GB2041177A

GB2041177A - Sighting and target tracking instruction apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2041177A
Application number: GB8001472A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1979-01-25
Filing date: 1980-01-16
Publication date: 1980-09-03
Also published as: JPS5599598A; SE427383C; DE3002291A1; SE7900696L; SE427383B

Abstract

An apparatus for instructing marksmen in the art of sighting a weapon or tracking a target includes a sighting instrument 7 mounted on a weapon 6, through which the marksman can observe a target, and a calculator which, when training a marksman in the art of sighting the weapon, calculates sighting points from data concerning the distance to the target and its moving path. When target tracking in conjunction with the simulated firing of a controllable projectile, the calculator calculates the position of the projectile in space from data relating to the distance to the target and the control signals generated for guiding the projectile. The apparatus also includes a cathode ray tube 8 which receives from the calculator signals representing sighting points or the position of the projectile, and reproduces in the sighting instrument 7 the position of relevant sighting locations when the marksman carries out a firing movement or when the simulated projectile passes the target plane, thus enabling the marksman to compare the actual result with the theoretical result calculated by the calculator. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Sighting and target tracking instruction apparatus The present invention relates to an apparatus for instructing marksmen in the art of aiming or sighting and target-tracking respectively, said apparatus comprising a sighting instrument mounted on a weapon and through which the marksmen can observe a target.

Weapons which are intended for attacking movable targets and which require manual sighting and target-tracking respectively, such as recoilless guns and light guided missile weapons, require much of the marksmen.

Comprehensive target practice is required before a marksman reaches an acceptable proficiency. Target practices are extremely expensive, and when the result is not that desired it is, at times, difficult for the instructor to establish what errors have been made. It is known to simulate the firing of such weapons and, in connection therewith, to study the marksman's aiming and target-tracking operations, for example on a TV-monitor, and to correct the errors made by the marksman.

The present invention is based on the view that it is of the highest importance with respect to the result of training given to a marksman, that the marksman himself can check the result of his aiming immediately after a simulated firing of a shell or upon the termination of a target-tracking operation.

In accordance with the present invention this is achieved in the blind firing of a weapon which firing is arranged to initiate the reproduction in the sighting instrument of ideal sighting points which can be immediately compared with the position of the sighting point set by the marksman himself. In a target-tracking operation, the position of a simulated controlled projectile, such as a robot, is reproduced at least when it passes the target plane. Suitably, the position of the robot is reproduced in the sighting instrument of the marksman during the whole of the robot flying time, so that the marksman is accustomed to also seeing the robot in the sighting instrument in addition to the target.

By target plane is meant here a plane which passes through the target and which is perpendicular to the sighting line between the marksman and the target.

In order to reproduce the position of an ideal sighting point at a desired point of time, or the position of the projectile in space when it passes the target plane, there is utilized in accordance with the invention a calculator which from data concerning the distance to the target and its direction of movement and velocity calculates the ideal sighting point or, when target tracking in conjunction with simulating a guided projectile, from data concerning the distance to the target and the signals generated for guiding the projectile calculates the position of the projectile in space in relation to the target.

For the purpose of calculating the ideal sighting point, the calculator is suitably supplied with input data relating to the original distance to the target, the movement path of said target and its velocity, said calculator continuously calculating ideal sighting points on the basis of time and, of course, also on the basis of knowledge of the performance of the weapon. Thus, the calculator utilizes the time between the initiation of a firing sequence up to the time the marksman makes a firing movement, in order to determine the relevant position of the ideal sighting point.

When target tracking in conjunction with simulating a controllable projectile, the time taken for the projectile to move from the weapon to the target plane is used to determine when the projectile passes said plane. This time period is calculated by the calculator, which is fed with said input data and the velocity of the simulated projectile, and which with a starting point from said time establishes by count-down when the projectile has reached the target. The calculator is, of'course, also adapted to calculate the reactions of the projectile to differing control signals.

For the purpose of reproducing ideal sighting points and impact points respectively, there is used a cathode-ray tube or a corresponding means, and means for reproducing a symbol on said tube in the sighting instrument.

To enable an instructor to be able to observe and to check the sightings made by a marksman or the result of his target-tracking operation, it is preferred that the image seen by the marksman through the sighting instrument is taken up by a TV-camera connected to a video-tape recorder and/or a TV-monitor.

Other characterizing features of the invention are disclosed in the claims.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings.

Figure 1 illustrates the graduated sighting plate of a sighting instrument in a direct-firing weapon, such as a recoilless gun.

Figure 2 illustrates schematically a recoilless gun modified with an apparatus according to the invention.

When sighting, for example, a recoil less gun with the aid of a graduated sighting plate according to Fig. 1, said plate being provided with sighting lines 2 representing differing firing ranges, the marksman first makes a rough sighting, so that he can see the target 3 in the sighting instrument. Subsequent to evaluating the distance to the target, or reading off the distance thereto, the marksman selects a corresponding sighting line 2.

When using a sighting instrument which lacks sighting lines for differing ranges, the selected distance is set by rotating the sighting instrument relative to the weapon around a horizontal axis. Information corresponding to the thus set sighting angle is supplied in this case to the calculator.

In the illustrated embodiment, the marksman has selected a sighting such that the target 3 moves along the next to highest line 2. The barrel of the weapon is directed onto the point 4 along an imaginary, central vertical line located opposite the selected horizontal line. Because of the speed at which the target 3 moves, the weapon must be fired before the target has reached the said imaginary vertical line. This distance the lead which lies between said line and the target 3, is determined, inter alia, by that velocity component of the target which is perpendicular to the optical axis of the sighting instrument.

The horizontal lines 2 are thus normally graduated in terms of velocity.

In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1, the marksman, subsequent to evaluating the ve velocity of the target 3, has fired the weapon with the target in the position illustrated in the Figure. In accordance with the invention, firing of the weapon initiates a reproduction in the sighting instrument of a correct sighting point calculated by a calculator, said point being shown in the Figure by a cross 5. It will be seen from the Figure that the marksman has misjudged both the distance to the target 3 and its velocity. Thus, the target was at a greater distance from the marksman than he realized and was moving more quickly than he had calculated, as will be seen by the fact that the cross 5 is located beneath and behind the target 3.As will be evident from the above, the marksman does not follow the target with the weapon in a typical sighting operation, but holds the weapon still, subsequent to setting the weapon to the evaluated sighting, until the target 3 has reached the point where the marksman has calculated that firing of the weapon should commence.

Fig. 2 illustrates a conventional recoilless gun 6 which is provided with a substantially conventional sighting or aiming instrument 7, through which the marksman can observe the target. A cathode-ray tube 8 is mounted on the weapon and is so arranged that by means of a semi-transparent mirror (not shown) arranged in the sighting instrument 7 an image on the cathode-ray tube can be reflected into the sighting instrument, so that to the marksman it appears to be located on substantially the same plane as the target. The sighting instrument 7 is provided with a further semitransparent mirror (not shown) which is adapted to reflect the image field visible through the sighting instrument onto a TVcamera 9 also mounted on the weapon.The method of reflecting images into and out of sighting instruments is well known, see for instance the Swedish patent specification 340061, and will not be described in detail in this specification.

The reference 10 identifies an electric cable connected to the weapon 6, said cable conveying control voltages obtained from a calculator 1 2 to the cathode-ray tube 8, via an amplifier 11. Image signals from the TVcamera 9 can also be transmitted through the cable 10 to a video-tape recorder 1 3 and a TV-monitor 14. The calculator may be any suitable calculator available on the market.

When using the aforedescribed apparatus for target practice, firstly the distance of the target, its direction of movement and its velocity are set on the calculator 12, as indicated in the Figure. When the position and movement of the target coincide with the set values, the calculating process is commenced in the calculator 1 2 by pressing the start button 1 5. On the basis of the set values and with knowledge of the performance of the weapon, the calculator continuously calculates the ideal aiming or sighting point, which is changed in dependence upon time as a result of the movement of the target.When the start button 1 5 is preseed, the marksman is permitted to start his sighting operation and, at the same time, suitably the video-tape recorder 1 3 and optionally the TV-monitor 14 on which the instructor can follow the said aiming operation is or are started.

Subsequent to estimating the range and adjusting the elevation angle and assessing the speed at which the target moves, the marksman makes a dummy firing as soon as the target has reached the sighting point determined by the estimated target velocity, said dummy firing operation actuating a firing switch 1 6 which stops the timer in the calculator 12, said calculator then sending to the amplifier 11, signals which correspond to the correct sighting point, from which amplifier 11 the amplified signals are transmitted for controlling the cathode-ray tube 8. The indication on the screen of the cathode-ray tube is then reflected immediately to the field of vision of the marksman in the sighting instrument 7. The marksman will then receive directly conformation as to whether his estimations of the target range and target velocity were correct or in which respect and to which extent his estimations were in error. With this knowledge he can then immediately prepare to discharge a further missile at the same or a different target. The whole of the sighting and firing operation is registered by the video-tape recorder 1 3 and can be used later by the instructor to correct the errors made by the marksman when sighting the weapon onto the target. The essential feature of the invention, however, is the possibility afforded the marksmen of obtaining information as to whether the weapon was correctly sighted onto the target immediately subsequent to the weapon being fired, or not.

In addition to recoilless guns, the invention can also be applied with any other type of weapon where the correct sighting or aiming point or the like can be reflected into the sighting instrument. The invention can also be applied with weapons for firing controllable projectiles, such as robots, for training personnel in target-tracking operation. In this case, the calculator 1 2 is supplied with information concerning the relevant distance to the target etc, and calculates on the basis of said distance and the performance of the robot and its reactions to applied control signals generated by the target-tracking operation, the flying time of the robot to reach the target and its position in space.When the timer in the calculator 12 has established by count down that the calculated flying time has expired the momentary position of the robot in space is transmitted immediately to a cathoderay tube arranged in accordance with Fig. 2.

The marksman is then able to establish immediately whether the robot would have hit the target, i.e. whether the indication given on the cathode-ray tube coincides with the target observed through the sights.

In order to better simulate the actual control of a robot it is preferred, however, that the position of the robot in space is continuously fed out and reflected in the sighting instrument through the cathode-ray tube 8. In this case, the marksman during a sighting operation, during which he shall solely concentrate on holding a cross or like sighting bead on a desired location on the target, becomes accustomed to the fact that the robot is also present and moves irregularly in the field of vision.

When the robot is automatically controlled by the signals generated by the movements made by the weapon when tracking the target, the marksman shall disregard the presence of the robot. It is also important, however, in this case that immediately after completing a firing operation the marksman obtains information as to whether he has scored a hit or a miss, i.e. an indication of the location of the robot in space when it passes the target plane. Such an indication can have the form, for example, of a flashing symbol.

The manner in which the robot is controlled has not been described in detail since it does not constitute part of the invention and is well known to one skilled in this art.

Claims

1. An apparatus for instructing marksmen in the sighting of a weapon and the tracking of a target respectively, said apparatus comprising a sighting instrument mounted on a weapon, through which instrument the marksman is able to observe a target, a calculator which, from data concerning the distance to the target and its movement path and velocity, calculates ideal sighting points, or when target tracking in conjunction with the simulation of a controllable projectile, calculates from data concerning the distance of the target and control signals generated for guiding said projectile, the position of the projectile in space, and means adapted to receive from the calculator signals representing ideal sighting points or the position of the projectile, and to reproduce in the sighting instrument the position for said point in question when the marksman carries out a firing movement, or when the simulated projectile passes the target plane.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the calculator for calculating ideal target points is adapted to store input values concerning the target range and its movement path and velocity, and to calculate continuously ideal sighting points in dependence on time.

3: An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the calculator for calculating the impact point when target tracking is adapted to calculate, with a starting point from the distance to the target and the speed of the simulated projectile, the requisite flying time and to establish, by counting down said time when the projectile passes the target plane.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1, which in the case of target tracking, is adapted to continuously reproduce in the sighting instrument the position of the simulated controllable projectile during the whole of its airborn time with indication of the impact point when it passes the target plane.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein that said means for reproducing ideal sighting points or said impact point comprises a cathode-ray tube or the like and means for reflecting an image from said tube into said sighting instrument.