Dual-Purpose Jammer Boom for Munition Loading and Trailer Towing

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing military vehicles for munition handling and towing are single-use, leading to inefficiencies in cargo space and weight constraints during agile combat deployments, necessitating the use of multiple vehicles that displace needed equipment.

Innovation Solution

A dual-purpose jammer with an articulable boom and integrated table equipped with a pintle hook allows for towing trailers without a bobtail, combining munition loading and towing functions into a single vehicle.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate single-use vehicles (bobtail and jammer) are used for towing and munition loading, then each vehicle can perform its dedicated task effectively, but cargo space and weight are consumed by multiple vehicles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemunition handling capabilityVSAvoidcargo space

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the towing function (pintle hook) and munition loading function (boom with cradle) into a single jammer vehicle. The pintle hook is mounted on the boom structure, allowing the jammer to both tow munition trailers and load/unload munitions without requiring a separate bobtail vehicle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The jammer vehicle is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a towing vehicle (via pintle hook) and as a munition loading vehicle (via boom and cradle). This universal design eliminates the need for separate single-use vehicles, conserving cargo space and weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple single-use vehicles are deployed for specific tasks, then each task can be performed with dedicated equipment, but weight constraints are exceeded and other needed equipment cannot be transported

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetask specializationVSAvoidvehicle weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The jammer vehicle is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a towing vehicle (via pintle hook) and as a munition loading vehicle (via boom and cradle). This universal design eliminates the need for separate single-use vehicles, conserving cargo space and weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the towing function (pintle hook) and munition loading function (boom with cradle) into a single jammer vehicle. The pintle hook is mounted on the boom structure, allowing the jammer to both tow munition trailers and load/unload munitions without requiring a separate bobtail vehicle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If a bobtail is used for towing trailers, then towing capability is provided, but the bobtail occupies cargo space that could be used for other equipment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetowing capabilityVSAvoidcargo space

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the towing function (pintle hook) and munition loading function (boom with cradle) into a single jammer vehicle. The pintle hook is mounted on the boom structure, allowing the jammer to both tow munition trailers and load/unload munitions without requiring a separate bobtail vehicle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12447782B2Dual purpose vehicle

Publication Date: 2025.10.21 THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE

AI summary

A jammer which eliminates the need for a bobtail in a forward deployment. The jammer has an outwardly extending boom with a table at the distal end of the boom. The table can mount upwardly extending cradles suitable for temporarily holding cargo, such as a munition, during transport and positioning on the underside of an aircraft wing. The table also holds an upstanding pintle hook. The pintle hook provides for attachment of the jammer to a trailer for towing. Using the jammer for both towing of a trailer and positioning of cargo using the boom eliminates the need for a bobtail, conserving both cargo space and payload weight during deployment.