Autonomous weapon system for guidance and combat assessment

Abstract

An autonomous weapon system for improved guidance of a projectile for homing a target includes a guided projectile including at least one sensor and a carrier projectile and at least one guidance and reconnaissance unit including a transmitter for communication via light. The system uses emitted light for both positioning and communication of target coordinates which provides an accurate and cost effective system for combatting point and surface targets by indirect fire.

Claims

1. A carrier projectile comprising a guidance and reconnaissance unit, the carrier projectile being launchable from a cannon, gun or mortar towards a predetermined area of interest in combination with a guided projectile comprising a payload, the guided projectile being launchable from a cannon, gun or mortar towards an area and/or target, the guidance and reconnaissance unit comprising a computer, a programmable digital reference library containing target and/or terrain models for detecting and identifying the area and/or target, and a transmitter for communication with the guided projectile via light wherein the guidance and reconnaissance unit is separable from the carrier projectile in the predetermined area of interest by inducing a separation charge such that the guidance and reconnaissance unit is released, is activated, and loiters down over the predetermined area of interest and is adapted to detect and identify a pre-programmed area and/or target from the reference library, the guidance and reconnaissance unit including a control system configured to control loitering and or falling velocity of the guidance and reconnaissance unit: the computer being configured to calculate vectors to a target of the area and/or target, transform the vectors to one or more target position coordinates, and encrypt and package the target position coordinates to produce an encrypted data package; the transmitter being configured to communicate the encrypted data package in one or several given angular regions to the at least one guided projectile; the guided projectile being configured to detect a signal from the guidance and reconnaissance unit, receive the encrypted data package, and correct a ballistic path of the guided projectile toward the target in response to the signal from the guidance and reconnaissance unit and the detected encrypted data package.

2. The carrier projectile and guided projectile combination according to claim 1, wherein the transmitter for communication communicates via visible light.

3. The carrier projectile and guided projectile combination according to claim 1, comprising a parachute.

4. The carrier projectile and guided projectile combination according to claim 1, wherein the first sensor is an imaging and/or visual and/or thermal wavelength wave sensor.

5. The carrier projectile and guided projectile combination according to claim 1, wherein the second sensor is an angle sensor, and/or altimeter and/or a distance gauge.

6. The carrier projectile and guided projectile combination according to claim 1, wherein the guidance and reconnaissance unit is operative to provide combat assessment.

7. A process for guiding a projectile for homing a target by using a guidance and reconnaissance unit, comprising: identifying an area and/or a target of interest; launching a pre-programmed carrier projectile comprising at least one guidance and reconnaissance unit, from a cannon, gun or mortar towards a predetermined area of interest; launching at least one pre-programmed projectile comprising a payload from a cannon, gun or mortar towards the area and/or target; separating the at least one guidance and reconnaissance unit from the carrier projectile in the predetermined area of interest by inducing a separation charge, whereby the guidance and reconnaissance unit is released, is activated, and loiters down over the predetermined area of interest for detecting and identifying a pre-programmed target from a reference library; calculating vectors to a target of the area and/or target; transforming the vectors to one or more target position coordinates; encrypting and packaging the target position coordinates to produce an encrypted data package; communicating the encrypted data package via a transmitter in one or several given angular regions to the at least one guided projectile; detecting, with the at least one guided projectile, a signal from the guidance and reconnaissance unit; receiving, with the at least one guided projectile, the encrypted data package; and correcting a ballistic path of the at least one guided projectile toward the target in response to the signal from the guidance and reconnaissance unit and the detected encrypted data package.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) The invention is now described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a system comprising a guided projectile carrying a payload and a carrier projectile comprising at least one guidance and reconnaissance unit for providing a guidance mechanism.

(3) FIG. 2 shows an illustration of the guidance and reconnaissance unit and communication process for combatting a target.

(4) FIG. 3 shows an illustration of a combat assessment situation.

(5) FIG. 4 shows components of the guidance and reconnaissance unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(6) Before the invention is disclosed and described in detail, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to particular materials or configurations disclosed herein as such configurations and materials may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology employed herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting, since the scope of the present invention is limited only by the appended claims.

(7) In context of the present invention the term payload means the load carried by a projectile exclusive of what is necessary for its operation. The payload may for example be a guidance and reconnaissance unit or system, warhead, munition, sub-munition, illuminating modules, a light transmitter, a radio communication transmitter, an auto-destruction module, etc.

(8) In context of the present invention the term guided projectile means a projectile intended to precisely hit a specific target, to minimize collateral damage and increase lethality against intended targets.

(9) In context of the present invention the term artillery means guns, cannon, howitzers, mortars, etc. of calibre greater than 20 mm.

(10) In context of the present invention the term fuse means a device that initiates an explosive function in a munition, carrier shell, most commonly causing it to detonate or release its contents, when its activation conditions are met.

(11) In context of the present invention the term target means any subject of interest, for example a ship, a vehicle, a plane, a building, a moat, a company or military unit, a war zone or any region or subject of interest.

(12) In context of the present invention the term autonomous system (AS) means a network or a collection of networks that are all managed and supervised by a single entity or organization, preferably a guidance and reconnaissance unit as described below.

(13) In context of the present invention the term sensor is a device, module, or subsystem whose purpose is to detect and register events or changes in its environment and send the information to other electronics, frequently a computer processor. A sensor is always used with other electronics, whether as simple as a light or as complex as a computer.

(14) When combatting a plurality of qualified targets within a specified area, for example to stop a military unit to advance over an area (area denial) or force them to take another way, technical, logistical and time-critical problems arise. The number of available projectiles having capability to combat the qualified targets is often limited due to unit costs, why target prioritization must be made. Technical and tactical problems can also occur when combatting a time critical point target where the target is likely to change position, its protection characteristics or increased risk of collateral damage after the fire opening and the projectiles are heading towards the target. Most existing solutions are cost-driven and usually increases the manufacturing cost with the requirement of increased accuracy. The weapon system described below provides a cost effective and accurate weapon system solving many problems of prior art.

(15) The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying figures, in which a general embodiment of the invention is shown.

(16) FIG. 1 shows a system for improving the guidance of at least one projectile 3 to combat a predetermined target 4. The system 1 comprises a carrier projectile 2 for transporting a guidance and reconnaissance unit A to an area of interest, and a guided projectile 3 comprising a payload/warhead 31. The carrier projectile 2 comprises a front projectile body and a fuse 20, a rear projectile body 21, a separation charge 22 arranged in the nose part 20 and a payload chamber 23 arranged in the front projectile body 20. The payload chamber 23 comprises at least one guidance and reconnaissance unit A. The at least one guidance and reconnaissance unit A can in one embodiment be arranged to a parafoil or a parachute 24 which develops upon release from the carrier projectile 2. The guidance and reconnaissance unit A further comprises a first sensor 6 for detection and identification of a target and/or impact point, a second sensor 7 for determining the position or attitude, a computer 8 and a programmable and digital reference library 9, a system for control function 10 and loitering and/or reduced fall velocity, and a transmitter 11 for wireless communication. The components of the guidance and reconnaissance unit are illustrated in FIG. 4.

(17) The fuse may for example be a time fuse or a proximity fuse.

(18) The first sensor 6 for detection and identification of a hit point i.e., a target 4 can for example be an imaging, visual and/or thermal wavelength wave sensor (UV/VIS/TIR). The first sensor 6 is not limited to be one, it is at least one, and several sensors with identical or separate function are possible.

(19) The second sensor 7 for measuring position and attitude is for example an angle sensor, altimeter and/or a distance gauge. The second sensor 7 is not limited to be one, it is at least one, and several sensors with identical or separate function are possible.

(20) The guidance and reconnaissance unit A may further comprise a loitering sensor.

(21) The guidance and reconnaissance unit A may further comprise a UV-sensor for hit assessment.

(22) The computer 8 is a calculation device comprising a microprocessor, microcontroller, DSP or other digital electronics configured to perform processing of digital information. The processing comprises for example calculation of position, vectors, and predictions based on input data. The processing includes image processing and signal processing.

(23) The programmable and digital reference library 9 contains for example target and/or terrain models.

(24) The guidance and reconnaissance unit A may also comprises a control function 10 and loitering and/or reduced fall velocity.

(25) The transmitter 11 communicates preferably wireless via light, preferably visible light.

(26) The communication is wireless, for example via Wi-Fi or Li-Fi.

(27) The carrier projectile 2 can comprise for example two identical guidance and reconnaissance units or units that comprise different functions of the ones described above. If at least two guidance and reconnaissance units are involved in the system, those can communicate with each other and thereby provide more accurate data for guiding the projectiles 2 towards its target 4. In other embodiments the guidance and reconnaissance units A are identical and do not communicate with each other, only with the corresponding projectiles 3. As mentioned, the guidance and reconnaissance unit A is at least one, but the use of several guidance and reconnaissance units is preferable.

(28) The at least one guidance and reconnaissance unit A guides at least one projectile 3, but guiding several projectiles 3 is also an alternative.

(29) The system can also comprise additional complementary systems such as for example a chemical illuminating device for lighting up the terrain, positioning and facilitate communication during night or bad weather; transmitter for radio communication using C3I system; and a function for auto destruction or auto erasing data. The additional systems may be used alone or in combination with the existing ones.

(30) The guided projectile 3 may be any projectile suitable for indirect combatting a target 4 as described above for example artillery or mortar shell, well known by the skilled person and will not be further described here. The guided projectile 3 comprises a payload chamber 31 comprising a payload, a sensor 33, and fins 32, 34. The sensor 33 receives digital communication signals. The fins 34 and/or 32 constitute the steering mechanism. The payload is of any standard type for artillery and mortar shells. The sensor 33 is preferably an optical sensor, for example an optical receiver and/or transmitter.

(31) Other embodiments may have a plurality of sensors, for example to provide flight position data by detecting the relative orientation of the projectile body 3 during operation. The output of the sensors is fed into a guidance control system to enable flight corrections when necessary. The guidance control system may be any system suitable for guiding spin stabilized projectiles during flight.

(32) The at least one guidance and reconnaissance unit A, may be attached to a parafoil or parachute 23 that develops when the guidance and reconnaissance unit A, is released from the carrier projectile 2.

(33) The carrier projectile 2 comprising the at least one guidance and reconnaissance unit A, can be any suitable carrier projectile or shell well known by the skilled person and will not be further described here. The carrier projectile 2 can be launched before, simultaneously or after the projectile or projectiles 3.

(34) The carrier projectile 2 comprising the at least one guidance and reconnaissance unit A, and the projectile 3 can be launched from the same location or from different launching locations/platforms.

(35) FIG. 2 illustrates a procedure for combatting a target 4 by using the autonomous weapon system 1 of the present invention. The process comprises the steps of:

(36) identifying an area and/or a target 4 of interest;

(37) launching the pre-programmed carrier projectile 2 comprising the at least one guidance and reconnaissance unit A, from a cannon, gun or mortar towards a predetermined area of interest;

(38) launching the at least one pre-programmed projectile 3 comprising payload from a cannon or mortar towards the predetermined area and/or target 4;

(39) separating the at least one guidance and reconnaissance unit A from the carrier projectile 2 in the region of interest 4 by induction of the separation charge 22, whereby the guidance and reconnaissance unit A is released, activated and slowly loiter down over the predetermined region and/or target 4 for detecting and identifying the pre-programmed target 4 from a reference library 9;

(40) calculating vectors to the target 4;

(41) transforming the vectors to one or more target position coordinates;

(42) encrypting and packaging the target position coordinates;

(43) communicating the data package obtained in the former step via a light transmitter in one or several given angular regions to the at least one guided projectile 3 that relatively independent of the approach angle detects the light signal from the guidance and reconnaissance unit A and receives the encrypted data package comprising the target vector with which the projectile 3 corrects its ballistic path for hitting the target 4 with high precision.

(44) The embedded calculation computer 8 calculates the vectors to the target and converts those to one or several target coordinates by using for example an angle sensor, altimeter or a distance gauge. The data is encrypted and the data package is sent via a light emitter.

(45) The target position 4 is calculated for example via triangulation.

(46) The light emitter can for example be an adapted LED-light with associated optronics, or for example an illuminating device with a technical construction enabling the light to be transformed into coded light pulses. The primary use of the illuminating device is to lighten the battle field and secondary to improve the performance of the other integrated sensors in dark or dim view.

(47) The light emitter may be a part of the reconnaissance system, or an additional feature to the guidance and reconnaissance unit A.

(48) The guidance and reconnaissance unit A can detect UV-light generated from the detonation of the guided projectile 3 and calculates the deviation from the defined target coordinates and the actual hit point. If the deviation is too large continues the light signalling of the target vector with eventual corrections for the targets new position thereby enables another guided projectile 3 to steer towards the target 4.

(49) In one embodiment the guidance and reconnaissance unit A can send a compilation to a connected management system via a radio signals (RF). The compilation (C3I) comprises for example total identified targets 4, type of targets and how many that were hit before the guidance and reconnaissance unit 2 reached the ground or was deactivated, see FIG. 3.

(50) The information is preferably communicated via for example wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) and/or light fidelity (Li-Fi).

(51) Communication based on emitted light emitted in a given angle range makes it difficult for hostile interception or hostile tampering. The light signal is also difficult to detect from the ground. The light communication can also be sent in a relatively restricted wavelength range and with a low out effect in order to further decrease its signature that can be detected by hostile detectors.

(52) Moreover, target identification is not dependent on the approach angle for the guided projectile comprising payload 3.

(53) The guidance and reconnaissance unit A, can communicate with the at least one projectile 3, and/or the at least one base station. The guidance and reconnaissance unit A, can also communicate with another system. The information communicated is safe for hostile interception or hostile tampering. Draw backs by using Wi-Fi is that it can have interference issues from nearby access points (routers), and it cannot pass through sea water, and works in less dense region. Li-Fi do not have any interference issues similar to radio frequency waves, and can pass through salty sea water, and works in dense regions. A combination of Wi-Fi and Li-Fi can also be used for safe communication.

(54) Swarm intelligence (SI) or similar technologies could also be used or combined with the present system 1.

(55) For example can a carrier projectile 2 be launched from one location, separate the guidance and reconnaissance unit A, at a predetermined position, retrieve data from the surroundings and target communicate the real-time data to a base station and/or a launched projectile 3 or that a projectile 3 shall be launched to a specific position. For example two or more projectiles 3 can be launched from different locations towards a target 4, this strategy increases the possibility that the target 4 cannot counteract projectiles 3 flying towards the target from different directions. In yet another embodiment the projectiles 3 are launched from different places and time points.

(56) The system 1 further enables combat assessment, and can also coordinate a new attack if necessary as illustrated in FIG. 3.

(57) The at least one guidance and reconnaissance unit A, detects whether the at least one guided projectile 3 succeeded to hit the target 4 or not, i.e. combat assessment. UV light generated from the detonation of the guided projectile (3) is detected by the guidance and reconnaissance unit A that calculates the deviation from the defined target coordinates and actual hit point. If the deviation is within the stated tolerance values, the illumination of the target coordinates is interrupted. If the first attack did not succeed, the guidance and reconnaissance unit A, continues to light signal the coordinates of the target 4 to a second projectile 3 that attacks the target 4 or a new target. In another embodiment, a firefighter controls the outcome of the attack.

(58) The at least one guidance and reconnaissance unit A, can also control a plurality of guided projectiles 3.

(59) If there is more than one guidance and reconnaissance unit A, these can communicate with each other and thereby obtain more accurate coordinates to the target. Or, they can be pre-programmed to control different parameters or separate guided projectiles 3.

(60) In summary, the present invention provides an autonomous weapon system for combatting point and surface targets. The system is not dependent on GPS or expensive inertial navigation systems; emitted light is used for both positioning and communication of target coordinates which provides a cost effective system for combatting point and surface targets by indirect fire.