Gun-Launched Munition Assembly with Programmable Submunition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing munitions for engaging underwater targets face limitations in range, accuracy, and cost-effectiveness, particularly when targeting locations distant from the launch vessel, as they often require expensive and risky helicopter deployments or have limited explosive capability and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A munition assembly launched from a gun barrel, featuring a carrier with a programmable submunition that can be controllably expelled into water, equipped with a fuze that triggers the explosive charge based on pre-set criteria such as sonar, magnetic, or electric signatures, pressure, depth, salinity, or temperature, allowing for precise and efficient engagement of underwater targets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If depth charges are used to engage underwater targets, then explosive capability is improved, but range is limited and helicopter deployment becomes necessary
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the munition into two separate components: a gun-launched carrier projectile that delivers the payload to the target area, and depth charge submunitions that are deployed from the carrier. This segmentation allows the carrier to achieve long range through gun launch while the depth charges retain their explosive capability upon deployment, resolving the contradiction between range and explosive power.
2Length of moving object
If helicopters are used to deploy depth charges, then range is improved, but cost and risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the complex mechanical system of helicopter deployment with a simpler gun-launched carrier system. The carrier projectile is fired from a gun to reach the target area, then automatically deploys depth charge submunitions. This substitution eliminates the need for expensive helicopter operations while maintaining long range capability, resolving the contradiction between range and cost.
3Length of moving object
If torpedoes are used to engage underwater targets, then range is improved, but cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses inexpensive depth charge submunitions deployed from a gun-launched carrier instead of expensive torpedoes. The depth charges are designed as disposable, simple explosive devices that provide sufficient range through the carrier's delivery mechanism, eliminating the need for costly self-propelled torpedoes while maintaining engagement capability at desired ranges.
4Speed
If gun-launched projectiles are used, then range and speed are improved, but accuracy deteriorates due to natural trajectory and water impact
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the engagement into two phases: the carrier projectile phase for rapid delivery, and the submunition deployment phase for precise target engagement. The carrier is fired at high speed from the gun, then releases depth charge submunitions that descend vertically into the water with greater accuracy, resolving the contradiction between launch speed and engagement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier projectile acts as an intermediary that delivers the depth charge submunitions to the target area. Instead of the gun directly firing the explosive payload, the carrier serves as a delivery vehicle that can be fired at high speed while carrying the submunitions, which then deploy with better accuracy. This intermediary resolves the contradiction between launch speed and accuracy.
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
The solution provides a cost-effective, accurate, and efficient means to engage underwater targets at significant ranges, enabling multiple munitions to be quickly launched and targeted with high precision, overcoming the limitations of existing technologies by leveraging a gun-launched, projectile-based approach.
Implementation Method 1
upon detection of a target sonar signature
Implementation Method 2
upon detection of a target magnetic signature
Implementation Method 3
upon detection of a target electric field signature
Implementation Method 4
at a predetermined pressure under the water surface
Implementation Method 5
the submunition explosive charge; and a submunition fuze, wherein: the munition assembly is adapted to be launched, into the air, from a gun barrel, where the submunition is then arranged to be controllably expelled from the carrier and enter a body of water; and the submunition fuze is adapted to trigger the submunition explosive charge underwater
Data Source
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AI summary
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a munition assembly, arranged to be launched from a gun, the assembly comprising: a carrier for a submunition, the carrier comprising a cavity in which the submunition is located; and a submunition, carried by the carrier in the cavity, the submunition arranged to be controllably expelled from the carrier; the submunition comprising: a submunition explosive charge; and a submunition fuze, wherein: the munition assembly is adapted to be launched, into the air, from a gun barrel, where the submunition is then arranged to be controllably expelled from the carrier and enter a body of water; and the submunition fuze is adapted to trigger the submunition explosive charge under water.