JPH03217797A - Distributed firing apparatus network - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To meet the need for the size and the number of geographical areas to be covered, by including a control means for controlling the launching and flying of an airborne vehicle, and a launcher which communicates with the control means being separated at a sufficient distance to protect the launcher from the destruction of the control means. CONSTITUTION: This distributed launcher circuit network 10 is made modular in design, and target sensors 12a-12c receive target position information. One type of the target sensor is a three-dimensional radar system and the target sensors 12a-12c are arranged favorable for the optimum monitoring position from other circuit network elements to be operated independent of one another. The target data net 14 integrates target position information from the target sensors 12 to form an image of multiple target activity. The integrated target position information is used by weapon control centers 16a and 16b. The launchers 18a-18e and airborne vehicles 20a-20c receive launch and control orders through a secret communication link. After the launching, the airborne vehicles 20a-20e continue to receive the updated target information through the secret communication link.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to missile systems, and more particularly to distributed launcher circuitry.

[Conventional technology] Conventional weapons systems include sensors, communication systems, weapons,
Contains a central processing unit and an ignition control computer. For example, a simple weapon system includes an observer's eye as a sensor, an observer's pointing finger as a communication system, a rifle as a weapon, and an operator's brain as a central processing unit and fire control computer. A complex weapon system may include a radar system as a sensor, a radio transceiver set as a communication system, a missile as a weapon, and the central processing unit and fire control computer itself. No matter how complex, conventional weapon systems are decoupled from mutual sharing of sensor information when located and operated independently of each other.

[Problems to be solved by the invention] In many of today's war crises, conventional weapons systems are obsolete. Technological developments in weapons reduce the time to receive and analyze information. When conventional weapons systems are used,
A central command controller has difficulty controlling each weapon system. Because the elements of a normal system are located together and easily destroyed. Furthermore, a certain number of conventional weapons systems can only cover a limited geographic area.

The present invention provides a distributed launcher circuitry.

[Means for solving the invention] In the present invention, the circuit network is designed in a modular manner,
Elements are easily added or subtracted as required by the size and number of geographic areas to be covered. It uses one or more target sensors that collect target position information and provide it to a target data network. A target data network aggregates target location information from each target sensor to form a set of multi-target activities. One or more fire control centers are coupled to the target data network to receive target location information. Each fire control center communicates firing and control commands to one or more airborne vehicles by means of a firing device assigned to the control.

In a preferred embodiment, the airborne vehicle is an advanced medium range air-to-air missile (AMRAAM), which can also be used in a surface-to-air mode. After firing, the fire control center transmits the latest target position information to the airborne vehicle under its control.

Embodiment In FIG. 1, the distributed firing network 10 is constructed in a modular manner. One or more target sensors 12a, 12b, 1
2e receives target position information. Three target sensors are shown briefly on the left side of the drawing, but target sensors can be added or subtracted depending on the size of the geographic area to be detected. One form of target sensor constructed in accordance with the present invention is a three-dimensional radar system.

Target sensors 12a, 12b. 12c are advantageously placed in optimal monitoring positions from other network elements and operated independently of each other.

Target sensors 12a, 12b. Target position information from 12e is supplied to target data network l4. A target data network 14 combines target position information from each target sensor 12 to form an integrated image of target activity.

Although only one target data network is shown for clarity, more target data networks can be added depending on the number of geographical areas to be detected.

The accumulated target position information is sent to the firearm control center 16a,
16b. Although only two fire control centers are shown, fire control centers can be added or subtracted as desired depending on tactical conditions while retaining the modular nature of the system. Firearms control centers lea, 16b are assigned to specific geographic areas of responsibility. The fire control center operator monitors the area of responsibility and gives firing and control commands to the designated launcher 1ga. 1fib. Send to 18e.

Launcher 18a. l8b. 18c. 18d. 1
The position of 8e is recorded on a grid system. A common reference against which the angular course direction is measured is also recognized on the grid system.

Launching devices 18a, 18b. 18c, 18d. l8e is
Programmed to receive control commands referenced to its own location on the grid system. Accordingly, target position information is converted to launcher adjustments before being used to generate launch messages. Launcher 18a. 18
b, 18c, 18d. 18e and aircraft-mounted vehicle 2
oa. 20b, 20c. 20d. 20e receives launch and control instructions through a covert communications link. After launch, the aircraft-mounted moving bodies 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d. 20
e continues to receive updated target information through the covert communications link.

In a preferred embodiment, the airborne vehicle 20a, 2
0b, 20e, 20d. The 20e is a new type of medium-range air-to-air missile (AMRAAM). This missile can be used in other environments besides air-to-air. Distributed launcher circuit network I
In the preferred embodiment of O, it is deployed as a ground-to-air missile. Other embodiments allow the use of missiles in combinations of environments. Firearms Control Center 1 [ia. 16b
．． l6c, 16d. A launch platform capable of communicating with l8e can become part of the distributed launcher circuitry lO.

The present invention has several advantages over the prior art that will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. The present invention provides a target sensor 12a at an optimal monitoring position for defending a tactical point.
12b. 12e and the optimally positioned launcher 18a.
l8b, 18e, 18d. 18e. Launch devices 18a, 18b, 18c, 18
d. 18e and target sensor 12a. 12b, 12c
The number of IBs is variable and the assignment of firing devices can change from one firearms control center IB to another. Firearms control center 16a. l6b and launchers 20a, 20b. 20c20d. The dashed line and solid line between 20e represent interchangeability. Therefore, the relative size and firepower of the network IO is arbitrary, allowing continuous adjustment as tactical conditions change.

Distributed launch networks IO are more difficult to destroy than conventional weapons systems. Launching devices 18a, L8b, 18c. 1
8d. L8e to target sensor 12a. l2b. Being remotely located from 12c makes it less susceptible to destruction by weapons attracted by the presence of the radiation target sensor. Due to the distribution characteristics of the network lO, the firing devices 12a. 12b. 1
2c, 12d. 12e is difficult to detect by aerial reconnaissance. That is, the equipment assembled at the same location is small-scale. It is more difficult to destroy and therefore provides greater protection for a given area than conventional weapons systems.

Finally, distributed launcher circuitry 10 has the additional advantage of having better freedom of movement than conventional weapons systems. Instead of disconnecting the entire launcher battery and losing all capability during tactical operations, the different modules can be independently unplugged and moved while leaving the rest of the system operational. can. The present invention also provides better firepower regulation. Multiple simultaneous launcher airborne vehicles make it possible to defend against enemy wave attacks. Each launcher has a 360'' directional profile.

Although the invention has been described with reference to particularly preferred embodiments,
Modifications and changes may be made within the technical scope of the claims.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the basic elements of a distributed firing network. 10...Distributed launcher circuitry, 12a. 12b, 12
c...Target sensor, l4...Target data network, lea
．． 1 [ib... Firearms control center, 18a. 18b
, 18e, 18d, 18e--launch device, 20a. 2
0b. 20c. 20d. 20e - Aircraft-mounted moving object.

Claims (1)

Scope of Claims: (1) A device for controlling one or more aircraft-mounted moving bodies, comprising: (a) one or more control means for controlling launch and flight of the one or more aircraft-mounted moving bodies; and (b) Apparatus comprising one or more firing devices in communication with a control means separated by a sufficient distance such that destruction of the control means will not destroy the firing devices. (2)(c) comprising one or more target position sensors in communication with the control means separated by a sufficient distance such that destruction of the target position sensor does not destroy the launcher. Device. (3)(d) comprising one or more accumulation means for combining target position information from each target position sensor for use by said control means, said accumulation means being configured such that destruction of said target position sensor does not destroy said accumulation means; 3. Apparatus according to claim 2, separated by a sufficient distance. (4) The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the control means comprises one or more ignition control centers. 5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said aggregating means comprises one or more tactical data networks. 6. The apparatus of claim 3, which is configured as a module and includes a plurality of target position sensors, an integration means, a control means, and a firing device. (7) The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the target position sensor is capable of generating three-dimensional target position information. (8) A device for controlling one or more airborne moving objects, comprising: (a) one or more control means for controlling the launch of said one or more airborne moving objects; (c) one or more launchers having a 360° directional characteristic, geographically distributed in the area, and including guidance means for transmitting updated target position information to the airborne vehicle after launch; (d) one or more target position sensors capable of generating three-dimensional target position information, distributed to maximize surveillance area; and (d) target position sensors configured to generate target position information for use by said control means. and integrating means for coupling from. 9. The apparatus of claim 8, which is configured as a module and includes a plurality of target position sensors, an integration means, a control means, and a firing device. (10) The aircraft-mounted moving object has one or more target sensors;
part of a distributed launcher circuitry comprising a launcher and control means for controlling the launch and flight of the airborne vehicle, said control means comprising communication means for communicating with said launcher and the airborne vehicle; A method for controlling one or more airborne vehicles having: (a) receiving target position information from one or more target sensors; and (b) determining a target position for use by the one or more control means. (c) transmitting updated position information and launch and control instructions to the one or more launchers and airborne vehicles using the communication means; (d) combining the information into a set of multipurpose activities; After launch, the method comprises sending updated position information to the airborne vehicle using the communication means. (11) The method according to claim 10, wherein the airborne vehicle is a missile.