Patent classifications
F42B12/387
SYSTEMS TO MEASURE YAW, SPIN AND MUZZLE VELOCITY OF PROJECTILES, IMPROVE FIRE CONTROL FIDELITY, AND REDUCE SHOT-TO-SHOT DISPERSION IN BOTH CONVENTIONAL AND AIRBURSTING PROGRAMMABLE PROJECTILES
Kits or sub-systems that include sensors to measure a projectile's condition at muzzle exit. The kits or sub-systems are coupled to ballistic calculators or fire control systems that calculate aiming and programming solutions to improve shot placement, reduced dispersion and improve terminal performance. Where airburst munitions are used, the projectile is programmed when reaching a programming station beyond the barrel and the projectile is programmed with a solution that adjusts the burst location based on the measured muzzle velocity. Sub-systems, processes and sub-routines optimize post-shot programming using certain non-linear methods that are incorporated into fire control systems and ballistic calculators. These non-linear sub-routines are useful in establishing the optimum terminal effect of such airburst projectiles. The sub-systems are used separately or are incorporated into the weapons, to reduce dispersion and improve the terminal effects of the projectiles.
Optically tracked projectile
A projectile, that can be tracked by optical means, is fitted with a special tracer incorporated into the projectile's trailing edge. The rearward facing special tracer is incorporated into a metal disk which is crimped to the projectile's metal jacket. The special tracer includes micro-prismatic features that reflect light at the incidence angle. Alternatively, the disk incorporates a fluorescent dye that is responsive to a laser emission. External emitted radiation is reflected or re-emitted from the trailing edge of the projectile, allowing for an external electro-optic tracking device to identify the position of the projectile in flight.