AU2008274621A1

AU2008274621A1 - Method and launching apparatus for protection of an object against a threat, in particular a missile, as well as munition

Info

Publication number: AU2008274621A1
Application number: AU2008274621A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Michael Kunz
Original assignee: Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH
Current assignee: Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH
Priority date: 2007-07-09
Filing date: 2008-06-17
Publication date: 2009-01-15
Also published as: JP2010532857A; KR20100049033A; US20100288111A1; CA2693006A1; ZA200909071B; EP2165151A1; BRPI0813697A2; DE102007032112A1; WO2009006981A1

Description

Rheinmetall Waffe Munition, Neuenburg W.BU.0322.WO/DIE June 13, 2008 DESCRIPTION Method and launching apparatus for protection of an 5 object against a threat, in particular a missile, as well as munition So-called jamming (interference sources) is used, for example, to divert anti-tank guided missiles by means 10 of deployed jammers. Signatures are produced which correspond to the motor of the enemy rockets. The motor is continuously measured in order to control the rockets from the launching apparatus, and the deviation from the expected flight path is carried out by 15 correction of the rockets. This guidance mechanism is influenced by the additional signatures. The rockets are deflected from the flight path. Jamming can be carried out optically or 20 pyrotechnically. One optical variant is the generation of light flashes by means of a stroboscopic lamp which is fitted in a stationary position on the vehicle. One pyrotechnic variant is pyrotechnic burning in the relevant spectral band by means of a pyrotechnic flare, 25 similar to a Bengal flare. When pyrotechnic solutions are present in the munition, the jamming is produced by the same munition that is also used to produce the visual blockade (smoke). Light 30 flashes are generated by means of an appropriate break up charge, integrated in the smoke munition (DE 38 35 887 C2; DE 28 42 797 C2; DE 10 2005 020 159 Al). DE 10 2005 054 275 Al describes a self-defence 35 installation for combat vehicles or other objects to be protected. The launch system of the self-defence installation is in this case fitted primarily with a W.BU.0322.WO/DIE - 2 pyrotechnic munition, in which irritation bodies are included which, immediately after release, produce a powerful light flash and/or smoke. A smoke munition is added to the irritation bodies, for this purpose. 5 EP 0 512 202 A2 discloses a method for protection of objects which emit IR radiation, in which, after the missile has been located, a large-area pyrotechnic jamming radiation cloud is produced between the missile 10 and the objet, which cloud first of all briefly emits powerful infrared radiation, which itself interferes with the lock-on and tracking electronics of the homing head. This jamming radiation cloud then emits weak infrared radiation for a comparatively long time. Only 15 after this are a plurality of spoof target clouds created, which deflect the missile step-by-step away from the object to be protected. The disadvantages of the optical solutions are the high 20 level of technical complexity, the heavy weight and the long firing chain before they become effective. In the case of pyrotechnic solutions, it has been found that, because of the relatively large munition caliber, 25 it is possible to store and to carry in the vehicle only ammunition for a few missions. Furthermore, the munition is heavy. Furthermore, the ammunition consumption is high because of the normal false-alarm rate. 30 Conventionally, the munition is fired in the threat direction. This generally depends on alignment of the munition launching installation (DE 10 2005 020 177 Al), which can result in a time delay. A plurality of 35 installations are often necessary in order to allow all threat directions to be covered at the same time (DE 10 2005 054 275 Al).

W.BU.0322.WO/DIE - 3 Known munition launch installations frequently require a large amount of space and are often difficult to integrate, in particular in vehicles. 5 A further disadvantage is the munition itself. The functions of jamming and camouflage, for example by means of smoke, are in general always deployed together by this munition. However, smoke in particular is not always desirable since it can impede one's own view. 10 The invention is based on the object of improved jamming associated with an improved integration capability, by saving weight in the launch installation. 15 The object is achieved by the features of patent claim 1, patent claim 4 and patent claim 6. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent claims. 20 The invention is based on the idea of absolute separation of the functions of camouflage and jamming. This makes it possible to use a small-caliber munition which deploys exclusively jammers. These jammers or 25 munitions are preferably fired vertically in height and/or laterally by the vehicle (object) to be protected. For this purpose, the launch barrels are fitted and aligned vertically on the vehicle or the object to be protected. An adequate light flash is 30 produced in the relevant spectrum by initiation of a pyrotechnic charge, which initiation is clocked in time and is arranged offset in height, and the light flash interferes with the aiming mechanism of the approaching warhead. Alternatively, different heights of the break 35 up flashes above and/or to the side of the object can be generated by a plurality of munitions.

W.BU.0322.WO/DIE - 4 This measure for deployment of the jammers is deployed separately from other effects, such as smoke. The smoke munition, which can be fired separately, then does not itself need to carry out jamming. This allows a 5 plurality of smoke bodies to be included in the actual smoke munition. Launching is carried out electrically or mechanically, initiated by a small, compact launching apparatus, for 10 example from magazines. The sub-clocking for initiation of the individual light flashes is controlled by electronics. These electronics are preferably a component of the launching apparatus. 15 The advantages which result from this are a small launch design, with no aiming elements being required, and lower weight associated with this. Because of the lack of aiming elements, simple integration and a simple technical implementation are possible. 20 The invention will be explained in more detail using one exemplary embodiment and with reference to the drawing, in which: 25 Figure 1 shows a launcher with a munition, Figure 2 shows the munition from Figure 1, and Figure 3 shows an integration option on/to a vehicle. 30 Figure 1 shows a compact launching apparatus or a launcher 1 in a transparent form, preferably with a plurality of launch barrels 2 which are aligned upward parallel and form a magazine 3. One munition 4 is 35 located in each of these launch barrels 2. Figure 2 shows the design of the munitions 4. The munition 4 comprises a casing 5 from which one or more W.BU.0322.WO/DIE - 5 sub-munitions 6 (jammers) are fired. Alternatively, the sub-munitions 6 (jammers) can be fired directly from the magazine 3, without a casing. The munition 4 or sub-munitions 6 has/have a comparatively small caliber 5 for vehicle protection munitions, for example 40 mm (medium caliber). The munitions 4 or the sub-munitions 6 have interfaces 10 to the launching apparatus 1, via which they are 10 initiated electrically or mechanically. The sub clocking for initiation of the individual light flashes 8 is controlled by electronics 7. These electronics are preferably a component of the launching apparatus 1. In order to initiate the light flash or break-up flash 8, 15 a plurality of sub-munitions 6 and/or a plurality of munitions 4 can be initiated, clocked in time, successively. The break-up flashes 8 of the jammers 6 are generated 20 spatially above the vehicle 9 (Figure 3). The break-up height is preferably in the range from about 3 to 15 m above the vehicle 9. In this case, the height rises within the individual light flashes 8. Firing is preferably carried out from the vehicle 9 vertically 25 upward. A lateral break-up can thus be set, with the break-up taking place with decreasing height. Figure 3 shows an example of an arrangement of a launching apparatus 1 on a vehicle 9. The break-up 30 flashes 8 are generated at heights of, for example, 4 m, 8 m, or 12 m above the vehicle 9.

Claims

1. A method for protection of an object (9) against a threat, in particular a missile, by interference, 5 wherein one or more sub-munitions (6) or jammers is or are deployed directly or by means of a munition (4) vertically and/or sideways with respect to the object (9) from a launching apparatus (1), sub-clocking is carried out electronically in order to release the 10 individual sub-munitions (6) and, associated with this, the light flashes (8), as a result of which at least one light flash (8) is produced in the relevant spectrum, which interferes with the aiming mechanism of the threat, and the light flashes (8) are generated 15 with various height and/or lateral offsets with respect to the object (9)

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that different heights and/or sides of the break-up 20 flashes can be generated above and/or to the side of the object (9) by a plurality of munitions (4).

3. The method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the break-up height of the sub 25 munitions is in the range from about 1 to 15 m above the object (9).

4. The method as claimed in one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the height rises within the 30 individual light flashes (8)

5. The method as claimed in one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the height falls within the individual light flashes (8). 35

6. A launching apparatus (1) for sub-munitions (6) or a munition (4) having sub-munitions (6) for jamming for projection of an object (9) against a threat, in W.BU.0322.WO - 7 particular a missile, by interference, comprising launch barrels (2) which are aligned vertically upward, parallel to one another, on the object (9), wherein sub-clocking is carried out electronically in order to 5 release the individual sub-munitions (6) and, associated with this, light flashes (8), and the light flashes (8) are generated with different height and/or lateral offsets with respect to the object (9). 10

7. The launching apparatus as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that munitions (4) or the sub munitions (6) have interfaces (10) to the launching apparatus (1), via which they are initiated electrically or mechanically. 15

8. A munition (4) for protection of objects (9) against a threat, in particular a missile, by interference, comprising one or more sub-munitions (6) or jammers, wherein sub-clocking is carried out 20 electronically in order to release the individual sub munitions (6) and, associated with this, light flashes (8), and the light flashes (B) are generated with different height and/or lateral offsets with respect to the object (9). 25

9. The munition as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the munition is fired directly, without a casing, from a magazine (3) or a launch barrel (2). 30

10. The munition as claimed in claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the munition (4) or sub-munitions (6) has/have a comparatively small caliber for vehicle protection munitions.