Modular Guided Missile Assembly System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing guided missiles are inflexible and costly to adapt for different targets, requiring significant development time and resources for adjustments, limiting their effectiveness and efficiency in various missions.

Innovation Solution

A modular weapon system comprising multiple magazines for seekers, propulsion and guidance modules, electronics, and warheads, allowing for quick assembly of guided missiles with customizable components, including a filling material to provide structural integrity and protection, enabling adaptation to specific missions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If guided missiles are built for a special range of targets with fixed configurations, then manufacturing and assembly are simpler, but adaptability to different targets and missions is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different targetsVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guided missile is divided into separate modular components (seeker head, propulsion module, electronics, warhead) that can be independently manufactured, stored, and assembled. This segmentation allows different combinations of modules to be created for different targets while keeping individual module manufacturing simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Standardized carrier structures and interface designs enable a universal platform that can accommodate multiple types of seekers, propulsion modules, and warheads. The same basic missile body and control systems can be used across different mission configurations, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If adjustments are made to guided missiles for different targets through new developments, then adaptability is improved, but development time and costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different targetsVSAvoiddevelopment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple seeker heads, propulsion modules, electronics packages, and warheads are pre-manufactured and stored in ready-to-use configurations. When a new target type is identified, pre-developed modules can be quickly selected and assembled without requiring time-consuming new development cycles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows rapid reconfiguration by changing which specific modules are assembled together rather than redesigning the entire missile. Different seeker types, propulsion variants, and warhead configurations can be combined with existing platforms to adapt to new targets.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If guided missiles are assembled shortly before use according to a modular principle, then adaptability to planned missions is improved, but assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemission-specific optimizationVSAvoidassembly process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The missile system is segmented into standardized modules that attach to a common carrier structure using uniform interfaces. This segmentation simplifies the assembly process despite the variety of possible configurations, as each module connects through the same standardized mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The carrier structure serves as an intermediary platform that standardizes the interface between different module types. This intermediary element mediates the connection between various seekers, propulsion modules, and warheads, making the assembly process more manageable despite the diversity of components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If individual components are stored separately in individual magazines, then safety and reliability of storage is improved, but system complexity and storage space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafe and reliable storageVSAvoidstorage system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Different component types (seekers, propulsion modules, electronics, warheads) are stored in separate magazines, physically isolating them from one another. This segmentation improves safety by preventing accidental interaction between incompatible components while maintaining organized, manageable storage systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3156757B1Weapon system and method for operating a weapon system
Publication Date: 2018.11.14 MBDA DEUTSCHIAND GMBH
  • EP3156757B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3156757B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a weapon system (1) comprising a first magazine (2) comprising a plurality of seeker heads (7) for a guided missile (10), a second magazine (3) comprising a plurality of drive and guidance modules (8) for a guided missile (10), a third magazine (4) comprising a plurality of electronics (12) for a guided missile (10), a storage device for a plurality of support structures (9) for a guided missile (10), wherein a support structure (9) can be removed from the storage device, to which a seeker head (7) ejectable from the first magazine (2), a drive and guidance module (8) ejectable from the second magazine (3), and electronics (12) ejectable from the third magazine (4) can be attached to obtain a guided missile (10).