Inductive Weapon Interface System for Modular Integration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current weapon systems face challenges in achieving precise targeting with minimal collateral damage, require lengthy and costly qualification processes, and often necessitate complex software integration, leading to delayed operational deployment and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A weapon interface system that utilizes an inductive power and data circuit for energy transfer and mission information, allowing for modular design, reduced mechanical connectors, and compatibility with existing platforms, enabling precise targeting with minimal collateral damage and streamlined integration processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If precision guided weapons are used to achieve accurate targeting with minimal collateral damage, then targeting precision is improved, but weapon system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The weapon system is divided into separate functional modules: a guidance module with seeker and control electronics, a propulsion module, and a warhead module. This segmentation allows the guidance system to be optimized for precision while the other modules handle basic functions, reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The weapon system employs universal interfaces and standardized communication protocols that allow the same guidance module to be integrated with different propulsion and warhead modules. This multi-functionality enables precision targeting capabilities to be reused across various weapon types without increasing complexity.
2Reliability
If comprehensive qualification testing is performed to ensure safety and compatibility, then weapon reliability is improved, but qualification time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Safety and compatibility features are built into the weapon design from the outset rather than being added during testing. The system includes pre-programmed safety protocols, compatibility checks, and fail-safe mechanisms that are validated through simulation before physical testing, reducing the time and cost of actual qualification testing.
3Adaptability or versatility
If complex software integration is performed to enable weapon-platform compatibility, then system adaptability is improved, but integration time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The weapon system uses universal data buses and standardized communication protocols that enable the same software architecture to interface with multiple different launch platforms. This universality allows adaptability to be achieved through configuration rather than complex custom integration, reducing software complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs standardized interface specifications and data formats that can be copied and reused across different weapon-platform combinations. Rather than developing unique software integrations for each platform, the same interface protocols are replicated and adapted, reducing integration complexity.
4Ease of manufacture
If modular design is implemented to reduce qualification costs and enable changes, then ease of manufacture is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The weapon system is divided into standardized modules with clearly defined interfaces. Each module (guidance, propulsion, warhead) can be manufactured independently using optimized processes, improving ease of manufacture. The segmentation is achieved through mechanical interfaces and electrical connectors that standardize the boundaries between modules.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular design uses universal interface standards that allow the same module types to be used across different weapon configurations. This universality reduces the number of unique components that need to be manufactured, offsetting the complexity introduced by modularity through economies of scale.
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 enables accurate and efficient deployment of weapons with reduced collateral damage, faster integration, and lower costs by providing an inductive power and data interface that supports modular design and compatibility with existing platforms, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and reducing qualification times.
Implementation Method 1
a weapon coupler, coupled to the translation interface, configured to provide an inductive coupling to the weapon system to provide mission information thereto
Data Source
AI summary
A weapon interface system, and methods of operating the same. The weapon interface system is coupled to an electrical interconnection system of a delivery platform and a weapon system coupled to a rack system. The weapon interface system includes a translation interface configured to provide an interface between the electrical interconnection system and an inductive power and data circuit. The weapon interface system also includes a weapon coupler, coupled to the translation interface, configured to provide an inductive coupling to the weapon system to provide mission information thereto.