EP2572153B1 - Weapon system and method for firing and detecting ammunition bodies - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a weapon system with a weapon for firing ammunition bodies. Further objects of the invention form a method for firing ammunition bodies with a weapon and a method for detecting ammunition bodies.

Such weapon systems and procedures are out EP0872699 A known.

Weapon systems with a weapon for firing ammunition bodies are known in many types, for example as mobile weapon systems, such as chain-propelled main battle tanks, howitzer, combat helicopters, ships and the like. In addition, immobile weapons systems are known, which are provided stationary, for example, for the protection of bunkers and the like.

About the weapon of such weapons systems can be fired depending on the situation ammunition body of various designs.

Due to international agreements, many states have committed themselves in the past to renouncing certain types of ammunition for humanitarian reasons, such as cluster munitions. However, the ammunition banned by these agreements can be fired from virtually any known weapon system, such as aerial bombs, artillery shells, warheads on cruise missiles, and so on.

In that regard, many weapons systems have the inherent danger that, in armed conflict situations, the types of ammunition outlawed by international agreements will be fired.

The object of the present invention is to specify a weapon system, a method for firing ammunition bodies and a method for detecting ammunition bodies, by means of which it is possible to prevent firing of outlawed ammunition bodies.

This object is achieved with a weapon system of the aforementioned type, that it has a the structure of an ammunition body under examination scanner.

The weapon system scanner can be used to examine the structure of the ammunition before firing. On the basis of this investigation, conclusions can then be drawn on the type of the ammunition body examined, whereupon appropriate measures can be taken in the case of outlawed ammunition bodies, which prevent a firing of the outlawed ammunition body. For example, in the case of cluster munition bodies, the interior of the ammunition body has a plurality of smaller ammunition bodies, so-called bomblets or submunition bodies, which can be detected by means of the scanner and the corresponding conclusions can be drawn about the type of ammunition.

In one embodiment of the invention, it is proposed that the scanner is integrated into the weapon such that the structure of the ammunition body can be examined in its firing position. By examining the ammunition body in its firing position, for example in the gun barrel of an artillery gun, it is ensured that the examined and the fired ammunition body always coincide.

In a structurally advantageous embodiment, it is proposed that the scanner is arranged in the region of a bottom piece of a weapon barrel of the weapon.

A further embodiment provides that the scanner is integrated into a firing container of the weapon which accommodates several ammunition bodies. Such launching containers are mainly used in multiple rocket launchers use. The launching containers are ammunitioned with a variety of missiles, which are then fired at short intervals one after the other. By placing the scanner in the launching container, it is possible to prevent firing outlawed ammunition bodies. The ammunition bodies can be accommodated in a magazine which can be inserted into the launching container. The scanners can be integrated into the launching container such that the ammunition bodies are examined when the magazine is inserted into the launching container. In the case of detection of one or more outlawed ammunition body further insertion of the magazine can be prevented via a mechanical interlock, so that the magazine and with this the ammunition remain in a position within the launching container, from which can not shoot the ammunition.

In this context, it is advantageous if each ammunition body is assigned a separate scanner. The scanners can separately examine each of the ammunition bodies prior to firing. Should an outlawed ammunition body be detected, appropriate measures could be taken to prevent the ammunition from firing, for example by disconnecting the electrical contacts.

It would also be conceivable that upon detection of an outlawed ammunition body automatically the software or parts of the software of the weapon system are deleted. The weapon system would become temporarily inoperable until the deleted software was reloaded by an appropriately authorized person.

A further embodiment provides that the scanner is arranged in the region of an ammunition supply of the weapon, which can also prevent the shooting of outlawed ammunition body. The arrangement of the scanner in the ammunition supply can in particular be selected such that the examined and the next to be fired ammunition body always match.

A further embodiment provides that the scanner is arranged such that the structure of the ammunition body during the ammunition supply can be examined.

For weapon systems in which a handling device is provided for ammunition of the weapon, it is proposed that the scanner is arranged on the handling device. The scanner can perform the inspection of the ammunition during the handling process.

In order to prevent an already investigated and released ammunition body is exchanged for an outlawed ammunition body, it is proposed in a further embodiment that means for detecting an ammunition body located in the handling device are provided. In the event of removal of the ammunition examined body this would be recognized by the detection means, which is why it is not possible to exchange an already examined ammunition against an outlawed ammunition body.

An advantage is an embodiment, according to which the scanner is connected to a type of ammunition determining body type detection. The examination result of the scanner can be transmitted to the type recognition, which then determines the type of bullet on the basis of the data obtained. Should it be an outlawed ammunition body, measures could be taken to prevent a firing of the ammunition body.

In this context, it is further proposed that the type recognition compares the examination results of the scanner with a reference database. In the reference database characteristic data of all for the weapon system, such as the gun or the launcher, released ammunition body can be deposited, which are then compared with the scanner data and determined in this way the corresponding types of ammunition.

To avoid the risk of manipulation, it is further proposed that the scanner and / or the type recognition be connected to an emergency power supply. Even if all the electronics of the weapon system is turned off and the weapon is loaded manually, in this way the scanner and the Typerkennung remain active, which can prevent even when loading the weapon manually a firing of outlawed ammunition.

Advantageously, the type identification is associated with a firing blockage preventing the ammunition from firing. In the case of an outlawed ammunition body identified via the scanner, the weapon can be shut down by means of the shot blocking. With active Schussverblockung it is not possible to shoot an ammunition body. In this case, an ammunition body already in the firing position must be removed from the weapon before the firing blockage releases the weapon again.

The Typerkennung is advantageously associated with a weapons control. The data of the detected ammunition type can be included in this way in a Feuerleitlösung.

Advantageously, the Schussverblockung can be activated depending on the determined ammunition body type.

It is further proposed that the Schussverblockung is designed such that it in the case of manipulation of the scanner and / or Typerkennung, in particular when deactivating one of the two systems, goes into an active state. In the active state of Schussverblockung the weapon is shut down, so that can not shoot any ammunition.

In this context, it is further proposed that the Schussverblockung is configured such that an ammunition body located in the firing position must be removed from the weapon to deactivate the Schussverblockung.

In a weapon system with a loadable with several ammunition ammunition depot, from which the ammunition can be removed and the weapon can be fed, it is further proposed that the scanner is located on the loading side of the ammunition depot. In this way, the bullet types can already be seen when loading the ammunition depot.

It is advantageous in this context when the scanner, in particular via a Typerkennung, is connected to the weapon control. In this way, the weapon control can obtain accurate information about which ammunition bodies are stored in which position in the ammunition depot.

Furthermore, it is proposed that an input device be provided for manual entry of a given type of ammunition. When loading the ammunition depot, the predetermined type of ammunition can be entered manually by the operator on the basis of an identification of the ammunition body. In this case, the scanner forms a redundant system with which the operator's input can be checked. The input of a given type of ammunition can be done manually via, for example, an input field based on an identification of the ammunition body.

Of advantage in this context is an embodiment in which an ammunition type determined by the type identification is provided with the predetermined ammunition type comparative unit. By comparing the determined ammunition type with the given type of ammunition, it is possible to avoid manipulations and thus a firing of prohibited ammunition bodies. For example, it is not possible to modify the outer projectile shell or attached thereto identifiers, in order to give the impression of a permissible ammunition body in this way. The data determined by the type recognition can determine the structure of the ammunition body and thus the associated ammunition body type with great certainty. Also, operator errors are detected during manual input.

It is also proposed that the comparison unit is connected to the weapon control. About the comparison unit of the weapon control information about the type of ammunition can be transmitted, which can then be included in the calculation of a Feuerleitlösung with.

An advantage is an embodiment, according to which the sensor is an acoustic resonance tester. The acoustic resonance test method offers the advantage that it is possible to also determine the internal structure of an ammunition body. It relies on the physical effect that a body, after appropriate stimulation, oscillates in certain characteristic forms and frequencies. These vibrations form ammunition body-specific "fingerprints" and can accordingly provide information about the type of ammunition body examined. Alternatively, scanners of other functions, for example X-ray scanners, can also be used to examine the internal structure of the ammunition bodies.

Moreover, in order to solve the above object in a method of firing ammunition bodies with a weapon, it is proposed that the structure of the ammunition body be examined prior to firing by means of a scanner.

On the basis of this examination result it can be decided whether the ammunition body may be shot or not. In the case of an outlawed ammunition body, the weapon can be shut down by appropriate measures and a firing of the ammunition body can be prevented.

In this context, it is further proposed that the structure of the ammunition body is examined in a firing position within the weapon. By examining the ammunition body in its firing position manipulations are prevented. The ammunition body in the firing position is examined shortly before firing. It is not possible to shoot anything other than the ammo body being examined.

It is further proposed that the structure of the ammunition body in the feed area of the weapon is examined. By means of suitable safety measures, it can also be avoided by this means that a body other than the ammunition examined is fired.

It can also be provided that the structure of the ammunition body is examined during the feeding of the ammunition body into the weapon. This also makes it possible to achieve that only examined ammunition can be fired.

It is also proposed that the type of ammunition be determined on the basis of the type examination of the scanner via a type recognition.

In this context, it is further proposed that the examination results are compared with reference data stored in a database. The reference data may be ammunition body-specific data that allows identification of the ammunition body type in the manner of a "fingerprint".

Finally, it is proposed that, depending on the type of ammunition detected, the weapon is blocked and / or the information concerning the type of ammunition is transmitted to a weapon control.

With regard to a method for detecting ammunition bodies, it is proposed to achieve the above-mentioned object that the structure of the ammunition body is examined by means of a scanner.

By examining the structure of the ammunition body can draw conclusions about the type of ammunition body. Manipulations, for example by substitution on the shell of the ammunition body used identifiers are prevented by the structural investigation.

It is further proposed that the structure of the ammunition body is examined on the loading side of a munitions depot which can be filled with a plurality of ammunition bodies. Through load-side arrangement of the structure of the ammunition body examining scanner all spent ammunition in the ammunition depot are examined.

It is also proposed that the type of ammunition be determined on the basis of the type examination of the scanner via a type recognition.

It is also proposed that the test results be compared with a reference data stored in a database.

In an embodiment of the invention, it is further proposed that ammunition type determined via the type recognition is compared with an ammunition type entered via an input device.

It is also proposed that deviations between the determined and the entered bullet type be displayed via a display means. The operator thus obtains information that the input made by him was incorrect.

Finally, it is proposed that the ammunition type of the weapon control is notified, so that it can be taken into account in the calculation of a Feuerleitlösung.

Figur 1

eine schaltplanmäßige Darstellung eines Waffensystems,

Figur 2

eine alternative Ausführung eines Waffensystems in schaltplanmäßiger Darstellung,

Figur 3

eine weitere alternative Ausführung des Waffensystems in schaltplanmäßiger Darstellung,

Figur 4

eine weitere alternative Ausführung des Waffensystems in schaltplanmäßiger Darstellung und

Figur 5

eine perspektivische Ansicht des Bodenstücks der Waffe einer Panzerhaubitze zur Veranschaulichung einer möglichen Anordnung des den Aufbau des Munitionskörpers untersuchenden Scanners.

Further details and advantages will be explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings of exemplary embodiments. Show:

FIG. 1

a schematic representation of a weapon system,

FIG. 2

an alternative embodiment of a weapon system in circuit diagram representation,

FIG. 3

a further alternative embodiment of the weapon system in circuit diagram representation,

FIG. 4

a further alternative embodiment of the weapon system in Schaltplanmäßiger representation and

FIG. 5

a perspective view of the bottom piece of the weapon of a gun howitzer for illustrating a possible arrangement of the structure of the ammunition body examining scanner.

FIG. 1 shows a Schaltplanmäßiger representation of a weapon system 1, which may be, for example, a tank howitzer, a naval gun or a similar weapon system.

In an ammunition depot 5 of the weapon system 1, a plurality of ammunition bodies 3 of different types are stored, for example, ballistic projectiles, grenades, etc.

The ammunition bodies 3 are loaded from outside the weapon system 1 into the ammunition depot 5 and taken out of the ammunition depot 5 via a handling device 4, as illustrated by the arrows depicting the ammunition flow in solid lines. The ammunition body 3 removed from the ammunition depot 5 by the handling device 4 is supplied to the weapon 2, which may be, for example, an artillery gun, after which it is located within the weapon 2 in a firing position, from which the ammunition body 3 is fired can.

In the execution according to FIG. 1 is in the feed of the weapon 2, a scanner 6 is provided. The scanner 6 is designed such that it examines the internal structure of the ammunition body 3, so that manipulation of externally visible identifiers of the ammunition body 3 remain without influence on the examination result.

The sensors 6 shown schematically in the figures are acoustic resonance examiners, which allow conclusions about the internal structure of the ammunition body. This type of sensors 6 is based on the physical effect that the ammunition body 3 swing after appropriate excitation in certain characteristic shapes and frequencies. These vibrations form ammunition body-specific "fingerprints" and can accordingly provide information about the type of the ammunition body 3 investigated.

In the execution according to FIG. 1 examines the scanner 6, the internal structure of the ammunition body 3 while this the weapon 2 is supplied. The examination result is transmitted to a type recognition 7. Within the type identification 7, the examination results are compared by an evaluation unit 7.2 with a database 7.1. In the database 7.1 are reference data of various types of ammunition bodies 3, for example resonance spectra, which are each assigned to a specific ammunition body type. By comparing the examination results with these data, the evaluation electronics 7.2 can determine which type of ammunition body 3 is involved.

If the ammunition body 3 is an outlawed ammunition body 3, a corresponding signal transmission to the shot blocking device 9, which deactivates the weapon 2, takes place via the type recognition 7. If it concerns an allowable ammunition body 3, the data concerning the ammunition type of the ammunition body 3 are transmitted from the type recognition 7 to the weapon control 10, included in the Feuerleitlösung and then transmitted a corresponding fire command to the weapon 2.

The Schussverblockung 9 of the weapon 2 can be realized in various ways. It is important, however, that the Schussverblockung 9 is designed such that only examined ammunition 3 are verschiessbar. Once examined Ammunition body 3 may not be exchanged for an unexamined ammunition body 3, without this would activate the Schussverlockung 9.

A shutdown of the system electronics and a manual loading of the weapon 2 must not cause unexamined ammo body 3 can be fired. For this reason, the scanner 6 as well as the type recognition 7 is equipped with an emergency power source 7.3. Even if the entire electrical system of the weapon system 1 is turned off, the scanner 6 and the Typerkennung 7 continue to be powered by the emergency power supply 7.3 with electricity, so that manually scheduled ammunition body 3 are examined. If the scanner 6 or the type recognition 7 are separated from the weapon 2, for example, by interrupting the corresponding cable connections, it is ensured that the shot blocking 9 passes into the active state and an operation of the weapon 2 is not possible.

Like the illustration in FIG. 1 can recognize, a second scanner 6 is provided in the loading area of the ammunition depot 5.

This already investigated when loading the ammunition depot 5, the structure of the introduced into the weapon system 1 ammunition body 3 and determined by a Typerkennung 7 the corresponding bullet or ammunition body type. The ammunition type determined for this width on the basis of the internal structure of the ammunition body 2 is compared in a comparison unit 12 with an ammunition type entered via an input device 11 on the basis of a predetermined ammunition identification. If both types of ammunition match, corresponding information is forwarded to the weapon control 10 and made available for calculating the Feuerleitlösung. Should the determined type of ammunition and the ammunition body type input via the input device 11 be different from each other this will differ in a display of the input device 11 notified to the operator.

In FIG. 2 a weapon system 1 is shown, which differs from the in FIG. 1 differs in that the one scanner 6 is not arranged in the feed area of the weapon 2 but directly in the weapon 2, for example in or on a launching tube. With such an arrangement of the scanner 6, it is possible to examine the ammunition body 3 directly in its firing position, whereby the risk of manipulation is prevented.

In FIG. 3 an embodiment is shown in which a scanner 6 is integrated in the handling device 4. The ammunition body 3 is examined during handling, ie during the removal process from the ammunition depot 5 and the subsequent movement into the firing position within the weapon 2. In this case, care is taken that the ammunition body 3 can not be removed from the handling device 4, for example a projectile transfer arm or bulldozer, without this leading to an activation of the Schussverlockung 9. For this purpose, appropriate means are provided on the handling device 4, which recognize the presence of an examined ammunition body 3 and activate the Schussverblockung 9 when removing this ammunition body 3.

In FIG. 4 a weapon system 1 is shown in which the weapon 2 is aufmunitioniert with several ammunition bodies 3. It is, for example, a multiple rocket launcher, in the launching container a plurality of ammunition bodies 3 designed as rockets is arranged. Within the launching container or inside the weapon 2 is the scanner 6 investigating the construction of the ammunition body 3.

The ammunition body 3 can be accommodated in a magazine, often referred to as a "pot", and inserted together with the magazine into the launching container, often referred to as a "cage". Before the magazine is introduced into the launching container, the examination of the ammunition body 3 can take place. In the case of detection of an outlawed ammunition body 3 may be a mechanical blocking, which blocks further insertion of the magazine in the launching container, to prevent in this way a shoot. Optionally, software components of the weapon control 10 can be deleted upon detection of an outlawed ammunition body 3, whereby additional security against firing outlawed ammunition body 3 can be achieved.

The number of scanners 6 corresponds to the execution according to FIG. 4 the number of ammunition bodies 3 received in the weapon 2, wherein each ammunition body 3 is assigned a scanner 6, so that each of the ammunition bodies 3 can be scanned in its firing position.

FIG. 5 finally shows details of a structural design of the example in FIG. 1 Weapon system 1 shown in block diagram form.

The weapon system 1 is an artillery gun whose weapon 2 is shown on the loading side in the region of a bottom piece 20. In the area of the bottom piece 20, a closure wedge 21 is provided, via which the weapon barrel can be closed after the introduction of the ammunition body 3. The scanner 6 examining the structure of the ammunition body 3 is arranged in the feed area of the weapon 2. The scanner 6 is attached to the bottom piece 20. When inserting or attaching an ammunition body 3 in the tube of the weapon 2, the structure of the ammunition body 3 is examined by means of the scanner 6 and the corresponding type of ammunition determined in the manner described above.

Should it be an outlawed ammunition body type such as a bomblet projectile, it would be achieved via the shot blocking 9 that the closure wedge 21 does not close the weapon, so that it would not be possible to fire the ammunition body. In this case, the ammunition body 3 would first have to be pushed out of the tube of the weapon 2, before another ammunition body 3 could then be brought into the firing position within the weapon 2.

The Schussverblockung 9 is designed such that manipulation of the scanner 6 would lead to a blocking of the weapon 2, for example by a mechanical blocking of the shutter wedge 21, which would not be solvable from the outside.

Outlawed ammunition bodies 3 within the weapon system 1 can be detected and the weapon 2 deactivated with the aid of the weapon system or the associated methods described above. With such a weapon system, it is not possible even with manipulations of the operating personnel to shoot prohibited ammunition body 3, such as bomblets projectiles.

Reference numerals:

1

weapon system

2

weapon

3

ammunition

4

handling device

5

ammunition depot

6

scanner

7

type recognition

7.1

Database

7.2

evaluation

7.3

emergency power supply

9

Schussverblockung

10

weapons control

11

input device

12

comparing unit

20

breech

21

cover wedge

Claims (15)

1. A weapon system with a weapon (2) for firing ammunition (3),
   characterised in that,
   a scanner (6) scans the internal structure of ammunition (3).
2. A weapon system according to claim 1, characterised in that, the scanner (6) is integrated into the weapon (2) in such a way that the structure of the ammunition (3) can be scanned in its firing position.
3. A weapon system according to claim 1, characterised in that, the scanner (6) is arranged in the vicinity of the weapon's (2) ammunition delivery system.
4. A weapon system according to claim 1, characterised by a handling device (4) for reloading the weapon (2) with ammunition, wherein the scanner (6) is arranged on the handling device (4).
5. A weapon system according to any one of the aforementioned claims, characterised in that, the scanner (6) is connected with a type identification device (7) which establishes the type of ammunition (3).
6. A weapon system according to claim 5, characterised in that, the type identification device (7) compares the results of the scanner's (6) scan with a reference database (7.1).
7. A weapon system according to claim 5 or claim 6, characterised in that, the type identification device (7) is connected with a firing block (9) which prevents the firing of the ammunition (3).
8. A weapon system according to any one of the aforementioned claims, characterised by an ammunition repository (5) that can be charged with several pieces of ammunition (3) from which the ammunition (3) can be removed and supplied to the weapon (2), wherein the scanner (6) is arranged on the charging side of the ammunition repository (5).
9. A weapon system according to any one of the aforementioned claims, characterised in that, the scanner (6) is an acoustic resonance tester.
10. A method for firing ammunition (3) using a weapon (2),
    characterised in that,
    the internal structure of ammunition (3) is scanned by means of a scanner (6) before firing.
11. A method according to claim 10, characterised in that, the structure of the ammunition (3) is scanned in a firing position within the weapon (2).
12. A method according to any one of claims 10 or 11, characterised in that, the ammunition type is determined by a type identification device (7) where the structure is scanned by the scanner (6).
13. A method according to any one of claims 10 or 12, characterised in that, the weapon (2) is blocked depending on the ammunition type that is recognised and/or the information concerning the ammunition type is sent to a weapon control unit (10).
14. A method for recognising ammunition (3),
    characterised in that,
    the inner structure of the ammunition (3) is scanned by means of a scanner (6).
15. A method according to claim 14, characterised in that, the structure of the ammunition (3) is scanned on the charging side of an ammunition repository (5) that can be filled with several pieces of ammunition (3).

Images