Shaped-Charge UAV Layout for Perpendicular Target Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rotary wing UAVs face challenges in achieving optimal engagement angles with targets due to their tilted attitude during final approach, which affects the transfer of explosive energy from shaped charges, leading to reduced efficacy in target damage or destruction.
Innovation Solution
The UAV is designed with a central camera and explosive payload aligned along its longitudinal axis, featuring a gimbal mount for independent camera orientation and adjustable rotor pairs, allowing for optimal alignment of the camera, UAV direction, and explosive force during the final approach maneuver to ensure maximum energy transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the UAV tilts its axis to attain higher forward velocity, then the forward velocity is improved, but the engagement angle with the target deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The shaped charge is made movable relative to the UAV body, allowing its orientation to be dynamically adjusted during flight. The control system can reposition the shaped charge to achieve the correct perpendicular engagement angle even when the UAV is flying at a tilted attitude for speed, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining high velocity and achieving precise engagement geometry
Solution Approach 2:
The UAV system is divided into independent functional components: the main body for flight control and the separately movable shaped charge for engagement. This segmentation allows the shaped charge to be independently positioned and oriented without affecting the UAV's flight attitude, enabling simultaneous optimization of both speed and engagement angle
2Device complexity
If the shaped charge is fixed in orientation, then the device complexity is reduced, but the energy transfer to the target deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The shaped charge is designed with movable mounting mechanisms that allow it to be repositioned relative to the UAV body. This dynamic capability enables the shaped charge to be oriented perpendicular to the target surface at the moment of engagement, maximizing energy transfer while maintaining relatively simple overall device architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The orientation parameter of the shaped charge is made variable rather than fixed. The control system can adjust the shaped charge's angular position to match the target geometry, ensuring optimal energy transfer efficiency while keeping the mechanical structure relatively simple through controlled parameter adjustment rather than complex mechanical transformations
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
This configuration enables the UAV to achieve optimal engagement angles, maximizing the transfer of explosive energy and improving the chances of successful target engagement by aligning the camera, UAV, and explosive force direction, regardless of the target's surface orientation or approach speed.
Implementation Method 1
Many missiles use shaped charges which are designed and arranged to have maximal effect in a particular direction. To penetrate a target's armour, it is typically preferable to have the shaped charge couple at right angles to the target. In this way, maximum energy from the shaped charge is transferred.
Implementation Method 2
The explosive payload is a shaped charge comprising one or more of: copper, tungsten, High Density Reactive Materials (HDRM) or alloys thereof.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
Disclosed is an unmanned Aerial Vehicle, UAV (1), comprising a plurality of rotors (5), a camera (3) and an explosive payload (4), wherein the UAV comprises a generally elongate body, and the camera and the payload are arranged substantially in-line within the body.