RU2781555C1 - Kosteniuk aerostat salvo launch system (asls) - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: launch systems.

SUBSTANCE: aerostat salvo launch system contains a multi-charge launcher located on a movable platform, containing at least one vertically mounted guide in the form of a tube. A dive-planning ammunition is installed in the tube. The ammunition is equipped with folding wings with steering machines, a battery, a control unit, a radio communication module, a satellite and inertial navigation system unit, a homing head and a fuse. The ammunition is located under the folded balloon with an ejector cylinder and is connected to it through a cable with a squib. Fixation in the projectile guide is carried out by means of a spring stop. A flexible hose is connected to each of the guides, one end of which is connected through an electrovalve to a cylinder with compressed hydrogen, and the other end through an electromechanical pruner to the valve of the balloon ejector cylinder container, the ejector cylinder container is connected to the main cavity of the balloon by means of check valves.

EFFECT: providing take-off and climb of loitering ammunition by balloon method.

5 cl, 6 dwg

Description

Technical field

The present invention relates to military equipment, namely to salvo launch (fire) systems and can be used to deliver something material, for example, warheads to targets, or supplies, for airborne and mobile units, residency.

State of the art

As long as wars exist, so much the problem of delivering very “unpleasant” things to opponents (stone, spears, arrows, incendiary mixture, cannonball, projectile, thermonuclear warhead, etc.) exists. Recently, various methods of delivering warheads to targets have been used: small arms and artillery, mortar, missile and aircraft.

Each of these methods is quite expensive, both economically and not safe, because. can be quickly detected by the enemy (by all types of reconnaissance) by characteristic sound and light waves, radar, and receive a retaliatory strike.

One of the analogues is multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) [1]. MLRS is a complex of missile weapons, including a multiply charged launcher with guides and rockets. The installation itself is located on a mobile platform (automobile, aviation, marine, etc.). Each of its guides (rail or tubular) contains a rocket that delivers a warhead to the enemy. You can launch both in one gulp and separately one at a time, but it is the salvo application that has the greatest efficiency.

One of the significant drawbacks of the MLRS is the large mass of the jet engine. MLRS "Grad" with a total weight of the projectile 70 kg, caliber 122 mm, warhead weight 20 kg. Those 50 kg are for a disposable engine. MLRS "Tornado", caliber 300 mm, total weight 800 kg. and the mass of the warhead is 280 kg. Therefore, the cost of the Grad MLRS projectile is at the level of 10,000 rubles. and above, the price of the Tornado MLRS projectile is from 2 million rubles. The second drawback of the MLRS follows from the first, the shells are a long, metal "pipe" that can be detected and destroyed at the highest point of the ballistic trajectory, where the speed of movement becomes minimal. Destruction at the highest point of ballistics can be carried out by the same swarm of unmanned kamikaze vehicles.

Also known from the prior art is a barrier device according to the patent of the Russian Federation No. 2428649 related to air barriers designed to protect critical objects from enemy air attacks. The barrier device contains a balloon, means of active and passive protection. Passive protection means are located on the ground, along the perimeter of the protected object and are activated by a command from an early warning radar. As a means of passive protection, a system of rapid setting of aerosol curtains is used. The invention provides a reduction in the probability of detecting and recognizing an object. The disadvantage of the known solution is the very purpose of the device and the principles of its operation, variations in the delivery of shells to targets are not disclosed, and this result is unattainable by the declared composition of the system.

Loitering ammunition is known, for example, the claimed devices described in Chinese patent documents CN111156865 and CN110763090 describe the composition of the projectiles themselves, their autonomy and versatility of use. The disadvantages of the solutions is the use of all the same known methods of starting and running, disclosed above.

One of the closest analogues to the proposed invention is AeroVironment Inc. loitering ammunition, called Switchblade 600 (penknife). [2] In the fall of 2020, its presentation took place. In 2015, the Pentagon awarded $10 million to AeroVironment Inc. for the design and production of miniature loitering weapons, seeing in this "product" great opportunities for "protection with high accuracy with minimal losses" - a quote from one of the American generals. This is how the Switchblade was born. A set of weapons consists of a tube capable of launching the device vertically upwards with a shot. The warhead itself has a mass of 1.5 kg. A head with a camera and a homing sensor are mounted in the nose of the flying vehicle. Immediately behind the optics is the warhead, and in the tail is a screw that pushes the device forward. The wings are foldable and open immediately after the device reaches its maximum height after shooting. Subsequently, the Switchblade was refined and gained weight by increasing its warhead, became known as the Switchblade 300. And yet the 300th lacked its combat power. The disadvantages that it can only be used against infantry were further tried to be eliminated in 2018 by AeroVironment Inc. again receives an amount equal to 70 million dollars for the development of weapons capable of destroying enemy armored vehicles, including tanks. The warhead began to be equipped with a cumulative fragmentation charge from the Javelin anti-tank missile system. This is how the Switchblade 600 appeared in 2020.

As a disadvantage of the closest analogue, one can point to a low speed of movement (about 60 km / h). This means that it can become an easy prey for such a complex as the Shell. The presence of an engine with a propeller is a source of noise and increases the cost of the ammunition itself. Undoubtedly, launching from a tube, with the help of a shot, makes the launch complex itself heavier and produces significant noise. [2]

Disclosure of invention

The method of delivering ammunition to the target proposed by the author is quite old and well forgotten. At one time, he did not justify the hopes placed on himself. But, from the point of view of today, it can be successfully reanimated if you look at it from a different point of view.

Historical note: The first massive use of balloons for bombing was undertaken by the Austrians in 1849 during the siege of Venice. In the direction of the city, free-flying balls with a suspended bomb were launched. The bomb was dropped after the cord holding the bomb's pyro-suspension burned out, at the moment the ball was supposed to be over the city. Despite the use of a large number of balls, such bombing turned out to be ineffective due to the complete dependence of the movement of the balls on the wind, the inaccuracy of the time the bombs were dropped, and their low power. Almost 100 years have passed and during the 2nd World War, free balloons were used as a means of bombardment just as unsuccessfully. In 1944, Japan launched the production of hydrogen-filled paper balloons with a diameter of 10 meters with a 15 kg bomb. Until the end of the war, about 9,000 balloons were launched towards the United States, most of them disappeared, only 285 bombs fell on US territory, 5 people died and several small forest fires broke out. [3]

After World War II, the United States developed the E77 Air Bomb based on the Fu-Go balloon. This balloon was designed to disperse the anti-seeding agent; however, it was not used in operational mode. 1954-1955. Flying Cloud - The program tested high-altitude balloons to deliver weapons of mass destruction, but was deemed impossible in terms of accuracy. [four]

Since the beginning of the 2018 Gaza border protests, Palestinians have been flying incendiary kites in Israel. Along with kites, helium-filled incendiary balloons were used. Balloons in Gaza consist of helium-filled balloons or condoms that are strung together with burning rags, other incendiary devices, or explosives strung underneath. The prevailing wind from the Mediterranean carries the balloons inland from Gaza to Israel. [5]

The technical problem to be solved by the claimed invention is the creation of a system to significantly eliminate the disadvantages of similar solutions.

The technical result of the claimed invention consists in the use of loitering projectile, made with the possibility of takeoff and climb by balloon method.

To achieve the specified technical result, a volley launch balloon system is proposed, characterized in that it contains a multiply charged launcher located on a movable platform, containing at least one vertically mounted guide in the form of a tube with a diving-gliding projectile installed in it, equipped with folding wings with steering machines, a battery, a control unit, a radio communication module, a satellite and inertial navigation system unit, a homing head and a fuse, while the ammunition is located under the folded balloon with an ejector cylinder, and is connected to it through a cable with a squib, fixation in the projectile guide is carried out by means of under spring stop, a flexible hose is connected to each of the guides, one end of which is connected through an electro-valve to a cylinder with compressed hydrogen, and the other end is connected through an electromechanical secateurs to the container valve of the balloon ejecting cylinder, I push the container the power cylinder is connected to the main cavity of the balloon by means of check valves.

In preferred options:

the guide is closed with a plastic plug; the balloon is equipped with an electric exhaust valve; ammunition is equipped with a braking parachute; The balloon is equipped with an internal pressure sensor.

The combination of the above essential features leads to the fact that the proposed solution allows:

- Significantly reduce the cost of both the creation and use of a balloon launch system (fire) in comparison with analogues;

- Use the claimed device for a wide range of tasks - bombardment, attack on drones, protection against missiles and multiple rocket launchers;

- Reduce the mass of the salvo launch (fire) system by replacing most of the materials from metal to plastic and, as a result, increase the speed of movement and overall mobility of the installation platform;

- To carry out silent start;

- Significantly reduce the probability of detecting warhead vehicles.

Brief description of the drawings

In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 shows (ASZP) and dive-planning ammunition (projectile) to it, in the stowed and combat position, where the numbers indicate:

1 - guide (tube);

2 - ammunition (or container for cargo delivery), (projectile);

3 - balloon;

4 - connecting cable;

5 - cap of tube 1;

6 - spring-loaded stop;

7 - ejection cylinder of balloon 3;

8 - flexible tube for hydrogen supply;

9 - electromechanical tube pruner

eight; 10 - check valve;

11 - pyro lock;

12 - outlet solenoid valve.

In FIG. 3 shows the ammunition 2 in a folded position and FIG. 4 in the combat position, after disconnection from the cable 4, positions are indicated:

13 - wings;

14 - tail unit.

In FIG. 5 shows the ASZP installed on the Ural car, side and top view. The position indicates: 1 - guide (tube);

15 - cylinders with compressed hydrogen.

In FIG. 6 shows the trajectory of the ammunition after detachment from the balloon.

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INVENTION

Description of the automatic device and the operation of its individual nodes.

The following is an example of a specific implementation, which does not limit

options for its implementation.

The disadvantages of analogues can be avoided if the ammunition is launched not with a shot, but with the help of a small balloon quickly inflated with hydrogen or helium, the shell of which is folded in the upper part of the tube in front of the ammunition. Hydrogen is six times cheaper and more accessible than helium, and according to this indicator, it is clearly preferable. The fact that it is a fire hazard is a drawback, but not so critical. Technologies for the use of flammable gases in vehicles have been developed.

The balloon shell is made of several pieces (lavsan, PET film, 0.01-0.03 mm thick), glued (sewn) together and equipped with check valves. This technology is well developed and has proven itself on "foil" balls used on all kinds of holidays [6]. This material does not allow light hydrogen and helium atoms to pass through, unlike latex balloons, and can be in flight much longer. The cost of such a ball, capable of carrying about 3-6 kg of payload, is not more than 300 rubles. The speed of filling the balloon with hydrogen is no more than 30-60 seconds.

The apparatus itself - ammunition (projectile) is equipped with folding wings 13 of Fig. 3, 4 and folding tail 14 with servos, battery, control unit, radio communication module, glonass (zhps) and yen (inertial navigation system), homing head (possibly both passive and active) and a fuse on the figures are not shown. In the event that instead of the warhead it is required to deliver other materials (weapons, documents, etc.) requiring a soft landing, the ammunition is equipped with a descent parachute that opens when approaching the target. All of the above elements located in the body of the munition 2, as well as the connections between them through the control unit, are widely known and used in existing loitering munitions, many civil aircraft models [7, 8, 9, 17]

The inventive balloon system of salvo launch (fire) (ASZP) contains a set mounted on a movable platform, consisting of tubular, vertically arranged guides (tubes) 1 according to Fig. 1, 2. In each of the guides 1 is placed vertically, the front part down, the ammunition 2 is connected to the folded balloon 3, by means of a cable 4 in the upper part, the guide 1, while the latter is closed with a plug 5. The plug 5 is a conventional plastic plug [10 ], tightly placed in the upper part of the tube 1, due to which its internal tightness is ensured. Plug 5 has no additional fixators and is held by friction forces. The ammunition 2 is fixed in the guide 1 by means of a spring-loaded stop 6 located on the inner part of the tube body 1. The spring-loaded stop 6 is a V-shaped plate made of thin springy steel, one end resting against the inside of the tube 1 and the other against the ammunition body 2. Balloon 3 contains an ejector cylinder 7 and a flexible tube 8 supplying hydrogen, with an electromechanical secateurs 9 placed on it [12] and inserted into the inlet through the check valve 10 [6], into the container of the ejector cylinder 7, made of the same material as balloon 3, by means of check valves 10 is connected to the main cavity of the balloon 3.

In the case of using several guides 1, if it is impossible or excluding the work of the operator to create a volley, a start programmer (not indicated in the drawings) is added to the claimed device, which is designed to signal the gas supply (through the opening of the solenoid valve) to each tube in a checkerboard pattern with the installed, required step in seconds.

Thanks to the balloon launch, there is no need to create shells and guides made of durable materials; plastic and fiberglass components can be used, which is much cheaper, faster and generally lightens the weight of the entire installation. Also, it becomes possible to use elements one-time, i.e. after launch, the guides can be disposed of or sent for reloading, and new guides loaded with projectiles are put in their place.

The plug 5, if present, has a through hole through which the flexible tube 8 freely passes. The sealing of this hole from dust and moisture is provided by a foam seal (not shown in the drawings). On the cable 4 there is a firing pyro-lock 11 [13]. In the upper part of the balloon 3 may be located exhaust solenoid valve 12 [11] and the internal pressure sensor (not shown in the drawings) [14].

The exhaust solenoid valve 12 and the internal pressure sensor are electrically connected, using wires (not shown in the figures) to the ammunition control unit [17]. Connecting wires (not shown in the drawings) are laid along the cable 4.

Launching is possible both single and in one gulp. After the start signal is given, the hydrogen supply solenoid valve (not shown in the drawings) and hydrogen from the cylinder 15 of FIG. 5 begins to flow through the tube 8 into the ejection cylinder 7. when pressure is created in the latter, the cover 5 with the balloon 3 is pushed out. As it is filled with hydrogen, the balloon 3 creates lift and when a certain force is reached, the spring-loaded stop 6 ceases to hold the ammunition 2. Ammunition 2 exits the tube 1 and triggers a contact sensor (not shown in the drawings), actuating the electromechanical pruner 9 of the tube 8 and shuts off the hydrogen supply solenoid valve (not shown in the drawings). Under the action of the lifting force of the balloon 3, it begins to gain altitude.

All ammunition systems are cocked into combat position, folding wings and plumage are revealed in Fig. 3, 4. In this position, at the estimated height, the projectile flies until the signal for use is received. Such a flight is possible within a few days. When a signal "to undock" the ammunition 2 is received, the pyrolock 11 fires the cable 4 and, under the action of gravity, the ammunition 2 begins to pick up speed, see Fig. 6 is section AB. When accelerating (about 200 km / h, there is a transition to the planning mode at the target - the BV section. Depending on the required dive angle, ammunition 2 starts diving in the last section of the VG flight. See Fig. 6. When replacing the warhead with another a payload for its delivery to airborne and mobile units, residencies, a parachute (not shown in the drawings) may be triggered in the flight section of the VG. If a soft landing of the ammunition is necessary in our rear, a command is given to the exhaust solenoid valve 12 and, accordingly, part of the hydrogen is released from the balloon 3. If the internal pressure sensor (not shown in the drawings) shows a sharp change in pressure, the balloon is most quickly shot down and the ammunition falls. to the center and asks for a target within its cone of reach. i coordinates of the target, the cable 4 is fired and the transition to the flight mode to the target occurs. Fig. 6.

After balloon 3 is filled to the required volume, the necessary lifting force is created and the ammunition begins to rise to a height. The lifting speed can reach 10 m/s or more [15]. On average, the device can reach a height of 4000 meters in 450 seconds. Altitudes of 10,000 meters in 1200 seconds. Every certain time or when climbing a certain height (or upon request from the operator), the device sends a personal code and data on height and current coordinates. The transceiver module can be made on the basis of a similar radio module - LoRaWAN (world distance records 766 km) with a low weight (5 grams), size and power consumption. [16] The operator reflects the current location in space of one or a swarm of devices and their movement in space due to the prevailing wind. Knowing the aerodynamic characteristics of ammunition, the cone of reach is easily calculated through planning.

L=K*H;

Where L is the planning distance,

K - aerodynamic quality of the apparatus (ammunition). For example, Tu-154=15, bomber B-52=21, sparrow = 4, Albatross = 20, H - flight altitude.

It can be seen that at altitudes of 10,000 meters and K, in the region of 10, it is possible to reach a reach radius of up to 100 km. At the same time, you can not rush to drop the device from the balloon if the wind is fair and it is carried towards the enemy. And, theoretically, the range of such devices can reach up to a thousand kilometers.

It remains only to obtain the target coordinates (due to various reconnaissance), the desired dive angle (for some purposes, such as a bunker or a concrete hangar at an airfield, this is important) and send it personally to each device whose planning zone reaches the target. Gliding is carried out silently and can reach speeds of up to 400 km / h or more due to diving. One target can be attacked by any number of vehicles. The accuracy of such targeting is not more than 15 meters. Such control of vehicles makes it easy to aim at targets in real time, almost hundreds of thousands of units. The coordinate control model is widely known and implemented in every drone with Aliexpress [17]. The main energy consumption of the battery is only for controlling the steering machines, and this is only after docking from the balloon and starting planning. Therefore, their size and price are extremely minimal. Calculations show that the mass of the lavsan shell of a balloon required to lift a load of 6 kg to a height of 10,000 meters will be in the region of 0.3-0.4 kg, and about 1 kg of hydrogen will be required, which corresponds to two 50-liter cylinders with a pressure of 150 atm. Thus, it is possible to compare the cost of cheap, radio-transparent materials with a total mass of 1.5 kg to launch an ammunition or the cost of a similar mass (6 kg) using a jet engine to a similar height, requiring at least a 30 kg engine made of expensive materials and easily detectable in the radio and infrared spectrum. By analogy, this is how to compare the replacement of heavy cast iron and steel pipes with plastic in plumbing. The easy scalability of the proposed system should also be noted, if we need to increase the mass of launched vehicles, then we proportionally increase the volume of the balloon and the number of balloons consumed for this.

To increase the launched ammunition using the same jet engine, a new engine design will be required, with all the ensuing costs for this.

The cost of production of the proposed device, made of 90 percent of plastic, will be extremely small. Just like the probability of detection using radar.T. since the main part, together with the balloon, is radio transparent, it will be extremely difficult to detect, only if visually and from a short distance. Therefore, it is not easy to knock down. With the simultaneous attack of such an air defense system as Pantsir with 20-30 proposed ammunition, the probability of defeat will be extremely high. One machine, such as the Urals, can be equipped with 60 such launch tubes with a launch speed of all of them no more than 3 minutes (launching one balloon at a time of 5 seconds). To fill 60 balloons, each with a volume of 6 m3, you will need, respectively, 60.50 liter hydrogen cylinders with a pressure of 150 atm. It is possible to create a whole swarm of balloons with a large number of balloons with decoy ammunition attached, the destruction of such a swarm by enemy air defense forces will not be an easy task, both technically and economically, given the cheapness and low visibility of the devices. A simultaneous attack of several hundred such munitions will result in guaranteed incapacitation, for example, of an aircraft carrier. The proposed ammunition will not sink it, due to their small warheads, but will turn all external equipment into an inoperative state (mush) and can create a fire in many compartments due to cumulative high-explosive effects. The ship is unlikely to be able to perform its function in the near future. And it’s impossible not to react to such a swarm moving in its rear.

As a disadvantage of these devices, one can indicate their dependence on weather conditions and wind roses, which at different heights can change in the opposite direction. But, thanks to the exact knowledge of the coordinates of each device (each device itself periodically reports its coordinates), they can be tracked and, by controlling the descent of the balloon (by opening the valve of half the volume of the balloon), make a soft landing and reuse.

These devices can also be used individually, launching with the help of a calculation of two people.

Also, this system can be proposed and used in the fight mode against the enemy drones themselves. Because excess in altitude and dive speed will provide the proposed devices with a significant advantage and the proposed system of devices can be used and serve as an effective weapon against the enemy UAVs themselves. A properly organized swarm (in density and height) of such ammunition can also be used against a salvo of MLRS at the highest echelons of ballistic trajectories.

Sources of information:

1. https://topwar.ru/61101-bolshe-i-luchshe-tendencii-razvitiva-sovremennyh-rszo.html Military Review, Armament: Bigger and Better: Modern MLRS Development Trends.

2. Military review, Armament: Loitering ammunition Switchblade 600 (USA). https://topwar.ru/175910-barrazhirujuschij-boepripas-switchblade-600-ssha.html

3. History of military aeronautics. https://wikidea.ru/wiki/Historyotimilitarv_ballooning

4. Parsh, Andreas (March 21, 2006). "Flying Cloud WS-124A". Directory of US Military Missiles and Missiles, Appendix 4: Unmarked Vehicles. Designation-Systems. Retrieved December 10, 2017.

5. Condoms, kites, birthday balloons: 'stupid' weapons in Gaza could lead to real war, Times of Israel, Judah Ari Gross, June 20, 2018.

6. How to properly inflate foil balloons, the valve in foil balloons https://dolgoprudnvi.bigshar.m/kak-pravilno-naduvat-folgirovarinve-sharv/

7. Radio control equipment. Part 3. Steering machines https://archive.rcopen.com/articles/radio/servo_intro/

8. Aircraft modeling - the world of enthusiasts http://www.avmodels.m/articles/equipment/servoprivod.html

9. Military Review, Armament: https://topwar.ru/177589-barrazhiruiuschie-boepripasy-istorija-i-karabahskii-kejs.html

10. Plastic plugs https://www.plast2000.ru/product/zaglushka-kruglava-100-vnutrennyaya-ploskaya-chernaya-100-vpch/

11. Gas valves https://40nog.ru/klapany-gaza-12v-gas-valve-12v

12. Secateurs https://www.220-volt.ru/catalog/akkumulyatornye-sekatory/

13. Pirozamok https://dic.acadernic.ru/

14. Gas pressure sensor https://100gaz.ru/datchiki-davleniva-gaza/

15. Mathematical model of the stratospheric balloon https://sohabr.net/habr/post/415245/

16. Semtech SX1278 LoRa Core™ 137-525MHz Low Power Long Range Transceiver

https://www.semtech.com/products/wireless-rf/lora-core/sx1278

17. Programming drones for autonomous navigation through video cameras https://github.com/FastSense/px4 ros gazebo/blob/master/doc/drone.md

Claims (5)

1. Balloon launcher system, characterized in that it contains a multi-charge launcher located on a movable platform, containing at least one vertically mounted guide in the form of a tube with a dive-gliding ammunition installed in it, equipped with folding wings with steering machines, battery, control unit, radio communication module, satellite and inertial navigation system unit, homing head and fuse, while the ammunition is located under the folded balloon with an ejecting cylinder and is connected to it through a cable with a squib, fixation in the ammunition guide is carried out by means of a spring-loaded stop, to each a flexible hose is connected from the guides, one end of which is connected through an electrovalve to a cylinder with compressed hydrogen, and the other end through an electromechanical secateurs - to the valve of the balloon ejection cylinder capacity, the ejection cylinder capacity is connected by means of check valves with the main cavity of the balloon. 2. Balloon salvo launch system according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide is closed with a plastic plug. 3. Balloon salvo launch system according to claim 1, characterized in that the balloon is equipped with an electric exhaust valve. 4. Balloon salvo launch system according to claim 1, characterized in that the ammunition is equipped with a braking parachute. 5. Balloon salvo launch system according to claim 1, characterized in that the balloon is equipped with an internal pressure sensor.

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