Remote-Controlled Loitering Ordnance With Video-Guided Targeting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional explosive weapons lack the ability to control trajectory and destination after launch, often resulting in collateral damage, as they cannot be steered to a specific target once airborne.
Innovation Solution
A remotely controllable aeronautical ordnance system that includes a tubular body with rotating blades for propulsion, an imaging device for real-time image data, and a remote control device for navigation and detonation, allowing precise control over the ordnance's flight path and target selection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional explosive weapons are launched to attack an enemy, then the attack capability is improved, but the ability to control trajectory and destination is lost, resulting in collateral damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements real-time video feedback from the ordnance to the operator, enabling continuous monitoring of the ordnance's position and the operator to make adjustments during flight. This feedback loop allows the operator to guide the ordnance precisely to the intended target while avoiding collateral damage, directly resolving the contradiction between attack capability and trajectory control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a remote control system with video transmission as an intermediary between the operator and the ordnance. This intermediary enables the operator to maintain control over the ordnance's trajectory and destination after launch, allowing precise targeting while minimizing collateral damage, thus resolving the contradiction between attack effectiveness and control retention.
2Ease of operation
If the ordnance is made light and compact for portability, then ease of carrying is improved, but control precision and stability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic control mechanisms including real-time video feedback and adjustable thrust control that adapt to the ordnance's flight conditions. These dynamic systems maintain control precision despite the compact design, allowing the ordnance to be both portable and reliably controllable, thus resolving the contradiction between portability and control precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in the control system, including variable thrust output and adjustable flight characteristics, to maintain control precision across different operational conditions. These parameter adjustments allow the compact ordnance to achieve and maintain precise control throughout its flight, resolving the contradiction between size and control 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
Enables precise delivery of explosive ordnance with reduced collateral damage by allowing real-time navigation and control of the ordnance's descent onto a selected target, minimizing harm to non-combatants and improving hit probability.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of blades connected to the body at or near the first end portion blades for rotation about the body under powered operation to impart thrust and bring the ordnance to a first altitude above a target position
Implementation Method 2
blades for rotation about the body under powered operation to impart thrust and bring the ordnance to a first altitude above a target position
Implementation Method 3
an imaging device mounted along the second end portion to generate frames of image data representative of a view of a ground plane while the ordnance is airborne, where the imaging device acquires infrared or visible light images
Implementation Method 4
an imaging device mounted along the second end portion to generate frames of image data representative of a view of a ground plane while the ordnance is airborne, where the imaging device acquires infrared or visible light images
Implementation Method 5
first receiver circuitry configured to receive radio frequency (rf) control signals and rf video transmission circuitry coupled to receive the frames of image data and transmit rf signals including a stream of the image data
Implementation Method 6
an explosive component positioned therein... detonating the explosive component
Implementation Method 7
detonating the explosive component
Data Source
AI summary
An ordnance for air-borne delivery to a target under remotely controlled in-flight navigation. In one embodiment, self-powered aerial ordnance includes upper and lower cases. A plurality of co-axial, deployable blades is powered by a motor positioned in the upper case. When deployed, the blades are rotatable about the upper case to impart thrust and bring the vehicle to a first altitude above a target position. An explosive material and a camera are positioned in a lower case which is attached to the upper case. The camera generates a view along the ground plane and above the target when the ordinance is in flight. When the vehicle is deployed it is remotely controllable to deliver the vehicle to the target to detonate the explosive at the target. The ordnance may drop directly on a target as a bomb does.