In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, an actuation system for a guided munition, includes a reservoir disposed in a guided munition body housing a compressible fluid in a compressed state, a fluid path connecting the reservoir in fluid communication with a heat exchange volume, a throttling orifice disposed in the fluid path configured to expand the compressible fluid, and an actuation path connecting the heat exchange volume in fluid communication with a moveable component. The actuation path can be configured to supply pneumatic pressure to the moveable components.

In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, an actuation system for a guided munition, includes a reservoir disposed in a guided munition body housing a compressible fluid in a compressed state, a fluid path connecting the reservoir in fluid communication with a heat exchange volume, a throttling orifice disposed in the fluid path configured to expand the compressible fluid, and an actuation path connecting the heat exchange volume in fluid communication with a moveable component. The actuation path can be configured to supply pneumatic pressure to the moveable components.

A system, device and method provide a glide kit that can attach to a conventional mortar round to create a glide-enabled round. The glide-enabled round can fit within a mortar tube. When the munition exits the mortar tube, it sequentially deploys wings and canards to initiate the glide maneuver and increase the mortar range. A state estimator subsystem can be employed with a canard control subsystem to actively guide the mortar to a fixed location. The combination of the estimator and canard control subsystems improves the tracking precision of the mortar round.

A system, device and method provide a glide kit that can attach to a conventional mortar round to create a glide-enabled round. The glide-enabled round can fit within a mortar tube. When the munition exits the mortar tube, it sequentially deploys wings and canards to initiate the glide maneuver and increase the mortar range. A state estimator subsystem can be employed with a canard control subsystem to actively guide the mortar to a fixed location. The combination of the estimator and canard control subsystems improves the tracking precision of the mortar round.

An extended range, enhanced lethality 40 mm ammunition round. The round features controlled guidance and camera front end, which can be fired as fin stabilized with no appreciable spin, from an M320 grenade launcher. The round has a launching sleeve with an oversized propellant cup, to essentially double or triple conventional range, with sharp accuracy provided by the guidance system.

The invention relates to a fin deployment mechanism (1) comprising a base unit (3), deployable fins (8) movably arranged on the base unit (3) and, in the retracted position, bearing against the base unit (3), as well as a gas-generating device, in which the fins in the retracted position are fixed to the base unit, and in which at least one gas duct (6, 7) is arranged in the base unit (3) so as to conduct pressurized gas generated by the gas-generating device to the bottom side of the fins (8), which in the retracted position bear against the base unit (3), in order to create a force which acts on the fins (8) for deployment of the same (8′). The invention further relates to an artillery projectile comprising a fin deployment mechanism.

The invention relates to a fin deployment mechanism (1) comprising a base unit (3), deployable fins (8) movably arranged on the base unit (3) and, in the retracted position, bearing against the base unit (3), as well as a gas-generating device, in which the fins in the retracted position are fixed to the base unit, and in which at least one gas duct (6, 7) is arranged in the base unit (3) so as to conduct pressurized gas generated by the gas-generating device to the bottom side of the fins (8), which in the retracted position bear against the base unit (3), in order to create a force which acts on the fins (8) for deployment of the same (8′). The invention further relates to an artillery projectile comprising a fin deployment mechanism.

A projectile and deployment method ensures successful deployment of the projectile regardless of an external environment. Contacting engagement is maintained between a piston and deployable fins as the fins rotate from a folded position to a deployed position. The fins are pushed by the piston to rotate into a deployed position in which the fins are locked before the piston is able to eject from the assembly. Using the engaging tabs between the fins and the piston, and a modular pressure reservoir, the piston continues to push on the fins at least until the fins are deployed and locked. After locking, pressure in the projectile is equalized and the piston is launched off of the pressure reservoir. If the fins are not immediately deployed and locked, the piston will continue to push on the fins until the external environment enables full deployment or until the pressure is equalized.

A projectile and deployment method ensures successful deployment of the projectile regardless of an external environment. Contacting engagement is maintained between a piston and deployable fins as the fins rotate from a folded position to a deployed position. The fins are pushed by the piston to rotate into a deployed position in which the fins are locked before the piston is able to eject from the assembly. Using the engaging tabs between the fins and the piston, and a modular pressure reservoir, the piston continues to push on the fins at least until the fins are deployed and locked. After locking, pressure in the projectile is equalized and the piston is launched off of the pressure reservoir. If the fins are not immediately deployed and locked, the piston will continue to push on the fins until the external environment enables full deployment or until the pressure is equalized.

A projectile and method of deploying a projectile includes a gun-launched projectile having a pressure reservoir that is fluidly connected to an ejection piston and fin deployment pistons. The fin deployment pistons are actuatable to engage deployable fins of the projectile to move the fins from a folded position to a deployed position. Gas pressure is generated by an external burning propellant to pressurize the pressure reservoir that retains the gas until a muzzle exit of the projectile. When the projectile exits the barrel, the reservoir gas expands thereby causing movement of the ejection piston. When a trailing end of the piston moves past fin deployment piston ports, the remaining reservoir gas pressure acts on the fin deployment pistons which subsequently push on the fins. The fins rotate toward the deployed position in which the fins are locked before the ejection piston is fully ejected.