GB2164427A - Missile control systems - Google Patents

Abstract

In a missile system for small or large targets for which photographs are available, a cruise missile is transported near to the battle area and aligned with the target before release. The missile is equipped to generate and store selected target images in various planes and angles of impact based on pre-recorded photographs. The images received by an optical system carried by the missile are likewise processed. A master computer co-relates the two sets of images in flight for identification of the selected target. The master computer with the help of the optical system amends the alignment of the missile to achieve locking of the missile to the target.

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in military offensive and defensive missile control systems This invention relates to a military missile control system which can be used for attacking small or large targets either for offence or defence, for example in repelling attack by large formations of enemy tanks, warships; for destroying bridges, railway yards, warehouses, factories, aerodromes, submarines, underwater objects etc,by using cruise missiles which are physically transported close to the scene of action by conventional means like aircraft and released when the target is in sight and in alignment with the missile.

Normally, in most circumstances it would be desirable to launch the attack when the aircraft is five to fifty miles from the target area.

In this text, the word "missile" is used in singular and plural senses and to denote "cruise" missile/s with conventional warheads.

The background technology in computer electronics, optical devices, radar, TV, laser, infra-red etc has been developed and applied to current weapons. Such background technology can be applied to the under-mentioned techniques in respect of tracking of the selected target.

To distinguish the terminology used by different professions, the word "photographs/images" will be used to denote the same meaning.

All missile systems have a common objective-to destroy enemy targets by replacing combatants with "machines" The technique is to simulate in the machine, the capabilities of human eyes and faculties. Computers with "artificial intelligence" to carry out limited tasks are used by the industry for automation of manufacturing and assembly operations. A missile system should be capable of handling moving or stationary target.

The operation of tracking of a target consists of: (a) identification of the target as a first step, and (b) as a second step, adjustment of the alignment of the missile with the target during the flight-time of the missile.

Both these operations are performed consecutively several hundred times a second to obtain continuity of the tracking operation.

The human brain has a collection of out-line images of different objects stored in its memory cells from childhood. When a person sees an object, the person matches what he/she sees with the image of similar object in his memory system and in this way identifies the object as a chair or table or tank. The attitude in which he sees an object is recognised by a series of mathematical calculations automatically done by the brain to produce a three dimensional object in a given attitude.

All missile systems try to simulate the above manual operation in one way or another, using the advances in technology, described above. This invention gives a novel way of mechanising the operation of tracking of a target by a missile.

Figure 1 shows the scaled elevation and plan view of a building obtained by applying the science of photogrammetry to a properly taken photograph of the building before its destruction by bombs.

Figure 2 shows the schematic arrangement of the missile apparatuses and the function of one of them.

Figure 3 is schematic representation of the operator control of the missile system.

Figure 4 is schematic representation of the blanking-off technique necessary for the control operation.

Identification of the target and alignment of the missile with the target is performed by the following technique typified by Fig 1 and Fig 2.

(i) Computerised application of photogrammetry to obtain scaled outline image of the target from the initial photograph in the memory system of each missile.

(ii) Automatic application of the Computer Aided Design Technology with or without video facility to continuously generate and store in a computer, the outline image of the target in differing vertical planes and at differing angles of impact of warheads, selectively or combined.

(iii) Continuous search and comparison of the stored selected target images with the inflight images from the missile's optical system using methods in (i) and (ii) above as performed by the master computer.

(iv) Identification of the selected target when the two images co-relate thereby giving appropriate signals to missile auto-pilot or flight computer as performed by the master computer.

Identification of the said selected target is carried out by the apparatuses (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) above.

Alignment of the missile-with the said selected target is also performed by the master computer by adjusting the flight path 59 FIG 3 of the missile (including descent) based on the target data as regards speed and direction of travel received from the optical system and then relaying appropriate signals to the autopilot or flight computer. The master computer is programmed to take evasive action to avoid collison with moving or stationary objects during its flight. The optical system and the master computer between them have the capacity to revert to the target identification and alignment processes should there be a momentary loss of image during such manoeuvres.

The missile optical system is capable of taking photographs/images at high speed in all weather conditions and obcuration from woodlands and vegetation. Additionally the optical system is equipped to obtain and transmit continuously target movement data, as regards speed and direction to the master computer.

Computer Aided Design Technology involves the use of special computers capable of producing video displays of complicated components in various attitudes by the use of mathematics incorporated in its data base.

Electronic magnifiers have the capability to magnify outline photographs/images at will and it is possible to store large numbers of outline photographs/images on optical discs, magnetic tapes and the like.

In Fig(1)the scaled elevation 70 and the plan view 71 of the target are produced from photograph 74 of the target before destruction, by the application of science of photogrammetry. The bombed target is at 75. It is possible to produce a three dimensional outline image of an object from the elevation and the plan view.

In Fig (2) the memory box 78 of the missile contains properly pre-recorded photographs/images of a library of different kinds of targets. This is done at the time of the production run or at a time prior to attack. The operator has an apparatus to select the target at will. He has also an apparatus to control the firing sequence of the missiles.

During the time it takes to transport the missile/s to target area, the stored ordinary photograph/image of the selected target is processed by computerised photogrammetry apparatus 81 to obtain scaled outline image 77 which is further processed by Computer Aided Design terminal 82 to generate images in differing vertical plane 95 and at differing angle of impact 97 of warheads selectively or combined. These images are stored in Computer 86.

Optical system 90 is operated on release of the missile from the carrying vehicle. Magnifier 92 magnifies the pictures/images.

The in-coming images of the selected target are processed through computerised system 81 and 82 and the master Computer 88.

The master computer 88 and the computer 86 are inter-linked to enable the master computer 88 to search and compare images. Additionally the master computer 88 analyses target movement data received from the optical system and relays appropriate signals to auto-pilot 79 in a continuous cycle. Flight Controllers 80 are actuated in a continuous cycle to lock the missile on to the target. This operation of identification and alignment of the missile with the target is done several hundred times per second by the master computer 88.

If the transporting vehicle carries more than one cruise missile, the operator can use these to destroy different parts of a target or several targets since the initial alignment is within the operator's control. This is demonstrated as follows: It is assumed that the aircraft 10 in Figure 3 is capable of carrying up to eight cruise missiles positioned in a cluster 15 or similar, such that their optical devices would cover the same target area 27 as viewed by the pilot/co-pilot 17 in the all weather optical monotiring system 14 commonly supplied in modern fighting vehicles and aircraft.

The control box 21 located in the pilot/copilot's cockpit has eight buttons numbered consecutively from one to eight. In addition it has three more buttons marked (a) Auto 16 (b) Manual 19 (c) Release 23.

Should the pilot/co-pilot decide to release more than one missile in one-go, he would press the button marked "Auto" and then press the button relating to the number of missiles he wishes to launch. On pressing the Release button 23, the required number of missiles are released in numerical order or simultaneously.

For one off target, the pilot/co-pilot would press the button marked Manual and then press any one of the buttons numerically marked. On pressing the Release button 23 the missile will be launched. Lighted indicators are provided to determine which of the eight missiles have been used previously. Alternatively the on-board computer system 35 could be programmed to log release of missile and take care of this function automatically.

The control box 25 located in the pilot/copilot's cockpit has several buttons marked to distinguish various types of targets such as "Tank", "Cruiser", "Submarine", "Aircraft Carrier", "Railway Yard", "Bridge" or the description of any other suitable military target.

If the aim of the pilot/co-pilot is to attack a formation of tanks, he would select the kind of target by pressing the button marked "Tank". This action will give the necessary command to the said memory box 78 which in turn will activate the said computerised photogrammetry apparatus 81 for further processing as herein indicated.

Figure 4 gives one method for the sequential identification of the assigned target once the missiles are launched. The general target area 27 is segmented into eight areas. Each of these areas of the general target area 27, is imaged in each of the eight missile segmentaily as represented by 32A, 32B, 32C, 32D, 32E, 32F, 32G and 32H. The segments for image for missile number one are blanked-off barring segment number one. The segments for image for missile number two are blankedoff barring segment number two and so on up to the eighth missile.

The blanking-off of the image segments can be done electronically or using a specially developed photographic/magnetic film/tape material or special optical discs or the like.

The on-board computer 35 can be programmed to keep log of the missiles launched and adjust the process of sequential identification, in a situation where two or more approaches to the target area are made. It will give appropriate signals to the remaining missiles on board before being released.

To demonstrate this function, it is assumed that in the course of his approach to the target area, the operator has launched four missiles. He then wishes to launch two more missiles at some other targets which have shown up on the monitor screen.

The said on-board computer 35 will give command to the optical system of missiles number five and six to alter the blanking-off process from area 32E to area 32A for missile number five and for missile number six from area 32F to area 32B. Such changes in operational sequence would be made by the on-board computer until all the eight missiles are launched. The on-board computer will then revert to the "zero" position ready for the next operational sortie.

The number of cruise missiles carried by an aircraft would depend on its payload capacity.

The application of the system is not restricted to eight missiles only. A bomber aircraft could house a large number of missiles suitably carried in the bomb-bay. Several bombers in a flight could give the same firepower as several hundred old type bombers. Control boxes 21 and 25 and the on-board computer 35 would take account of the increased number of missiles being deployed per aircraft.

In the foregoing specification, the means of transport is an air-borne aircraft. The system can be equally applied by land based transporter in such circumstances as those enemy targets which are open to view, say from a high mountain on to the plain below.

The apparatuses for identification described above can be applied to robotronics to enable the optical system of the robot arm to identify a component placed at random in a box or container.

Claims (8)

1. Improvements in military offensive and defensive missile control systems provided with: 1. Cruise missile/s fitted with: (a) An optical system (90) with capability to take photographs/images of a target in all weather conditions and obscuration from woodland and vegetation, (b) a computerised photogrammetry apparatus (81) to obtain scaled outline image of the target, (c) a computer aided design terminal (82) to generate photographs/images of the target in differing vertical plane (95) and at differing angle of impact (97) of the warheads selectively or combined, (d) a master computer (88) interlinked to a computer (86) to enable the said master computer (88) to search and compare incoming images with the images stored in the computer (86) and with added capability to analyse target movement data received from the optical system and relay appropriate signals to an auto-pilot (79) rapidly in a continuous cycle.

(e) a computer (86) to store images processed by the said computer aided design terminal (82), via memory box (78), (f) a memory box (78) to contain properly taken images/photographs of pre-recorded library of different kinds of targets.

2. Improvements relating to a missile control system as claimed in Claim 1 having an autopilot or computerised flight control (79) to receive appropriate signals from the said master computer (88) and to rapidly actuate the flight controllers (80) in a continuous cycle to achieve tracking of the target.

3. Improvements relating to a missile control system as claimed in Claims 1 and 2 having flight controllers (80) to receive signals in a continuous cycle from the said computerised flight control (79) and guide the missile to the target as required by the master computer (88).

4. Improvements relating to a missile control system as claimed in any of the preceding claims having the said optical system (90) fitted with (i) means to sequentially segment the target area image, identify and assign relative segment image to the missile depending on its numerical order (ii) means to modify image sequence under the control of the onboard computer (35) prior to launch, (iii) means to obtain and relay target movement data to the master computer (88).

5. Improvements relating to a missile control system as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which the sequential identification of the assigned target is done by segmentation of the target areas, the blanking-off of the non-applicable segments as described herein, either electronically or by means of a specially developed photographic/magnetic film or tape material or special optical disc.

6. Improvements relating to a missile control system as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which target selection control (25), missile sequential control (21) and the onboard computer (35)-all interlinked to each missile are used.

7. Improvements relating to a missile control system substantially as herein described with reference to figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.

8. Improvements relating to identification and selection of objects/targets whether in a bin/box or otherwise, being performed by a robot arm by making use of one or more of the apparatuses as described in any of the preceding claims.