Rotating Laser Training Assembly for Grenade Launchers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current military training systems, such as MILES, are not compatible with indirect fire ballistic weapons like grenade launchers, lacking effective simulation for realistic training.
Innovation Solution
A training assembly with a laser and motor system is attached to grenade launchers, rotating to simulate projectile trajectories and incorporating sensors to measure and adjust laser beam direction and intensity, replicating the impact area and drift of projectiles, and integrating with existing MILES sensors for successful fire registration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If MILES laser systems are used for training, then direct fire weapon training is effective, but indirect fire ballistic weapon training is incompatible
Solution Approach 1:
The training assembly is made rotatable to dynamically adjust the laser beam direction, allowing the system to adapt from static direct-fire alignment to dynamic indirect-fire trajectory simulation. The rotation mechanism enables the laser to follow ballistic trajectories of grenades, making the training system versatile for both direct and indirect fire weapons.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the laser by introducing rotational movement and trajectory-based positioning. Instead of a fixed laser alignment, the system varies the laser beam's angular position over time to match projectile flight paths, enabling compatibility with ballistic weapons while maintaining effectiveness.
2Device complexity
If a fixed laser alignment is used, then the system is simple, but it cannot simulate projectile trajectories
Solution Approach 1:
The training assembly incorporates a rotation mechanism that allows the laser to dynamically adjust its alignment angle. This dynamic capability enables accurate simulation of projectile trajectories while maintaining relative system simplicity through a single rotational degree of freedom controlled by a motor.
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 realistic and effective training for grenade launchers by simulating projectile trajectories and drift, enhancing training accuracy and realism for military operations.
Implementation Method 1
A semiconductor laser diode in the SAT is energized to emit an infrared laser beam toward the target
Implementation Method 2
the training assembly is positioned or moves in the x-direction to simulate expected drift due to either the inertia of the ballistics or wind
Implementation Method 3
the control unit records and measures the angle between the longitudinal axis of the training assembly housing and the barrel bore elevation (or longitudinal axis), the initiation of a blank (or simulated) trigger pull, and the direction of earth gravity
Data Source
AI summary
A laser-based system is useful for training soldiers in the operation and use of a grenade launcher. The system comprises a training assembly rotatably attached to the body of a grenade launcher and at least one sensor to detect laser energy at a target site. The training assembly comprises a housing; a variable output laser; a shaft extending through the housing to the body of the grenade launcher; a motor within the housing that engages the shaft and is capable of causing the housing to rotate about the shaft; at least one sensor to detect rotation of the housing, trigger pull, and/or gravitational direction; and a control unit operationally connected to the laser, the at least one sensor, and the motor. The training assembly rotates from the elevation of the launcher barrel to the elevation of the target site to generate a burst of laser energy at sensors at the target site.