Weapon Guidance Plane Control for Impact Angle and Range
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current guidance solutions for airborne weapons are wasteful of energy, particularly for glide weapons, as they do not account for energy usage when maneuvering to achieve a specific impact direction, resulting in reduced range.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves defining a guidance plane where both the impact vector and line of sight vector lie, and generating guidance commands to align the velocity vector within this plane with zero velocity perpendicular to it, using proportional navigation guidance laws to optimize flight path angles and maintain dynamic pressure, thereby enhancing energy efficiency and range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing 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 reducing the range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a guidance plane concept that transforms the three-dimensional guidance problem into a two-dimensional plane problem. By defining a specific guidance plane containing both the LOS vector and impact vector, the system reduces the complexity of maneuvering while achieving the desired impact direction, thereby reducing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the guidance plane orientation and the weapon's velocity vector based on real-time parameters such as LOS angle, impact angle requirements, and current flight state. This parameter-based adaptive approach allows the weapon to achieve precise impact direction while optimizing energy usage by avoiding unnecessary maneuvers.
2Manufacturing precision
If the weapon maneuvers to achieve the desired impact direction, then the impact direction accuracy is improved, but the range is reduced due to energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
By constraining the guidance problem to a two-dimensional guidance plane, the patent reduces the maneuvering complexity and energy requirements while maintaining the ability to achieve the desired impact direction, thus preserving more range.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent calculates and establishes the guidance plane in advance based on the desired impact direction and current LOS vector. This preliminary setup allows the weapon to follow an optimized trajectory within the guidance plane, avoiding last-minute aggressive maneuvers that would consume excessive energy and reduce range.
3Manufacturing precision
If proportional navigation guidance law is used with high navigation gain to achieve precise impact, then the impact precision is improved, but the dynamic pressure varies significantly affecting energy efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the navigation gain parameter within the proportional navigation guidance law based on the current flight phase and dynamic pressure conditions. By adapting the navigation gain rather than using a fixed high value, the system maintains impact precision while avoiding excessive dynamic pressure variations that would reduce energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback from the current flight state, including dynamic pressure measurements and LOS rate information, to continuously adjust the guidance commands. This feedback mechanism allows the system to maintain precise impact while optimizing dynamic pressure management for energy efficiency.
Data Source
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.