EP1617163A1 - Launching apparatus for projectiles - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a base (4) mounted on a turret (6) and tiltable around a horizontal axis (7), where the tilting is controlled by a motor unit. The turret rotates relative to a platform (2) around a vertical axis (8) by the control of another motor unit. The base is horizontally tilted on both sides of a median position in which missile launching tubes (5) are found oriented with their vertical axes (5a).

Description

The technical field of the invention is that of devices for firing projectiles from a platform.

Known devices comprise one or more tubes integral with a base, each tube is intended to receive at least one projectile and a propellant charge for ejection thereof.

It is thus known to make barrel turrets movable in bearing (around a vertical axis) and in site (with respect to a substantially horizontal axis). The gun turrets are most often used on armored vehicles and they generally have a significant bearing capacity of the order of 360 °.

The pivoting capacity in site is on the other hand of the order of 50 ° maximum for a gunner turret medium caliber anti-aerial.

It is known to use multi-tube devices to ensure the dispersion of mines. These devices comprise at least two rows of multitubes bases, mobile in site only, and arranged on either side of a platform integral with a specific vehicle.

The pivoting capacity in site of these platforms is 45 ° maximum.

The vehicles thus implemented have been designed to quickly achieve large minefields. They are oversized for current needs including urban combat. In addition they are not suitable for the rapid and accurate establishment of small groups of anti-tank mines including to obstruct a passageway.

In addition, it becomes necessary in future engineering equipment to have launchers that can fire, depending on the operational needs, different types of projectiles, lethal or non-lethal.

It is the object of the invention to provide a firing device for overcoming such drawbacks.

Thus the firing device according to the invention allows the quick and precise setting up of projectiles, at a relatively small distance of the carrier vehicle, but in any direction around the vehicle.

The device according to the invention also makes it possible, without complex maneuver, to choose the type of projectile to be dispersed.

Thus, the subject of the invention is a device for firing projectiles from a platform and comprising at least two tubes integral with a base, each tube containing at least one projectile as well as a propulsive charge allowing the ejection projectile out of the tube, characterized in that the base is pivotally mounted on a turret about a first substantially horizontal axis, tilting controlled by first motor means, the turret may itself pivot relative to the platform around a second substantially vertical axis by the control of second motor means, the horizontal tilt being on both sides of a central position in which the tubes are oriented with their substantially vertical axes.

The first and second motor means are preferably connected to a control box ensuring the positioning in the site and bearing of the base relative to the platform.

Advantageously, the tilting in site will be between + 90 ° and -90 ° with respect to the median position and the positioning in the bearing will be between + 90 ° and -90 ° with respect to an initial position.

At least two tubes of the device may contain projectiles of different natures, means being provided for determining the nature of the projectile or projectiles in place in each tube.

The device may include means for transmitting a programming signal to at least one projectile enclosed in a tube.

The propulsive charges of the projectiles may be defined so as to give them a maximum range of between 80 and 100m.

Advantageously, each launcher tube may constitute a complete ammunition integrating at least one projectile and a propellant charge.

The means for determining the nature of the projectile or projectiles may include a reading means carried by the base and cooperating with a component integral with the tube.

The device may include at least one tube containing dispersible mines.

• la figure 1 est une vue schématique en perspective d'un véhicule équipé d'un dispositif de tir selon l'invention,
• la figure 2 est une vue latérale avec découpes partielles, du dispositif associé à ses moyens de commande,
• les figures 3a et 3b sont deux vues latérales du dispositif dans des positions d'orientation en site différentes, et
• la figure 4 est une vue en coupe longitudinale d'un exemple de réalisation d'un tube de lancement de projectiles.

The invention will be better understood on reading the following description of a particular embodiment, a description given with reference to the appended drawings and in which:

• FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a vehicle equipped with a firing device according to the invention,
• FIG. 2 is a side view with partial cutouts of the device associated with its control means;
• FIGS. 3a and 3b are two side views of the device in different orientation positions at different sites, and
• Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of an embodiment of a projectile launching tube.

Referring to Figure 1, a wheeled armored vehicle 1 comprises a rear plate 2 on which is disposed a firing device 3 according to the invention.

This device comprises a base 4 carrying projectile launching tubes 5 (not shown in this figure), here two rows of three tubes 5. Each tube contains at least one projectile and a propellant charge allowing the ejection of the projectile out of the tube.

The projectiles may consist of a stack of anti-tank mines or non-lethal ammunition. The tube 5 may advantageously be fixed to the base by a rapid mounting for example bayonet. Such a consumable tube will then constitute an ammunition that can be replaced after firing. An example of launcher tube 5 will be described later.

The base 4 is pivotally mounted on a turret 6 about a first substantially horizontal axis 7.

The turret 6 itself can pivot relative to the platform 2 about a second axis 8 which is substantially vertical.

Pivots are controlled by motor means, connected to a control box 9 secured to the vehicle 1.

The latter is controlled by a human / machine interface 32 associating screen and keyboard.

As is more particularly visible in Figure 2, the turret 6 comprises a fixed portion 6a, which is fixed to the platform 2 by appropriate means, such as screws (not shown).

The turret 6 also comprises a movable portion 6b pivotally mounted relative to the fixed portion 6a for example by means of one or more bearings (not shown).

The movable portion 6b carries a cradle 10 formed of two vertical arms each carrying a pin 11 for tilting the base 4 relative to the first axis 7 (or horizontal axis). This tilting is controlled by first motor means 12 which comprise for example an electric motor secured to one of the arms of the cradle 10 and driving a pinion 13 secured to the base 4.

The device also incorporates second motor means 14 which comprise for example an electric motor integral with the fixed part 6a of the turret and which drives a ring gear 15 integral with the movable part 6b of the turret.

The second motor means 14 rotate the turret 6 relative to the second axis 8 (or vertical axis).

The electrical connections between the control box 9 and the motor means are shown schematically by the marks 16 and 17.

In order to facilitate the pivoting of the turret about the vertical axis 8, the electrical connection 17 between the control box 9 and the first motor means 12 will advantageously be via a rotating connector 18 centered on the axis vertical 8.

It would of course be possible to replace the rotating connector with sufficient lengths of wire to allow the desired pivoting.

The electrical connection between the control box 9 and the tubes 5 has been identified at 19. This connection makes it possible to transmit to one or the other of the tubes 5 a firing order in order to provoke the firing of one or several projectiles.

The electrical connection 19 also passes through the rotating connector 18.

It will also be possible to transmit to one or other of the tubes a programming signal intended for the projectiles, for example a programming of the duration of activity for dispersible mines. This transmission will be by a specific electrical connection (not shown).

In order to simplify the wiring, it will of course be possible to control the six tubes 5 from a single two-wire BUS line implementing a communication protocol enabling the control unit 9 to select one of the initiators carried by each launching tube 5.

Patent FR-2801698 describes an example of a communication protocol that can thus be implemented.

Figure 2 shows the device in the state of rest in a central position in which the tubes 5 are oriented with their axes 5a substantially vertical (and therefore parallel to the pivot axis 8).

In this position the rotational inertia of the turret 6 carrying the tubes is minimal. Pivoting about the axis 8 can be done quickly and with minimal energy.

The horizontal tilting (shown schematically by the arrow 20) is around the horizontal axis 7 on either side of this median position.

FIGS. 3a and 3b thus show, by way of example, two positions of the device, symmetrical to one another, and in which the angle of inclination α in elevation of the axis 4a of the base 4 carrying the tubes 5 is + or - 45 ° with respect to the vertical axis 8.

It can be seen that the device according to the invention enables projectiles to be placed quickly and accurately in any direction around the carrier vehicle 1.

Indeed the pivoting of the turret can be practically 360 ° around the vertical axis 8.

But practically (because of the tilting capacity of the base 4 on either side of a central position in which the tubes 5 are vertical) it will suffice to allow a rotation of +/- 90 ° around the vertical axis 8 and relative to any initial position of the base 4 to allow a firing towards any area around the vehicle. The rallying of the firing device 3 in site and deposit is very fast.

The swivel speed is also facilitated by the low rotational inertia of the device 3 when the tubes 5 are vertical (Figure 2).

The essential feature of the invention that increases the area covered by a single device is the ability to tilt the base 4 on either side of a position in which the tubes are vertical.

It goes without saying that, operationally, the tubes 5 can be left at rest with any orientation in site and that the pivoting about the vertical axis can be controlled (even if the inertia is then stronger) whereas the elevation angle is not zero (non-vertical tubes).

According to another characteristic of the invention, at least two tubes 5 of the launcher may contain projectiles of different natures. Thus, a first tube 5a (FIG. 1) may contain anti-tank mines and a second tube 5b may contain non-lethal zone prohibition munitions.

Tubes containing other types of ammunition, for example smoke or light ammunition, may also be provided.

Such an arrangement increases the operational capabilities of the device. It is no longer necessary to change munitions on the ground to adapt to new needs.

It is then necessary to provide means at each tube 5 to determine the nature of the projectile placed in the tube.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a munition tube 5 according to the invention.

The tube 5 carries at its rear portion a stud 21 screwed on it and which carries a radial lug 22 for fixing the tube 5 by a bayonet mounting on the base 4. The base 4 then carries as many cylindrical housings 33 The stud 21 carries an axial contact 23 electrically isolated from the stud 21 by an insulating cylinder 24.

The stud 21 encloses a propellant charge 25 and an igniter 26 which is electrically connected, on the one hand to the contact 23 and on the other hand to the metal body of the stud 21. The tube 5 encloses a piston 27 on which is applied a cylindrical envelope 28 enclosing a stack of five antitank mines 29. The tube is closed by a cover 34 connected to the tube by a shearable pin (not shown).

The propellant charge 25 will be defined so as to give the projectile a maximum range of between 80 and 100 m. This ensures the possibility of dispersing small groups of mines at a reduced distance thus allowing the punctual closure of a route in urban areas.

The contact 23 bears on an electrical contact 29 secured to the base 4 and which is connected to the control box 9 via the connection 17.

According to the invention, the tube 5 carries near its base an active component 30, such as a memory chip containing a code for determining the nature of the projectile or projectiles placed in the tube 5.

This component cooperates with a reading means 31 integral with the base 4 and which is connected to the control box 9 by a connection 28 and via the rotating connector 18 (see also Figure 2).

Non-contact communication technologies between a memory chip and a remote reader are well known to those skilled in the art and already implemented industrially, for example for the production monitoring or for the surveillance of animal populations. It is therefore not necessary to describe in more detail such components.

One may use either an inductive reading means 31 or a contact reading means.

The component 30 could also be replaced by a barcode attached to the tube 5 and read by an optical detector 31 housed in the base 4.

The control box 9 thus knows perfectly what is the nature of the projectile carried by each tube 5.

The user can therefore choose not only in which area of the space around the vehicle a projectile will be fired but also what type of projectile must be fired.

At the level of the Human Machine Interface 32 the user will simply select the type of projectile desired and the area of the space where the projectile must be sent.

An appropriate algorithm, stored in the computer of the control box 9, will then select according to the needs of the user the appropriate tube (s) and will give the orientations in site and deposit necessary to launch from this or these tubes the selected projectile (s) towards the chosen point. These orientations will take into account the position of the chosen tube on the base 4.

The link 28 may advantageously be used to transmit to the projectiles 29 appropriate programming (for example, duration of activity). In this case the reading means 31 will be chosen so as also to be able to transmit a programming signal to the active component 30 which will itself be connected to the projectiles 29.

The invention has been described here in the form of a single firing device set up on a vehicle. It is of course possible to have several shooting devices on a single vehicle. It is also possible to have one or more firing devices according to the invention on a fixed platform, land or naval.

Claims (9)

Device (3) for firing projectiles from a platform (2) and comprising at least two tubes (5) integral with a base (4), each tube containing at least one projectile and a propellant charge allowing the projectile to be ejected from the tube (5), characterized in that the base (4) is pivotably mounted on a turret (6) around a first substantially horizontal axis (7), tilting controlled by first motor means (12), the turret (6) which can itself pivot relative to the platform (2) about a second axis (8) substantially vertical by the control of second motor means (14), the horizontal tilting being on both sides of a median position in which the tubes (5) are oriented with their axes (5a) substantially vertical. Dispersion device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first (12) and second (14) motor means are connected to a control box (9) ensuring the positioning of the base (4) in position and in position by report to the platform (2). Dispersion device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the tilting in the area is between + 90 ° and -90 ° with respect to the median position and that the positioning in the bearing is between + 90 ° and -90 ° compared to an initial position. Dispersion device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at least two tubes (5) of the device contain projectiles of different natures, means being provided to determine the nature of the projectile or projectiles in each tube (5). Dispersion device according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises means for transmitting a programming signal to at least one projectile enclosed in a tube (5). Dispersion device according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the propulsive charges of the projectiles are defined so as to give them a maximum range of between 80 and 100m. Dispersion device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that each launcher tube (5) is a complete ammunition incorporating at least one projectile (29) and a propellant charge (25). Dispersion device according to claims 4 and 7, characterized in that the means determining the nature of the projectile or projectiles comprise a reading means (31) carried by the base (4) and cooperating with a component (30) integral with the tube (5). Dispersion device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises at least one tube (5) containing dispersible mines (29).

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