IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO CARRYING A MUNITION ON A MUNITION LAUNCHER PLATFORM

Abstract

In a method of carrying a munition on a munition launcher platform, the munition launcher platform is provided with a data tag activator and a data tag reader. A munition is attached to the munition launcher platform, the munition being provided with a data tag. An activation signal is transmitted from the data tag activator to the data tag. As a result of receiving the activation signal, the data tag returns a data response to the data tag reader. The receiving of the data response provides the munition launcher platform with an indication that the munition is still attached to the munition launcher platform.

Claims

1. A method of carrying a munition on a munition launcher platform, the method comprising: providing the munition launcher platform with an data tag activator and a data tag reader; attaching a munition to the munition launcher platform, the munition being provided with an data tag; and transmitting an activation signal from the data tag activator to the data tag, such that, as a result of receiving the activation signal, the data tag returns an data response to the data tag reader, the receiving of the data response providing the munition launcher platform with an indication that the munition is still attached to the munition launcher platform.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the data response received by the data tag reader indicates data of the munition attached to the munition launcher platform and the method comprises: using the data to ascertain one or more launch parameters that the munition launcher platform is to apply in launching the munition.

3. A method of carrying a munition on a munition launcher platform, the method comprising: providing the munition launcher platform with a data tag; attaching a munition to the munition launcher platform, the munition being provided with a data tag activator and an data tag reader; and transmitting an activation signal from the data tag activator to the data tag, such that, as a result of receiving the activation signal, the data tag returns an data response to the data tag reader, the receiving of the data response providing the munition with an indication that the munition is still attached to the munition launcher platform.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the data response received by the data tag reader indicates ID data of the munition launcher platform and the method comprises: using the ID data to ascertain one or more launch parameters that the munition is to apply prior to its launch from the munition launcher platform.

5. A munition comprising: i) an data tag, configured for returning an data response upon activation by an activation signal received from a data tag activator; or ii) a data tag activator, configured for transmitting an activation signal to a data tag, and a data tag reader, configured for receiving a data response from the data tag.

6. A munition as claimed in claim 5, wherein the munition comprises: i) a Radio Frequency Identification (RF data) tag, configured for returning the data response upon activation by the activation signal received from an RF data tag activator; or an RF data tag activator, configured for transmitting the activation signal to an RF data tag, and an RF data tag reader, configured for receiving the data response from an RF data tag.

7. A munition as claimed in claim 5, wherein the munition is provided with the (RF) data tag.

8. A munition launcher platform comprising: i) an data tag activator, configured for transmitting an activation signal to an data tag, and an data tag reader, configured for receiving an data response from the data tag; or ii) a data tag, configured for returning a data response upon activation by an activation signal received from a data tag activator.

9. A munition launcher platform as claimed in claim 8, wherein the munition launcher platform is provided with: i) an RF data tag activator, configured for transmitting the activation signal to an RF data tag, and an RF data tag reader, configured for receiving the data response from an RF data tag; or ii) a Radio Frequency Identification (RF data) tag, configured for returning the data response upon activation by the activation signal received from an RF data tag activator.

10. A munition launcher platform as claimed in claim 8, wherein the munition launcher platform is provided with the (RF) data tag activator and the (RF) data tag reader.

11. A munition as claimed in claim 5, wherein the activation signal to be received/transmitted is within a pre-specified range of frequencies.

12. A munition as claimed in claim 7, wherein the data response to be returned contains a data string that indicates information about said munition.

13. A munition as claimed in claim 12, wherein the data response returned indicates one or more launch characteristics required by the munition.

14. A munition launcher platform as claimed in claim 10, wherein the data response received indicates one or more launch characteristics required to be provided by the munition launcher platform.

15. A munition launcher platform as claimed in claim 10, in combination with a munition, wherein the (RF) data tag reader is configured such that receipt of a data response generates a connection signal, the connection signal being an indication that the munition is connected to a munition launcher platform.

16. A munition launcher platform as claimed in claim 15, wherein the (RF) data tag reader is configured such that non-receipt of an expected data response generates a non-connection signal, the non-connection signal being an indication that the munition is not connected to a munition launcher platform/munition.

17. A munition launcher platform as claimed in claim 15, wherein the (RF) data tag activator is configured to transmit the activation signal periodically and wherein the (RF) data tag reader is configured to expect to receive a corresponding periodic data response and wherein the (RF) data tag reader is configured such that non-receipt of one or more expected data responses, following transmission of one or more activation signals by the (RF) data tag activator, generates a non-connection signal, the non-connection signal being an indication that the is not connected to a munition launcher platform.

18. A munition launcher platform as claimed in claim 17, wherein the data response received/returned is encrypted.

19. A munition launcher platform as claimed in claim 18, wherein the munition/munition launcher platform is provided with a decryption device for decrypting the data response received.

20. A munition launcher platform and an attached munition, wherein one of the munition or munition launcher platform comprises: a data tag activator, transmitting an activation signal to an data tag; and a data tag reader, configured for receiving an data response from the data tag, and the other of the munition and munition launcher platform is provided with an data tag, configured of returning an data response upon activation by an activation signal received from the RF data tag activator.

21. A munition launcher platform and an attached munition as claimed in claim 20, wherein a range of the data tag reader is similar to a distance of the data tag from the data tag reader.

22. A munition launcher platform and an attached munition as claimed in claim 21, wherein a range of the data tag activator is similar to a distance of the data tag from the data tag activator.

23. A munition launcher platform and an attached munition as claimed in claim 22, wherein the munition launcher platform comprises: the data tag activator and the data tag reader and the munition is provided with data tag, wherein the munition launcher platform is configured to provide power to the munition only when the data tag reader receives an expected data response from the data tag.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0058] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings of which:

[0059] FIG. 1 shows a side view of a missile and missile launcher platform combination according to a first embodiment of the invention; and

[0060] FIG. 2 shows a side view of a missile and missile launcher platform combination according to a second embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0061] FIG. 1 shows a side view of a missile 100 and missile launcher platform 200 combination according to a first embodiment of the invention. The missile 100 is attached to the launcher platform 200 by arcuate hangers 231 and 232 towards either end of the launcher platform 200. (The skilled person will know that munitions can be held in many ways. A typical rail is one solid bar on an aircraft or other launcher and three different shaped hangers on the munition. An ejection ram normally has two points of hold so that the munition can be kept at a particular attitude on ejection. However, many different arrangements are possible).

[0062] The missile 100 is provided with an active RFID tag 120.

[0063] The missile launcher platform 200 is provided with an RFID tag activator and reader 210. The RFID tag activator and reader 210 is aligned with the RFID tag 120 in this attached position of the missile 100. The range 211 of the RFID tag activator and reader 210 is slightly more than the distance between the RFID tag 120 and the RFID tag activator and reader 210. The RFID tag activator and reader 210 is connected by wires 212 to an internal computer 213 of the missile launcher platform 200.

[0064] In use, RFID tag activator and reader 210 is set to send a periodic activation signal at a certain frequency. It may be set directly or by the internal computer 213. When, and if, the RFID tag 120 receives this signal, it is induced to send an encrypted ID signal at a certain frequency. This frequency may be the same or different to the activation signal frequency.

[0065] The ID signal is read by the RFID tag activator and reader 210 and this information is fed by wires 212 to the internal computer 213.

[0066] The ID signal contains data about the missile 100, including such as the age of the missile, its number of flight hours, number of uses and missile type. It also includes launch characteristics required by the missile, such as launch profile/voltage/current/power draw, the mass of the missile, the seeker/guidance type of the missile, data type or the safety settings.

[0067] Alternatively, the ID signal may indicate an index or code for the missile 100 so that the launch characteristics etc. can be looked up, for example from a database in the internal computer 213 of the missile launcher platform 200.

[0068] The missile launcher platform 200 is provided with a decryption device for decrypting the ID signal received by the RFID tag activator and reader 210.

[0069] The missile launcher platform 200 uses the information about the missile 100 to set the launch parameters that the missile launcher platform is to apply in launching the missile, when required.

[0070] The information contained in the ID signal may be later reported back to maintenance/logistics personnel, through the internal computer 213, to aid in maintenance etc. decisions for the missile.

[0071] When each ID signal is read by the RFID tag activator and reader 210, this generates a connection signal in the internal computer 213. The connection signal is an indication that the missile 100 is connected to a missile launcher platform 200.

[0072] When an ID signal is not received (after the activation signal has been transmitted), the non-receipt of an expected ID signal generates a non-connection signal in the internal computer 213. The non-connection signal is an indication that the missile 100 is not connected to a missile launcher platform 200.

[0073] The missile launcher platform 200 is arranged to provide power to the missile (for example, for launch) only when the RFID tag activator and reader 210 receives an expected ID signal from the ID tag 120.

[0074] FIG. 2 shows a side view of a missile 100 and missile launcher platform 200 combination according to a second embodiment of the invention. The same numbering is used as for the same features of FIG. 1, with additional features being given new numbers 110, 111 and 220, which are described below.

[0075] The missile 100 is additionally provided with an RFID tag activator and reader 110, similar to the RFID tag activator and reader 210 on the missile launcher platform 200.

[0076] The missile launcher platform is additionally provided with an active RFID tag 220, similar to the active RFID tag on the missile 100.

[0077] The RFID tag activator and reader 110 is aligned with the RFID tag 220 in this attached position of the missile 100. The RFID tag activator and reader 110 of the missile 100 has a range 111 slightly more than the distance between the RFID tag 220 on the missile launcher platform 200 and the RFID tag activator and reader 110 on the missile.

[0078] In use, like RFID tag activator and reader 210, RFID tag activator and reader 110 on the missile 100 is set to send a periodic activation signal at a certain frequency. When, and if, the RFID tag 220 on the missile launcher platform 200 receives this signal, it is induced to send an encrypted ID signal at a certain frequency. This frequency may be the same or different to the activation signal frequency.

[0079] The ID signal is read by the RFID tag activator and reader 110.

[0080] The ID signal contains data about the missile launcher platform 200, including the number of uses of the launcher platform and the launcher type. For example, rail launch, canister launch, ejection ram launch and whether the launcher platform is on a ship, truck or aircraft.

[0081] Alternatively, the ID signal may indicate an index or code for the missile launcher platform 200 so that the launch characteristics etc. can be looked up by the missile 100.

[0082] The missile 100 is provided with a decryption device for decrypting the ID signal received by the RFID tag activator and reader 110.

[0083] The missile 100 uses the information about the missile launcher platform 200 to set launch parameters of the missile during launch, when required.

[0084] The information contained in the ID signal may be later reported back to maintenance/logistics personnel, to aid in maintenance etc. decisions for the missile launcher platform 200.

[0085] When each ID signal is read by the RFID tag activator and reader 110, this generates a connection signal. The connection signal is an indication that the missile launcher platform 200 is connected to a missile 100.

[0086] When an ID signal is not received (after the activation signal has been transmitted), the non-receipt of an expected ID signal generates a non-connection signal. The non-connection signal is an indication that the missile launcher platform 200 is not connected to a missile 100.

[0087] Whilst the present invention has been described and illustrated with reference to particular embodiments, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention lends itself to many different variations not specifically illustrated herein. By way of example only, certain possible variations have been described above.

[0088] Another variation is that the tags used could be passive, rather than active tags. Also, they may be data tags that have a data response to return, rather than an ID tag with an ID data response to return.

[0089] Where in the foregoing description, integers or elements are mentioned which have known, obvious or foreseeable equivalents, then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth. Reference should be made to the claims for determining the true scope of the present invention, which should be construed so as to encompass any such equivalents. It will also be appreciated by the reader that integers or features of the invention that are described as preferable, advantageous, convenient or the like are optional and do not limit the scope of the independent claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that such optional integers or features, whilst of possible benefit in some embodiments of the invention, may not be desirable, and may therefore be absent, in other embodiments.