Weapon Guidance Plane Control for Range and Impact Vector Accuracy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current guidance solutions for glide weapons do not account for energy usage, leading to inefficient energy consumption and reduced range due to excessive maneuvering, which is particularly problematic for glide weapons relying on kinetic and geopotential energy.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the definition of a guidance plane where the impact and line of sight vectors lie, with guidance commands to align the velocity vector perpendicular to this plane, using proportional navigation guidance to optimize flight path angles and maintain dynamic pressure, ensuring efficient energy use and extended range.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional guidance solutions are used to guide the weapon to impact from a specific direction, then the impact direction accuracy is improved, but the energy usage increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpact direction accuracyVSAvoidenergy usage
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the guidance parameter from direct three-dimensional angle control to a two-stage approach: first controlling the flight path angle to maximize gliding range, then using proportional navigation within a defined guidance plane. This parameter transformation reduces energy consumption while achieving the desired impact direction through sequential control rather than simultaneous multi-dimensional control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If the weapon maneuvers to achieve the desired impact direction, then the impact angle accuracy is improved, but the range is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpact angle accuracyVSAvoidrange
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The guidance problem is segmented into two independent stages: (1) flight path angle control to maximize range by optimizing the glide trajectory, and (2) proportional navigation within a defined guidance plane to achieve precise impact direction. This segmentation allows each stage to optimize its specific function without compromising the other, thereby maintaining both range and impact accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention reduces the three-dimensional guidance problem to a two-dimensional problem by defining a guidance plane containing both the line of sight vector and impact vector. By constraining maneuvers to this plane and using proportional navigation in two dimensions, the system achieves precise impact direction control with reduced energy expenditure compared to full three-dimensional maneuvering.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Measurement precision

If aggressive maneuvering is performed to achieve precise impact vector, then the impact precision is improved, but the energy efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpact precisionVSAvoidenergy efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The flight path angle is determined in advance to maximize gliding range before the proportional navigation phase begins. This preliminary optimization of the glide trajectory ensures that the weapon reaches the target area with maximum energy efficiency, reducing the need for aggressive maneuvers during the terminal phase and thereby improving overall energy efficiency while maintaining impact precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4386505B1A guidance method and system
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 RAYTHEON SYST LTD
  • EP4386505B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4386505B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4386505B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A method for guiding a weapon to a target, the method comprising: obtaining a required impact vector for the weapon at the target; obtaining a line of sight (LOS) vector from the weapon to the target; determining a velocity vector of the weapon; defining a guidance plane, the guidance plane being a plane in which both the impact vector and the LOS vector lie; generating guidance commands for the weapon to place the velocity vector of the weapon in the guidance plane with a velocity perpendicular to the guidance plane of zero.