Patent classifications
F42B25/00
Small smart weapon and weapon system employing the same
A weapon and weapon system, and methods of manufacturing and operating the same. In one embodiment, the weapon includes a warhead including destructive elements and a guidance section with a seeker configured to guide the weapon to a target. The seeker includes a detector configured to receive a distorted signal impinging on an objective lens from the target, memory configured to store target criteria and a correction map, and a processor configured to provide a correction signal based on the distorted signal, the target criteria and the correction map to guide the weapon to the target.
Penetrator munition with enhanced fragmentation
A munition, such as a warhead, includes a penetrator casing for penetrating hard targets, such as a fortification or reinforced building or other structure, with the penetrator casing having reduced-thickness portions. The reduced-thickness portions provide weak points to the casing that facilitate the casing being transformed into fragments of a desired size/quantity when an explosive within the casing is detonated after the penetration occurs, thus enhancing the effectiveness of the munition. In addition, the warhead may have lethality-enhancing materials, such as additional fragments and/or energetic materials, at the reduced-thickness portions of the penetrator casing. The reduced-thickness portions may be holes, such as longitudinal holes, in the casing, or may be grooves on an inner and/or outer surface of the casing. The munition may be a dual-use munition, with the explosive able to be detonated at a burst height for use of the warhead as a non-penetrating area fragmentation weapon.
Penetrator munition with enhanced fragmentation
A munition, such as a warhead, includes a penetrator casing for penetrating hard targets, such as a fortification or reinforced building or other structure, with the penetrator casing having reduced-thickness portions. The reduced-thickness portions provide weak points to the casing that facilitate the casing being transformed into fragments of a desired size/quantity when an explosive within the casing is detonated after the penetration occurs, thus enhancing the effectiveness of the munition. In addition, the warhead may have lethality-enhancing materials, such as additional fragments and/or energetic materials, at the reduced-thickness portions of the penetrator casing. The reduced-thickness portions may be holes, such as longitudinal holes, in the casing, or may be grooves on an inner and/or outer surface of the casing. The munition may be a dual-use munition, with the explosive able to be detonated at a burst height for use of the warhead as a non-penetrating area fragmentation weapon.
INSECT RELEASE DEVICES
One example insect release device includes a vessel defining a volume, the vessel has first and second surfaces substantially opposite each other, the first surface defining an opening into the volume; a population of insect larvae or pupae or adult insects within the volume; and a seal positioned to obstruct the opening and adhered to the first surface. Another example insect release device includes a vessel defining a volume; a population of insect larvae or pupae or adult insects disposed within the volume; wherein the vessel is permanently sealed, and wherein release of the insect larvae or pupae or adult insects occurs upon rupture of the vessel. A further example insect release device includes a vessel defining a volume; a population of insects disposed within the volume; and a gimbal mechanism coupled to the vessel, the gimbal configured to maintain a substantially constant orientation of the vessel.
Munition with outer enclosure
A munition may include a warhead, such as a penetrator warhead, enclosed in airframe. The airframe may enable connection to standard mountings, and/or to standard nose kits or tail kits. The airframe may have preformed fragments in it, packed between the airframe and the warhead. The preformed fragments may be loose, may be packed in a potting material, or may be in flexible bags. The fragments may enhance performance of the munition. The warhead may also contain preformed fragments.
Munition with outer enclosure
A munition may include a warhead, such as a penetrator warhead, enclosed in airframe. The airframe may enable connection to standard mountings, and/or to standard nose kits or tail kits. The airframe may have preformed fragments in it, packed between the airframe and the warhead. The preformed fragments may be loose, may be packed in a potting material, or may be in flexible bags. The fragments may enhance performance of the munition. The warhead may also contain preformed fragments.
REMOTELY CONTROLLABLE AERONAUTICAL ORDNANCE LOITERING
An ordnance for air-borne delivery to a target under remotely controlled in-flight navigation. In one embodiment, self-powered aerial ordnance includes upper and lower cases. A plurality of co-axial, deployable blades is powered by a motor positioned in the upper case. When deployed, the blades are rotatable about the upper case to impart thrust and bring the vehicle to a first altitude above a target position. An explosive material and a camera are positioned in a lower case which is attached to the upper case. The camera generates a view along the ground plane and above the target when the ordinance is in flight. When the vehicle is deployed it is remotely controllable to deliver the vehicle to the target to detonate the explosive at the target. The ordnance may drop directly on a target as a bomb does.
Cluster bomblet having bomblet body for protecting fuse
The present invention relates to a cluster bomblet having an improved bomblet body, the cluster bomblet comprising: a cylindrical bomblet body (10) packed with high explosives; a fuse assembly (20) having a striker screw (21) for exploding the high explosives and coupled to the top side of the bomblet body; and a conical penetrator (15) provided inside the rear end portion of the bomblet body. The bomblet of the present invention has: a connecting tube (33) provided therein to seal the top side of the bomblet body (10) and to connect an initiating tube of the fuse assembly (20) and the high explosives (11); and an upper cover (30) into which a stud assembled to the fuse assembly is inserted, wherein the upper cover includes: an assembly surface portion (31) having a connecting-tube mounting hole (31a) and a stud insertion hole (31b) formed therein, the stud (22) being inserted into the stud insertion hole (31b); and a side wall portion (32) extending upward from the edge of the assembly surface portion (31) in order to prevent the separation of the mounted fuse assembly (20).
Cluster bomblet having bomblet body for protecting fuse
The present invention relates to a cluster bomblet having an improved bomblet body, the cluster bomblet comprising: a cylindrical bomblet body (10) packed with high explosives; a fuse assembly (20) having a striker screw (21) for exploding the high explosives and coupled to the top side of the bomblet body; and a conical penetrator (15) provided inside the rear end portion of the bomblet body. The bomblet of the present invention has: a connecting tube (33) provided therein to seal the top side of the bomblet body (10) and to connect an initiating tube of the fuse assembly (20) and the high explosives (11); and an upper cover (30) into which a stud assembled to the fuse assembly is inserted, wherein the upper cover includes: an assembly surface portion (31) having a connecting-tube mounting hole (31a) and a stud insertion hole (31b) formed therein, the stud (22) being inserted into the stud insertion hole (31b); and a side wall portion (32) extending upward from the edge of the assembly surface portion (31) in order to prevent the separation of the mounted fuse assembly (20).
Munition with nose kit connecting to aft casing connector
A munition, such as a warhead, includes a penetrator casing for penetrating hard targets, such as a fortification or reinforced building or other structure. The penetrator casing has a relatively thick nose, and a relatively thin aft section extending back from the nose. A cable interface is in the aft section, and an electrical harness extends from the cable interface, external of the casing, and forward to a nose kit. The penetrator casing may have reduced-thickness portions, to provide weakness points to the casing that facilitate the casing being transformed into fragments of a semi-controlled and desirable size when an explosive within the casing is detonated after the penetration occurs, thus enhancing the effectiveness of the munition.