GB1605331A - Improvements in or relating to cluster weapons - Google Patents

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO CLUSTER WEAPONS I, THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DEFENCE, London, do hereby declare the invention. for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to projectiles of the type commonly referred to as cluster weapons. A projectile of this type contains a plurality cf missiles within an outer casing, and is projected as a single unit by, for example, release from an aircraft or firing from a gun. At some predetermined stage of the flight path the missiles are released or ejected from the projectile.

A typical weapon of this type has an inflatable rubber bladder with missiles lying between the bladder and the casing. In an ejection sequence an explosive charge is fired to jettison the casing, inflate the bladder and eject the missiles. This type of ejection can lead to collisions between ejected missiles with consequent disturbance of their ballistic paths. Also, weapons are likely to be stored for a considerable time prior to use, and in the type of weapon described above storage can lead to perishing of the rubber bladder or degradation of the explosive charge with the consequent risks of operational failure or premature operation of the charge.

This invention provides a cluster weapon in which ejection of the missiles is achieved sequentially without the use of an explosive charge.

According to the invention a cluster weapon includes a forward casing, a rear casing and means for separating the forward and rear casings in flight; means for retarding the rear casing relative to the forward casing; a missile carrier secured to the rear casing and lying substantially within the forward casing prior to separation of the casings; and means for sequentially objecting missiles as the missile carrier is withdrawn from the forward casing.

In a preferred form of the invention the casings are separated by a case cutting charge and the rear casing is retarded by means of a parachute.

A preferred form of the invention has a hollow cylindrical missile carrier with its axis lying along the longitudinal axis of the weapon, and missile ejection means including a cam mounted on a rod secured to the forward casing and passing centrally through the missile carrier, the cam being adapted to act, after separation of the casings. on follower members which are so mounted on the missile carrier as to be slideable substantially radially relative to the missile carrier.

Missiles may be carried in hods which are acted on directly by the follower members. but a mechanical advantage may be obtained during ejection by carrying the missiles in flexible ejecting bands. each ejecting band being mounted between two circumferentially adjacent follower members. Flexible steel ejecting bands are preferable.

One embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings accompanying the Provisional Specification, of which: Figure 1 is a side elevation. in section, of a cluster weapon.

Figure 2 is a sectional view along 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view along 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a sectional view along 4-4 of Figure 1, and Figures 5 to 7 show diagrammatically ejection of missiles from a weapon.

A cluster weapon (Figure 1) suitable for release from an aircraft has a casing I. A case cutting charge 4 is adapted to separate the casing I into a forward casing 2 and a rear casing 3.

Case cutting charges are well known devices for this type of operation, and consist in this instance of an explosive charge enclosed in a lead case the profile of which is suitably shaped to induce a directional cutting action around a circumference of the casing I at the desired point of separation.

A bulkhead 5 secured to the forward end of the rear casing 3 has a missile carrier 6 secured thereto. The missile carrier 6 has a cylindrically hollow interior and extends into the forward casing 2 with its axis along the axis of the forward casing 2. An extension 10 of the missile carrier 6, of equal intemal diameter. extends part way into the rear section 3. Symmetrically disposed around the periphery of the missile carrier 6 are seven U-shaped channels 7 (Figures 2 and 3) which run from the forward end of the carrier 6 to the bulkhead 5. A series of bulkheads.

as shown at 8. externally mounted on the missile carrier 6. are so spaced as to form eight compartments along the carrier 6. the compartments being of equal length. The bulkheads 8 are a sliding fit in the forward casing 2. The outer surface of the carrier is thus divided into fifty six cells, such as those shown at 9 in Figures 2 and 3, by the bulkheads 8 and the Ushaped channels 7.

A bracket 11 mounted at the front of the forward casing 2 has secured thereto a rod 12 which passes centrally through the missile carrier 6. A cam 13, secured to the rod 12 and lying at the rearmost position of. and within. the extension 10 is a sliding fit within the missile carrier 6 and extension 10. The forward face of the cam 13 is curved. a suitable form of the curve being y = kxn.

Follower members, such as those shown at 14.

in the form of rods are so mounted in the arms of the channels 7 as to be slideable radially relative to the missile carrier 6. The follower members 14 are so distributed that each cell 9 has a follower member 14 in each bounding channel 7 wall.

Each follower member 14 projects into the cylindrical interior space of the missile carrier 6.

and has a cross member 15 secured to its radially outermost end. Flexible steel ejecting bands, such as those shown at 16, extend from each cross member 15 along the surface of the missile carrier 6 to the cross member 15 on the circumferentially adjacent follower 14. There is one ejecting band 16 for each cell 9. Missiles.

such as those shown at 17 in Figures 2 and 3 are carried in each cell 9, being supported on the ejecting bands 16 and held in position by retaining straps such as those shown at 21. The number of missiles carried in each cell will depend on the dimensions of the missiles and of the weapon. As shown. one missile 17 is carried in each foremost cell 9 and three missiles 17 in each cell 9 thereafter where the overall missile diameter is greater.

A parachute pack 18 is carried in the rear casing 3, parachute straps 19 being attached to lugs 20 which are secured to the bulkhead 5 (Figure 4).

In operation, the weapon is released from an aircraft, an automatic timing device (which is not shown but which may. for example, be contained in the nose of the missile) being set in operation at some stage of the release sequence. After a predetermined delay the automatic timing device actuates the cutting charge 4 and the parachute pack 18. The cutting charge 4 separates the forward 2 and rear 3 casings. and a parachute 22 deploys from the parachute pack 18 and starts to retard the rear casing 3 relative to the forward casing 2 (Figure 6).

As the casings 2, 3 separate (Figure 7) the missile carrier 6 slides over the cam 13, bringing the followers 14, in sequence. into contact with the cam 13. Each pair of followers 14 is forced to slide radially outwards relative to the missile carrier 6, the associated retaining strap 21 is broken, the ejection band 16 is brought into tension and the missiles 17 ejected.

The missile spread characteristics will depend on several factors, such as, for example, the weight distribution between the forward 2 and rear 3 casings and their accoutrements, and the parachute characteristics, both of which are design features; and the speed at which the weapon is released. which will depend on operational factors. It will be apparent. however.

that with this method of release there will be little danger of the missiles interfering with each other after ejection.

It will be obvious that the weapon as described above may be varied in many ways within the scope of the invention. For example, spring loaded ejectors may be used. these being tripped during separation of the forward 2 and rear 3 casings by a mechanism analagous to the cam 13.

Alternatively, the followers 14 may cany hods In which the missiles are carried and which act directly on the missiles to eject them. However.

flexible ejecting bands 16 have the characteristic.

when they are pulled taut by movement of followers 14. of imparting a mechanical advantage to the ejection motion. Ejecting bands of rubber or the like may be used instead of flexible steel. but are more likely to deteriorate during storage.

In the weapon described above, with reference to the accompanying drawings. the only combustible element is the case cutting charge.

The inadvertent operation of this during, for example. storage. will cause no section of the weapon or payload to be ejected. Separation of the forward and rear casings 2, 3. sufficient to eject missiles can only occur upon release of the parachute with the weapon in motion through the air. In cases where it is thought that a parachute will not provide sufficient retardation of the rear casing 3 relative to the forward casing 2 it may be supplemented by forward firing rockets secured to the rear casing 3. Such rockets can be made detachable for storage purposes.

WHAT I CLAIM IS: I. A cluster weapon including a forward casing. a rear casing and means for separating the forward and rear casings in flight; means for retarding the rear casing relative to the forward casing; a missile carrier secured to the rear casing and lying substantially within the forward casing prior to separation of the casings; and means for sequentially ejecting missiles as the missile carrier is withdrawn from the forward casing.

2. A cluster weapon as claimed in Claim I wherein the missile carrier is a hollow tube and wherein the means for sequentially ejecting missiles includes a cam rigidly attached to the forward casing and arranged to pass through the missile carrier after separation of the casings.

3. A cluster weapon as claimed in Claim 2 having a plurality of radially slideable followers mounted in the missile carrier, the followers being arranged to be forced outwardly by the cam as the cam passes through the missile carrier.

4. A cluster weapon as claimed in Claim 3 arranged to carry missiles in hods. the hods being acted on directly by the followers to eject

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (13)

1. **WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **.

   compartments being of equal length. The bulkheads 8 are a sliding fit in the forward casing 2. The outer surface of the carrier is thus divided into fifty six cells, such as those shown at 9 in Figures 2 and 3, by the bulkheads 8 and the Ushaped channels 7.

   A bracket 11 mounted at the front of the forward casing 2 has secured thereto a rod 12 which passes centrally through the missile carrier 6. A cam 13, secured to the rod 12 and lying at the rearmost position of. and within. the extension 10 is a sliding fit within the missile carrier 6 and extension 10. The forward face of the cam 13 is curved. a suitable form of the curve being y = kxn.

   Follower members, such as those shown at 14.

   in the form of rods are so mounted in the arms of the channels 7 as to be slideable radially relative to the missile carrier 6. The follower members 14 are so distributed that each cell 9 has a follower member 14 in each bounding channel 7 wall.

   Each follower member 14 projects into the cylindrical interior space of the missile carrier 6.

   and has a cross member 15 secured to its radially outermost end. Flexible steel ejecting bands, such as those shown at 16, extend from each cross member 15 along the surface of the missile carrier 6 to the cross member 15 on the circumferentially adjacent follower 14. There is one ejecting band 16 for each cell 9. Missiles.

   such as those shown at 17 in Figures 2 and 3 are carried in each cell 9, being supported on the ejecting bands 16 and held in position by retaining straps such as those shown at 21. The number of missiles carried in each cell will depend on the dimensions of the missiles and of the weapon. As shown. one missile 17 is carried in each foremost cell 9 and three missiles 17 in each cell 9 thereafter where the overall missile diameter is greater.

   A parachute pack 18 is carried in the rear casing 3, parachute straps 19 being attached to lugs 20 which are secured to the bulkhead 5 (Figure 4).

   In operation, the weapon is released from an aircraft, an automatic timing device (which is not shown but which may. for example, be contained in the nose of the missile) being set in operation at some stage of the release sequence. After a predetermined delay the automatic timing device actuates the cutting charge 4 and the parachute pack 18. The cutting charge 4 separates the forward 2 and rear 3 casings. and a parachute 22 deploys from the parachute pack 18 and starts to retard the rear casing 3 relative to the forward casing 2 (Figure 6).

   As the casings 2, 3 separate (Figure 7) the missile carrier 6 slides over the cam 13, bringing the followers 14, in sequence. into contact with the cam 13. Each pair of followers 14 is forced to slide radially outwards relative to the missile carrier 6, the associated retaining strap 21 is broken, the ejection band 16 is brought into tension and the missiles 17 ejected.

   The missile spread characteristics will depend on several factors, such as, for example, the weight distribution between the forward 2 and rear 3 casings and their accoutrements, and the parachute characteristics, both of which are design features; and the speed at which the weapon is released. which will depend on operational factors. It will be apparent. however.

   that with this method of release there will be little danger of the missiles interfering with each other after ejection.

   It will be obvious that the weapon as described above may be varied in many ways within the scope of the invention. For example, spring loaded ejectors may be used. these being tripped during separation of the forward 2 and rear 3 casings by a mechanism analagous to the cam 13.

   Alternatively, the followers 14 may cany hods In which the missiles are carried and which act directly on the missiles to eject them. However.

   flexible ejecting bands 16 have the characteristic.

   when they are pulled taut by movement of followers 14. of imparting a mechanical advantage to the ejection motion. Ejecting bands of rubber or the like may be used instead of flexible steel. but are more likely to deteriorate during storage.

   In the weapon described above, with reference to the accompanying drawings. the only combustible element is the case cutting charge.

   The inadvertent operation of this during, for example. storage. will cause no section of the weapon or payload to be ejected. Separation of the forward and rear casings 2, 3. sufficient to eject missiles can only occur upon release of the parachute with the weapon in motion through the air. In cases where it is thought that a parachute will not provide sufficient retardation of the rear casing 3 relative to the forward casing 2 it may be supplemented by forward firing rockets secured to the rear casing 3. Such rockets can be made detachable for storage purposes.

   WHAT I CLAIM IS: I. A cluster weapon including a forward casing. a rear casing and means for separating the forward and rear casings in flight; means for retarding the rear casing relative to the forward casing; a missile carrier secured to the rear casing and lying substantially within the forward casing prior to separation of the casings; and means for sequentially ejecting missiles as the missile carrier is withdrawn from the forward casing.
2. 2. A cluster weapon as claimed in Claim I wherein the missile carrier is a hollow tube and wherein the means for sequentially ejecting missiles includes a cam rigidly attached to the forward casing and arranged to pass through the missile carrier after separation of the casings.
3. 3. A cluster weapon as claimed in Claim 2 having a plurality of radially slideable followers mounted in the missile carrier, the followers being arranged to be forced outwardly by the cam as the cam passes through the missile carrier.
4. 4. A cluster weapon as claimed in Claim 3 arranged to carry missiles in hods. the hods being acted on directly by the followers to eject

   missiles.
5. 5. A cluster weapon as claimed in Claim 3 arranged to carry missiles in flexible ejecting bands, each ejecting band being so secured to two circumferentially adjacent followers that outward movement of the followers due to action of the cam causes the band to move from a slack to a taut position.
6. 6. A cluster weapon as claimed in Claim 5 wherein the ejecting bands are formed from flexible steel.
7. 7. A cluster weapon as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6 including a case cutting charge for separating the casings.
8. 8. A cluster weapon as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 7 wherein retardation of the rear casing relative to the forward casing is effected by a parachute. deployment of the parachute following separation of the casings.
9. 9. A cluster weapon as claimed in Claim 8 wherein additional retardation of the rear casing is provided by forward firing rockets secured to the rear casing, firing of the rockets following separation of the casings.
10. 10. A cluster weapon as claimed in Claim 9 wherein the rockets are detachable for storage purposes.
11. 11. A cluster weapon substantially as hereinbefore described.
12. 12. A cluster weapon substantially as described with reference to the drawings filed with the provisional specification.
13. 13. A cluster weapon as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 12 including a plurality of missiles.