EP0646232B1 - Zone-defending weapon system - Google Patents

Abstract

Zone-defending weapon system, of the type consisitng of an offensive device (1) comprising at least one barrel (12) for launching ammunition, the projectile (13) thereof containing, for example, an explosive charge, and at least one device (2) for searching and acquiring targets (3) which monitors a surveillance zone (Z) to detect a target (3) entering said zone and control the offensive device (1) for firing the main projectile in the direction of the detected target (3). The offensive device (1) is located at a distance from the target searching and acquiring device (3), the surveillance zone (Z) being located in the action radius of the offensive device (1). The searching device (2) advantageously consists of an auxiliairy projectile (20) fired from the offensive device (1).

Description

The present invention relates to a weapon system with zone defense, of the device type attack system comprising at least one launch tube for a ammunition whose projectile contains for example one or several explosive charges, and at least one device monitoring and acquisition of objectives which controls a surveillance zone to detect a penetrating objective in said area and to control the attack device with firing of the ammunition in the direction of the detected objective.

Patent FR2667139 serving as a basis for the preamble of independent claim 1, describes a barrier system space for recognition and combating earthly objectives. On the one hand, such a system provides for the installation of detectors in an area and on the other hand sending active elements such as mines.

Detectors and active bodies are sent to different instants and by means of different carriers such rockets.

Such a system is complex to implement since it requires the use of heavy equipment such as artillery rocket launchers. It is suitable for creation dams at great distances.

The detectors sent are distributed on the ground of a in any way, which requires to ensure a some efficiency sending over the area a large quantity of ammunition or the shipment of ammunition endowed with complex means allowing detection of target or trajectory correction.

The invention does not relate to such a system of heavy defense but rather a defense weapon system of zone or zone defense mine which allows to attack a objective or target, such as a tank for example, in a surveillance zone with a range of action from a few tens to a few hundred meters.

Such a zone defense weapon system is the most often directly set up by an operator in the surveillance zone. The attack device and the monitoring and acquisition of objectives are mounted on a platform stabilized on the ground by feet, and the device for monitoring and acquiring objectives, sensor base, is deployed automatically or by the operator.

In operation, the standby and acquisition of objectives, once activated, has the function to detect, locate and identify the objective which enters the surveillance zone. The signals received are analyzed by processing electronics which optionally orders means to orient site and / or as a deposit the launch tube of the munition of the attack device, before ordering a firing of the projectile's propellant charge.

Once the projectile is launched on its trajectory, on-board detection means sweep the ground and a load explosive such that a nucleus generation charge is fired from the projectile towards the objective, once it is detected.

The effectiveness of these defense weapons systems zone is notably linked to the performance of the monitoring and acquisition of objectives, knowing that these systems are also subject to two constraints concerning their camouflage on the one hand, and their reuse on the other hand, this being compulsory when they have not worked for their duration scheduled activity, this reuse requiring their prior recovery, if possible, in conditions not involving long operations and tedious.

A zone defense weapon system of the aforementioned type is described in document FR2607585. In this system, the monitoring and target acquisition system includes a seismic sensor that is stuck in the ground and three microphones respectively located at the ends of three arms which are deployed in a triangle. The objective is detected by the seismic sensor, and its location is calculated by processing electronics from the measurement of phase shifts between the different signals received by microphones.

To increase the efficiency of locating a objective, for example, either widen the triangle formed by the three microphones, which cannot be done that at the expense of the camouflage of the system, either increase processing electronics performance, such as this is contemplated in document US5095467.

In this last document (US5095467), it is specified the use of processing electronics using the digital signals from different microphones, in order to increase thanks to the processing capacities the efficiency of the monitoring and acquisition system objectives. However, this electronics is complex and significantly increases the cost of manufacturing these systems.

Finally, in document EP518309, there is described a mine including the microphones of the standby device and of target acquisition are deployed around the mine and connected to it by cables. If he is so possible to enlarge the area delimited by these microphones, without interfering in particular with the camouflage of the mine, the fact remains that the recovery of the mines which did not work during their working life programmed, is not facilitated.

The main object of the invention is to overcome the disadvantages of area defense weapon systems above while satisfying the camouflage constraints and reuse, thanks to a defense weapon system of newly designed area, simple structure and reduced manufacturing cost.

• au moins un dispositif de veille et d'acquisition qui contrôle une zone de surveillance pour détecter un objectif pénétrant dans celle-ci,
• un dispositif d'attaque présentant au moins un tube de lancement d'un projectile principal dont le tir en direction de l'objectif détecté est commandé par le dispositif de veille et d'acquisition,
• le dispositif d'attaque étant situé à distance du dispositif de veille et d'acquisition et la zone de surveillance étant située dans le rayon d'action du dispositif d'attaque. Ce système est caractérisé en ce que chaque dispositif de veille et d'acquisition d'objectif est constitué par un projectile auxiliaire tiré en direction de la zone de surveillance au moyen d'un tube de lancement auxiliaire du dispositif d'attaque et destiné à avoir un point d'impact au sol, le projectile principal tiré par le dispositif d'attaque ayant une trajectoire balistique telle qu'il est destiné à arriver à l'intérieur de la zone de surveillance au niveau d'un point d'imapct au sol situé au voisinage immédiat du point d'impact au sol du projectile auxiliaire.

Thus, the invention proposes a zone defense weapon system comprising:

• at least one monitoring and acquisition device which monitors a surveillance zone to detect an objective entering it,
• an attack device having at least one tube for launching a main projectile, the firing of which towards the detected objective is controlled by the watch and acquisition device,
• the attack device being located at a distance from the monitoring and acquisition device and the surveillance zone being located within the range of action of the attack device. This system is characterized in that each standby and target acquisition device is constituted by an auxiliary projectile fired towards the surveillance zone by means of an auxiliary launching tube of the attack device and intended to have a point of impact on the ground, the main projectile fired by the attack device having a ballistic trajectory such that it is intended to arrive inside the surveillance zone at a point of impact on the ground located in the immediate vicinity of the point of impact on the ground of the auxiliary projectile.

With such arrangements it is no longer necessary to use complex electronic means to determine the location of the target. The system being designed so that the main projectile reaches the ground at a theoretical point located in the immediate vicinity of the point of impact on the ground of the detector, it suffices that the detector controls the firing of the main projectile so that the latter arrives in the vicinity of the detected target.

Advantageously, the attack device can be outside the surveillance zone.

Such an arrangement increases the camouflage of the device and makes demining operations more complex of the enemy.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, the system includes multiple standby devices and acquisition of objectives which respectively control several surveillance zones, and the attack device has a tube that can be pointed in the direction of monitoring and acquisition device that ordered the main projectile's firing order.

In this case, the projectile launch tube main attack device must be able to be oriented on site and / or in bearing to point the launch tube in the direction of the monitoring and acquisition system of objectives which commanded the firing order.

According to a second embodiment of the invention, the system also includes multiple standby devices and acquisition of objectives that control respectively several surveillance zones, but the attack device includes multiple launch tubes of a main projectile, each watch device and acquisition of objectives then being dedicated to a tube of launch.

In the latter case, the launch tubes of the main projectiles are not necessarily equipped means to orient them on site and / or deposit.

Thus, according to the invention, the surveillance zone which is located in the field of effectiveness of the device attack zone can be divided into several zones of surveillance, which do not necessarily overlap each other with the others, each of these zones may be of reduced surface to increase the efficiency of the device monitoring and acquisition of objectives which controls it without require the use of complex detection means.

Under these conditions, when a target enters one of these surveillance zones, the monitoring and acquisition of objectives which controls this area can be content to detect only the presence of the objective, without having to locate it.

• soit de pointer le tube de lancement du projectile principal du dispositif d'attaque en direction du dispositif de veille et d'acquisition d'objectifs qui a commandé l'ordre de tir,
• soit de commander le tir d'un projectile principal contenu dans le tube de lancement qui se trouve orienté vers le dispositif de veille considéré.

Depending on the variant used, it will then suffice:

• either to point the launch tube of the main projectile of the attack device in the direction of the device for monitoring and acquiring objectives which ordered the firing order,
• or to command the firing of a main projectile contained in the launching tube which is oriented towards the watch device considered.

Preferably, a main projectile will be provided having a zone of efficiency at least equal to the zone of surveillance considered.

Which means that for an explosive projectile devoid of target detection means, the charge explosive will have an efficiency zone at least equal to the surveillance zone considered.

Which also means that for a projectile provided with target detection means (such as a projectile of the type of that described by patents GB2090950 or FR7507802), the detection means can scan a zone at least equal to the surveillance zone considered.

In other words and for certain applications, it is possible to simplify on the one hand, the structure of monitoring and acquisition of objectives in limiting its function to a detection function and, on the other hand, the projectile itself, since it is no longer then necessary to provide in the latter means for target detection and possibly correction of path.

According to the system according to the invention, the the aforementioned camouflage constraints are also satisfied. Indeed, the auxiliary projectile which ensures the objective monitoring and acquisition function presents reduced dimensions.

In addition, the latter does not require deployment auxiliary devices necessary for its operation, which makes recovery all the easier, small watch devices and low cost that can be abandoned in the field.

Advantageously, each auxiliary projectile which constitutes a monitoring and acquisition device of objectives includes at least one sensor of the type acoustic, seismic or magnetic to detect the presence of a target that enters the area of monitoring, processing electronics to analyze the signals received by the sensor, a transmission of an alert signal to a receiving device of the attacking device, and a source of electrical energy.

According to an alternative embodiment, the device reception of the attack device can command the order of auxiliary projectile fired in response to an order activation transmitted remotely by an operator.

Advantageously, the attack device comprises a long range alert device to monitor approaching a target at distances greater than the one in which the area of monitoring and controlling the projectile firing order auxiliary.

The auxiliary projectile may be fired automatically after an electronic delay or fixed or programmable pyrotechnic when installing the system.

• la figure 1 est une vue schématique d'un système d'arme à défense de zone selon l'invention,
• la figure 2 est une vue schématique du dispositif d'attaque du système d'arme à défense de zone de la figure 1,
• la figure 3 est une vue schématique du dispositif de veille et d'acquisition d'objectifs du système d'arme à défense de zone selon l'invention,
• la figure 4 est une vue similaire à la figure 1 pour illustrer le fonctionnement du système d'arme à défense de zone selon l'invention, et
• les figures 5 et 6 illustrent schématiquement deux modes de réalisation de l'invention, respectivement.

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

• FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a zone defense weapon system according to the invention,
• FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the attack device of the zone defense weapon system of FIG. 1,
• FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the device for monitoring and acquiring objectives of the zone defense weapon system according to the invention,
• FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 1 to illustrate the operation of the zone defense weapon system according to the invention, and
• Figures 5 and 6 schematically illustrate two embodiments of the invention, respectively.

A zone defense weapon system according to the invention and as illustrated in Figure 1 consists of a attack device 1 and a watch device 2 and acquisition of an objective or target 3 entering a surveillance zone Z which is under the control of the monitoring and acquisition device 2 and which is located within the range of attack device 1.

According to an essential characteristic of the invention, the attack device 1 and the watch device 2 and acquisition of objectives, hereinafter referred to as standby 2, are separated from each other. More precisely, the watch device 2 is located in the area of Z monitoring that it is responsible for monitoring, while the attack device 1 is located at a distance from the device standby 2 and could advantageously be outside of the surveillance zone Z, as is the case in the example illustrated in figure 1.

The attack device 1 is supported by a platform 10 stabilized on the ground S by feet 11, and it includes at least one launch tube 12 for ammunition consisting of a propellant charge and a projectile principal 13 which contains at least one explosive charge intended to attack a target 3 which enters the area Z monitoring.

The surveillance zone Z being located in a way essential, entirely within the range of attack device, it means that a projectile launched by the latter is likely to attack any target found in this zone Z.

Generally, the platform 10 can be equipped with means (not shown) which allow orientation of the launch tube in site and in deposit or in deposit only.

• un ou plusieurs capteurs 21 du type acoustique, sismique ou magnétique,
• une unité de traitement 22 des signaux reçus par les capteurs 21,
• un dispositif de transmission 23 d'une alerte en direction du dispositif d'attaque 1, cette alerte pouvant être sous la forme d'un signal radio, sonore ou ultrasonore, et
• une source d'énergie électrique 24.

According to another important characteristic of the invention, the standby device 2 shown in FIG. 3, is constituted by an auxiliary projectile 20 which notably contains:

• one or more sensors 21 of the acoustic, seismic or magnetic type,
• a processing unit 22 for the signals received by the sensors 21,
• a device 23 for transmitting an alert in the direction of the attack device 1, this alert being able to be in the form of a radio, sound or ultrasonic signal, and
• a source of electrical energy 24.

This auxiliary projectile 20 is advantageously fired from the attack device 1 by means of a auxiliary launch 25 integral with it, and it's also equipped with stabilizing fins 26 which are deploy at the exit of its launch tube 25.

The attack device 1 is also equipped with a receiving device 30 with an antenna 30a which is intended to receive the alert signal transmitted by the standby device 2, which triggers the firing of the projectile 13.

A long-range alert device 31 can be advantageously mounted on platform 10 of attack device 1, and it includes a device for detection 31a such as a microphone which monitors approaching objective 3 at distances greater than the one where the surveillance zone should be Z. This long-range alert device 31 has the function to command the launching of the auxiliary projectile 20 and the put on standby of the weapon system.

According to a simplified embodiment (Figures 1 and 4), the launch tube 12 of the attack device 1 is oriented along an X-X axis corresponding to a site angle determined. The launch tube 25 of the auxiliary projectile 20 is oriented along a Y-Y axis which is arranged in a same vertical plane as the X-X axis. The X-X and Y-Y axes are here shown parallel.

We will determine the angle between the axes X-X and Y-Y, in function of the masses and geometries of projectiles 13 and 20 as well as according to the propellant charges of these projectiles, so that these two projectiles have substantially the same point of impact on the ground. The ballistic of projectiles 13 and 20 can therefore be different.

There is no need for identity between theoretical impact points on the ground of the projectile main and auxiliary projectile, it suffices that these theoretical points be close enough one of the other so that the main projectile is capable to attack a target with sufficient probability detected by the auxiliary projectile.

It may be advantageous to give the projectile main an efficiency zone whose surface is at less equal to that of the detection area.

The relative angles of the X-X and Y-Y axes with respect to the vertical could possibly be modified on the field so that the system can be adapted to special constraints. For example in the case where the point of impact on the ground of the projectiles must be at an altitude different from that at which the platform (below or overhanging).

Abacus and firing tables may be established to facilitate quick adjustment in the field.

The operating principle of this mode of simplified realization will be explained below in reference to Figures 1 to 4.

Once the attack device 1 has been put in place by an operator, the auxiliary projectile 20 forming the standby device 2 is pulled from the tube auxiliary launch 25. This shot comes in a way conventional by firing a propellant charge, and the shooting conditions are determined so that the impact on the ground of the projectile 20 intervenes at a point which can be precisely defined.

The position on the ground of the auxiliary projectile 20 is essential because it determines the position of the area of surveillance Z. Also, the auxiliary projectile 20 is for example with a reduced diameter warhead 32 and high mechanical strength which allows it to sink into the ground S and avoids rebounds during its impact on the ground, this warhead 32 can be extended by a point 32a. As a variant, it is possible to define a warhead 32 crashing on impact on hard ground so as to cushion the shock and also avoid bouncing of the projectile auxiliary 20.

• par le dispositif d'alerte longue portée 31, ou
• par le dispositif de réception 30 qui capte des signaux émis par un émetteur situé à distance, ce qui permet à un opérateur de télécommander le tir, les signaux ayant alors des fréquences différentes ou un codage spécifique pour permettre au dispositif de réception 30 de pouvoir distinguer un ordre d'activation (tir du projectile auxiliaire 20) d'un signal d'alerte (tir du projectile principal 13).

The firing of the auxiliary projectile 20 can be controlled from a transmitted activation order:

• by the long-range alert device 31, or
• by the reception device 30 which picks up signals transmitted by a transmitter located at a distance, which allows an operator to remote control the shot, the signals then having different frequencies or a specific coding to allow the reception device 30 to be able to distinguish an activation order (firing of the auxiliary projectile 20) of an alert signal (firing of the main projectile 13).

Alternatively, it is possible to cause a shot automatic auxiliary projectile 20 after a fixed or programmable electronic or pyrotechnic delay when installing the weapon system.

The watch device 2 formed by the projectile auxiliary 20 is then activated by commissioning its power source 24, to detect a target 3 which enters surveillance zone Z and whose presence is detected by the sensors 21.

The signals from the sensors 21 are analyzed by the processing unit 22 which confirms the presence of objective 3 to attack. The electronics 22 then controls the emission of an alert signal which is transmitted by the device 23 (Figure 4). This alert is for example a radio signal which will be received by the antenna 30a of the receiving device 30 of the attack device 1 for fire the main projectile 13 towards from the surveillance zone Z.

In the case of a main projectile 13 equipped with detection means, the explosive charge will be fired following a trajectory (a) to come directly destroy objective 3 which he will identify himself with his own detection means within the area of Z monitoring.

It is also possible to fire a projectile main 13 devoid of target detection means. This will then follow a trajectory (b) which will lead it to impact the ground in the vicinity of the monitoring device 2. The charge contained in this main projectile can be initiated by an impact contactor or by a rocket (chronometric type or detecting proximity to the ground).

This charge is chosen so that its area efficiency is at least equal to that of the surveillance Z, which will ensure the aggression of the objective 3.

The charge of the main projectile can also be consisting of submunitions such as bombs anti-tank that are scattered over the area of surveillance Z. Such a variant is particularly simple and economical, since the projectile 13 does not no target detection means which are complex and expensive.

From this area defense weapon system, it is possible to design two embodiments which increase their efficiency.

According to an embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the attack device 1 is equipped with several launching 25 of an auxiliary projectile 20, in this case four, by means of which it is possible to draw four watch devices 2 in four directions different D1, D2, D3 and D4 to define four areas of monitoring Z1, Z2, Z3 and Z4, respectively. The attack device 1 is equipped with only one tube launch 12 of a main projectile, and it's imperative that this launch tube 12 is orientable.

In the case where all of the standby devices 2 are drawn from the same site angle, it will suffice to plan for launch tube 12 a simple possibility of orientation in deposit. In case the devices are not all drawn from the same angle of site, the launch tube 12 will be orientable in site and deposit. The essential being in all cases that the projectile 13 be launched towards the area of surveillance Z whose monitoring device has transmitted a warning signal.

In the second embodiment illustrated in Figure 6, the attack device 1 comprises several launch tubes 12 of a main projectile, and a equal number of projectile launch tubes 25 auxiliary 20. In this case, each standby device 2 is dedicated to a launch tube 25, the alert signal emitted by one of the standby devices 2 being accompanied an identification code for the associated launch tube 12 who has to fire the main projectile.

It is therefore not necessary to provide launch 12 orientable for the main projectiles.

Indeed, each of these tubes is dedicated to a specific watch device and it received during the setting up of the device the appropriate orientation which ensures the firing of the main projectile on the ground considered in the vicinity of the associated watch device.

These two embodiments make it possible to define a larger surveillance zone consisting of several areas distinct from each other.

The means of transmitting the alert signal by radio or sound allows transmission without intervisibility between the standby device 2 and the attack device 1, which facilitates the camouflage of this latest.

Preferably, the attack device 1 is located outside the surveillance zone Z, but it is possible to define a weapon system in which the driving device 1 is located inside surveillance zone Z, for example in the vicinity of its border. Such a system will work properly if the main projectile 13 launched by attack device 1 is able to attack any target in the area Z monitoring.

As a variant, it is possible to define a defense system of the antipersonnel type, in which the monitoring device is designed to detect the presence of people and the attack system launches explosive flashes or projectiles incapacitating (of the sound type or dispersing a gas of neutralization).

It is finally possible to apply the invention to a field artillery (or mortar) weapon system in which the standby device is located a significant distance (of the order of several kilometers) of the attack device constituted for example by an artillery battery. The alert signal, reduced power, which is provided by the watch can then be relayed by re-transmitting stations arranged at an intermediate distance between the standby device and attack device. As intermediate station it is possible to use a small remote-controlled surveillance aircraft.

Claims (9)

1. A zone-defense system comprising:

   at least one surveillance and target-acquisition device which monitors a surveillance zone to detect a target penetrating intro it,

   an attack device having at least one launcher tube for a main projectile whose firing at a detected target is controlled by the surveillance and acquisition device,

   the attack device (1) being located at a distance from the surveillance and target (3) acquisition device (2) and the surveillance zone (Z) being located in the radius of action of the attack device (1),

      system characterized in that
      each surveillance and target (3) acquisition device (2) is formed by an auxiliary projectile (20) fired towards the surveillance zone by means of an auxiliary launcher tube (25) of the attack device (1) and intended to have a point of impact on the ground, the main projectile fired by the attack device having a ballistic trajectory such that it is intended to arrive within the surveillance zone in the immediate vicinity of the point of impact on the ground of the auxiliary projectile (20).
2. A zone-defense weapon system according to Claim 1, characterized in that the main projectile has a zone of effectiveness at least equal to that of the surveillance zone in question.
3. A zone-defense weapon system according to Claim 1, characterized in that the attack device (1) is located outside of the surveillance zone (Z).
4. A zone-defense weapon system according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises several surveillance and target (3) acquisition devices (2) which respectively monitor several surveillance zones (Z1, Z2,...), and in that the attack device (1) has a tube which can be aimed in the direction of the surveillance and target-acquisition device having commanded the firing order of the main projectile.
5. A zone-defense weapon system according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises several surveillance and target (3) acquisition devices (2) which respectively monitor several surveillance zones (Z1, Z2,...), and in that the attack device (1) comprises several launcher tubes (12) of a main projectile, each surveillance and target (3) acquisition device (2) being dedicated to a launcher tube (12).
6. A zone-defense weapon system according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that each auxiliary projectile (20) forming a surveillance and target (3) acquisition device (2) incorporates at least one sensor (21) of the acoustic, seismic or magnetic variety to detect the presence of a target (3) penetrating into the surveillance zone (Z), an electronic processing unit (22) to analyse the signals picked up by the sensor (21), a device (23) to transmit a warning signal to a reception device (30) of the attack device (1), and a source of electrical power (24).
7. A zone-defense weapon system according to Claim 6, characterized in that the reception device (30) of the attack device (1) can give the firing order for the auxiliary projectile (20) in response to an activation order remotely transmitted by an operator.
8. A zone-defense weapon system according to one of Claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the attack device (1) comprises a long distance warning device (31) to monitor the approach of a target (3) at distances further than that at which the surveillance zone (Z) is to be located, and give the order to fire the auxiliary projectile (20).
9. A zone-defense weapon system according to Claim 6, characterized in that the auxiliary projectile (20) is fired automatically after a set electronic or pyrotechnic delay or one which can be programmed when the system is set in place.

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