EP0179387A2 - Device for carrying out dynamic comparative measurements in a fire control system for a directed weapon - Google Patents

Abstract

The device is intended especially for combat tanks. A collimator (7), permanently connected to the weapon (1), is used to produce a light beam emanating from an optical test target. The collimator (7) is arranged in front of the lens of the sighting device (6) in such a way that the light beam impinges on a position-sensitive, optoelectronic measuring sensor (8) arranged in the image plane in front of the eyepiece of the sighting device (6). The measuring sensor is connected via an electronic evaluating device (9) to an evaluating computer (10). A predetermined directing signal is generated by a program-control device (12) by means of a multifunction generator (13) and fed to the fire control system (4). The evaluating computer (10) is connected to the fire control system (4). In the evaluating computer (10), predetermined primary set values of the fire control and directing data are on the one hand compared with secondary set values determined by the fire control system and fed to the evaluating computer (10) and on the other hand with actual values concerning the position of the weapon (1), supplied by the measuring sensor (8). <IMAGE>

Description

Device for carrying out dynamic comparative measurements on fire control systems for aimed weapons.

The invention relates to a device for carrying out dynamic comparative measurements on fire control systems for aimed weapons, in which the weapon is tracked by a sighting device, with a device for generating an optical test mark which is projected through the sighting device. In the case of fire control systems for aimed weapons, mechanical or electrical interference factors can occur which, for example, impair the exact synchronism of the movement of the sight line with the movement of the weapon. The errors that occur can be caused on the one hand by the electrical devices of the fire control system, for example the fire control computer and the input units, but they can also be due to faults in the optical and mechanical devices of the fire control system, for example the straightening device, the sighting device, the tracking and stabilizing devices , occur. It is therefore necessary to check the entire fire control system after manufacture and later at certain intervals.

For checking synchronism deviations between the optical sighting device and the weapon, it is known, for example, in front of the sighting device Arrange measuring cameras halfway up the elevation range of the line of sight in at least two specific angular positions, with optical crosshairs being imaged on two perpendicular photodiode rows with a crosshair projector in the focal plane of the measuring cameras, the positional deviation of which from a target position makes a statement about the synchronization error can. This known method has the disadvantage, however, that measurement statements can only be obtained for two narrowly defined angular ranges and continuous measurement of the entire elevation range is not possible. Furthermore, this method does not check the entire fire control system, including the electrical equipment, and it is not possible to carry out a dynamic comparative measurement in which not only individual measuring points, but entire continuous straightening processes are measured.

In another known device (DE-OS 2951108) a mirror is arranged on the weapon which reflects a light beam emanating from an optical test mark arranged in the sighting device. The reflection image is brought into line with the test mark in the eyepiece. The sighting device and the weapon are then passed through in the elevation area, and the deviation of the reflection image in height and side is measured. A disadvantage of this known device is the heavy handling of the voluminous mirror on the weapon, which is sensitive to damage. Furthermore, this device also supplies only individual measuring points, so that a dynamic comparison measurement is not possible and the entire fire control system is not checked.

Finally, a device for checking synchronism deviations between an optical sighting device and a weapon is known (DE-OS No. 32 19 916), which has a crosshair projector that can be attached in front of the eyepiece of the sighting device and a height and angle that can be detachably attached to the sighting line of the sighting device Adjustable collimator measuring camera that can track the pivoting of the sight line, wherein an electrical tilt sensor for emitting a signal corresponding to the respective swivel angle is arranged on the weapon and on the collimator measuring camera. To carry out comparative measurements, an optical check mark is generated in front of the eyepiece of the sighting device using the crosshair projector and the image of the checkmark is received by the collimator measuring camera, the swivel axis of the collimator measuring camera is set parallel to the swivel axis of the weapon, and the sighting device is then used and pass the weapon in the elevation area, the collimator measuring camera tracking the weapon, and the deviation of the image of the check mark in height and side from predetermined values being measured in the collimator measuring camera.

Even with this known device, dynamic comparative measurements are only possible to a limited extent, and the entire fire control system is not checked. Furthermore, the construction and use of the device is relatively complicated since, in addition to the collimator measuring camera, a special mounting device for the collimator measuring camera is required, which allows tracking and a separate tracking device with both the collimator measuring camera and the Weapon arranged electrical inclination sensors must be available. These devices can also cause be additional systematic sources of error.

The object underlying the invention was to design a device of the type mentioned at the outset such that comparative measurements can be carried out which, on the one hand, involve the entire fire control system in the check, so that, for example, it can be determined whether an error that has already occurred is caused by the electrical devices of the Fire control system or only due to the optical and mechanical devices of the sighting device and the straightening device and which, on the other hand, allow dynamic comparison measurements, that is to say the direct comparison of target values and actual values during continuous straightening processes. Furthermore, the device should be as small and compact as possible, so that the checks to be carried out can also be carried out later in use with little effort. Furthermore, it should be possible to specify any fixed or variable values, for example via required attachment and lead angles, in connection with certain predetermined movements of the target on the one hand and with a weapon of the battle tank, for example, arranged on a battle tank, on the other hand, even in dynamic measurement methods. It should be possible to simulate even complex straightening processes that can occur here, i.e. to artificially generate the corresponding Ricardo signals and to check the fire control and directional data supplied by the fire control system as well as the resulting lifting movements of the weapon.

This object is achieved according to the invention with the features from the characterizing part of patent claim 1.

Advantageous embodiments of the device according to the invention are described in claims 2 to 4.

As will be explained in more detail below with the aid of an exemplary embodiment, it is possible with the device according to the invention to check the entire fire control system in a dynamic comparison measurement, on the one hand the parallel running of the sighting lines of the weapon and the sighting device in height and side, taking into account the ballistic generated by the fire control system Attachment and lead signals, is checked and it can also be determined whether the target values supplied by the fire control system for the directional movements were correct. In the previously known methods, it was indeed possible to ascertain the actual values from the target values supplied by the fire control system at least point by point, but it could not be checked whether the target value specified by the fire control system was correct at all.

The device according to the invention can be constructed with little technical effort. The brackets between the collimator and the weapon on the one hand and between the measuring sensor and the sighting device on the other hand can be constructed mechanically simple, and no special tracking devices are necessary. The evaluation computer can be constructed both as an analog computer and as a digital computer. A microprocessor can also be used here if only certain, precisely predetermined processes are to be checked, so that the electrical parts of the device can be constructed to be extremely small and compact. The measurement data obtained on the basis of the comparison measurement can be displayed or also printed out in the form of curves, so that an immediate overview can be obtained is obtained over the course of the entire straightening process.

The device according to the invention is particularly suitable for checking the fire control system on a battle tank with regard to deviations in synchronization between the periscope and the weapon. However, other types of application are also possible.

For example, a device can also be used to check systems in which several weapons, for example in artillery units, are controlled by a directional device via a fire control system. Furthermore, for example, the fire control systems of two different battle tanks can also be compared.

An exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

• Fig. 1 in einem schematischen Blockschaltbild eine Einrichtung nach der Erfindung in Verbindung mit dem Feuerleit- und Richtsystem eines Kampfpanzers;
• Fig. 2 in einer schematischen Darstellung die Anordnung der optischen Teile der Einrichtung nacn Fig. 1 am Turm des Kampfpanzers;
• Fig. 3 in einer grafischen Darstellung das Bild einer Richtbewegung zum Vergleich der Ist-Werte mit den vorgegebenen Soll-Werten.

The drawings show:

• Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram of a device according to the invention in connection with the fire control and aiming system of a main battle tank.
• 2 shows a schematic representation of the arrangement of the optical parts of the device according to FIG. 1 on the turret of the main battle tank;
• 3 shows a graphic representation of the image of a directional movement for comparing the actual values with the predetermined target values.

In the circuit diagram shown in FIG. 1 of a device for carrying out dynamic comparative measurements on a fire control system for a main battle tank, electrical connections with solid lines, mechanical connections with dashed lines and optical connections with wavy lines are shown for better differentiation.

A collimator 7 is attached to the main weapon 1 arranged on the turret 2 of a main battle tank via a mechanical holder 7.4. The collimator 7 generates an optical check mark 7.1, from which a light beam 7.3 is emitted by the collimator lens 7.2 as a parallel beam. The collimator 7 is arranged such that the light beam 7.3 is fed through the objective 6.1 of the periscope 6 and via the deflecting mirror 6.2 to the eyepiece 6.3 and exits there. In front of the eyepiece 6.3 of the periscope 6, a position-sensitive, optoelectronic measuring sensor 8 is arranged with an objective 8.1 and a high-resolution sensor field 8.2, which can be designed, for example, as a photodiode array. With the position-sensitive, optoelectronic measuring sensor 8, the position of the image of the check mark 7.1 on the sensor field 8.2 can be measured precisely, and a corresponding electrical signal is fed to an electrical evaluation device 9. The electrical evaluation device 9 is connected to an evaluation computer 10. With this part of the device, it can already be determined in the evaluation computer how far the storage of the image of the test mark on the sensor field is from a predetermined target value. The device also has a program control device 12 which is coupled to the evaluation computer and which can contain its own test computer and by means of a control signal is generated as a function of the target data specified for the intended comparison measurement, which controls a multifunction generator 13 of a known type, which generates a directional speed signal which is fed to the fire control and directional system 4 of the main battle tank via a modulator 14. There is also an input device 13, by means of which all setpoint and default values can be supplied on the one hand to the evaluation computer 10 and on the other hand to the fire control and directional system 4 of the main battle tank. Furthermore, special input devices are provided, namely an input device 15 for a specific initial position of the turret 1, the output signal of which is fed directly to the fire control and directional system via a modulator 16, and an input device 17 for a specific edge angle of the main battle tank, the output signal of which is also via a modulator 18 the fire control and directional system 4 is supplied.

Manual input devices 5 are provided on the fire control and alignment system 4 for direct settings and inputs on the fire control system.

The evaluation computer 10 is connected to a printer 11 and a display device 12.

• 1. Es wird eine bestimmte Übung festgelegt, beispielsweise die Verfolgung eines sich im Gelände auf einer bestimmten Bahn bewegenden Zieles, auf das die Waffe bei einer vorgegebenen Bewegung des Kampfpanzers ausgerichtet werden soll. Es werden von der Eingabevorrichtung 13 die entsprechenden Werte in den Auswerterechner und das Feuerleit- und Richtsystem eingegeben;
• 2. Es werden am Feuerleitsystem 4 über die Einrichtungen 5 manuell bestimmte Werte über Entfernungen, die Munitionssorte, die Windrichtung etc. eingegeben, die auch im praktischen Fall von der Besatzung direkt in das Feuerleitsystem eingegeben werden;
• 3. Es werden nun vom Multifunktionsgenerator 13, gesteuert durch die Programmsteuervorrichtung 12, Richtgeschwindigkeitssignale aufgrund der Soll-Daten über die Bewegung des Zieles erzeugt und dem Feuerleit- und Richtsystem 4 zugeführt. Hierbei werden von den Vorrichtungen 15 und 17 weitere Signale erzeugt, die in simulierter Form Aussagen über die Turmstellung und den Kantwinkel des Kampfpanzers machen, und dem Feuerleit- und Richtsystem 4 zugeführt;
• 4. Das Feuerleit- und Richtsystem 4 erzeugt nun aus den eingegebenen Daten die entsprechenden Feuerleit- und Richtdaten des Systems und liefert sie an den Auswerterechner 10. Diese Daten werden im Folgenden als "sekundäre Soll-Werte" bezeichnet und im Auswerterechner mit den dort vorgegebenen "primären Soll-Werten" verglichen;
• 5. Es wird überprüft, ob diese sekundären Soll-Werte, die das Feuerleitsystem liefert, richtig sind bzw. wie weit ihre Ablage von den primären Soll-Werten ist.;
• 6. Es werden nun aufgrund des angegebenen Hichtgeschwindigkeitssignals über die Richtvorrichtung 3 die entsprechenden Richtbewegungen von Turm 2 und Waffe 1 erzeugt, wobei die Aufsatz- und Vorhaltwerte in dynamischer Form berücksichtigt sind, und es werden die vom positionsempfindlichen, optoelektronischen Meßsensor 8 dem Auswerterechner 10 zugeführten Signale, die den Ist-Werten über den Gleichlauf zwischen Waffe und Periskop entsprechen, mit den primären Soll-Werten verglichen.

The course of a dynamic comparison measurement on a battle tank turret, which can still be on the test bench, for example, now takes place in the following steps:

• 1. A specific exercise is defined, for example the pursuit of a target moving in the terrain on a specific path, to which the weapon is to be aimed during a predetermined movement of the main battle tank. The corresponding values are input by the input device 13 into the evaluation computer and the fire control and alignment system;
• 2. On the fire control system 4, the devices 5 are used to manually enter certain values relating to distances, the type of ammunition, the wind direction, etc., which in the practical case are also entered directly into the fire control system by the crew;
• 3. Directional speed signals are now generated by the multifunction generator 13, controlled by the program control device 12, on the basis of the target data on the movement of the target and fed to the fire control and directional system 4. Here, the devices 15 and 17 generate further signals which, in simulated form, make statements about the turret position and the edge angle of the main battle tank, and are fed to the fire control and alignment system 4;
• 4. The fire control and alignment system 4 now generates the corresponding fire control and alignment data of the system from the data entered and supplies them to the evaluation computer 10. This data is referred to below as "secondary target values" and in the evaluation computer with the parameters specified there "primary target values"compared;
• 5. It is checked whether these secondary target values which the fire control system supplies are correct or how far their storage is from the primary target values;
• 6. The appropriate directional movements of the turret 2 and weapon 1 are now generated on the basis of the indicated speed-of-flight signal via the straightening device 3, the attachment and lead values being taken into account in dynamic form, and the position-sensitive, optoelectronic measuring sensor 8 is fed to the evaluation computer 10 Signals that correspond to the actual values of the synchronization between the weapon and the periscope are compared with the primary target values.

A possible result is shown in FIG. 3 in a schematic, highly coarse form.

The target data were predefined so that the weapon and the sighting device perform an elliptical movement, i.e. So that the weapon should be tracked in azimuth and elevation to a target moving on a closed path, for example a circular orbit.

The primary target wait is shown in Fig. 3 as an ellipse symmetrical to the acne cross. The secondary target value supplied by the fire control system is also shown as an ellipse, which, however, has a certain systematic deviation in azimuth and elevation from the primary target value. The fire control system therefore already delivers target data that are associated with a certain error. The curve labeled "actual value" in FIG. 3 results from the evaluation of the signal from the measuring sensor and shows that an additional error occurs in the tracking of the weapon in azimuth and elevation and that the course is also impaired by certain path disturbances.

The errors that occurred were deliberately grossed up, and it is clear that even the smallest deviations can be detected with great accuracy.

With the device shown, very different movements can now be measured under very different conditions. Movements in the form of a sine curve or also simple linear movements can be examined, for example, in images printed out by the evaluation computer analogously to FIG. 3.

Claims (4)

1. Device for carrying out dynamic comparative measurements on fire control systems for aimed weapons, in which the weapon (1) is tracked by a sighting device (6), with a device (7) for generating an optical test mark (7.1) which is passed through the sighting device (6) is projected through, characterized in that a light beam (7.3) emanating from the optical check mark (7.1) is generated by a collimator (7) firmly connected to the weapon (1), and the collimator (7) in front of the objective (6.1) the sighting device (6) is arranged in such a way that the light beam (7.3) strikes a position-sensitive, optoelectronic measuring sensor (8) arranged in front of the eyepiece (6.3) of the sighting device (6) in the image plane, the measuring sensor (8) via an electronic Evaluation device (9) is connected to an evaluation computer (10), and a program control device (12) is provided, from which predetermined Ric via a multifunction generator (13) signals are generated and fed to the fire control system (4), where they are converted into directional movements of the weapon (1) via the lifting device (3), --------------------- --------------- that the evaluation computer (10) is connected to the fire control system (4), and that in the evaluation computer (10) predetermined primary target values of the fire control and directional data on the one hand with secondary control values determined by the fire control system and supplied to the evaluation computer (10) and on the other hand with the actual values supplied by the measuring sensor (8) about the position of the weapon (1). 2. Device according to claim 1 for carrying out comparative measurements on fire control systems in a battle tank, characterized by input devices (13, 15, 17), which are connected to the evaluation computer (10) and / or the fire control system (4) of the battle tank, for the input of fixed or variable default values for controlling the measuring process. 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the optoelectronic measuring sensor (8) has a high-resolution sensor field (8.2) designed as a photodiode array. 4. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the optoelectronic measuring sensor is designed as a high-resolution television measuring camera.

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