DE102015120030A1 - Remote weapon station and method of operating a remote weapon station - Google Patents

Abstract

It is a remote-controlled weapon station (1) with a weapon (2), which is mounted in a mount (3) in azimuth (A) and elevation (E) directionally, proposed for controlling a target object. The weapon station (1) comprises at least one drive (4) which can be controlled by a control signal (S, V) for aligning the weapon (2) in azimuth (A) and / or elevation (E) and a control unit (5) for providing the control signal (S, V), wherein the control unit (5) is adapted to vary the provided control signal (S) for driving the weapon (2) to fire a succession of projectiles such that the fired projectiles of the sequence have a predetermined projectile pattern (GM) perpendicular to the trajectory of the fired projectiles.

Description

The present invention relates to a remotely operable weapon station with a weapon, which is directionally mounted in azimuth and elevation in a carriage, for controlling a target object. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a military vehicle having such a remote-controlled weapon station and a method for operating a remote-controlled weapon station.

Military vehicles, such as, for example, ships or land vehicles, are often equipped with a weapon arranged on the outer shell of the vehicle, which weapon is mounted in azimuth and elevation in a mount. Such carriages are often designed as remote-controlled weapon stations, which are actuated from the ballistically protected interior of the vehicle.

Such remote-controlled weapon stations are for example from the DE 10 2011 050 277 A1 and from the DE 10 2006 034 689 A1 known. It can be delivered from the remote-controlled weapon station single shots or salvos.

Furthermore, from the KR 2012 006 44 29 a remote-controlled weapon station is known which comprises a control device with a display device and a memory device. The display device displays a stored view of a target device, and the storage device stores the information about the filing between the line of fire (LOF) and the line of sight (LOS).

To combat one or more targets, the weapon in the gun carriage is aligned with the target by means of a fire control device. In this case, the alignment and the triggering of the weapon take place earlier than the meeting of the target by a projectile fired from the weapon at a later time. This time difference is dominated by the duration of the projectile from the weapon to the target. For example, with a typical muzzle velocity of 1000 m / s and an exemplary distance of the weapon to the target of 2000 m, the flight duration is in the range of 2 s. For static purposes, this time difference is not essential. For dynamic targets, however, with a sufficiently predictable trajectory is worked with a conventional Vorhalterechnung in the fire control of the remote-controlled weapon station.

Dynamic targets and, in particular, air targets without a sufficiently predictable trajectory can not be effectively combated with a conventional lead calculation. Examples of such targets are Low-Slow-Small (LSS) or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) targets or drones. Such targets are either intentionally on a difficult-to-predict trajectory, or these targets are unpredictable in their resulting trajectory due to their intrinsically high susceptibility to wind and frequent changing air currents.

Against this background, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved remote-operated weapon station.

According to a first aspect, a remotely operable weapon station with a weapon for fighting a target object is proposed, which is directionally mounted in a mount in azimuth and elevation. The remote-controlled weapon station comprises at least one drive that can be controlled by a control signal for aligning the weapon in azimuth and / or elevation. Furthermore, the remote-controlled weapon station comprises a control unit for providing the control signal. In this case, the control unit is adapted to vary the provided control signal for controlling the weapon for firing a sequence of projectiles such that the fired projectiles of the sequence depict a predetermined projectile pattern perpendicular to the trajectory of the fired projectiles.

The bullet pattern allows the weapon station to deliver a salvo scattered in space around the target or target object. As a result, the hit probability is significantly increased compared to conventional methods, especially for small and moving air targets.

Due to the fact that the missiles fired by the weapon depict the projectile pattern, targets with difficult to predict trajectories are also hit. In particular, the projectile pattern provides targeted blur for the weapon to hit targets with difficult-to-predict trajectories. The projectile pattern can form a hit field of projectiles around a target meeting point calculated by the weapon station. A target meeting point can also be understood as a hit area. The hit field is particularly large compared to the scattering of the weapon.

The remote-controlled weapon station is arranged in particular on a military vehicle. The military vehicle is, for example, a warship. For example, the command center of the warship comprises a fire control computer, by means of which the weapon station can be operated remotely.

The target object is, for example, an enemy military vehicle, such as an enemy warship. The weapon is for example a naval gun. In particular, the remote-controlled weapon station a plurality of drives for aligning the weapon in azimuth and elevation.

According to one embodiment, the control unit is configured to generate a varied control signal for controlling the weapon for firing the sequence of the projectiles with the predetermined projectile pattern by linking the provided control signal with an additional control signal.

In particular, the additional control signal is applied to the provided or conventional control signal, which determines the optimum orientation in space for the control of the target object. In this case, the additional control signal correlates in particular with the cadence of the weapon such that, for example, between the delivery of each individual shot through the weapon, the additional control signal is applied.

The cadence can also be referred to as the rate of fire, rate of fire, firing rate, firing order, or firing cadence, and relates to the rate of fire of the weapon or gun. The cadence is reported in weft per unit time, preferably in weft per minute.

According to a further embodiment, the weapon station comprises a variation unit, which is set up to vary the additional control signal according to a certain variation pattern over time, the control unit being adapted to control the weapon for firing the projectiles by means of the varied control signal such that the fired projectiles of the sequence depict the predetermined projectile pattern.

In this embodiment, the additional control signal is varied according to the particular variation pattern, for example, the control signal value in elevation or azimuth is increased or decreased by 0.2 angular minutes. In this case, the increase or reduction of the additional control signal values is provided in such a way that previously defined movement patterns as projectile patterns in the target plane perpendicular to the trajectory of the projectiles are possible.

The respective unit, for example the control unit or the variation unit, can be implemented in terms of hardware and / or software. In a hardware implementation, the respective unit can be designed as a device or as part of a device, for example as a computer or as a microprocessor or as a fire control computer. In a software implementation, the respective unit may be designed as a computer program product, as a function, as a routine, as part of a program code or as an executable object.

According to a further embodiment, the additional control signal comprises an offset for the control signal provided.

Thus, for example, starting from a first positioning of the weapon in the period until the triggering of a second shot, the additional signal value is increased by an exemplary offset of 0.2 angular minutes, so that the weapon is aligned with a new target point. After leaving the second floor, the weapon is controlled with a further additional control signal value with an increase in the elevation value by 0.2 angular minutes, for example, so that the weapon is aligned with another target point and a third projectile leaves the weapon. Below, by way of example, the additional control signal value is reduced by 0.2 angular minutes, so that the weapon is aligned to a fourth target point and the firing takes place in this direction.

Also, the additional signal values for azimuth and elevation can be chosen differently. For example, for azimuth, double or triple value may be selected as the elevation. This is particularly useful in combating targets that are strongly affected by wind, as wind disturbances in the horizontal direction are much more pronounced than in the vertical direction.

According to one embodiment, the variation pattern comprises a sequence of offsets with a certain step size between in each case two successive of the offsets, wherein the respective offset brings about a change in the orientation of the weapon in azimuth and / or elevation.

According to a further embodiment, the determined increment is relatively large in relation to scattering of the weapon.

According to one embodiment, the variation unit is set up to set the variation pattern as a function of a coincidence window set for the weapon.

In a remote-controlled weapon station, there may basically be a deviation between the line of fire (LOF) and the line of sight (LOS). This deviation can also be called a coincidence window and is ideally small. When fighting a real target object, it follows that the coincidence window for a large and close target be greater in terms of effective control than, for example, a small and distant target.

According to one embodiment, the remotely operable weapon station comprises a determination unit for determining a target distance of the target object, wherein the control unit is adapted to vary the provided control signal in dependence on the determined target distance.

In this embodiment, the values for the additional control signals may depend on the target distance, for example 0.2 angular minutes at distances below 1000 meters and 0.1 angular minutes from and above a target distance of 1000 meters.

According to a further embodiment, the control unit is adapted to control the at least one drive by means of the varied control signal correlated to the cadence of the weapon.

According to one embodiment, the variation unit is configured to switch on the additional control signal between the firing of two floors onto the provided control signal.

According to a further embodiment, the control unit is set up to trigger the firing of a projectile or the firing of a sequence of projectiles by means of a varied control signal output at a specific time.

In this embodiment, the number of shots may vary between the application of the respective additional control signal, so that, for example, two projectiles or three projectiles in each case are delivered in the direction of a target point for the target object.

According to one embodiment, the variation unit is set up to set a shape and / or a step size of the projectile pattern by means of an adjustment of the variation pattern.

According to one embodiment, the remotely operable weapon station comprises a display system for optically displaying a target area of the weapon and an image of the target object within the target area.

In particular, the display system comprises a screen, for example a touch screen, and a user interface with input means for inputting commands for the weapon station, in particular for the display system. The display system is in particular connected to a number of cameras which record the surroundings of the weapon.

In this embodiment, the user or operator determines the destination on the display system, for example by a crosshair, which the user can move on the screen of the display system via the user interface.

According to a second aspect, a military vehicle is proposed, which has a number N of remote-controlled weapon stations according to the first aspect, with N ≥ 1.

The military vehicle is, for example, a warship. Alternatively, the military vehicle may also be a land vehicle, such as a tank, in particular a remote-controlled tank.

According to a third aspect, a method for operating a remote-controlled weapon station with a weapon which is directionally mounted in a mount in azimuth and elevation, for controlling a target object and with at least one controllable by a control signal drive for aligning the weapon in azimuth and / or Elevation proposed. The method comprises the following steps:
Varying the control signal to drive the weapon to fire a succession of projectiles such that the fired projectiles of the sequence image a predetermined projectile pattern perpendicular to the trajectory of the fired projectiles, and
Driving the at least one drive by means of the varied control signal.

The embodiments and features described for the proposed weapon station apply accordingly to the proposed method.

According to a fourth aspect, a computer program product is proposed, which causes the execution of the method according to the third aspect as explained above on a program-controlled device.

A computer program product, such as a computer program means may, for example, be used as a storage medium, e.g. Memory card, USB stick, CD-ROM, DVD, or even in the form of a downloadable file provided by a server in a network or delivered. This can be done, for example, in a wireless communication network by the transmission of a corresponding file with the computer program product or the computer program means.

According to a fifth aspect, a remotely operable weapon station with a weapon, which is directionally mounted in a mount in azimuth and elevation, and drives for aligning the weapon in azimuth and elevation is proposed, wherein the control signal values for aligning the weapon on a target at least one additional control signal is switched, which can vary the orientation of the weapon in azimuth and / or elevation by a predetermined value of the orientation.

Further possible implementations of the invention also include not explicitly mentioned combinations of features or embodiments described above or below with regard to the exemplary embodiments. The skilled person will also add individual aspects as improvements or additions to the respective basic form of the invention.

Furthermore, the invention will be explained in more detail by means of preferred embodiments with reference to the attached figures.

1 shows a schematic block diagram of a first embodiment of a remote-controlled weapon station;

2 shows a schematic block diagram of a second embodiment of a remote-controlled weapon station;

3 shows a schematic view of a projectile pattern of the remote-controlled weapon station after 1 or 2 ;

4 shows a schematic view of a projectile pattern of the remote-controlled weapon station after 1 or 2 with an example hit;

5 shows a schematic block diagram of a third embodiment of a remote-controlled weapon station; and

6 shows a schematic flow diagram of an embodiment of a method for operating a remote-controlled weapon station.

In the figures, the same or functionally identical elements have been given the same reference numerals, unless stated otherwise.

In 1 is a schematic block diagram of a first embodiment of a remote-controlled weapon station 1 shown. The remote-controlled weapon station 1 includes a weapon 2 to combat a target object, which in a carriage 3 in azimuth A and elevation E is directionally stored. The remote-controlled weapon station 1 is especially installed on a military vehicle. The military vehicle may have a plurality of remote-controlled weapon stations 1 include. The military vehicle is, for example, a warship.

The remote-controlled weapon station 1 comprises at least one controllable by a control signal S, V drive 4 to align the weapon 2 in azimuth A and / or elevation E.

Furthermore, the weapon station includes 1 a control unit 5 for providing the control signal S, V, wherein the control unit 5 is set up to the provided control signal S for controlling the weapon 2 for firing a succession of projectiles such that the fired projectiles of the sequence have a predetermined projectile pattern GM (see 3 and 4 ) perpendicular to the trajectory of the fired projectiles.

In particular, the control unit 5 to set up the at least one drive 4 by means of the varied control signal V correlates to the cadence of the weapon 2 head for.

Further, the control unit 5 additionally or alternatively configured to initiate the firing of a projectile or the firing of a sequence of projectiles by means of a varied control signal V output at a particular time. In other words, a varied control signal V also triggers the firing of a single projectile or a sequence, that is to say several projectiles.

The control unit 5 is for example in a fire control computer 9 integrated. The fire control computer 9 includes, for example, a display system 11 , The display system 11 has a screen and a user interface with input means for entering commands for the display system 11 on. The display system 11 In particular, it is connected to a number of cameras, which surround the weapon 2 take up. The weapon 2 and the fire control computer 9 are by means of a communication connection 12 coupled.

2 shows a schematic block diagram of a second embodiment of a remote-controlled weapon station 1 , The weapon station 1 according to 2 includes all the features of the first embodiment of 1 , In addition, the control unit 5 of the 2 to set up a varied control signal V to control the weapon 2 for firing the sequence of projectiles with the predetermined projectile pattern GM by linking the provided control signal S with an additional control signal Z to generate. For this purpose, the control unit 5 of the 2 a variation unit 6 for providing the additional control signal Z and a provisioning unit 7 to provide the control signal S on.

A linking unit 8th the control unit 5 is adapted to the provided control signal S of the delivery unit 7 with the additional control signal Z of the variation unit 6 to that to combine varied control signal V and to the drive 4 issue.

The variation unit 6 is in particular configured to vary the additional control signal Z according to a specific variation pattern over time, that the control unit 5 to set up the weapon 2 for firing the projectiles by means of the varied control signal V in such a way that the fired projectiles of the sequence represent the predetermined projectile pattern GM. In particular, the variation unit 6 In doing so, set up the variation pattern depending on one for the weapon 2 set the coincidence window. In particular, the variation pattern comprises a sequence of offsets with a specific step size between two respectively successive offsets. The respective offset causes a change in the orientation n of the weapon 2 in azimuth A and / or elevation E.

• 1) A = n + 0,2‘
• 2) E = n + 0,2‘
• 3) A = n – 0,2‘
• 4) A = n – 0,2‘
• 5) E = n – 0,2‘
• 6) E = n – 0,2‘
• 7) A = n + 0,2‘
• 8) A = n + 0,2‘
• 9) A = n + 0,2‘
• 10) E = n + 0,2‘
• 11) E = n + 0,2‘
• 12) E = n + 0,2‘
• 13) A = n – 0,2‘
• 14) A = n – 0,2‘
• 15) A = n – 0,2‘
• 16) A = n – 0,2‘
• 17) E = n – 0,2‘
• 18) E = n – 0,2‘
• 19) E = n – 0,2‘
• 20) E = n – 0,2‘
• 21) A = n + 0,2‘
• 22) A = n + 0,2‘
• 23) A = n + 0,2‘
• 24) A = n + 0,2‘

This shows the 3 a schematic view of a projectile pattern GM of the remote-controlled weapon station 1 to 2 , The bullet pattern GM the 3 includes the sequence of projectiles or shots S1-S25, wherein after a successful shot in the direction n of the weapon 2 the azimuth A and / or the elevation E of the weapon 2 by a certain offset, which in the example of the 3 Is 0.2 ', but can also take any other values, is changed. From the 3 the applied variation pattern is also visible:

• 1) A = n + 0.2 '
• 2) E = n + 0.2 '
• 3) A = n - 0.2 '
• 4) A = n - 0.2 '
• 5) E = n - 0.2 '
• 6) E = n - 0.2 '
• 7) A = n + 0.2 '
• 8) A = n + 0.2 '
• 9) A = n + 0.2 '
• 10) E = n + 0.2 '
• 11) E = n + 0.2 '
• 12) E = n + 0.2 '
• 13) A = n - 0.2 '
• 14) A = n - 0.2 '
• 15) A = n - 0.2 '
• 16) A = n - 0.2 '
• 17) E = n - 0.2 '
• 18) E = n - 0.2 '
• 19) E = n - 0.2 '
• 20) E = n - 0.2 '
• 21) A = n + 0.2 '
• 22) A = n + 0.2 '
• 23) A = n + 0.2 '
• 24) A = n + 0.2 '

Furthermore, the shows 4 the bullet pattern GM the 3 with a hit of the target object ZO in the shot S4.

Furthermore, the variation unit 6 be adapted to the variation pattern depending on one for the weapon 2 set the coincidence window.

In addition, the variation unit 6 preferably adapted to the additional control signal Z (see. 2 ) between the firing of two floors on the provided control signal S. Alternatively, it is also possible to switch on the additional control signal Z after the firing of a single projectile or after the firing of a sequence M of projectiles onto the provided control signal S, where M ≥ 2.

In addition, the variation unit 6 be configured to set a shape and / or a step size of the projectile pattern GM by means of an adjustment of the variation pattern. Of course, alternative bullet patterns are GM than the one in 2 and 3 Illustrated possible. For example, it is possible to vary the shot S2 with a change E = n - 0.2 '. Also n and the offset 0.2 'are changeable.

In 5 FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram of a third embodiment of a remote weapon station. FIG 1 shown. The third embodiment of 5 is based on the second embodiment of the 2 and includes all the features of the 2 , In addition, the fire control computer includes 9 of the 5 a determination unit 10 , The determination unit 10 is configured to determine a target distance ZE of the target object ZO. In this case, the control device 5 be adapted to vary the provided control signal S in dependence on the determined target distance ZE.

In 6 Figure 3 is a schematic flow diagram of one embodiment of a method for operating a remotely operable weapon station 1 shown. The remote-controlled weapon station 1 includes a weapon 2 to combat a target object ZO, which in a carriage 3 in azimuth A and elevation E is directionally stored. Furthermore, the weapon station includes 1 at least one controllable by a control signal S, V drive 4 to align the weapon in azimuth A and / or elevation E. Examples of the remote weapon station 1 are in the 1 . 2 and 5 shown.

The method according to 6 includes the following process steps 601 and 602 :

In step 601 is the control signal S for controlling the weapon 2 for firing a succession of projectiles of the weapon 2 such that the fired projectiles of the sequence vary predetermined projectile pattern GM perpendicular to the trajectory of the fired projectiles.

In step 602 becomes the at least one drive 4 controlled by the varied control signal V. This results in the desired projectile pattern GM (see 3 and 4 ).

Although the present invention has been described with reference to embodiments, it is variously modifiable.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

 remote-controlled weapon station

2

 weapon

3

 gun carriage

4

 drive

5

 control unit

6

 variation unit

7

 Providing unit

8th

 linking unit

9

 fire control

10

 determining unit

11

 display system

12

 communication link

601

 step

602

 step

A

 azimuth

e

 elevation

GM

 Floor patterns

n

 Alignment of the weapon

S

 control signal

S1-S25

shot

V

 varied control signal

Z

 additional control signal

ZE

 target distance

ZO

 target

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102011050277 A1 [0003]
• DE 102006034689 A1 [0003]
• KR 20120064429 [0004]

Claims (15)

Remote-controlled weapon station ( 1 ) with a weapon ( 2 ), which in a carriage ( 3 ) in azimuth (A) and elevation (E), for controlling a target object (ZO), with: at least one drive (A, V) controllable by a drive ( 4 ) to align the weapon ( 2 ) in azimuth (A) and / or elevation (E), and a control unit ( 5 ) for providing the control signal (S, V), wherein the control unit ( 5 ) is adapted to the provided control signal (S) for controlling the weapon ( 2 ) for firing a succession of projectiles such that the fired projectiles of the sequence image a predetermined projectile pattern (GM) perpendicular to the trajectory of the fired projectiles. Weapon station according to claim 1, characterized in that the control unit ( 5 ) is adapted to a varied control signal (V) for controlling the weapon ( 2 ) for firing the sequence of projectiles with the predetermined projectile pattern (GM) by linking the provided control signal (S) with an additional control signal (Z). Weapon station according to claim 2, characterized by a variation unit ( 6 ), which is adapted to vary the additional control signal (Z) according to a certain variation pattern over time, that the control unit ( 5 ) is adapted to the weapon ( 2 ) for firing the projectiles by means of the varied control signal (V) in such a way that the fired projectiles of the sequence depict the predetermined projectile pattern (GM). Weapon station according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the additional control signal (Z) comprises an offset to the supplied control signal (S). Weapon station according to claim 4, characterized in that the variation pattern comprises a sequence of offsets with a specific step size between in each case two of the offsets, the respective offset being a change in the orientation (n) of the weapon ( 2 ) in azimuth and / or elevation. Weapon station according to claim 5, characterized in that the determined step size in relation to a large extent to a scattering of the weapon ( 2 ). Weapon station according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the variation unit ( 6 ) is adapted to the variation pattern as a function of one for the weapon ( 2 ) to set the coincidence window. Weapon station according to one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that the variation unit ( 6 ) is adapted to switch on the additional control signal (Z) between the firing of two floors on the provided control signal (S). Weapon station according to one of claims 3 to 8, characterized in that the variation unit ( 6 ) is adapted to adjust by means of a setting of the variation pattern, a shape and / or a step size of the projectile pattern (GM). Weapon station according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized by a determination unit ( 10 ) for determining a target distance (ZE) of the target object (ZO), wherein the control unit ( 5 ) is arranged to vary the provided control signal (S) in dependence on the determined target distance (ZE). Weapon station according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the control unit ( 5 ) is adapted to the at least one drive ( 4 ) by means of the varied control signal (V) correlates to the cadence of the weapon ( 2 ) head for. Weapon station according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the control unit ( 5 ) is arranged to initiate the firing of a projectile or the firing of a succession of projectiles by means of a varied control signal (V) output at a given time. Military vehicle with a number N of remotely operated weapon stations ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 12, with N ≥ 1. Method for operating a remote-controlled weapon station ( 1 ) with a weapon ( 2 ), which in a carriage ( 3 ) in azimuth (A) and elevation (E) is directionally mounted, for controlling a target object (ZO) and with at least one controllable by a control signal (S, V) drive ( 4 ) to align the weapon ( 2 ) in azimuth (A) and / or elevation (E), with: Varying ( 601 ) of the control signal (S) for controlling the weapon ( 2 ) for firing a sequence of projectiles of the weapon ( 2 ) such that the fired projectiles of the sequence image a predetermined projectile pattern (GM) perpendicular to the trajectory of the fired projectiles, and driving the at least one propulsion ( 4 ) by means of the varied control signal (V). Computer program product, which causes the execution of the method according to claim 14 on a program-controlled device.

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