry onboard propulsion mechanisms, then flight control capability is improved, but weight and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes onboard propulsion mechanisms from the projectiles entirely. Instead, the base system provides all necessary thrust and propulsion control, allowing projectiles to remain lightweight while maintaining full flight control capability through external actuation
Solution Approach 2:
The base system acts as an intermediary that provides propulsion and flight control functions to the projectiles without being physically integrated into them. This allows projectiles to remain simple, lightweight objects while the base system mediates all complex flight control operations
3Reliability
If kinetic projectiles carry explosive materials, then target engagement effectiveness is improved, but harmful factors and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the traditional explosive engagement method into a kinetic impact method. Instead of using explosives that create widespread destruction, the system uses precisely controlled kinetic projectiles that deliver focused impact energy, reducing collateral damage while maintaining or improving target engagement effectiveness through precision
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 precise and efficient delivery of kinetic projectiles to targets using gravity, reducing collateral damage and operational costs by simplifying the projectile design and shifting guidance computations to the base system, enhancing the operational endurance of the weaponized aerial vehicle.
Implementation Method 1
release the kinetic projectile from the projectile holder such that the kinetic projectile is driven toward a target by gravity
Implementation Method 2
a steering mechanism operable to change an attitude, orientation, and/or direction of flight of the kinetic projectile
Data Source
AI summary
A projectile delivery module to be mounted on an aerial vehicle includes a projectile delivery system including a kinetic projectile and a base system. The kinetic projectile includes a projectile body, an RF receiver, and an onboard steering system including: a steering mechanism operable to change an attitude, orientation, and/or direction of flight of the kinetic projectile; and a steering actuator. The base system includes: an RF transmitter to communicate with the RF receiver; a projectile holder; a target tracking system; and a projectile guidance system including a projectile tracking system and a projectile control system. The base system is configured to: release the kinetic projectile from the projectile holder such that the kinetic projectile is driven toward a target by gravity; track the target using the target tracking system; track the released kinetic projectile using the projectile tracking system; and automatically control the onboard steering system using the projectile control system to adjust a trajectory of the falling kinetic projectile to steer the kinetic projectile to the target.