UAS Fixed Weapon Aiming via Roll Angle Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manned aircraft attacking targets with coupled weapons expose the aircraft and its crew to counterattacks due to the need to fly close to the target, making them vulnerable.
Innovation Solution
An unmanned aerial system (UAS) with a fixed-position weapon is configured to roll at a determined angle and follow a calculated flight path, ensuring the weapon's aiming axis is directed at the target while maintaining a safe distance, thereby reducing exposure to counterattacks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a manned aircraft flies toward the target to aim a forward-facing weapon, then the weapon can be directed at the target, but the aircraft and its crew become vulnerable to counterattack
Solution Approach 1:
The pilot and vulnerable crew components are extracted from the attacking platform. The weapon system is separated from the manned aircraft and mounted on an unmanned aerial system (UAS), allowing the weapon to engage targets while the vulnerable elements are removed from the danger zone.
Solution Approach 2:
A control system acts as an intermediary between the operator and the weapon system. The control system receives targeting data, calculates the required roll angle and flight path, and autonomously maneuvers the UAS to position the weapon's aiming axis at the target, eliminating the need for the aircraft to fly in a vulnerable strafing profile.
2Productivity
If a manned aircraft performs a strafing attack profile to engage the target, then the weapon can attack the target, but the aircraft must fly close to the target resulting in exposure to attack
Solution Approach 1:
The UAS autonomously performs the attack maneuver without requiring a pilot to be in close proximity. The control system automatically determines and executes the flight path and roll angle needed to position the weapon at the target, allowing the UAS to service the attack function while maintaining distance from the target.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters by using a roll angle mechanism instead of a strafing profile. By rolling the UAS to a calculated angle while maintaining a safer flight path, the weapon's aiming axis is directed at the target without requiring the aircraft to fly close, thus changing the attack parameters to improve safety while maintaining effectiveness.
3Device complexity
If a fixed-position weapon is mounted on the UAS body, then the weapon structure is simplified, but the UAS must perform complex roll and flight path maneuvers to aim at the target
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical weapon mounting and aiming mechanisms with a computational approach. Instead of using movable weapon mounts or gimbals to physically aim the weapon, the control system calculates the required roll angle and flight path to position the fixed weapon's aiming axis at the target, substituting mechanical complexity with computational control.
Data Source
AI summary
An unmanned aerial system (UAS) includes a body and a lift and propulsion system coupled to the body. The UAS includes a weapon coupled to the body. The weapon has an aiming axis oriented in a fixed direction relative to the body. The UAS includes a control system operatively coupled to the lift and propulsion system and the weapon. The control system is configured to determine a roll angle and a flight path such that the aiming axis is directed at a target when the UAS moves according to at least a portion of the flight path at the roll angle. The control system is further configured to control the lift and propulsion system such that the UAS moves according to the at least the portion of the flight path at the roll angle.