Stackable Munition Projectiles for Swarm Targeting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current military projectiles are designed for single-use objectives and lack the capability to adapt or function collaboratively, limiting their versatility and effectiveness in achieving multiple targets or missions.
Innovation Solution
Development of stackable munitions with miniaturized guidance, navigation, and control components, autopilots, cameras, transmitters, receivers, antennae, power sources, and sensors that separate in flight to form swarming projectiles, capable of transforming into UAVs or copters, allowing for collaborative engagement and multi-mission capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional single-use projectiles are used, then manufacturing and operational simplicity is maintained, but versatility and mission adaptability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The projectile is divided into multiple separable modules, each with its own guidance, propulsion, and payload systems. This segmentation allows individual modules to be independently controlled and assigned different mission objectives, enabling versatile multi-target engagement while keeping each module relatively simple in design
Solution Approach 2:
Each projectile module is designed with universal capabilities including integrated guidance, navigation, and control systems that can adapt to different mission types. The modules can perform multiple functions such as kinetic engagement, electronic warfare, or surveillance depending on payload selection and control algorithms
2Adaptability or versatility
If miniaturized components are integrated into each projectile, then collaborative engagement capability is enabled, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple projectile modules are nested within a common launch container or carrier mechanism. This nesting approach allows standardized modules to be manufactured separately using conventional processes, then assembled into the launch system in a controlled environment, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while enabling collaborative engagement
Solution Approach 2:
Each projectile module contains self-contained guidance, navigation, and control systems that operate autonomously. This self-service capability reduces the need for complex external control systems and simplifies manufacturing by making each module independent and interchangeable
3Productivity
If projectiles separate in flight to swarm, then multi-target capability is improved, but control and coordination complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The projectile swarm employs dynamic formation flying where modules continuously adjust their positions and trajectories based on real-time relative positioning and mission requirements. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the swarm to adapt to different target scenarios while maintaining coordinated control through distributed algorithms
4Extent of automation
If guidance and navigation components are miniaturized for each projectile, then autonomous swarm control is enabled, but power source requirements become more stringent
Solution Approach 1:
The guidance and navigation systems operate in periodic cycles, with modules transmitting status information and receiving commands at intervals rather than continuously. This periodic operation significantly reduces power consumption while maintaining autonomous swarm control capability through event-triggered updates
Data Source
AI summary
A stacked, collaborative engagement ammunition round is presented. The round includes plural stacked miniaturized projectiles where such projectiles separate after launch and then swarm as a group towards a target or targets. At launch, the projectiles may fly in a preselected formation, leader-follower towards the target. Or, the projectiles may deploy propellers, tri-copter or quad-copter vanes, and self steer swarming to the target. Each projectile has its own miniaturized guidance, navigation and control components, autopilot, cameras, transmitter, receiver, antennae, power source, sensors, fuzes and/or flex circuits.