1-to-N Munitions Adapter Emulation for Airborne Launchers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integrating a new type of munition to an existing airborne platform requires extensive validation and testing, making it time-consuming and resource-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A 1-to-N munitions adapter with a physical launcher interface, physical munitions interface, and electronic control circuitry that emulates a single munition's control interface to a launcher, allowing for the selective release of multiple munitions of a different type while in flight, thereby reducing the need for extensive validation and testing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a new type of munition is integrated to an existing airborne platform using conventional methods, then the integration is complete and reliable, but extensive validation and testing are required making it time-consuming and resource-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter contains control circuitry that emulates the electrical and operational characteristics of a first-type munition, creating a functional copy that the launcher cannot distinguish from the original. This allows the system to use the existing launcher infrastructure without requiring validation and testing for new munition types, as the adapter presents itself as a familiar component to the launch system.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter serves as an intermediary component between the launcher and the second-type munition. It translates the launcher's control signals intended for a first-type munition into appropriate control signals for the second-type munition, enabling compatibility without requiring the launcher to be validated for the new munition type.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a single munition launcher is designed to carry and launch a single munition of a first type, then the launcher is simple and reliable, but it cannot carry or launch multiple munitions of a different type
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into three distinct functional components: the existing launcher (unchanged), the adapter (new component with emulation and translation capabilities), and the second-type munition. This segmentation allows the launcher to remain simple and unchanged while the adapter handles the complexity of interfacing with different munition types.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter provides universal compatibility by emulating the electrical characteristics of a first-type munition while actually controlling a second-type munition. This allows a single launcher design to work with multiple munition types through the intermediary adapter, which translates between different control protocols.
3Productivity
If an airborne platform carries multiple munitions of a second type using the adapter, then the platform can engage multiple targets, but the adapter must selectively control the release of multiple munitions based on single munition launch control signals
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter dynamically interprets single munition launch control signals to determine the appropriate number of second-type munitions to release. The control circuitry is configured to translate these signals in real-time, enabling the system to adapt the munition release quantity based on the launcher's original intent without requiring separate control systems for each munition.
Data Source
AI summary
A 1-to-N munitions adapter that includes a physical launcher interface, a physical munitions interface, and electronic control circuitry. The physical launcher interface is operable to connect the 1-to-N munitions adapter to a single munition launcher that is i) configured and arranged to carry and launch a single munition of a first type, and ii) integrated to an airborne platform. The physical munitions interface is operable to connect the 1-to-N munitions adapter to multiple munitions of a second type. The 1-N munitions adapter i) emulates a control interface of a single munition of the first type to the single munition launcher, in part by identifying the 1-to-N munitions adapter to the single munition launcher as a single munition of the first type, and ii) selectively controls the release of munitions of the second type while the airborne platform is in flight in response to signals received from the single munition launcher.