UAV Warhead Gimbal Pointing Independent of Flight Vector
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional warheads mounted on aerial delivery vehicles face challenges in achieving precise targeting and deployment due to the fixed angle relative to the vehicle's flight vector, which can result in reduced accuracy and increased collateral damage, especially in dynamic environments with obstacles or target movement.
Innovation Solution
A gimbal system decouples the warhead's angle from the vehicle's orientation, allowing independent control and stabilization, enabling precise targeting and deployment regardless of the vehicle's motion, using sensors and a logic device to calculate and maintain the optimal detonation angle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the warhead is mounted on the UAV at a fixed angle relative to the flight vector, then the mounting structure is simple and reliable, but the warhead cannot achieve precise targeting and deployment angles independent of vehicle orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transitioning from a fixed warhead mounting to a dynamic gimbal system that can independently adjust the warhead's orientation. The gimbal mechanism allows the warhead to be pointed at any desired angle regardless of the UAV's flight vector, enabling precise targeting while adapting to various flight conditions and target locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the warhead mounting system into independent rotational components (gimbal rings) that can be controlled separately. This segmentation allows the warhead orientation to be decoupled from the UAV's flight orientation, enabling independent control of the warhead's pointing direction while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
2Manufacturing precision
If the UAV makes aggressive maneuvers to reach the desired location and angle, then the UAV can achieve the optimal deployment angle, but the complexity of flight control increases and may fail due to target movement or environmental factors
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic gimbal system allows the warhead to be repositioned independently of the UAV's flight path, eliminating the need for aggressive maneuvers to achieve the correct engagement angle. The system can adapt to target movement and environmental conditions by adjusting the warhead orientation in real-time, thereby improving mission reliability while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the logic device receives input from targeting sensors and calculates the required warhead orientation based on the current flight vector and desired target location. This closed-loop control allows the system to automatically adjust the warhead pointing to maintain optimal deployment angles despite changes in flight conditions or target position, enhancing both precision and reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the warhead is fixed at a specific angle on the UAV, then the structure is simple and cost-effective, but the system lacks flexibility to engage targets at various angles or under different flight profiles
Solution Approach 1:
The gimbal system transforms the fixed warhead mounting into a dynamic configuration that can adapt to various target engagement scenarios. By allowing the warhead to rotate independently around multiple axes, the system can engage targets at any desired angle while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that does not require complete redesign for different mission requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The gimbal system provides multi-functionality by enabling the same warhead mounting structure to support various engagement scenarios (top-attack, side-attack, frontal engagement, etc.) without requiring separate specialized systems. This universal design allows a single UAV platform to perform multiple targeting functions while avoiding the complexity of having multiple dedicated mounting systems.
4Manufacturing precision
If the UAV flies directly at the target to deliver the warhead, then the delivery path is straightforward, but the warhead impact angle may not be optimal for certain target locations or warhead types
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic gimbal system allows the warhead to be pointed at angles different from the UAV's flight vector, enabling optimal impact angles for various target locations without complicating the flight path. The system can maintain a straightforward flight trajectory while independently adjusting the warhead orientation to achieve the desired engagement angle, thereby preserving ease of operation while improving impact precision.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods include an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) having a body and a plurality of propulsion systems, a gimbal system having a plurality of targeting sensors and a warhead mount configured to carry and deploy a warhead, and a logic device. The logic device is configured to detect a target along a UAV flight path, track the target using sensed data from the targeting sensors, calculate an attack vector for the UAV to intercept the target, calculate a detonation angle for the warhead with respect to the attack vector and a selected location on the target, and instruct the gimbal system to orient the warhead at the detonation angle.