Munitions Water-Entry Shock Reduction and Coordinated Detonation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for engaging underwater targets, such as depth charges, torpedoes, and mortar bombs, face limitations in range, accuracy, and cost-effectiveness, particularly when targeting locations distant from the launching vessel and requiring coordinated explosive events.
Innovation Solution
A method involving munitions launched from gun barrels with coordinated timing of explosive charges, using fuze systems that can receive data signals to trigger explosive charges underwater, allowing for simultaneous or sequential detonations at a target location, and a system to reduce water-entry shock by interacting with the water to maintain trajectory and prevent damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If depth charges are used to engage underwater targets, then the explosive capability is significant, but the range is limited and coordination between multiple depth charges is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the engagement task into multiple independent gun-launched munitions that can be fired simultaneously or sequentially from multiple vessels, with each munition carrying its own fuze system and explosive charge, enabling distributed coordination over long ranges
Solution Approach 2:
A central control system acts as an intermediary to coordinate the timing and targeting of multiple gun-launched munitions, receiving target data and distributing synchronized firing commands to multiple guns across different vessels to achieve coordinated explosive events at the target location
2Area of stationary object
If multiple depth charges are deployed simultaneously from multiple vessels, then the coverage area increases, but coordination of explosive events is difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback through a central control architecture that receives target location data, calculates synchronized firing times for multiple guns, and adjusts timing based on each gun's position and ballistics to achieve precise coordination of explosive events across distributed vessels
Solution Approach 2:
The control system provides universal coordination capability that can manage any number of guns from any number of vessels, with the same core architecture handling timing synchronization, trajectory calculation, and explosive event coordination regardless of the specific configuration of participating platforms
3Loss of time
If depth charges are deployed close to the vessel, then the response time is short, but the vessel risks damage from the explosion
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the explosive function from depth charges dropped near the vessel and relocates it to gun-launched munitions that travel through air and water to engage targets at a safe distance, separating the deployment platform from the explosive event location to eliminate the risk of self-damage
4Length of stationary object
If torpedoes are used to engage underwater targets, then the range is increased due to self-propulsion, but the cost is too high for speculative or multi-explosion use
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs inexpensive, disposable gun-launched munitions with simple fuze systems designed for single-use engagement, replacing expensive self-propelled torpedoes with cheaper projectile-based weapons that achieve comparable range and effectiveness without the high cost structure of torpedo systems
5Measurement precision
If projectiles are fired from a gun into water, then the range and accuracy are significant, but water impact causes damage or trajectory change
Solution Approach 1:
The fuze system is designed to trigger the explosive charge before complete water immersion or at a controlled depth, cushioning the projectile against the full force of water impact by initiating the explosive function at the optimal moment, preventing damage from excessive water pressure and trajectory disruption
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 long-range, accurate, and cost-effective engagement of underwater targets with coordinated explosive effects and reduced water-entry shock, allowing for efficient and reliable targeting of distant locations with multiple munitions.
Implementation Method 1
a fuze system adapted to trigger the explosive charge in the water in accordance with pre-set criteria
Implementation Method 2
the explosive charge of each of a plurality of munitions... adapted to trigger the explosive charge in the water
Implementation Method 3
co-ordinating the timing of the triggering of the first explosive charge and the second explosive charge to establish a co-ordinated explosive event at the target location
Data Source
AI summary
According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a system for reducing water-entry shock for a projectile entering the water, the system comprising: a first component, the first component being moveable to a target region for which water-entry shock is to be reduced, and arranged to interact with the water, for reducing water-entry shock for a second component; a second component in the form of the projectile, arranged to enter the water in the region for which water-entry shock has been reduced by the first component, functionality of the second projectile component being triggered by the water.