EP0911601B1 - Aerial target system - Google Patents
Aerial target system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0911601B1 EP0911601B1 EP98203554A EP98203554A EP0911601B1 EP 0911601 B1 EP0911601 B1 EP 0911601B1 EP 98203554 A EP98203554 A EP 98203554A EP 98203554 A EP98203554 A EP 98203554A EP 0911601 B1 EP0911601 B1 EP 0911601B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- target
- heater unit
- aerial target
- heater
- aerial
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Revoked
Links
- PXHVJJICTQNCMI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Nickel Chemical compound [Ni] PXHVJJICTQNCMI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000005083 Zinc sulfide Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- DRDVZXDWVBGGMH-UHFFFAOYSA-N zinc;sulfide Chemical compound [S-2].[Zn+2] DRDVZXDWVBGGMH-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- VYZAMTAEIAYCRO-UHFFFAOYSA-N Chromium Chemical compound [Cr] VYZAMTAEIAYCRO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 3
- 229910052759 nickel Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 3
- 229910001220 stainless steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 239000010935 stainless steel Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000000007 visual effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000000446 fuel Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000004411 aluminium Substances 0.000 description 1
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 1
- OJIJEKBXJYRIBZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N cadmium nickel Chemical compound [Ni].[Cd] OJIJEKBXJYRIBZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000004744 fabric Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010304 firing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000012212 insulator Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003208 petroleum Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000002360 preparation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000005855 radiation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004449 solid propellant Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002699 waste material Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F41—WEAPONS
- F41J—TARGETS; TARGET RANGES; BULLET CATCHERS
- F41J2/00—Reflecting targets, e.g. radar-reflector targets; Active targets transmitting electromagnetic or acoustic waves
- F41J2/02—Active targets transmitting infrared radiation
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F41—WEAPONS
- F41J—TARGETS; TARGET RANGES; BULLET CATCHERS
- F41J9/00—Moving targets, i.e. moving when fired at
- F41J9/08—Airborne targets, e.g. drones, kites, balloons
- F41J9/10—Airborne targets, e.g. drones, kites, balloons towed
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an air-borne target system.
- Targets towed by aircraft or self-propelled targets simulate the characteristics against which anti-aircraft shells and missiles might be used. Those characteristics might include shape or thermal signatures.
- Gas or petroleum powered burners have been used to heat a mesh or solid surface which gives the required thermal signature.
- the use of a burner also provides a visual indicator. Whilst not causing any problems for daylight training missions, during night-time operations, often a person training in the use of anti-aircraft weaponry inadvertently follows the visual signature rather than the thermal signature. This clearly reduces the effectiveness of the training in simulating battle conditions where there may be no visual indication as to a target's location.
- US 3 086 202 discloses an aerial target including an electrically-heated heater unit.
- an aerial target including an electrically heated heater unit characterised in that the heater unit comprises a nickel chrome wire element.
- the heater unit is positioned within the nose cone of the aerial target, preferably behind a zinc sulphide window.
- the wire element is mounted upon a flat radiator plate.
- the present invention is equally applicable to towed targets or self-propelled targets.
- self-propelled targets are powered by reciprocating engines (piston or rotary), jet engines or solid fuel motors.
- Figure 1 shows an un-powered aerial target 10 towed by an aircraft 11 on a very long tow rope 12 (typically of the order of 7km) for the protection of the towing aircraft 11 from incoming fire.
- Target 10 radiates heat from its nose cone by means of an electrically powered heater unit installed within the aerodynamic nose cone fairing 13.
- the nose cone fairing 13 is typically manufactured from high temperature GRP and comprises a zinc sulphide window 14 to allow the infra red thermal signature of the heater unit in the 3-13 micron range to be viewed by the seeker, whilst acting as an insulator against the cooling of the airflow which could typically reach 350 knots or more.
- the ZnS window 14 is as large as possible to ensure that the maximum possible area of heated surface can be detected by the seeker.
- the heater unit uses a nickel chrome wire element mounted on a flat radiator plate in a 1.2kW configuration.
- the radiator plate is itself mounted on a thermally insulated stainless steel and aluminium chassis.
- the unit radiates heat from ambient temperature to around 500°C.
- the nose cone may include such holes as are necessary to allow cooling air to pass between the inside surface of the nose cone; the external surface of the stainless steel chassis; and to areas where the stainless steel frame is attached to the GRP nose cone to prevent any structural damage to the nose due to heat from the heating element.
- the rear of the heater unit assembly is covered with a thick glass-cloth mat to prevent or reduce heat transmission to the rear of the target.
- the heater unit is shaped to ensure adequate coverage and may be orientated to produce a forward directed thermal signature or can be adapted to direct the signature at an angle to the horizontal.
- the heater may have a constant temperature across substantially its whole visible surface or may be configured to have a temperature range of around 30°C or so across the surface.
- a heater control system included in the target controls the output temperature, by means of a thermocouple mounted on the heater radiator plate.
- the control system can be adapted as required to allow stepped temperature adjustments during flight and may include telemetry outputs showing the status of the heating element.
- the heater unit is electrically powered by battery cells which, under typical conditions, will need to be capable of ensuring operation of the heater for at least 30 minutes.
- the supply of electrical power may include a generator. Successful results have been obtained drawing a current of around 22 amps from cells operating at 48v and formed from two packs of forty 1.2V 4Ah nickel cadmium D-type cells. 7Ah cells have also been used.
- system of the present invention may be retro-fitted in place of the standard nose cone on existing available targets.
- the target system of the present invention will be more acceptable to the aviation authorities, such as the FAA, as there is no flammable gas or vapours used in the system. Accordingly, shipment, storage, target preparation, target flight time whilst stowed, retrieval and landing considerations all have much lower risks associated with them.
- the unit should be more reliable by avoiding the need for a volatile fuel/air mixture to provide the heat output. Thus there will be no problems associated with achieving ignition of the fuel and maintenance of the correct flame pattern as the airspeed of the target varies in flight.
- the unit gives out a more accurate and stable thermal signature for the weapon system.
- the thermal signature can be maintained at a stable output across the target's whole range of airspeeds, whether 180 knots or 380 knots.
- the range of training capabilities is not restricted by the thermal unit in any way, only by the inherent capabilities of the target itself.
- gas-powered 'hot nose' systems suffer badly in performance due to excessive heating producing thermal signatures outside the desired wavelengths.
- the thermal unit may be fitted in any suitable position within the target to provide the desired thermal signature.
- a rear-facing signature may be required, in which case, the thermal unit will be positioned at the rear of the target.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Electromagnetism (AREA)
- Radar, Positioning & Navigation (AREA)
- Remote Sensing (AREA)
- Aiming, Guidance, Guns With A Light Source, Armor, Camouflage, And Targets (AREA)
- Radar Systems Or Details Thereof (AREA)
Description
Claims (6)
- An aerial target including an electrically-powered heater unit, characterised in that the heater unit comprises a nickel chrome wire element
- An aerial target as claimed in claim 1 wherein the heater unit is mounted behind a zinc sulphide window.
- An aerial target as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the wire element is mounted upon a flat radiator plate.
- An aerial target as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the heater unit is mounted within or upon the nose-cone of the target.
- A heater assembly for an aerial target, the assembly comprising an electrically-powered heater unit and mounting means for mounting the assembly upon the aerial target.
- A heater assembly as claimed in claim 5 wherein the mounting means comprises a fairing having a zinc sulphide window, behind which is mounted the heater unit.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GBGB9722259.0A GB9722259D0 (en) | 1997-10-22 | 1997-10-22 | Aerial target system |
GB9722259 | 1997-10-22 |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0911601A2 EP0911601A2 (en) | 1999-04-28 |
EP0911601A3 EP0911601A3 (en) | 1999-06-23 |
EP0911601B1 true EP0911601B1 (en) | 2004-03-24 |
Family
ID=10820881
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP98203554A Revoked EP0911601B1 (en) | 1997-10-22 | 1998-10-22 | Aerial target system |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0911601B1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE69822586T2 (en) |
GB (1) | GB9722259D0 (en) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE102004036444B3 (en) * | 2004-07-27 | 2006-01-19 | Eads Deutschland Gmbh | Aerodynamic resistance reducing device for towing body consists of shell to go on towing body, with preset wall thickness and curved front end |
EP1870663A2 (en) | 2006-06-22 | 2007-12-26 | EADS Deutschland GmbH | Airborne target |
KR101560878B1 (en) * | 2013-10-07 | 2015-10-19 | 박갑선 | Sleeve for antiaircraft fire training having calorification function |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8403253B1 (en) | 2009-03-18 | 2013-03-26 | Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. | Active IR signature target simulation system and a method thereof |
CN115493459B (en) * | 2022-11-21 | 2023-05-23 | 电光(北京)装备技术有限公司 | Infrared target simulation externally hung nacelle device |
CN115507708B (en) * | 2022-11-21 | 2023-01-31 | 电光(北京)装备技术有限公司 | Infrared target simulation plug-in nacelle device |
Family Cites Families (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2342651A (en) * | 1942-05-22 | 1944-02-29 | Arnold D Dircksen | Illuminated tow target |
US3086202A (en) * | 1956-10-22 | 1963-04-16 | Del Mar Eng Lab | Infrared emitting tow target |
US3623726A (en) * | 1968-12-09 | 1971-11-30 | Talley Industries | Aerial tow dart deployable from a target drove with a ballistically actuable deployment station |
GB2165266B (en) * | 1982-10-12 | 1987-09-23 | Nat Res Dev | Infra red transparent optical components |
DE3610921A1 (en) * | 1986-03-24 | 1987-10-01 | Gerd Hugo | Electrically resistance-heated, two-dimensional heating element |
GB2230347A (en) * | 1987-05-15 | 1990-10-17 | Plessey Co Plc | Multi-spectral transmission coatings |
JPH02126100A (en) * | 1988-11-07 | 1990-05-15 | Mitsubishi Electric Corp | Target |
GB9601207D0 (en) | 1996-01-22 | 1996-03-20 | Target Technology Ltd | Aerial target system |
-
1997
- 1997-10-22 GB GBGB9722259.0A patent/GB9722259D0/en not_active Ceased
-
1998
- 1998-10-22 EP EP98203554A patent/EP0911601B1/en not_active Revoked
- 1998-10-22 DE DE69822586T patent/DE69822586T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE102004036444B3 (en) * | 2004-07-27 | 2006-01-19 | Eads Deutschland Gmbh | Aerodynamic resistance reducing device for towing body consists of shell to go on towing body, with preset wall thickness and curved front end |
EP1870663A2 (en) | 2006-06-22 | 2007-12-26 | EADS Deutschland GmbH | Airborne target |
KR101560878B1 (en) * | 2013-10-07 | 2015-10-19 | 박갑선 | Sleeve for antiaircraft fire training having calorification function |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DE69822586T2 (en) | 2005-03-03 |
EP0911601A3 (en) | 1999-06-23 |
EP0911601A2 (en) | 1999-04-28 |
DE69822586D1 (en) | 2004-04-29 |
GB9722259D0 (en) | 1997-12-17 |
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