EP1426726A1 - Radar-camouflaged launcher - Google Patents

Abstract

An opening (2) in the outer casing (1) of a movable object is covered with a cover (4), so that an unwanted increase in the radar signature caused by the opening is reduced. The ammunition is output using a launcher tube (3) arranged inside the outer casing of the object. An Independent claim is included for a method of improving the radar camouflage of a ship.

Description

The present invention relates to a radar-camouflaged device for the discharge of ammunition in movable objects, in particular vehicles, according to the preamble of claim 1, wherein an opening provided for the discharge of the ammunition in the outer casing of the object can be reversibly closed again after the discharge of the ammunition to reduce a negative effect on the radar signature of the object caused by this opening.

The invention further relates to a method for improving the radar camouflage of a movable object according to the preamble of claim 31 by reversibly, radar-camouflaged covering of all ammunition discharge openings in the outer shell of the object.

Movable objects, in particular weapon carriers such as water, air and land vehicles, generally have a metallic outer shell. In addition, they often have highly arranged and specially shaped superstructures. The result is a large, characteristic radar reflection surface. One speaks here of the radar signature of an object.

This radar signature is typical of a target, measurable and therefore crucial for reconnaissance and its fight. For example, modern, autonomously operating missiles take advantage of the radar signature of a moving object when aiming and destroying it. This threat worsens through the collapse the former great power of the Soviet Union as well as generous export regulations, especially in Asian countries.

Four different groups of electronic countermeasures are currently being taken to counter this danger. These include the use of jamming and deceptive responders, the destruction of the threat by anti-radar guided missiles (ARM), the use of artificial reflectors (corner, chaff, etc.) and the use of radar-absorbing material (RAM).

The latter two groups will be discussed in particular here.

While radar dowels were already being used against radar devices with reconnaissance and fire control tasks in the second world war, which mainly contained aluminum strips as radar-scattering elements, the technology in this area has now become very advanced.

Dowels are used today to mask penetrating bandages and for self-protection. In the first case, a large chaff volume is applied at once, while in the second case individual chaff clouds are deployed to make it difficult for the enemy to clear up, to prevent the radar sensor from being activated in the search phase by setting deceptive targets in good time, or to prevent the transfer a radar lock that has already taken place from the target that deposits the dowels to a false target. These deceptive goals consist of a multitude of light active bodies.

However, since modern missiles today often have a target seeker, that in the infrared (IR) or in the radar (RF) range or determines the position of a target object simultaneously or serially in both wavelength ranges, the active bodies deployed to deflect the missiles must also simulate both IR and RF targets.

Such IR active bodies are disclosed in German patent DE 34 21 692 C2. The IR apparent target is represented here by a cloud of burning strips of material, which are ignited one after the other as an ignition chain.

Search heads that work in both the IR and RF range are so-called dual-mode target search heads, which are met with combined IR and RF dummy targets. Such combined IR / RF decoys are disclosed, for example, in DE 1 99 51 767 A1.

In addition to deflecting the missile, which is classified as a potential danger, from the actual target to an apparent target, another promising strategy is to prevent the missile from reaching the target precisely and thus to make it difficult to detect the target itself. This is achieved by reducing the radar signature of the target.

This can be achieved by coating the outer shell of the target object with a radar-absorbing or radar-scattering coating.

Patent no. CN 1135439 discloses an aircraft, the outer shell of which is coated with a semiconductor layer that absorbs electromagnetic waves and thus reduces its radar signature.

Other radar camouflages made of flexible silicone or urethane rubber are available, for example, from the company "Millimeter Wave Technology, Georgia, USA", which equips over 90% of the US Navy warships with radar-absorbing materials.

A particularly effective defense against modern missiles can therefore be achieved by equipping a movable object to be protected both with a RAM coating and with a launcher for deploying ammunition, in particular RF / IR active bodies. This makes it difficult for the approaching missile to record the radar signature of the actual target object and at the same time it is deflected from the actual target object by an apparent target.

However, this combination of radar camouflage coating of the object to be protected and equipping it with a launcher for launching ammunition harbors decisive disadvantages.

Weapon systems which are intended for installation on objects with low radar signature are currently being reduced in their radar signature even by equivalent design and choice of material. Despite all measures on these weapon systems, the signature of the object as a whole is deteriorated by the structure, since the reflective surface of the vehicle is increased overall.

In addition, unwanted multiple reflections can occur between the outer shell of the object and the shell of the weapon system, which can generate a backscattering signal at a multiple of the direct reflection.

To avoid this problem, it is possible to arrange the required thrower on the inside of the outer shell of the object.

However, if the launcher for the discharge of ammunition is on the inside of the radar-camouflaged outer casing of the object to be protected, it is necessary that the outer casing is partially interrupted in order to allow the ammunition to pass through. However, this interruption in turn causes an increase in the radar signature of the object to be protected, with the result that it is more easily recognized by approaching missiles.

In addition, the necessary interruption of the outer shell creates an opening through which substances and materials can penetrate into the object to be protected from the outside. For ships, this can be salt water, for example, which could attack the launcher behind it and shorten its shelf life. Gases or harmful liquids are also conceivable, for example, as are materials brought in by the opponent, such as explosives or other warfare agents.

Based on the prior art, it would therefore be desirable to have a device for dispensing ammunition on the inside of the outer shell of the object to be protected, which avoids the disadvantages mentioned above.

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a device for dispensing ammunition on the inside of the outer shell of the object to be protected, which avoids the need for a permanent opening in the outer shell, so that a significant increase in the radar signature of the object and the occurrence of a permanent entry possibility for substances and materials of all kinds from the outside in through the opening for the discharge of ammunition in the outer shell is avoided.

In terms of device technology, the object is achieved by a device having the characterizing features of claim 1.

In terms of process technology, the object of the invention is achieved by a method having the characterizing features of claim 31.

One embodiment of the invention relates to a device for dispensing ammunition, in which a recess provided for this purpose in the outer shell of a movable object is covered with a covering device, so that a negative effect on the radar signature caused by this recess is reduced.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the ammunition is deployed with a launcher which is located on the inside of the outer casing of the object.

The launcher can have at least one discharge tube.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the launcher is flush with the outer shell of the object.

The turret is preferably arranged at a distance of 0-20 cm, preferably 0.5-15 cm, more preferably 1-5 cm from the outer shell of the object.

The discharge pipes can be arranged on the inside of the outer casing in such a way that the discharge pipe / pipes can be loaded from the inside.

The discharge pipes are usually housed in a launcher housing, but can also be designed as independent pipes.

Another embodiment of the invention can provide that the launcher housing is firmly connected to the inside of the outer shell.

According to the present invention, it is preferred that the launcher housing has at least one lockable flap in the interior of the object, through which the discharge pipes are loaded.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the flap can be a squeeze lock. As a result, the loading flap can be opened and closed quickly.

A gas-tight seal can be provided between the launcher housing opening and the outer shell and / or between the loading flap and the loading opening of the launcher housing. This ensures that no contamination of the interior can occur.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the launcher housing is provided with a blow-out valve.

This is advantageous in order to clean the launcher tubes from time to time with compressed air.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the launcher housing is provided with a drainage device, e.g. to remove any water that has entered.

Furthermore, the launcher housing is provided with a connection option for activation by means of an ignition device, it being preferred to use an electrical ignition device.

It is further preferred that the launcher housing has a grounding device in order to bring about the necessary protective grounding.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the application angle of the application device can be adjusted in the lateral direction and height angle by means of adapters. This advantageously ensures a large room coverage, so that decoys can be effectively deployed.

With the present invention, it is possible to protect land vehicles, aircraft and / or water vehicles more effectively than in the prior art. The importance of the present invention is of great importance for the optimal protection of ships.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the covering device has a RADAR camouflage coating, it being advantageous for the covering device to cover the recess in such a way that a RADAR-camouflaged structure of the outer shell is almost completely retained.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the covering device is replaced by the piercing body, for example

Decoy ammunition, opened briefly and then closes again.

The covering device has at least one camouflage flap.

However, it is also conceivable to provide several camouflage flaps; for example, the camouflage flap can be used as a single flap, as a wing flap or as an annular or polygonal, e.g. triangular flap segments should be formed. A polygonal embodiment of the camouflage flap has the advantage that the stress on the flap joints is distributed over several flaps, which minimizes wear.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the covering device has at least one elastic, in particular rubber-like material.

The rubber-like material is preferably also provided with a RADAR-scattering coating in order to ensure the homogeneity of the vehicle silhouette.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the RADAR-scattering coating is made of metal foil.

In addition, it is preferred in particular for ships to additionally provide the device with a splash-proof protective cover which is removed by the first discharge of ammunition.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the protective cover is also RADAR-reflective.

It makes sense to insert the protective cover into the outer cover so that there are no additional RADAR edges arise that could indicate a target to a guided missile.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the protective cover is held by a snap device.

The present invention further includes a method for improving the RADAR camouflage of a moving object. wherein all recesses in the outer shell of a movable object for the discharge of ammunition are covered with a reversible covering device, so that a negative effect on the radar signature caused by these recesses is reduced.

Further advantages and features of the present invention result from the description of exemplary embodiments and from the drawing.

• Fig. 1 eine teilweise Schnittansicht in perspektivischer Darstellung einer beispielhaften Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung, gezeigt von der Außenhülle eines zu schützenden Gegenstandes.
• Fig. 2 eine teilweise Schnittansicht in seitlicher Perspektive der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung.
• Fig. 3 eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Werfergehäuses zur Verwendung mit der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung, und
• Fig 4 eine perspektivische Ansicht von der Innenseite der Außenhülle des zu schützenden Gegenstandes her, mit an der Außenhülle montierten Werfergehäusen.

It shows:

• Fig. 1 is a partial sectional view in perspective of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, shown from the outer shell of an object to be protected.
• Fig. 2 is a partial sectional view in a side perspective of the device according to the invention.
• Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a launcher housing for use with the device of the invention, and
• Fig. 4 is a perspective view from the inside of the outer shell of the object to be protected, with launcher housings mounted on the outer shell.

Figure 1: Shown is part of an embodiment of the present invention. The outer shell 1 of a movable object contains two recesses 2 behind which 4 discharge tubes 3 are arranged so that they are flush with the inner wall of the outer shell 1. In addition, the upper recess 2 is covered, for example, by means of a radar-reflecting flap 4, which opens when ammunition is released and then closes again.

Figure 2: Shown is part of an embodiment of the present invention. The object shown in Figure 1 is shown here after a rotation of about 30 °. In addition, the upper recess is provided with a splash-proof protective cover 5.

Figure 3: Shown is part of an embodiment of the present invention. The launcher housing 6 contains a closable flap 8 provided with a squeeze lock 7 through which the discharge pipes are loaded. Furthermore, the launcher housing 6 is provided with a drain valve 9, a blow-out valve 10 and a connection possibility for the control by means of an ignition device 12 which is secured by a grounding device 11.

Figure 4: Shown is part of an embodiment of the present invention. 4 launcher housing 6 are attached to the outer shell 1 of a movable object one above the other. All launcher housings 6 are attached to the outer shell by means of adapters 13 so that they can operate at different application angles. The launcher housing 6 is also equipped with a connection option for controlling an ignition device 12.

example 1

All of the features of the present invention described herein can be combined with one another as desired, and thus all combinations are within the scope of disclosure of the present invention.

One embodiment of the invention relates to a device for dispensing any mortar and / or rocket-like ammunition, as well as signaling devices, the device preferably being a launcher, as an integrated component in the casing of a movable object, in the example a ship, a recess 2 provided in the outer hull 1 of the ship for the passage of the deployed body is covered with a covering device 4, so that a negative effect on the radar signature caused by this recess 2 is reduced.

In a further embodiment of the invention, a delivery tube 3 or a plurality of combined delivery tubes 3 for delivering the ammunition is integrated into the ship's hull in such a way that the opening (s) of this delivery tube / these discharge tubes are flush with the outer hull of the ship (see FIG. 1). , Here, the discharge pipes 3 are preferably arranged next to one another in at least one row, but can also be arranged obliquely or in a circle one above the other in at least one row or in any other manner.

In addition, the resulting opening in the outer shell 1 is covered by means of a RADAR-reflecting covering device 4 that only opens when it is deployed / fired so that the smooth surface Structure of the outer shell 1 is largely preserved and the reflective properties remain unchanged to 95-100%, preferably 98-100%.

The covering device 4 is at least one camouflage flap, which in the example is provided with a hinge and a spring. A single camouflage flap can be attached to the side as well as above or below the recess 2.

If the covering device 4 consists of several camouflage flaps, these can be arranged as wing flaps or as annular or polygonal flap segments.

The covering device 4 is only opened for a very short time by a penetrating body and closes again immediately after the ammunition has been released.

The covering device 4 preferably contains at least one material with elastic properties, preferably at least one rubber-like material with a radar-scattering coating, preferably a radar-scattering metal coating or metal foil.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the launcher is at a distance of 0-20 cm, preferably 0.5-15 cm, more preferably 1-5 cm, from the outer shell of the object.

In order to prevent the ingress of water or contaminating substances during the standby / peace operation, the cover device is additionally provided with a splash-proof protective cover 5, which is removed by the first shot. The protective cover is radar-scattering and fits flush into the structure of the outer shell 1.

This is made possible by appropriate shaping of the protective cover 5.

In addition, in a further embodiment, the additional protective cover can be held by a suitable holder (see FIG. 2). A simple snap device is particularly preferred here, but all other mountings known in the prior art can also be used and are included in the present invention.

The discharge pipe 3, or the accumulation of discharge pipes 3, are attached, for example, to the inside of the outer hull 1 of the ship in such a way that the discharge pipes 3 can also be loaded from the inside of the ship's outer hull 1.

For this purpose, the discharge pipes 3 are arranged in the example in a launcher housing 6 (see FIG. 3), which is preferably firmly connected to the inside of the outer casing 1 and is open to the side of the discharge opening. The launcher housing 6 also has at least one lockable loading flap 8 in the interior of the ship's outer hull 1, which is designed as a squeeze lock 7, through which the discharge pipes 3 are loaded.

In a further exemplary embodiment, the mounting of the launcher housing 6 on the inside of the outer shell 1 and the loading flap are carried out with a gas-tight seal in order to prevent contaminated substances from penetrating into the interior of the ship during operation or during the reloading process through the discharge pipes 3.

Contaminants and ammunition residues that have penetrated into the interior of the launcher housing 6 can in a further embodiment, for example, be removed before reloading. This happens with a pressure surge that can be exerted by the use of compressed air. For this purpose, the launcher housing 6 is provided with a blow-out valve 10, which enables the connection of a feed line through which the pressure-transmitting substance is introduced into the interior of the launcher housing 6. The compressed air used in the example case removes the contaminating substances or ammunition residues from the launcher housing 6 in the direction of the opening of the dispensing tubes 3.

The launcher housing 6 is with a drain cock. Drainage device equipped so that any liquid, in particular water, can be removed from the launcher tubes 3.

In a further embodiment, the launcher housing 6 comprises a connection option 12 for actuating the ignition device of the dummy target ammunition.

In the example, the launcher 6 has an electrical ignition device.

In a further embodiment, a plurality of launcher housings 6 are preferably arranged next to one another or one above the other (FIG. 4). However, any other type of arrangement is also conceivable and thus encompassed by the scope of the present invention. The application angle of the application pipes 3 is individually adjusted in the lateral direction and height angle using adapters 13 if the angle of the outer casing 1 does not correspond to the intended application angle. This ensures that the launcher housing 6 of each is protected, ships are identical, interchangeable and inexpensive to manufacture in series.

In the example, the spreading angles are 105 °, 120 °, 135 ° and 150 ° relative to the ship's surface normal.

Claims (31)

Device for dispensing ammunition, characterized in that a recess (1) provided for this purpose in the outer shell (1) of a movable object is covered with a covering device (4), so that a negative effect on the increase caused by this recess (2) Radar signature is reduced. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the ammunition is released with a launcher, which is located on the inside of the outer shell of the object. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the launcher has at least one delivery tube (3). Device according to one of claims 1-3, characterized in that the launcher is flush with the outer shell (1) of the object. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the launcher is at a distance of 0-20 cm, preferably 0.5-15 cm, more preferably 1-5 cm from the outer shell of the object. Device according to one of claims 1-5, characterized in that the dispensing tube (3) is arranged on the inside of the outer casing (1) in such a way that the dispensing tube (3) can be loaded from the inside. Apparatus according to claims 1-6, characterized in that the discharge tube (3) is housed in a launcher housing (6). Apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the launcher housing (6) is firmly connected to the inside of the outer shell (1). Apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the launcher housing (6) has at least one lockable flap in the inner region of the object, through which the discharge pipe / pipes (3) are loaded. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the flap is a squeeze lock (7). Device according to one of claims 8-10, characterized in that a gas-tight seal is provided between the launcher housing opening and the outer casing (1) and / or between the loading flap (8) and the loading opening of the launcher housing (6). Device according to claim 11, characterized in that the launcher housing (6) is provided with a blow-out valve (10). Device according to one of claims 7-12, characterized in that the launcher housing (6) is provided with a drain device (9). Device according to one of claims 7-13, characterized in that the launcher housing (6) is provided with a connection option (12) for activation by means of an ignition device. Device according to claims 14, characterized in that the ignition device is an electrical ignition device. Device according to claim 15, characterized in that the launcher housing (6) has an earthing device (11). Device according to one of claims 1-16, characterized in that the spreading angle of the spreading device can be adjusted in the lateral direction and height angle by means of adapters (13). Device according to one of claims 1-17, characterized in that the object is selected from the group consisting of land vehicles, aircraft and / or water vehicles. Device according to one of claims 1-18, characterized in that the covering device has a RADAR camouflage coating. Device according to one of claims 1-19, characterized in that the covering device covers the recess (2) in such a way that a RADAR-camouflaged structure of the outer casing (1) is retained. Device according to one of claims 1-20, characterized in that the covering device (4) is opened by the piercing body and then closes again. Device according to claim 21, characterized in that the covering device (4) has at least one camouflage flap. Apparatus according to claim 22, characterized in that the camouflage flap (s) is / are arranged as a single flap, as wing flaps or as annular or polygonal flap segments. Device according to claim 21, characterized in that the covering device (4) has at least one elastic, in particular rubber-like material. Device according to claim 24, characterized in that the rubber-like material is provided with a RADAR-scattering coating. Device according to claim 25, characterized in that the RADAR-scattering coating is made of metal. Device according to one of claims 1-26, characterized in that it is additionally provided with a splash-proof protective cover (5) which is removed by the first discharge of ammunition. Apparatus according to claim 27, characterized in that the protective cover (5) is a RADAR reflective type. Apparatus according to claim 27 or 28, characterized in that the protective cover (5) fits flush into the outer casing (1). Device according to claims 27-29, characterized in that the protective cover (5) is held by a snap device. Method for improving the RADAR camouflage of a movable object, in particular a ship, characterized in that all recesses (2) in the outer shell (1) of the object for the discharge of ammunition are covered with a reversible covering device (4), so that a this cut-out (2), which has a negative effect, increases the radar signature.