GB1563094A - Apparatus for monitoring the aim of a launcher of projectiles - Google Patents

Apparatus for monitoring the aim of a launcher of projectiles Download PDF

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Publication number
GB1563094A
GB1563094A GB3360275A GB3360275A GB1563094A GB 1563094 A GB1563094 A GB 1563094A GB 3360275 A GB3360275 A GB 3360275A GB 3360275 A GB3360275 A GB 3360275A GB 1563094 A GB1563094 A GB 1563094A
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United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
target
projectile
launcher
aim
time
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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.)
Expired
Application number
GB3360275A
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EMI Ltd
Original Assignee
EMI Ltd
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 EMI Ltd filed Critical EMI Ltd
Priority to GB3360275A priority Critical patent/GB1563094A/en
Publication of GB1563094A publication Critical patent/GB1563094A/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F41—WEAPONS
    • F41G—WEAPON SIGHTS; AIMING
    • F41G3/00—Aiming or laying means
    • F41G3/14—Indirect aiming means
    • F41G3/142—Indirect aiming means based on observation of a first shoot; using a simulated shoot
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F41—WEAPONS
    • F41G—WEAPON SIGHTS; AIMING
    • F41G3/00—Aiming or laying means
    • F41G3/06—Aiming or laying means with rangefinder

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Aiming, Guidance, Guns With A Light Source, Armor, Camouflage, And Targets (AREA)

Description

(54) APPARATUS FOR MONITORING THE AIM OF A LAUNCHER OF PROJECTILES (71) We, E M I LIMITED, a British company of Blyth Road, Hayes, Middlesex, do hereby dec are the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The present invention relates to apparatus for monitoring the aim of a launcher of projectiles, and it relates especially, though not exclusively, to such arrangements for antibattle tank artillery.
The probability of a projectile striking a target clearly depends upon the accuracy with which the weapon, from which the projectile is launched, is sighted at the target. It also depends, however, on the number of projectiles which are launched at the target from the weapon since, in general, a substantial time elapses between the launching of successive projectiles at the target from the same weapon, and if several projectiles have to be launched at the target before it is struck, the target is given time to take evasive action and/or to locate the weapon and launch retaliatory fire at it.It will be realized from the foregoing that it is firstly desirable for the initial sighting of the target to be as accurate as possible, so that the probability that the first projectile launched at the target will strike it is maximised, and that it is secondly desirable, if the first projectile misses the target, that the sighting should be improved prior to the launching of the second projectile so that the number of projectiles required to give a high probability of striking the target is minimised. The minimisation of projectiles is also, of course, desirable from an economic point of view.
It is an object of this invention, therefore to provide an apparatus for monitoring the aim of a launcher of projectiles, which arrangement exhibits the second of the desirable features referred to above.
According to one aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus for monitoring the aim of a launcher of projectiles including means for measuring the range of the launcher from a target; means for producing real-time representations of a field of view including a target, (and also a projectile after it has been launched towards the target); storage means arranged to selectively receive the real-time representations from the producing means; and control means responsive to the range of the launcher from the target to cause the storage means to receive and store the one of the said real-time representations produced at a time after launching of the projectile corresponding substantially to the said range thereby to produce a representation representing the said field of view frozen at the said time; the arrangement being such that an indication of the difference in the positions of the projectile when substantially at the said range and the target is derivable from the said one of the real-time representations, whereby the aim of the launcher can be adjusted prior to the launching of a further projectile.
According to another aspect, there is provided a method of monitoring the aim of a launcher of projectiles, including the steps of: measuring the range of the launcher from a target; launching a projectile towards the target; producing real time representations of a field of view including the target and the projectile; storing the one of the real-time representations produced at a time after launching of the projectile corresponding substantially to the said range, thereby to produce a representation representing the said field of view frozen at the said time; deriving from the frozen representation an indication of the difference in the positions of the projectile when substantially at the said range and the target; and using the indication to adjust the aime of the launcher prior to the launching of a further projectile.
In order that the invention may be clearly understood and readily carried into effect, embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings filed with the Provisional Specification, of which: Figure 1 is an image display depicting a target and projectile, Figure 2 is a plan view of a projectile being fired towards a target, and Figures 3 and 4 are block diagrams of an aspect of the invention in different modes of operation.
In the description reference will be made to the invention utilizing infra-red (IR) radiation and associated imaging apparatus, however, the invention is not limited in this way and it is equally feasible to use visible light or other electromagnetic radiation eg radar or ultra violet.
Additonally the invention is especially suited for use in a vehicle with High Velocity Armament and Computerised Fire Control.
In an example of the invention a weapon, such as is used for example on a tank, is aimed at a target in a known fashion. The target is observed by an infra-red camera and the image displayed on, in this case, a videoscreen in the usual way. The IR imaging system is harmonised to the gun sight so that when a round is fired a thermal image of the projectile is observed on the screen. This thermal image may be due to the emissions of a beacon attached to the projectile in known fashion or the imaging system can detect the 'thermal signature' of the shell. This 'thermal signature' is produced by the adiabatic compression and friction heating of the air by the shell in its immediate vicinity.For the sort of high velocity armour piercing shell, used in this example the temperature associated with these effects lies between 600"C and 800"C above ambient. It is thus easily detectable up to and beyond distances of 3km with present IR imaging systems. Additionally this thermal signature has a small angular crosssection in comparison with the target and this makes it suitable for use as a reference point for aiming and correction purposes as described later.
The adiabatic heat sheath does not persist for a time long enough to prevent it from obscuring the path of the projectile. Additionally in conditions of high speed crosswinds which would tend to deflect the path of the projetcile, the cross-winds would in fact help to disperse the trail of the heat sheath.
The situation can be further alleviated, however, by use of an appropriate IR observation wavelength. A suitable value is between about 10 and 14 microns, although other values beyond the visible light spectrum may be used, a possible alternative band being 3 to 8 microns.
As well as being tracked by the IR system the angular deviation of the projectile is also measured. In general distance ranging will be performed by standard laser range finders, though of course any suitable ranging system can be used. The aim of the invention is to be able to adjust the aiming of a second projectile to provide a very high probability of a hit, this adjustment being made on the basis of the 'miss' of a first projectile. Obviously in the case of a hit by the first projectile there is no necessity for any correction to be made.
In order to properly determine the error in the initial aiming it is required to determine the relative displacement of the target and the projectile when they are at equal range.
Referring now to figure 1 there is shown a video-screen 1 depicting images of a target 2, in this case a tank or similar vehicle and a projectile 3. The target and projectile in this image are at substantially the same range.
This can be straight-forwardly determined from the initial ranging of the target for aiming the shell and the continuous computed ranging of the projectile; if necessary, corrections can be estimated due to target movement during the firing. Figure 2 shows the trajectory of the projectile 3 fired from the gun 4 toward the target 2. The image displacement X1, in figure 1 corresponding to the object displacement X2 in figure 2. So that the miss error angles in both azimuth and elevation can be determined it is necessary to 'freeze' this equal range image. A method of freezing this image is now described with reference to figures 3 and 4.
Figure 3 is a simplified block diagram of the system comprising an IR imaging camera 5, an information store 6 and the video display 1. Data from the camera 5 is transmitted to the information store 6 via a data input switch 7 which is closed in this case. From the information store 6 a video signal is sent to the video display 1. A recirculation loop 8, used when an image is frozen, is left open in this case. Thus in figure 3 information detected by the camera 5 is displayed after the usual procedure on a video screen 1 this display being in real-time. Figure 4 represents the situation where an image is frozen.
When the projectile 3 has travelled the required pre computed range then the image displayed on screen 1 will be as shown in figure 1. At this time the data input switch 7 is opened and the recirculation loop 8 is closed. The data relating the required image is thus continually recirculated and the image will appear frozen on the display screen 1.
While the image is frozen the angular coordinates relating to the 'miss' of the projectile can be derived. This derivation can be done manually. lhe manually derived coordinates are then fed to a utilizing means to improve the aiming of the weapon at the target for the firing of a second round. Alternatively, the utilising means includes means for automatically scanning the display and a computer which drives the required coordinates and the utilizing means automatically corrects the aiming of the weapon to fire a second round.
If the target is moving it is possible to accurately anticipate the position of the target, so that the aim can be further adjusted to take this movement into account. This initial aiming of the target can be done using the IR system though this is not essential. An advantage of the use of IR or visible light detectors is that they are completely passive unlike a radar system and of course an IR system has the advantages over a visible light system of night use and greater efficiency in conditions of haze and mist.
As an alternative to continuously monitoring the range of the shell that it is equally possible to combine a knowledge of the target range with that of the velocity of the shell and so estimate a time of target-strike.
The degree of automation used can be varied and it is possible for the system to be arranged to operate automatically throughout. Unless the first shot is extremely inaccurate the projectile should not miss by more than a few metres, and in these circumstances the error correction can be made very accurately and the chances of a second shot strike are substantially 100%.
Although herein reference has been made to high velocity armour piercing shell the invention is not limited to such shell and any projectile which is capable of being tracked can be used.
WHAT I CLAIM IS: 1. Apparatus for monitoring the aim of a launcher of projectiles including means for measuring the range of the launcher from a target; means for producing real-time representations of a field of view including a target, (and also a projectile after it has been launched towards the target); storage means arranged to selectively receive the real-time representations from the producing means; and control means responsive to the range of the launcher from the target to cause the storage means to receive and store the one of the said real-time representations produced at a time after launching of the projectile corresponding substantially to the said range thereby to produce a representation representing the said field of view frozen at the said time; the arrangement being such that an indication of the difference in the positions of the projectile when substantially at the said range and the target is derivable from the said one of the real-time representations, whereby the aim of the launcher can be adjusted prior to the launching of a further projectile.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, further including means for deriving from the said one of the representations an indication of the difference in the positions of the projectile and the target and for utilising that indication to adjust the aim of the launcher.
3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the representation producing means comprises infra-red imaging means.
4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the representation producing means includes an infra-red imager arranged to sense the adiabatic heat sheath of a projectil.
5. Apparatus according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein the storage means comprises: a store having an input coupled to the producing means via a first switching means to receive the real-time representations and an output; and a recirculation loop including a second switching means connecting the output and input of the store; the switching means being responsive to the control means to disconnect the input from the producing means and to connect the output to the input thereby to store the said one of the real-time representations at the said time.
6. Apparatus for monitoring the aim of a launcher of projectile substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawing filed with the Provisional Specification.
7. A method of monitoring the aim of a launcher of projectiles, including the steps of: measuring the range of the launcher from a target; launching a projectile towards the target; producing real time representations of a field of view including the target and the projectile; storing the one of the real-time representations produced at a time after launching of the projectile corresponding substantially to the said range, thereby to produce a representation representing the said field of view frozen at the said time; deriving from the frozen representation an indication of the difference in the positions of the projectile when substantially at the said range and the target; and using the indication to adjust the aim of the launcher prior to the launching of a further projectile.
8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the projectiles are high velocity armour-piercing shells.
9. A method according to claim 7 or 8 wherein the step of producing real-time representations is performed using infra-red imaging means.
10. A method according to claim 9,
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (13)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. done manually. lhe manually derived coordinates are then fed to a utilizing means to improve the aiming of the weapon at the target for the firing of a second round. Alternatively, the utilising means includes means for automatically scanning the display and a computer which drives the required coordinates and the utilizing means automatically corrects the aiming of the weapon to fire a second round. If the target is moving it is possible to accurately anticipate the position of the target, so that the aim can be further adjusted to take this movement into account. This initial aiming of the target can be done using the IR system though this is not essential. An advantage of the use of IR or visible light detectors is that they are completely passive unlike a radar system and of course an IR system has the advantages over a visible light system of night use and greater efficiency in conditions of haze and mist. As an alternative to continuously monitoring the range of the shell that it is equally possible to combine a knowledge of the target range with that of the velocity of the shell and so estimate a time of target-strike. The degree of automation used can be varied and it is possible for the system to be arranged to operate automatically throughout. Unless the first shot is extremely inaccurate the projectile should not miss by more than a few metres, and in these circumstances the error correction can be made very accurately and the chances of a second shot strike are substantially 100%. Although herein reference has been made to high velocity armour piercing shell the invention is not limited to such shell and any projectile which is capable of being tracked can be used. WHAT I CLAIM IS:
1. Apparatus for monitoring the aim of a launcher of projectiles including means for measuring the range of the launcher from a target; means for producing real-time representations of a field of view including a target, (and also a projectile after it has been launched towards the target); storage means arranged to selectively receive the real-time representations from the producing means; and control means responsive to the range of the launcher from the target to cause the storage means to receive and store the one of the said real-time representations produced at a time after launching of the projectile corresponding substantially to the said range thereby to produce a representation representing the said field of view frozen at the said time; the arrangement being such that an indication of the difference in the positions of the projectile when substantially at the said range and the target is derivable from the said one of the real-time representations, whereby the aim of the launcher can be adjusted prior to the launching of a further projectile.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, further including means for deriving from the said one of the representations an indication of the difference in the positions of the projectile and the target and for utilising that indication to adjust the aim of the launcher.
3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the representation producing means comprises infra-red imaging means.
4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the representation producing means includes an infra-red imager arranged to sense the adiabatic heat sheath of a projectil.
5. Apparatus according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein the storage means comprises: a store having an input coupled to the producing means via a first switching means to receive the real-time representations and an output; and a recirculation loop including a second switching means connecting the output and input of the store; the switching means being responsive to the control means to disconnect the input from the producing means and to connect the output to the input thereby to store the said one of the real-time representations at the said time.
6. Apparatus for monitoring the aim of a launcher of projectile substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawing filed with the Provisional Specification.
7. A method of monitoring the aim of a launcher of projectiles, including the steps of: measuring the range of the launcher from a target; launching a projectile towards the target; producing real time representations of a field of view including the target and the projectile; storing the one of the real-time representations produced at a time after launching of the projectile corresponding substantially to the said range, thereby to produce a representation representing the said field of view frozen at the said time; deriving from the frozen representation an indication of the difference in the positions of the projectile when substantially at the said range and the target; and using the indication to adjust the aim of the launcher prior to the launching of a further projectile.
8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the projectiles are high velocity armour-piercing shells.
9. A method according to claim 7 or 8 wherein the step of producing real-time representations is performed using infra-red imaging means.
10. A method according to claim 9,
wherein the imaging means senses the adiabatic heat sheath of the first-mentioned projectile.
11. A method according to Claim 9, wherein at least the first-mentioned of the projectiles comprises a beacon emitting infra-red radiation.
12. A method according to claim 7, 8, 9, 10 or 11, wherein the step of using the indication to adjust the aim of the launcher is performed by automatic means.
13. A method of monitoring the aim of a launcher of projectiles substantially as hereinbefore described.
GB3360275A 1976-09-08 1976-09-08 Apparatus for monitoring the aim of a launcher of projectiles Expired GB1563094A (en)

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GB3360275A GB1563094A (en) 1976-09-08 1976-09-08 Apparatus for monitoring the aim of a launcher of projectiles

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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB3360275A GB1563094A (en) 1976-09-08 1976-09-08 Apparatus for monitoring the aim of a launcher of projectiles

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Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2514884A1 (en) * 1981-10-20 1983-04-22 Sfim METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GLOBALLY CORRECTING, FROM A SHOOTING TO THE FOLLOWING, THE FIRE OF A TENDERED SHOOTING ARM
US4698489A (en) * 1982-09-30 1987-10-06 General Electric Company Aircraft automatic boresight correction
GB2324360A (en) * 1997-04-18 1998-10-21 Rheinmetall Ind Ag Method and apparatus for aiming a weapon
EP3034986A1 (en) * 2014-12-19 2016-06-22 Diehl BGT Defence GmbH & Co. Kg Automatic gun

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2514884A1 (en) * 1981-10-20 1983-04-22 Sfim METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GLOBALLY CORRECTING, FROM A SHOOTING TO THE FOLLOWING, THE FIRE OF A TENDERED SHOOTING ARM
US4698489A (en) * 1982-09-30 1987-10-06 General Electric Company Aircraft automatic boresight correction
GB2324360A (en) * 1997-04-18 1998-10-21 Rheinmetall Ind Ag Method and apparatus for aiming a weapon
FR2762384A1 (en) * 1997-04-18 1998-10-23 Rheinmetall Ind Ag WEAPON SCORING METHOD OF A WEAPON SYSTEM AND WEAPON SYSTEM FOR IMPLEMENTING THIS PROCESS
US6038955A (en) * 1997-04-18 2000-03-21 Rheinmetall W.& M. Gmbh Method for aiming the weapon of a weapon system and weapon system for implementing the method
GB2324360B (en) * 1997-04-18 2001-08-29 Rheinmetall Ind Ag Method and apparatus for aiming a weapon
EP3034986A1 (en) * 2014-12-19 2016-06-22 Diehl BGT Defence GmbH & Co. Kg Automatic gun

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