EP3457077A1 - Munition trançante éléctronique - Google Patents

Munition trançante éléctronique Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3457077A1
EP3457077A1 EP17275143.0A EP17275143A EP3457077A1 EP 3457077 A1 EP3457077 A1 EP 3457077A1 EP 17275143 A EP17275143 A EP 17275143A EP 3457077 A1 EP3457077 A1 EP 3457077A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
tracer
munition
electronic
light emitting
emitting diode
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.)
Ceased
Application number
EP17275143.0A
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German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
designation of the inventor has not yet been filed The
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
BAE Systems PLC
Original Assignee
BAE Systems PLC
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by BAE Systems PLC filed Critical BAE Systems PLC
Priority to EP17275143.0A priority Critical patent/EP3457077A1/fr
Priority to US16/349,687 priority patent/US10794674B2/en
Priority to AU2017361985A priority patent/AU2017361985B2/en
Priority to IL266633A priority patent/IL266633B2/en
Priority to PCT/GB2017/053416 priority patent/WO2018091873A1/fr
Priority to CA3043797A priority patent/CA3043797C/fr
Priority to EP17801090.6A priority patent/EP3542122A1/fr
Priority to EP24171384.1A priority patent/EP4379311A3/fr
Publication of EP3457077A1 publication Critical patent/EP3457077A1/fr
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
    • F42B—EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION
    • F42B12/00—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material
    • F42B12/02—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the warhead or the intended effect
    • F42B12/36—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the warhead or the intended effect for dispensing materials; for producing chemical or physical reaction; for signalling ; for transmitting information
    • F42B12/38—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the warhead or the intended effect for dispensing materials; for producing chemical or physical reaction; for signalling ; for transmitting information of tracer type
    • F42B12/382—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the warhead or the intended effect for dispensing materials; for producing chemical or physical reaction; for signalling ; for transmitting information of tracer type emitting an electromagnetic radiation, e.g. laser beam or infrared emission

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a tracer munition, such as a tracer projectile, with an electronic tracer device, more specifically to a tracer bullet.
  • Conventional tracer munitions comprise a portion of an energetic material, typically a pyrotechnic formulation, which is ignited during the launch of the munition.
  • a tracer munition for selective activation comprising: an electronic tracer device, said tracer munition comprising at least one cavity capable of receiving said electronic tracer device wherein the electronic tracer device comprises an electrical power source and an electronic emitter, whereupon selective activation of the electronic tracer device, said electronic emitter emits electromagnetic radiation.
  • the tracer munition may preferably be a tracer bullet or a tracer shell.
  • the electronic emitter may preferably emit electromagnetic radiation across the visible light and/or IR spectrum.
  • the electronic emitter may provide an output with more than one wavelength.
  • the electronic emitter may provide multiple outputs at different parts of the EMF spectrum.
  • the electronic emitter may provide light outputs and non-light outputs.
  • the electronic emitter is a light emission unit, and may have a wavelength independently selected from the visible range and/or IR range.
  • the light emission units may be any light source, preferably solid state light emitter, such as, for example, LED or laser diode.
  • the electronic emitter is a light emitting diode; preferably the LED has a wavelength selected from the visible range and/or IR range.
  • the array may comprise at least two different electronic emitters, preferably there may be at least two different LEDs and they may comprise different wavelength light emitting diodes. The at least two LEDs may be independently selectable and independently activated.
  • the electronic tracer device may be activated after launch of the munition.
  • the LEDs may be activated after launch of the tracer munition.
  • the composition is typically pressed/consolidated into the cavity under high pressure, to ensure the pyrotechnic composition is retained in the cavity, as the munition experiences high g-force loads and high spin rates. Further the consolidation allows the correct burn performance and time to be achieved.
  • the retainer may be a mechanical fastener, or a chemical adhesive or potting compound or combination of both mechanical and chemical.
  • the mechanical fastener may be a crimp, clamp or threaded engagement.
  • the retainer may be reversible such as to allow the tracer device to be removed and replaced, without compromising the tracer munition.
  • the cavity for tracer munitions are typically rearward of the munition, and are typically initiated by the action of the hot gases/particles from the propellant's combustion.
  • An electronic tracer device may therefore be placed in any convenient location on the tracer projectile.
  • the cavity comprising the electronic tracer device is located rearwardly of the munition.
  • the electronic tracer device may be retrofitted to current tracer munitions, where the tracer composition has been extracted.
  • the light emission units, and particularly the LEDs may be arranged in the cavity, substantially flush with the end of the walls of the munition that define the cavity.
  • the LEDs may be set below the outer surface to reduce the cone angle of the light. Where a wider cone angle of light output is desirable, the LED and/or light emission units may be flush or even protruding from the end of the walls of the cavity.
  • the light emission units each connected to the electrical power source independently and said light emission units comprise the array of light emitting diodes , and a power converter unit for driving the array,.
  • the device optionally further comprising an operator interface, a control unit independently connected to each light emission unit, the control unit comprising a processor and being operably connected to the operator interface.
  • an IR illumination tracer munition device for selective activation where upon activation the device emits IR radiation in the range of wavelengths of from 700nm to 100micrometers, more preferably of from 750nm to 900nm, the device comprising:
  • control unit the independent coupling of the control unit to each light emission unit, and the provision of a power converter at each light emission unit, tends to provide the device with redundancy in case a part fails in service.
  • a yet further issue is that due to decomposition of the pyrotechnic material in conventional tracer munitions, often due to moisture ingress, the conventional pyrotechnic compositions may have a reduced lifetime, depending on conditions of storage and transport.
  • the LEDs may be selected to provide very specific wavelengths, with narrow bandwidths. They have very low power consumption and may be easily integrated onto printed circuits as parts of larger systems.
  • the range of wavelengths may be independently selected in the near IR, mid IR or Far IR wavelength range.
  • a first IR LED with a first IR radiation wavelength and a second IR LED with a second different IR radiation wavelength.
  • the IR range may be selected from a wavelength of from 700nm to 100micrometers, more preferably of from 750nm to 900nm.
  • the array may comprises at least two different wavelength IR light emitting diodes.
  • the IR light emitting diodes may be specifically selected to provide specific wavelengths to work with specific night vision optics.
  • the array and therefore specific IR light emitting diodes may be selectively activated depending on the specific requirement.
  • the array may be any shape or arrangement, such as for example the LEDs may be arranged linearly, random, curved, patterned, within the device.
  • the LEDs may be located on the surface or in recessed portions in a housing, to provide protection.
  • the LEDs may be further covered with a layer, coating or sheath to provide protection and/or ruggedness.
  • Each light emission unit may comprise a capacitive energy store and/or and inductive energy store and/or kinetic energy store, or combinations thereof.
  • Such an energy store may be tuned to deliver power in a particularly responsive manner and so can therefore permit higher switching frequencies of the light emitting element arrays.
  • capacitor charging means electrically interposed between the power source and each capacitive energy store.
  • the capacitor charging means may be connected to the control unit.
  • the control unit may be configured for driving at least one of the arrays of light emitting elements in a pulse mode when the device is activated such that in operation the array of light emitting elements may switch between a high power output condition and a low power output condition repeatedly.
  • the pulse mode may be such that the array of light emitting elements may switch between conditions at a predetermined frequency.
  • the low power output mode may be substantially zero watts.
  • the power source may be any electrical power source, such as for example an electrical cell, fuel cell, capacitor, and combinations thereof.
  • the operator interface may be configured to enable selection between initiation modes.
  • the initiation modes may comprise any combination of: an instant initiation, a delayed initiation, a wirelessly controlled initiation, such as for example, RF, NFC, Bluetooth, or mechanical force, such as, for example from high-g forces from set-back, high spin rates, or high -g from rapid deceleration.
  • the munition may comprise a fuze, which may be set to determine the point of deployment of the payload comprising the device.
  • the initiation may be detected using accelerometers to determine preset levels of force to ensure that the electronic tracer device only functions when the munition is deployed.
  • the operator interface may be configured to enable selection between activation modes.
  • the activation modes that is the emitted output may comprise: a pulse mode where the light emitting elements may switch between a high power output condition and a low power output condition repeatedly or a continuous power output mode where the power output is substantially constant.
  • the pulse output may be used to provide a signal or basic communications, instructions, or facilitate location of the tracer munition.
  • the device may also further comprise at least one LED or an array of LEDs whose output is outside of the near IR and far IR regions, such as for example the visible light region or UV.
  • an electronic tracer device in a tracer munition, wherein the electronic tracer device comprises an electrical power source; a light emitting diode.
  • a shell 1 with a main body 5, which is manufactured from a steel alloy. Located around the circumference of the main body 5 is a copper driving band 4, which allows engagement with the rifling on the bore of a barrel, so as to impart spin.
  • a tail unit 2 is located at the aft of the main body 5.
  • the tail unit 2 is made from aluminium and contains a male threaded portion 3, which engages with a reciprocal female threaded portion (not shown) located in the aft of the main body 5.
  • the illumination payload device 100 (see Fig 2 ), when located in the payload cavity 10a, inside the main body, is retained in place by use of a locking ring 6, which screws into the forward end of main body 5.
  • the frangible ogive element 7 has a frangible link 7a, in the form of an aluminium thread.
  • the frangible ogive element 7 may be secured to the locking ring 6 or directly to the main body 5.
  • the frangible ogive element receives the expulsion charge 8 and fuze 9.
  • the expulsion charge 8 builds up pressure within the frangible ogive element and at the bursting pressure the thread 3 shears and the illumination payload device 100 is expelled from the aft of the main body 5.
  • the tail unit 2 comprises a cavity 401 (see Fig 3a ), which faces rearwardly and comprises an electronic tracer device 400.
  • the electronic tracer device 401 is retained by a retainer 402, in the form of a potting compound.
  • FIG. 2 shows a modular illumination unit 10, comprising the illumination payload assembly 100, with an electronic switch(or receiver for remote control) 11.
  • the switch after a predetermined period activates the device 29 (shown as 100 in Figure 6 ).
  • the device 29 shown as 100 in Figure 6 .
  • Figure 3 shows an illumination shell 20, with a main body 24 formed from a steel alloy, with a driving band 26 located thereupon.
  • a tail unit 12 is located at the aft of the main body 24.
  • the tail unit 12 is made from aluminium and contains a male threaded portion 13, which engages with a reciprocal female threaded portion 14 located at the aft of the main body 24.
  • the illumination payload device 100 is located in the payload cavity 15, and is retained in place by use of a locking ring 16, which screws into the forward end of main body 24.
  • the frangible ogive element 17 has a frangible link 17a, in the form of an aluminium thread, which is fastened to the locking ring 16.
  • the frangible ogive element receives the expulsion charge 18 and fuze 19.
  • the expulsion charge 18 builds up pressure within the frangible ogive element and at the bursting pressure the thread 13 shears and the illumination payload device 100 is expelled from the aft of the main body 24.
  • the illumination payload device 100 is a modular illumination unit 10, which slides into the payload cavity 15.
  • the device 400 comprises a housing 130 which accommodates a an light source in the form of an LED 404.
  • the housing 130 further accommodates a power source 106, an initiation device 108, a transceiver 110 for wireless control of the device, an ultracapacitor 114 (which may be arranged as a plurality of arrays, if there are a plurality of LEDs, especially for larger tracer rounds), a power converter unit 116 (which may be arranged as a plurality of converter units) for driving the LEDs, and a control unit 118.
  • the device 400 may be initiated by the launch of the tracer munition.
  • the initiation device 108 will process the stimulus, such as an instruction via the wireless remote control 110, (which may be delivered by a remote control retained by the operator) or a high g force or spin rate of the tracer munition causes the battery 106 to transfer energy, via the power converter units 116 and/or ultracapacitors 114 to the LED 404, which then emit light to illuminate the rear end of the tracer munition to allow its trajectory to be monitored and tracked.
  • the wireless remote control 110 which may be delivered by a remote control retained by the operator
  • a high g force or spin rate of the tracer munition causes the battery 106 to transfer energy, via the power converter units 116 and/or ultracapacitors 114 to the LED 404, which then emit light to illuminate the rear end of the tracer munition to allow its trajectory to be monitored and tracked.
  • Figure 5 shows schematically a device 200, similar to device 100, where components similar to components in device 100 are incremented by 100.
  • Each of the light emission units 201 comprises an ultracapacitor array 214, a power converter unit 216 and the LED array 220.
  • the ultracapacitor array 214 is connected to the power converter unit 216 which is in turn connected to the LED array 220.
  • a light emission unit 201 a comprises ultracapacitor array 214a, connected to power converter unit 216a connected to an LED array 220a.
  • the device 200 is further provided with an ultracapacitor charger 215 connected to each of the arrays of ultracapacitors 214a, 214b and 214c.
  • the ultracapacitor charger 215 is connected to a power source 206 such that the ultracapacitor charger 215 can receive and manage power from the source 206.
  • the ultracapacitor charger 215 is further connected to a control unit 218 such that it may send and receive signals from the control unit 218.
  • the control unit 218 is additionally connected to each of the power converter units 216a, 216b and 216 c such that it can send and receive signals to and from these units.
  • control unit 218 is connected to various interface units, such as a PIR sensor unit 224 and a wireless control unit 210 (which may be provided as part of a broader operator interface including also a manual remote control unit) such that the control unit 218 may act in dependence on signals received from these.
  • various interface units such as a PIR sensor unit 224 and a wireless control unit 210 (which may be provided as part of a broader operator interface including also a manual remote control unit) such that the control unit 218 may act in dependence on signals received from these.
  • the control unit 218 comprises a signal generator (not shown) and/or clock for generating a periodic signal that varies between an upper value and a lower value at a predetermined frequency.
  • Each ultracapacitor array 214a, 214b, and 214c is driven by the ultracapacitor charger 215, under instruction from the control unit 218 such that the charging of the ultracapacitor array is regulated such that should the LED array need activation at a predetermined time, the ultracapacitor array is able to discharge through the power converter unit 216 into the LED array 220 (and thereby put the device 200 is a high power output mode) in a predetermined manner.
  • the LED arrays may be switched between a high power mode (i.e. as the ultracapacitor array 214 discharges into the LED array 220) and a low power mode (i.e. as the ultracapacitor array 214 is charged).
  • Figure 6 shows schematically a device 300, similar to device 100, where components similar to components in device 100 are incremented by 200.
  • this device 300 tends to do away with the ultracapacitor arrays 214a, 214b, 214c and the associated charger 215.
  • the light emission units 301 comprise a power converter unit 316 connected to an LED array 320.
  • a power source 306 is connected to each of the power converters 316a, 316b and 316c.
  • a control unit 318 is connected to each of the power converters 316a, 316b and 316c.
  • the control unit 318 is also connected to various interface units, such as a PIR sensor unit 324 and a wireless control unit 310 (which may be provided as part of a broader operator interface including also a manual remote control unit) such that the control unit 318 may act in dependence on signals received from these.
  • the device 300 activates at least one of the LED arrays 320a, 320b, and 320c when the associated power converter unit 316a, 316b, or 316c is instructed by a signal from the control unit 318 to pass electrical energy from the power source 306 to its associated LED array. With energy being transferred from the power source 306 to an LED array 302, the device 300 is placed in a high power mode of operation.
  • the instruction to pass energy between the power source 306 and some or all of the LED arrays 320a, 320b, 320c may be in the form of a periodic signal having a first phase of a cycle and a second phase of a cycle such that the first phase of the cycle causes activation of the LED arrays 320a, 320b, 320c (i.e. electrical energy is supplied to the LED arrays 320a, 320b, 320c) and the second portion of the cycle causes deactivation (i.e. not electrical energy supplied to the arrays).
  • the cartridge assembly 510 comprises a casing 512 and a tracer projectile 514.
  • the casing 512 has a hollow section 516 which will contain propellant for displacement of the tracer projectile 514.
  • the casing 512 further comprises a head 518 at the end opposite to the tracer projectile 514 which comprises a chamber 520 for a percussion cap, and a flash tube 522 for communication of an ignition charge from the percussion cap to the inside of the casing 512 and thus the propellant.
  • the walls of the chamber 516 are formed integrally with the head 518.
  • Such a cartridge casing may typically be formed of brass. This material choice has many advantages, for example, it is relatively easy to form into the desired shape.
  • the tracer projectile 514 comprises an outer sheath 519 which comprises inner core 515, and an extended outer sheath portion 517, which is typically drawn past the inner core 514 to create a cavity 501.
  • the cavity is then filled with an electronic tracer device 500.
  • the tracer round (bullet) is fired from a gun the electronic tracer device 500 may be initiated either by remote control techniques, or by the physical forces exerted on it by spin or high -g set back.
  • the tracer projectile may be any calibre.
  • any of the devices 200 or 300 may be used as follows.
  • An operator firstly launches or fires the tracer munition.
  • the operator selects that the device be activated. This selection may be by means of an instruction to the device issued, via an operator-held remote control device, to the wireless transceiver. Alternatively this instruction may have been made prior to deployment of the device by setting a countdown timer (using a clock in the control unit) such that at the end of the countdown, the device is activated. Alternatively the instruction may be on launch and a physical stimulus such a high- g or high spin rate.
  • the LEDs 530 Upon activation the LEDs 530 emit radiation.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Toxicology (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Aiming, Guidance, Guns With A Light Source, Armor, Camouflage, And Targets (AREA)
EP17275143.0A 2016-11-15 2017-09-18 Munition trançante éléctronique Ceased EP3457077A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (8)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP17275143.0A EP3457077A1 (fr) 2017-09-18 2017-09-18 Munition trançante éléctronique
US16/349,687 US10794674B2 (en) 2016-11-15 2017-11-13 Electric tracer munition
AU2017361985A AU2017361985B2 (en) 2016-11-15 2017-11-13 Electric tracer munition
IL266633A IL266633B2 (en) 2016-11-15 2017-11-13 Ammunition with an electric follower
PCT/GB2017/053416 WO2018091873A1 (fr) 2016-11-15 2017-11-13 Munition traçante électrique
CA3043797A CA3043797C (fr) 2016-11-15 2017-11-13 Munition tracante electrique
EP17801090.6A EP3542122A1 (fr) 2016-11-15 2017-11-13 Munition traçante électrique
EP24171384.1A EP4379311A3 (fr) 2016-11-15 2017-11-13 Munition traceuse

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP17275143.0A EP3457077A1 (fr) 2017-09-18 2017-09-18 Munition trançante éléctronique

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3457077A1 true EP3457077A1 (fr) 2019-03-20

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EP17275143.0A Ceased EP3457077A1 (fr) 2016-11-15 2017-09-18 Munition trançante éléctronique

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EP (1) EP3457077A1 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3940331A1 (fr) * 2020-07-16 2022-01-19 BAE SYSTEMS plc Traceurs non incendiaires
WO2022013522A1 (fr) * 2020-07-16 2022-01-20 Bae Systems Plc Traceurs non incendiaires

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20050034627A1 (en) * 2003-03-24 2005-02-17 Manole Leon R. System and method for a flameless tracer/marker utilizing an electronic light source

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20050034627A1 (en) * 2003-03-24 2005-02-17 Manole Leon R. System and method for a flameless tracer/marker utilizing an electronic light source

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3940331A1 (fr) * 2020-07-16 2022-01-19 BAE SYSTEMS plc Traceurs non incendiaires
WO2022013522A1 (fr) * 2020-07-16 2022-01-20 Bae Systems Plc Traceurs non incendiaires
US11965722B2 (en) 2020-07-16 2024-04-23 Bae Systems Plc Non-incendiary tracers

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