EP0536048B1 - Mine for defending a zone - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a zone defense mine of the type comprising an orientable launching tube for launching a projectile at any bearing angle and a monitoring system for detecting a target in the mine's effectiveness area, the projectile. containing at least one explosive charge, means for rotating the projectile about an axis thereof and means for detecting a target.

In general, a zone defense mine makes it possible to attack a target, such as a tank, within a radius of a few tens to a few hundred meters, this radius sweeping a surface corresponding to the area of effectiveness or the operational scope of the mine.

To attack a target, we generally consider a mine with an omnidirectional or directional attack system.

In an omnidirectional attack system, the detection means on board the projectile sweep the entire area of effectiveness of the mine. The projectile is generally fired vertically and rotated around a vertical axis, so that the projectile detection means sweep the ground along a curve, called an imprint, in the form of a spiral. The mine is then used in short-range operating mode, that is to say that the mine's radius of action is a few tens of meters.

A mine with an omnidirectional attack system is notably described in document FR-2 641 071 which serves as a basis for the preamble of claim 1 and which relates more particularly to a self-propelled projectile by means of an improved rocket engine.

In a directional attack system, the detection means on board the projectile scan only one sector of the mine's effectiveness area, so that the mine monitoring system must first determine the bearing angle of the target so that the projectile's launch tube is oriented at this angle. The projectile is generally fired at a given elevation angle between 45 and 60 °. The projectile moves on a curved trajectory and its detection means sweep the ground along a curve corresponding to the combination of a spiral and the projection on the ground of the velocity vector of the projectile. In this case, the mine is used in a medium-range operating mode, that is to say that the mine's radius of action is of the order of a few hundred meters.

A mine of this type is notably described in the document FR2607585 where the projectile is self-propelled and rotated around the roll axis, and in the document FR26462232 where the projectile is self-propelled and rotated around an axis coincident with the launching axis of the projectile.

Patent DE3904293 shows a grenade launcher device, a device which comprises at least two rows of launching tubes and for which it is possible to adjust the site angle of all the tubes by means of a pivot.

The object of the invention is to design a mine which can be used interchangeably in a short or medium range operating mode.

The invention therefore relates to a zone defense mine of the type comprising a tube for launching a projectile and a system for monitoring the area of effectiveness of the mine to detect a target, the projectile being equipped with at least an explosive charge, means for rotating the projectile about an axis thereof, and means for detecting the target, characterized in that the launching tube is orientable along at least two different elevation angles, and in that it comprises a system for positioning the projectile in the launch tube incorporating an indexing device making it possible to give the projectile at least two different positions relative to the launch tube, at each site angle corresponding to a different projectile position, so that the axis of rotation (YY) of the projectile has an inclination relative to the vertical which is the same regardless of the site angle given to the launch tube.

In general, so that the mine according to the invention can be used in a short-range operating mode, one of the aforementioned elevation angles is close to 90 ° so that the projectile is fired vertically. The other elevation angle is most often between 45 and 60 °, the choice of this angle being determined by the specific characteristics of the projectile, in particular those of its explosive charge, in order to obtain an optimum trajectory.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the launching tube is oriented along the two aforementioned elevation angles by the use of two different platforms.

The launch tube may include a shoe which has a central cavity forming a bearing surface for the projectile.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the positioning system comprises an indexing device for orienting the projectile as a function of the site angle chosen and a device for immobilizing the projectile relative to the sabot during the firing phase of the projectile.

In general, the indexing device comprises a ball permanently urged by a spring to protrude partly into one of a plurality of housings, each housing corresponding to a given elevation angle, and the device for immobilizing the projectile relative to the shoe comprises a plurality of weights equal in number to that of housings, and a housing intended to receive in part one of the weights during the firing phase of the projectile, one of the weights located opposite the housing for each given site angle.

According to yet another characteristic of the invention, the positioning system also comprises guide means for guiding the ball to pass from one housing to another.

The shoe can be in two parts, the part being intended to support the projectile, and in that the positioning system is located at the interface between the two parts of the shoe.

A part of the shoe may consist of a body with a convex bottom wall, a central housing being provided in the rectangular face opposite the bottom wall to partially receive the projectile.

The other part of the shoe may consist of a cylindrical body which rests at the bottom of the launching tube, a central cavity being located on the upper face of the body and having an opening and a bottom wall of a shape complementary to that of the bottom wall of the body of the first part of the hoof.

Thus, according to an important advantage of the invention, the same projectile can be indifferently used in a mine with a short or medium-range operating mode, which in particular facilitates manufacturing, maintenance and logistics operations.

• la figure 1 est une vue en coupe schématique d'une mine conforme à l'invention utilisée en mode de fonctionnement à faible portée,
• le figure 2 est une vue en coupe schématique du projectile de la mine,
• et la figure 3 est une vue en coupe à plus grande échelle du système de positionnement de la mine à l'intérieur du tube de lancement,
• la figure 4 est une vue en coupe schématique d'une mine conforme à l'invention utilisée en mode de fonctionnement moyenne portée,
• la figure 5 est une vue en coupe schématique d'une mine conforme à l'invention suivant une variante de réalisation,
• et la figure 6 est une vue en perspective éclatée de la mine représentée à la figure 5 et limitée au projectile et à son support.

Other advantages, characteristics and details of the invention will emerge from the explanatory description which follows, given with reference to the attached drawings, given solely by way of example and in which:

• FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a mine according to the invention used in short-range operating mode,
• FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of the projectile of the mine,
• and FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the positioning system of the mine inside the launch tube,
• FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of a mine according to the invention used in medium-range operating mode,
• FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of a mine according to the invention according to an alternative embodiment,
• and Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of the mine shown in Figure 5 and limited to the projectile and its support.

The zone defense mine 1 as schematically represented in FIG. 1 comprises a platform 2 for bearing on the ground, a launching tube 3 supported by the platform 2 and a projectile 5 placed in the tube 3 to be fired to attack a target located in the efficiency area of mine 1.

The projectile 5 is ejected from the launch tube 3 by means of a propellant charge 6 located at the bottom of the tube 3.

• une charge explosive 9, en particulier une charge à génération de noyau dite CGN tirée suivant un axe prédéterminé XX faisant un angle a par rapport à la verticale matérialisée par un axe vertical YY,
• des moyens de détection 10 par exemple de type IR ou millimétrique en mode actif ou passif, qui engendrent un faisceau 10a sensiblement parallèle à l'axe de tir XX de la charge 9,
• une pluralité d'impulseurs pyrotechniques 12, par exemple à poudre, situés sur une couronne centrée sur l'axe YY, et qui sont orientés de manière à imprimer un mouvement de rotation du projectile 5 autour d'un axe prédéterminé, par exemple l'axe vertical YY,
• et une source d'énergie et une électronique de traitement et de commande regroupées sous la même référence 13.

In the example illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the projectile 5 comprises a spherical envelope 8 inside which are notably housed (FIG. 2):

• an explosive charge 9, in particular a charge with a so-called CGN nucleus generation fired along a predetermined axis XX making an angle a with respect to the vertical materialized by a vertical axis YY,
• detection means 10, for example of the IR or millimeter type in active or passive mode, which generate a beam 10a substantially parallel to the firing axis XX of the charge 9,
• a plurality of pyrotechnic impellers 12, for example powder, located on a ring centered on the axis YY, and which are oriented so as to impart a rotational movement of the projectile 5 around a predetermined axis, for example the vertical axis YY,
• and a power source and processing and control electronics grouped together under the same reference 13.

Generally, the pyrotechnic boosters 12 are controlled after a delay determined by a safety and arming device of conventional type. This device integrated into the processing and control unit 13 is itself activated by the firing of the projectile 5.

The casing 8 of the projectile 5 is at least in two parts to accommodate all of the above elements. The means for fixing the two parts to each other are not shown.

The projectile 5 rests on a shoe 15 housed inside the launching tube 3. This shoe 15 is supported on the bottom wall 3a of the tube 3, and it has on its upper surface a central cavity 16 having the complementary shape d 'a spherical cap of the casing 8 and which serves as a bearing surface for the projectile 5. To stabilize the projectile 5 on the shoe 15, the cavity 16 is deep enough for the projectile 5 is housed there up to the vicinity of its equatorial plane, for example.

Referring to Figure 3, the projectile 5 is placed on the shoe 15 by means of a positioning system 20 which allows to orient the axis of rotation of the projectile 5 along the vertical axis YY, l ' firing axis XX of the charge 9 then making an angle a with respect to this vertical axis YY. In the example considered here, the positioning system 20 is located at the interface between the projectile 5 and the shoe 15, and it comprises an indexing device 21 associated with an immobilization device 30 which has the function of immobilize the projectile 5 relative to the shoe 15 at the start of the projectile 5 firing phase.

The indexing device 21 comprises an element such as a ball 22 which is freely received in an external radial housing 23 of the casing 8 of the projectile 5. The housing 23 has towards its end opening outwards a frustoconical bearing 24 to retain the ball 22 while allowing it to protrude partly outside the casing 8 under the permanent stress of a spring 25 housed in the bottom of the housing 23. Of course, the housing 23 is obtained after having pierced an orifice in the thickness of the casing 8 to allow machining of the frustoconical surface 24, the internal opening of the orifice then being closed by a plug 23a.

The part of the ball 22 which can project outside the casing 8 of the projectile 5 is intended to be received in one of several complementary housings provided on the surface of the cavity 16 of the shoe 15. There are as many housings as possible positions of the projectile 5 relative to the shoe 15.

In the example considered in FIG. 3, two housings 27a and 27b have been shown which correspond respectively to two possible firing directions of the projectile 5.

Guide means 47 can advantageously be provided which allow relative rotation of the projectile 5 with respect to the shoe 15 along an axis normal to the vertical plane passing generally through the two housings 27a and 27b (i.e. the vertical plane passing through the two directions of possible firing of the projectile) to facilitate the relative positioning of the projectile 5 relative to the shoe 15. These guide means 47 are for example a groove 48 with circular bottom provided on the surface of the cavity 16 of the shoe 15 and which connects one to the other the two housings 27a and 27b. This groove 48 will receive and guide the ball 22 when it passes from one housing to another.

The device 30 for immobilizing the projectile 5 relative to the shoe 15 comprises two weights 31a and 31b mounted respectively in two external radial housings 32a and 32b of the casing 8 of the projectile 5. These two housings 32a and 32b are respectively located on the side and other of the housing 23 of the ball 22. A radial housing 33 complementary to the housing 32a and 32b is provided on the surface of the cavity 16 between the two housings 27a and 27b. This housing 33 is aligned along the firing direction of the projectile 5, that is to say it is located on the axis of the launching tube 3. Depending on whether the ball 22 is received in the housing 27a or 27b, the housing 33 is located opposite the counterweight 31a or 31b. Each housing 32a and 32b is closed by an element 35, such as a metal sheet for example, to retain the associated counterweight as long as the projectile 5 is not fired.

In a short-range operating mode (Figure 1), the launch tube 3 must be oriented vertically along the YY axis. For this, the operator responsible for setting up the mine 1 on the ground uses a platform 2 such as a hollow cylindrical body 40 having a bottom wall 41 and support feet 42 adjustable in height to take account field accidents. Once the platform 2 is positioned vertically, the operator introduces the launching tube 3 into the body 40 of the platform 2 and then positions the projectile 5 inside the tube 3, orienting it so as to that the ball 22 of the positioning system 20 protrudes into the housing 27a of the shoe 15. The projectile 5 is then in the position of FIG. 2. Finally, the operator comes to attach a cover 45 around the outlet opening of the launching tube 3. The cover 45 fixed by any conventional means to the tube 3 has a central opening 45a having a diameter greater than that of the casing 8 of the projectile 5. This cover 45 has in particular the function of retaining the shoe 15 during of the firing phase without preventing the ejection of the projectile 5.

When the mine monitoring system 1 (known type system, for example acoustic or magnetic) has detected a target in the mine's effectiveness area, the projectile 5 is fired.

For this, the propellant charge 6 of the launch tube 3 is initiated by an igniter 6a. The pressure of the gases resulting from the ignition of the charge 6 will cause the shoe 15 and the projectile 5 to be ejected simultaneously along the vertical axis YY.

The impulse printed on the shoe 15 is such that the counterweight 31a opposite the housing 33 of the shoe 15 punctures the thin metal sheet 35 which retains it in its housing 32a. The weight 31a then engages in the housing 33 of the shoe 15 and thus makes it possible to immobilize the projectile 5 relative to the shoe 15. From the mechanical point of view, the weights 31a and 31b will advantageously be made of steel to give them a certain weight, and the housing 33 of the shoe 15 will be dimensioned so that the weights can be trapped there.

At the outlet of the launch tube 3, the shoe 15 is retained by the cover 45 and the projectile 5 separates from the shoe 15 by aerodynamic effect. The fact that the counterweight 31a is wedged in the housing 33 of the shoe 15 facilitates this separation.

At the end of this propulsion phase, the projectile control electronics 13 ignites the pyrotechnic impellers 12 to impart a rotational movement to the projectile 5 about the vertical axis YY. The detection beam 10a scans the ground in a spiral-shaped imprint and as soon as the target is detected, the load 9 is pulled along the axis XX, in a manner known per se.

In a medium-range operating mode (FIG. 4), the launch tube 3 is oriented according to a determined elevation angle. In this case, the operator who sets up the mine 1 on the ground uses another platform 2 comprising a hollow cylindrical body 50 inclined at the above-mentioned site angle and which has a bottom wall 51. The body 50 is mounted for rotation about a vertical axis A on a horizontal plate 52 which rests on the ground by feet 53 adjustable in height.

The operator positions the platform 2 on the ground and adjusts the horizontality of the plate 52 by individually adjusting the height of each foot 53, the plate 52 being able to incorporate a spirit level 55 for example to facilitate adjustments.

The operator introduces the launching tube 3 into the body 50 and then positions the projectile 5 inside the tube 3 so that the ball 22 of the positioning system 20 is partly received in the housing 27b of the shoe 15 , the counterweight 31b of the immobilization device 30 then being located opposite the housing 33 of the shoe 15. The projectile 5 is then in the same position as before (FIG. 2), that is to say that its axis of rotation is always oriented along the vertical materialized by the YY axis.

When the mine monitoring system 1 has detected a target in the mine efficiency area, it calculates the bearing angle of the target and controls the rotation of the body 50 on the plate 52 of the platform 2 by motor means, for example a stepping motor, to orient the launching tube 3 according to the angle of bearing previously calculated. Then, the projectile is fired as above, with firing of the pyrotechnic impellers 12 to impart to it a rotational movement along the vertical axis YY, that is to say along an axis different from that of the speed vector. As soon as the detection beam 10a has detected the target, the load 9 is pulled along the axis XX, in a manner known per se.

According to an alternative embodiment shown in Figures 5 and 6, the shoe 15 is made up of two parts 15a and 15b.

The first part 15a of the shoe 15 consists of a body 60 with a convex bottom wall 61 and whose face 62 opposite this bottom wall 61 is rectangular. A central housing 63 is provided in the face 62 of the body 60 to receive there in part the projectile 5 which has an envelope 8 of shape cylindrical in this embodiment. The projectile 5 is for example retained in the housing 63 by gluing.

The second part 15b of the shoe consists of a cylindrical body 65 which rests at the bottom of the launching tube 3. The upper face 66 of the body 65 has a central cavity 16 having a rectangular opening 16a and a bottom wall 16b of complementary shape to that of the bottom wall 61 of the body 60 of the first part 15a of the shoe to receive the latter.

In this second embodiment, the positioning system 20 which makes it possible to orient the projectile 5 relative to the shoe 15 is of the same type as that described above, and it is mounted at the interface between the two parts 15a and 15b of the shoe 15.

In this case, however, it is not necessary to provide specific means for guiding the ball 22 to pass from the housing 27a to the housing 27b and vice versa, these means being constituted by the rectangular shape of the cavity 16 of the body 65 As for the previous embodiment, the platform 2 described is used either in FIG. 1 for a mode of operation at low range, or in FIG. 4 for a mode of operation at medium range. When the projectile 5 is fired, the body 65 is retained by the cover 45 of the launching tube 3 and the projectile 5 automatically separates from the body 65 following the aerodynamic forces generated.

• le projectile 5 pourrait être éjecté du tube de lancement 3 par un propulseur solidaire du sabot 15;
• les impulseurs 12 utilisés pour la rotation du projectile peuvent être des impulseurs à explosifs du type de ceux décrits dans le document FR-2 590 973 ;
• la bille 22 du dispositif de positionnement 20 du projectile 5 sur le sabot 15 peut être indifféremment portée par le projectile 5 ou par le sabot 15, le logement 33 du sabot 15 destiné à recevoir l'une des masselottes 31a ou 31b étant de préférence aligné suivant l'axe du tube pour ne pas gêner la séparation sabot/projectile à la sortie du tube de lancement 3;
• dans le cas où la profondeur de la cavité 16 du sabot 15 n'est pas suffisante pour assurer une bonne stabilité du projectile 5, on peut prévoir, comme cela est représenté en traits pointillés à la figure 1, une bague de maintien 15c en saillie à la surface 15′ du sabot 15 qui permet la rotation du projectile 5 lors du choix de son orientation, mais qui empêche son basculement ;
• dans le second mode de réalisation où le sabot 15 est en deux parties 15a et 15b, on peut envisager que leurs surfaces de contact soient sphériques et, dans ce cas, il est avantageux de prévoir des moyens de guidage pour faire passer le projectile 5 d'un angle de site à l'autre ;
• toujours selon ce second mode de réalisation où le projectile 5 est de forme cylindrique, il est possible que son axe de symétrie soit incliné par rapport à son axe de rotation;
• il est possible d'envisager une seule et même plate-forme 2 qui puisse permettre d'orienter au choix le tube de lancement 3 à la verticale ou suivant au moins un angle de site déterminé;
• l'enveloppe 8 du projectile n'est pas nécessairement de forme sphérique ou cylindrique, elle peut avoir une forme hémisphérique ou ellipsoïdale par exemple;
• et enfin, il est possible de concevoir une mine dans laquelle il y ait plus de deux positions possibles pour le projectile 5 par rapport au sabot 15 et donc plus de deux angles de site différents pour une même mine.

In general, it is possible to envisage alternative embodiments, some of which are specified below:

• the projectile 5 could be ejected from the launch tube 3 by a propellant integral with the shoe 15;
• the impellers 12 used for the rotation of the projectile can be explosive impellers of the type described in document FR-2,590,973;
• the ball 22 of the device 20 for positioning the projectile 5 on the shoe 15 can be indifferently carried by the projectile 5 or by the shoe 15, the housing 33 of the shoe 15 intended to receive one of the weights 31a or 31b being preferably aligned along the axis of the tube so as not to hinder the sabot / projectile separation at the outlet of the launching tube 3;
• in the case where the depth of the cavity 16 of the shoe 15 is not sufficient to ensure good stability of the projectile 5, one can provide, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 1, a retaining ring 15c projecting on the surface 15 ′ of the shoe 15 which allows the rotation of the projectile 5 when choosing its orientation, but which prevents its tilting;
• in the second embodiment where the shoe 15 is in two parts 15a and 15b, it is conceivable that their contact surfaces are spherical and, in this case, it is advantageous to provide guide means for passing the projectile 5 d 'one angle of elevation to another;
• still according to this second embodiment where the projectile 5 is of cylindrical shape, it is possible that its axis of symmetry is inclined relative to its axis of rotation;
• it is possible to envisage a single and same platform 2 which can make it possible to orient the choice of the launching tube 3 vertically or at least at a determined angle of elevation;
• the casing 8 of the projectile is not necessarily of spherical or cylindrical shape, it may have a hemispherical or ellipsoidal shape for example;
• and finally, it is possible to design a mine in which there are more than two possible positions for the projectile 5 relative to the shoe 15 and therefore more than two different elevation angles for the same mine.

Claims (11)

1. A mine for defending a zone of the type which comprises a launcher tube (3) for a projectile (5) and a surveillance system for the area of effectiveness of the mine to detect a target, the projectile (5) being equipped with at least one explosive charge (9), means (12) to make the projectile rotate around an axis (YY) of the latter, and means (10) to detect the target, characterised in that the launcher tube (3) is adjustable along at least two different elevation angles, and in that it comprises a system (20) to position the projectile in the launcher tube which incorporates an indexing device (21) which allows the projectile (5) to be given at least two different positions with respect to the launcher tube (3), each elevation angle having a corresponding different projectile position, such that the rotational axis (YY) of the projectile is always inclined with respect to the vertical at the same angle, regardless of the elevation angle given to the launcher tube (3).
2. A mine for defending a zone according to Claim 1, characterised in that the launcher tube (3) can be adjusted to an elevation angle in the vicinity of 90° which corresponds to a close range operating mode, and to at least one elevation angle of between 45° and 60° which corresponds to a medium range operating mode.
3. A mine for defending a zone according to Claim 2, characterised in that the launcher tube (3) is adjusted according to the two afore-mentioned elevation angles by using two different platforms (2).
4. A mine for defending a zone according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the launcher tube (3) comprises a sabot (15) which has a central cavity (16) forming a bearing surface for the projectile (5).
5. A mine for defending a zone according to Claim 4, characterised in that the positioning system (20) comprises an indexing device (21) to adjust the projectile (5) according to the selected elevation angle and a device (30) to immobilize the projectile (5) with respect to the sabot (15) during the firing phase of the projectile (5).
6. A mine for defending a zone according to Claim 5, characterised in that the indexing device (21) comprises a ball-bearing (22) under constant pressure by a spring (24) in order to partly project in one of several housings (27a, 27b), each housing (27a, 27b) corresponding to a given elevation angle.
7. A mine for defending a zone according to Claim 6, characterised in that the device (30) to immobilize the projectile (5) with respect to the sabot (15) comprises several risers (31a, 31b) of the same number as the housings (27a, 27b), and a housing (33) designed to partly accommodate one of the risers (31a, 31b) during the firing phase of the projectile, one of the risers (31a, 31b) lying opposite the housing (33) for each given elevation angle.
8. A mine for defending a zone according to Claim 7, characterised in that the positioning system (21) also comprises guiding means to guide the ball-bearing (22) from one housing to another.
9. A mine for defending a zone according to one of Claims 5 to 8, characterised in that the sabot (15) is formed of two parts (15a, 15b), one part (15a) being designed to support the projectile (5), and in that the positioning system (20) is located at the interface between the two parts (15a, 15b) of the sabot (15).
10. A mine for defending a zone according to Claim 9, characterised in that the part (15a) of the sabot (15) is made up of a body (60) having a convex-shaped bottom wall (61), a central housing (63) being provided in the rectangular-shaped face (62) opposite the bottom wall (61) in order to partly accommodate the projectile (5).
11. A mine for defending a zone according to Claim 10, characterised in that the part (15b) of the sabot (15) can be made up of a cylindrical body (65) which lies at the bottom of the launcher tube (3), a central cavity (16) being located at the upper face (66) of the body (65) and having an opening (16a) and a bottom wall (16b) of a shape matching that of the bottom wall (61) of the body (60) forming the first part (15a) of the sabot (15).

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