UAV Trajectory Following for Ballistic Environmental Data Collection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for assessing environmental conditions along a ballistic trajectory are often inaccurate and require subjective observations, which can be time-consuming and unreliable, especially in varying environmental conditions.
Innovation Solution
The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to automatically convert a ballistic trajectory into a flight path and collect environmental data along this path, enabling precise assessment of conditions such as wind speed and direction, thereby improving accuracy and efficiency in calculating wind hold values and firing solutions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional methods use static wind sensors or subjective observations, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inaccuracy in assessing environmental conditions along the ballistic trajectory
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from static wind sensors to a dynamic UAV-based measurement system that actively follows the ballistic trajectory. The UAV dynamically positions itself at multiple points along the trajectory to collect environmental data, enabling accurate assessment of varying wind conditions while maintaining manageable system complexity through automated flight control and data processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a computational intermediary that processes raw sensor data from the UAV, integrates it with ballistic trajectory information, and generates corrected firing solutions. This intermediary layer reconciles the complexity of mobile measurements with the need for simple, actionable output for shooters.
2Reliability
If conventional methods rely on subjective observations by shooters or partners, then device complexity is minimized, but reliability deteriorates due to difficulty in making accurate assessments, especially in barren environments or clear skies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/subjective observation system (shooters visually assessing wind flags or mirage) with an automated electronic sensor system mounted on a UAV. This substitution eliminates human subjectivity and the limitations of visual observation in barren environments or clear skies, providing reliable electronic measurements of wind speed and direction along the trajectory.
3Loss of time
If conventional methods use practice shots to understand environmental impacts, then device complexity remains low, but loss of time increases due to the time required for multiple shots and adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary environmental data collection along the complete ballistic trajectory before the actual shot is fired. By measuring wind conditions at multiple points along the trajectory in advance and calculating the integrated wind hold value beforehand, the system eliminates the need for time-consuming practice shots while providing accurate environmental assessment for the first shot.
4Measurement precision
If conventional methods measure environmental conditions only at the Final Firing Position, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates because conditions at the target and between FFP and target may differ
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the ballistic trajectory into multiple measurement points (e.g., near the FFP, at the maximum ordinate, and near the target). By collecting environmental data at these segmented locations along the trajectory and integrating the results, the system accurately represents the varying environmental conditions without requiring a continuous complex measurement network.
Data Source
AI summary
Automated methods may comprise automatically converting a ballistic trajectory of a projectile into a ballistic flight path. The ballistic flight path may comprise one or more segments. Each of the segments may comprise a plurality of coordinates. The coordinates may be located along the ballistic trajectory. The automated method may comprise automatically navigating an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) along the ballistic flight path. The automated method may comprise automatically collecting environmental data along the ballistic flight path through employment of the UAV.