PROJECTILE AND WEAPON SYSTEM

Abstract

A projectile for firing via a barrel weapon, the projectile comprising a projectile casing with a first casing section and a second casing section which adjoin one another at a separation point, an ejection charge, a programmable time fuse and loitering munition being arranged in the projectile casing. A weapon system is also provided comprising the projectile.

Claims

1. A projectile for firing via a barrel weapon, the projectile comprising: a projectile casing with a first casing section; and a second casing section that adjoins the first casing section at a separation point; and an ejection charge, a programmable time fuse and loitering munition arranged in the projectile casing.

2. The projectile according to claim 1, wherein the second casing section is fastened to the first casing section via a connector or screw connection.

3. The projectile according to claim 1, wherein the loitering munition is arranged in the projectile casing in a rotationally fixed manner relative to the projectile casing.

4. The projectile according to claim 1, wherein the projectile is a spin-stabilized projectile.

5. The projectile according to claim 1, wherein the projectile is a wing-stabilized projectile.

6. The projectile according to claim 1, wherein the ejection charge is adapted to the projectile casing such that the second casing section is adapted to be separated from the first casing section by a detonation of the ejection charge.

7. The projectile according to claim 1, wherein the first casing section is a projectile front part, and the second casing section is a projectile rear part or projectile base.

8. A weapon system comprising: a projectile according to claim 1; and a barrel weapon corresponding to the projectile for firing the projectile.

9. The weapon system according to claim 8, further comprising a base station to operate the loitering munition, wherein the based station is adapted for data transmission between the base station and the loitering munition.

10. A weapon system configured to carry out a method for delivering a loitering munition to a target area via a barrel weapon, the method comprising: firing a projectile via the barrel weapon in a direction of a target area, the projectile having a projectile casing in which the loitering munition is arranged; ejecting the loitering munition from the projectile casing; unfolding at least one wing of the loitering munition and/or activating on-board electronics of the loitering munition; and performing an independent flight phase of the loitering munition towards the target area and/or in the target area.

11. A weapon system configured to carry out a method for delivering loitering munition to a target area via a barrel weapon, the method comprising: firing a projectile via the barrel weapon, the projectile having a projectile casing, the loitering munition being arranged in the projectile casing; directing the projectile towards the target area; detonating an ejection charge of the projectile, the projectile casing being separated into a first casing section and a second casing section; ejecting the loitering munition from the projectile, wherein after ejection of the loitering munition, a spin of the loitering munition is reduced; unfolding at least one wing of the loitering munition and/or activating on-board electronics of the loitering munition, wherein after activation of the on-board electronics, communication takes place with a base station and/or with advanced observers; performing an independent flight phase of the loitering munition, wherein the loitering munition covers a remaining flight distance towards the target area and/or surveys and/or observes the target area; and initiating, via the loitering munition, engagement of the target object after identification of a target object in the target area.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0055] The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus, are not limitive of the present invention, and wherein:

[0056] FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of an example of the projectile; and

[0057] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an example of the weapon system with such a projectile and its functioning.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0058] FIG. 1 shows a schematic sectional view of an example of the projectile, the example of the projectile being designated overall by the reference sign 10.

[0059] The projectile 10 is configured and intended to be fired using a barrel weapon 102. The projectile 10 has a projectile casing 12 with a first casing section 14 and a second casing section 16 which adjoin one another at a separation point 19 and are designed in the present case as a first casing part 14 and a second casing part 16. The projectile casing 12 extends along a longitudinal axis L.

[0060] In the example, the projectile casing 12 is formed from the first casing part 14 and the second casing part 16 (two-part design of the projectile casing 12). The first casing part 14 is designed as the projectile front part (front part in the firing direction SR) and the second casing part 16 as the projectile rear part (rear part in the firing direction SR). The first casing part 14 has a cylindrical section at the rear in the firing direction SR and an ogive-shaped section at the front in the firing direction SR. The second shell part 16 has a cylindrical shape.

[0061] The second shell part 16 may be fastened to the first shell part 14 by means of a screw connection 18, the screw connection 18 forming a separation point 19. In the example, an external thread 20 is formed on the outer periphery of the second shell part 16, and a corresponding internal thread 22 is formed on the inner periphery of the first shell part 14.

[0062] In the projectile casing 12, i.e. in the interior of the projectile casing 12, an ejection charge 24, a programmable time fuse 26 and a loitering munition 28 are arranged. The ejection charge 24 serves to eject the loitering munition 28 from the interior of the projectile casing 12. In the example, the ejection charge 24 is arranged at the front of the projectile casing 12, i.e. in front of the loitering munition 28 in the firing direction SR. An arrangement of the ejection charge 24 behind the loitering munition 28 in the firing direction SR is also conceivable.

[0063] The time fuse 26 serves to initiate the ejection charge 24. The ejection charge 24, the time fuse 26 and the loitering munition 28 can each be designed as described above.

[0064] The loitering munition 28 is arranged in the projectile casing 12 in a rotationally fixed manner relative to the projectile casing 12. Alternatively, a rotatable mounting of the loitering munition 28 in the projectile casing is conceivable, as described above.

[0065] In the example, the projectile 10 is designed as a spin-stabilized projectile. The direction of rotation of the external thread 20 and internal thread 22 of the screw connection 18 is opposite to the direction of spin (e.g. design as a left-hand thread with a right-hand spin of the projectile).

[0066] The loitering munition 28 may have a fold-out brake wing, by means of which the spin can be reduced after the loitering munition 28 has been ejected from the projectile casing 12 (de-spinning). The brake wing can be a wing separate from the wings of the loitering munition 28 or a wing that forms a wing of the loitering munition 28.

[0067] The spin-stabilized projectile 10 serves to be fired by indirect fire or is fired by indirect fire, e.g. by an artillery cannon. The projectile 10 can be designed as artillery ammunition with a separate propellant charge, for example in caliber 155 mm (millimeters). The firing is carried out by means of an artillery cannon with a rifled barrel (gun barrel with fields and grooves).

[0068] As an alternative to the design with spin stabilization, the projectile 10 can be designed as a wing-stabilized projectile, as described above.

[0069] The ejection charge 24 is adapted to the projectile casing 12 in such a way that by detonation of the ejection charge 24 (as a result of initiation by means of the time fuse 26), the second casing part 16 can be separated or is separated from the first casing part 14. The separation of the casing parts 14, 16 from one another preferably takes place at the separation point 19 in the form of the screw connection 18 which is arranged behind the loitering munition 28 in the firing direction SR. A predetermined breaking point can be formed on one or both threads of the screw connection 18, at which a separation takes place.

[0070] Optionally, a separating charge 25 can be provided (shown in dashed lines in FIG. 1), which acts on the separation point 19 and promotes a separation of the casing parts 14, 16 from one another. The separating charge 25 can be initiated by means of the time fuse 26.

[0071] FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of the weapon system 100 with a projectile 10 as described above and its operation.

[0072] The weapon system 100 comprises the projectile 10 and a barrel weapon 102 corresponding to the projectile 10 for firing the projectile 10.

[0073] As explained above, in the example, the projectile 10 is designed as artillery ammunition. The barrel weapon 102 is correspondingly designed as an artillery cannon, by means of which the projectile 10 can be fired by indirect fire. The projectile 10 is spin-stabilized.

[0074] Furthermore, in the example, the weapon system 100 has a base station 104 (operating and data link terminal) for operating the loitering munition 28 and for data transmission between the base station 104 and the loitering munition 28.

[0075] The weapon system 100 is configured to deliver loitering munition 28 to a target area 106 by means of the barrel weapon 102.

[0076] The method for delivering loitering munition 28 to a target area 26 by means of a barrel weapon 102 is as follows:

[0077] First, a projectile 10 (artillery carrier projectile), in the projectile casing 12 of which the loitering munition 28 is arranged and which has a corresponding ejection mechanism, is fired by means of the barrel weapon 102 (step S1). Shortly before or during firing, the time fuse 26 is programmed by means of a fire control computer of the barrel weapon 102.

[0078] This is followed by an (external) ballistic flight of the projectile 10 towards the target area 106 (step S2).

[0079] The loitering munition 28 is then ejected from the projectile casing 12 (step S3). This ejection occurs as a result of a detonation of the ejection charge 24 of the projectile 10 (as a result of a time-controlled initiation by means of the (programmed) time fuse 26 of the projectile 10), the projectile casing 12 being separated, in particular at a separation point, into a first casing part 14 and a second casing part 16, and the loitering munition 28 being ejected from the interior of the projectile casing 12.

[0080] If the projectile 10 isas herea spin-stabilized projectile 10, the spin of the loitering munition 28 can be reduced in step S3 after the loitering munition 28 has been ejected, namely with a corresponding device, for example a brake wing that can be folded out relative to a main body of the loitering munition 28.

[0081] Thereafter, in step S4, the wings 27 of the loitering munition 28 are unfolded (wings 27 can be unfolded relative to a main body of the loitering munition 28). In addition, if not already done, an on-board electronics system 29 of the loitering munition 28 can be activated, and communication with a base station 104 and/or with advanced observers can be started (communication can include image data and/or control commands). Next, there is a transition to an independent flight phase of the loitering munition 28.

[0082] As previously explained, the loitering munition 28 can communicate with the base station 104 (symbolized by radio waves in FIG. 2). Alternatively or additionally, the loitering munition 28 can communicate with the barrel weapon 102, specifically either directly and/or indirectly via the base station 104 (also illustrated by radio waves in FIG. 2). The communication may include image data and/or control commands. For example, a mission success can be reported to the barrel weapon 102.

[0083] Subsequently, an independent flight phase of the loitering munition 28 (step S5) takes place, the loitering munition 28 covering the remaining flight distance to the target area 106 and/or carrying out (guided or (partially) automated) surveillance and observation of the target area 106 (so-called loitering).

[0084] After identifying a target object 108 in the target area 106, the loitering munition 28 initiates engagement of the target object 108 (step S6).

[0085] The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are to be included within the scope of the following claims.