EP0536473A1 - Submunition for ground level use - Google Patents

Abstract

The submunition is transported to a target region by means of a carrier and is ejected there, after which it travels on a predetermined course at a constant altitude, which is at an angle to the axis of flight of the carrier; it has a target sensor (6) and an explosive charge (3), is provided with an altimeter (5), has a circuit for evaluating the altimeter results, and has at least one elevon (7) which can be controlled by this circuit. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a submunition, in particular for low-altitude use, which can be transported to a target area and ejected there by means of a carrier. The submunition travels a predetermined distance at a constant, low altitude with a controlled rolling movement, which runs at an angle to the carrier's flight axis, the submunition having a target sensor and an active charge.

The current options for fighting groups of armored vehicles, especially main battle tanks at greater distances, are unsatisfactory. In order to specifically combat each individual goal, i.e. each main battle tank, either guided missiles, bombs or cannons, which methods require a lot of time, or the area in which the vehicle group is located must be loaded with statistically effective ammunition, which requires a high weapon weight. Both types of combat also lead to strong ties and endangerment of the associated weapon carriers.

In order to avoid these disadvantages, aiming ammunition or submunitions have already been developed. A submunition equipped with a search detonator scans the ground in a decelerating spiral strip in the braked steep descent according to target criteria. When targeting, either a projectile-forming charge is fired in a targeted manner (search fuse submunition) or the submunition itself is directed to the target. With this solution, the submunition has to be brought to a high starting altitude, which means with air-to-surface weapons either an emission at this height and thus a great danger to the carrier, or a high effort for the ascent of the submunition plus a corresponding distribution of width in the event of a low-altitude launch .

Another possibility is to design the submunition as a guided missile with a forward-looking seeker. In this case, the submunition directs itself automatically to the target after target acquisition, but such a guided missile design is very complex and therefore very expensive.

According to this, both possible solutions require larger target acquisition distances and thus a high sensitivity to influences other than those of the targets to be combated, whereby these targets still have the option of countermeasures; the risk of multiple targets cannot be ruled out.

From DE-PS 33 45 601 a submunition body is known, which can be fired by means of an artillery projectile and can be ejected from it over a target area by executing a rotary movement; the submunition is equipped with a target detection sensor and a combat charge in a hollow cylinder. With this known submunition body, the structurally complex, space-consuming and function-critical measure for the destruction of the kinetic energy after the ejection and for the parachute-braked descent into the target area can be dispensed with by the gyroscopic movement of a dimensioned as a thick disc, ie flat cylinder, body ejected from the carrier floor with self-rotation is used for scanning the target area by means of a target detection sensor spot. Such an arrangement is unsuitable for deployment at high airspeeds, since a sufficiently stable position of the body can only be expected at very high internal speeds, but this is not yet technologically controllable for scanning and target accuracy. The other is detectable target area, ie the area covered by the spiral movement during low-flying is very limited, especially since only a very short free-flight distance can be used due to the inevitable wobble movement.

An effective combat of main battle tanks is only possible from a great height with this submunition, i.e. taking into account countermeasures.

The object of the present invention is to provide a submunition for combating hard, mobile group targets, which can be launched at low altitude, has a high effect against modern main battle tanks, ensures autonomous target recognition with a large search area and offers a low risk of multiple target combat with moderate effort .

Starting from a submunition of the type mentioned in the introduction, it is proposed to solve this problem that the submunition is provided with an altimeter and with a circuit that evaluates the altitude measurement results and with at least one rudder that can be controlled from this circuit and that is used for altitude and roll control.

The submunition is ejected from a carrier during flight and controls - guided by the altimeter - a trajectory at low altitude parallel to the contour of the terrain. For applications in high-speed low-flying use, the submunition does not require a drive due to its large kinetic energy, but can be equipped with a drive. In this free flight at a constant low altitude above ground, the submunition continuously searches for targets in a strip below with the help of its target-detecting sensor. When the target is detected, it directs an effective charge onto the target and triggers it.

The altimeter is advantageously a laser rangefinder, which can also serve as a target contour sensing sensor. Additional sensors can be used as a support or alternatively for target acquisition.

In a preferred exemplary embodiment, the submunition is equipped with a laser range finder for height and target measurement, and also with a magnetic field sensor as the second target sensor, which are connected to a circuit which triggers the ignition of the active charge.

In this preferred exemplary embodiment, the laser sensor and active charge are rigidly installed axially parallel to the direction of flight. The submunition continuously performs an oscillating rolling movement for scanning the search strip and for height measurement.

In a second preferred embodiment, the target-detecting sensor and the active charge have a certain broad effect, which is coordinated with one another. Both are again rigidly installed axially parallel to the direction of flight. The submunition flies here without any aim-related roll movements.

The submunition according to the invention, which is particularly suitable for use in fast low-altitude flight, offers a favorable compromise between the cost of the weapon and the required transportation. Due to the small target distance (a range of 20 to 50 m), the requirements for sensors, signal processing and tolerances can be kept low. The small target distance also leads to good target acquisition opportunities, since only small target concealments due to environmental influences are to be expected and there is little sensitivity to weather and countermeasures.

Due to its gliding flight, the submunition according to the invention covers a relatively large area strip of a few thousand m². With an adapted ejection sequence from the carrier, the overlap of the search strips of several submunitions can be minimized. This means that a high degree of efficiency can be achieved in relation to the weight of the weapon and the entire target area, i.e. a high probability for the detection of all individual parts and a low probability for double combat of the mobile targets.

As a result of the large flight path of the submunition, wide target areas can be covered, especially at high transverse ejection speeds. This, in conjunction with a customizable ejection sequence, makes this weapon insensitive to the direction of attack and target geometry, i.e. it offers greater operational flexibility.

With appropriately adapted software, the submunition according to the invention can also be used to combat other groups of mobile targets or also the position according to only roughly known vehicles, such as Rocket positions, helicopter bases, motorized rifle companies, artillery positions, control stations, etc. Furthermore, the trajectory can be curved horizontally either by structural design or selectable by appropriate roll control.

Fig. 1a

eine Seitenansicht einer möglichen Flugbahn einer erfindungsgemäßen Submunition;

Fig. 1b

eine Draufsicht auf diese Flugbahn;

Fig. 1c

die erfaßte Bodenfläche;

Fig. 2

den schematischen Aufbau einer erfindungsgemäßen Submunition;

Fig.3a bis 3d

Ebenen senkrecht zur Flugbahn vor und während der Zielbekämpfung und die

Fig. 4a bis 4d

Draufsichten auf diese Flugbahnen.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing, in which an advantageous exemplary embodiment is shown. Show it:

Fig. 1a

a side view of a possible trajectory of a submunition according to the invention;

Fig. 1b

a top view of this trajectory;

Fig. 1c

the area covered;

Fig. 2

the schematic structure of a submunition according to the invention;

Fig.3a to 3d

Planes perpendicular to the trajectory before and during targeting and the

4a to 4d

Top views of these trajectories.

In Fig. 1, the arrow running to the right denotes a submunition carrier track, which therefore takes the carrier that ejects one or more submunitions. After the release of a submunition, it goes into gliding flight and controls the predetermined height above ground, which e.g. With its height-maintaining device, it is 20 m and holds it until the minimum flight speed is undershot. The flight course over the ground is not guided and runs essentially in a straight line at an angle to the carrier web, which depends on the ejection conditions (FIG. 1c). At the same time, the submunition controls its rollage so that its targeting sensor looks at the ground.

During the gliding flight of the submunition, the target detection device is pivoted continuously, essentially perpendicular to the flight axis, and thus searches for targets in a strip below the submunition (FIG. 1b). Alternatively, the target detection device has a wide detection window. In the case of target acquisition, the active charge is triggered, which is aligned with the target parallel to the axis of the target acquisition device.

The carrier can contain a large number of submunitions, which are ejected in a defined sequence, possibly also adapted to the target geometry, in such a way that the search strips of the individual submunitions lie next to one another. As is indicated in FIG. 1c, the entire target area is thus searched for targets x. In the simplest case, a narrow, undetected alley remains below the carrier path, which is dependent on the ejection height and which is due to the fact that the submunitions are only activated for a certain time after ejection from the carrier in such a way that they target the region below them can scan for targets.

Fig. 2 shows the schematic structure of a submunition according to the invention, with 1 denoting the main axis in the direction of flight, with 2 meandering arrows which are intended to indicate an oscillation around the main axis 1, with 3 an active charge, e.g. a projectile-forming hollow charge with a suitable securing device, with 4 the axis of the shaped charge, with 5 a height and target sensor, with 6 a second target sensor, with 7 a pair of adjustable rudders serving for height and roll control, with 8 a rigid tail unit for aerodynamic stabilization and with 9 a power supply and a signal processing circuit both for the target sensor system and for the roll and height control.

A laser rangefinder is particularly suitable as an altimeter, which can be used not only for height information, but also for target acquisition by measuring the characteristic target contours. Furthermore, a second target sensor, for example a magnetic sensor, is provided, which supplies a second target determination criterion. The laser sensor is arranged such that its sensor direction essentially runs perpendicular to the main axis 1 of the submunition. The adjustable aerodynamic surfaces, ie the wings or rudders 7, serve to maintain a substantially constant distance above the ground and to hold the target-measuring laser sensor with the direction of detection to the ground.

The submunition is e.g. high transverse speed ejected from a carrier in fast low-altitude flight at a speed of e.g. 0.8 Ma and at a height of 40 m. It unfolds into a free-flight configuration, stabilizes its main axis in the direction of flight and, with the help of its rudders 7, sets in rapid oscillatory movements. The laser range finder 6 determines - starting with its max. Detection range - the shortest echo range with each vibration of the submunition. This is interpreted as a height above ground and vertical, the control element for the rudder 7 being actuated depending on the distance in such a way that the predetermined target height of, for example, 20 m is controlled. At this height, the submunition glides over the ground (Fig. 1a). Furthermore, the rudders are deflected by superimposing a roll command for oscillation and height control so that the vertical corresponds to the center of the oscillation oscillation.

During the flight, the second target sensor, for example a magnetic sensor, searches for target criteria. If this sensor responds in the presence of battle tanks, the signal from the altimeter, ie the laser rangefinder, is evaluated for changes in height profile, for example, which are characteristic of large vehicles. Such a jump in height with a simultaneous positive target message from the second sensor is interpreted as the target and the projectile-forming charge is ignited. As a result of their position parallel to the axis of the laser, the active charge is shot in a direction in which, according to the contour evaluation, the target lies.

3a to d show sections through the submunition in planes perpendicular to the trajectory. 3a shows the shortest distance, which is interpreted as height above ground and vertical.
Fig. 3c shows that a target has been detected and Fig. 3d shows schematically the fight against this target.
4a to d show these phases of targeting in plan view.

Based on the figure measurement in the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the ignition timing can be chosen such that the maximum effect is achieved, e.g. an angle of impact that is as steep as possible or the control of horizontal high areas, e.g. the surfaces of the main battle tanks.

The control circuit 9 can work with a time offset compared to the passage of the minimum distance, so that, depending on the setting, trajectories curved to the right or left can be generated over the ground. This means e.g. Course variations of submunitions emitted at the same time or in the same direction are possible, i.e. less double coverage of a strip of land or also reduction or closure of uncovered strips, i.e. the alleys below the beam (Fig. 1c).

The setting of the courses followed by the submunitions can be determined by the carrier. In the simplest case, optimal surface coverage can be achieved in spite of structurally identical submunition, and the detected surface can also be adapted to the relative position of the carrier-target and the target geometry.

The submunition according to the invention enables a high combat probability even against widely spread main battle tanks from deep flight, with effective use of the weapon weight and moderate costs.

Claims (6)

Submunition, which can be transported and ejected there by means of a carrier, the submunition having a target sensor and an active charge, characterized in that the submunition is provided with an altimeter and with a circuit evaluating the height measurement results and with at least one of these circuits from controllable rudder with which the submunition is guided at a set height and in a desired roll position. Submunition according to Claim 1, characterized in that the altimeter is a laser range finder and that the target sensor is a magnetic field sensor, the measuring directions of which are essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the submunition. Submunition according to claim 1, characterized in that the target sensor is an acoustic sensor. Submunition according to claim 1, characterized in that the laser range finder is also the target sensor. Submunition according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the active charge is a projectile-forming shaped charge, the shaped charge spike is formed essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the submunition and which, viewed in the circumferential direction of the submunition, is arranged so offset to the target sensor that the between target acquisition, Target calculation and ignition elapsed time is compensated. Submunition according to claim 1, characterized in that the roll position is a periodic oscillating movement about the longitudinal axis.

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