GB2182126A

GB2182126A - Aircraft weapon suspension means

Info

Publication number: GB2182126A
Application number: GB08624729A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Norbert Kerle
Original assignee: Messerschmitt Bolkow Blohm AG
Current assignee: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
Priority date: 1985-10-23
Filing date: 1986-10-15
Publication date: 1987-05-07
Also published as: DE3537608A1; IT1197377B; FR2588949B1; GB2182126B; DE3537608C2; BR8604517A; GB8624729D0; FR2588949A1; IT8621961A0

Abstract

Aircraft weapon suspension means comprises a mechanism 3 capable of automatic pick-up and delivery of different types of weapons 1 which have recognition features 2 detectable by corresponding sensors 4 provided on the mechanism 3, and a computer 5 for activation of the suspension means. The pick-up members 11 include claws, straps and suspension hooks, with or without thrust-off pistons. The recognition features 2 and sensors 4 can be optically, acoustically, electromagnetically or purely mechanically effective. Instead of or in addition to the sensors 4, mechanical feelers 8 can be used. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Aircraft suspension means This invention relates to aircraft suspension means comprising a mechanism for differentiated automatic pick-up and delivery of weapons.

Conventional aircraft weapon suspension means are equipped with suspension hooks and with sway brace devicesforthe rigid fastening oftheweapons to the aircraft as well asforthe complete repulsion or thrust-offof same, when required, by meansofrepul- sion pistons.

For example, German Patent Specification No. DE PS-29 38060 discloses a sway brace device in which, for automatic adjustment and thus for the achieve ment of a favourable lever action ofthe braces the diameter of the respective weapons is sensed or explored by means of a feeler. With such a device the diameter ofthe weapon can indeed be ascertained, but it is neither possible to identify the individual weapon type norto automatically align the entire suspension means with respect to the intended weapon attachment.

In contrast, the object of the invention is to provide improved aircraft weapon suspension means such that automatic pre-programmed and differentiated pick-up and delivery of the weapons is made possible.

This object is achieved in that the weapons are provided with recognition features and the mechanism is equipped with sensors capable of detecting same, the signals ofthese sensors being comparable, by means of a computer and/or byway of a mechanical arrangement, with values stored in the mechanism so asto achieve programmed activation ofthesuspension means.

The advantages ofthe invention lie in the fact that by means ofa data compilation, for example in the form of a punched card, individual stations of the entire aircraft suspension device can be programmed in accordance with a mission arming plan both for rapid automaticweapon pick-up ontheground and forsimilarweapon delivery inthe air. Thus,the manual work on the ground is abolished and, asa consequence, fitting or, respectively, release errors in the case of a so-called weapon mix are avoided.

Moreover, the specifictype of release for each weapon (such as, for example, with orwithout thrust-off pistons) at each individual station on the suspension device can be programmed in afresh again and again. Furthermore, in accordancewith the invention when the aircraft is in the air automatic selection and release of an individual weapon from the weapon mix and from a station ready to fire is possible for a specific target.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which the single figure shows a perspective view ofthe aircraft suspension device together with a schematic representation of the weapon, in an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

As illustrated in the figure, an aircraft suspension device 7 includes a mechanism 3 which is provided with a sensor4 a computer 5, and a mechanical arrangement 6. For reasons of simplification, in the figure only a single one of several loading stations 13 is shown. Each of these stations 13 has a mechanism 3 of its own, but exceptionally only a single centrallyworking computer 5 could be provided for all the stations 13.

The sensor 4 on the mechanism 3 may be of one type or of a combination of types depending on the demand ofthe circumstances and the preferences of the designer. For example, in the case of an optically effective sensor, this may consist of anything from a single strip code reader up to a complicated active infra-red sensor. Also active acoustic or electromagnetic sensors 4 may be employed. For simplifications or for redundancy reasons, instead of or in addition to the aforesaid sensors 4, a mechanical feeler 8 can be used, which feeler collaborates with the computer 5 or with the mechanical arrangement 6 forthe identification of the respective weapon. Incidently, the mechanical arrangement 6 is not the ob ject ofthe invention, sincethis merely carries out signal processing in a somewhat simpler manner than the computer 5.

Arranged on the weapons 1 are respective recognition features 2 which correspond with the sensors 4 of the mechanism 3 and can be optically, acoustically, electromagnetically or purely mechanically effective. For safety reasons, several different types of recognition features 2 and their various corresponding types of sensors 4 are provided on the weapons 1 and on the mechanism 3, respectively.

Forthe pick-up of the weapons 1 by virtue of automatic movement of pick-up members 11, such as claws, straps, thrust-off pistons and suspension hooks (not shown), an actuation device 10 is provided on the mechanism 3. This actuation device 10, which is not described in more detail, is controlled by the computer 5 or by the mechanical arrangement 6.

The mode of operation ofthe invention is described hereinunder.

After determination ofthe mission arming plan for the aircraft (not shown), a relevant data compilation, for example in the form of a punched card, is produced. This contains all the data such as, inter alia, the kind ofweapon, the weapon type, the intended loading station number with respect to the maintaining of the centre-of-gravity of the aircraft, as well as the sequential firing possibility and information regarding the suspension and firing method. These data are read from the aforesaid data carrier (card) by means of a data input and output device 9 ofthe computer5 and the mechanism 3 or, respectively, the entire suspension device 7 isthereby programmed fordif- ferentiated automatic weapon pick-up and delivery.

Of course, the data input can alternatively be effected in another known manner.

Afterthe data input by way of the computer 5and by means of the actuation device 10 which is associated therewith,the weapon pick-upmembers 11 (such as straps, claws and hooks) at each loading station 13 of the mechanism 3 are brought automatically into their intended position for weapon pick-up. Then, after identification of the weapon 1,which has been pre-programmed for that respective station, by a comparison of the recognistion features 2 on the weapon 1, as detected by the sensors 4, with the values stored in the computer 5,the weapon 1 isac- ceptedforpick-up by the suspension device 7.Thus, on instruction from the computer 5, by way ofthe actuation device 10, the weapon pick-up members 11 are automatically set in motion for complete and reli ablefixing of each individualweapon 1.

Thus, prior to the loading procedure, the weapons 1 have only to be brought into position by the crew and possibly be raised, the loading station 13 intended for each weapon 1 having been previously ascertained by means of a display 12 present on the mechanism 3. Similarly, after automatic loading has been effected, the complete weapon fixing is evident from the display 12. It is also conceivable that very rapid and reliable loading can be achieved by having the weapons 1 already arranged on the loading wagon in accordance with the loading plan in such a waythat even in the case of a weapon mix all the weapons 1 can be automatically picked up by the suspension device 7 in a single operation.

For subsequent delivery of the weapons 1 during flight, all the releasing orfiring data for each individual weapon orfor groups of weapons have similarly been programmed into the mechanism 3 by means of the aforesaid data carrier (card). Thus it is, for example, possible that the data of an automatic target detection mechanism are fed to the computer which, aftertarget-appropriate weapon selection, activates the thrust-off pistons of the weapon 1 for a release or firing angle corresponding to the target range. In order to relieve the pilot of this task, it is of prime importance that the correct weapon 1 can be automatically selected, by the computer, with or without target data. In this respect the correct weapon 1 is to be understood to be not only the target-appropriateweapon 1, but also that one which stands ata ready-to-fire position on the suspension device 7.

Of course, the pilot also has the possibility of checking the loading state and the firing-readiness of the loading stations 13 on the suspension device 7 by means of displays 14,which are arranged in the aircraft cockpit (not shown) and fed from the data output 9, and of performing the release of the weapon 1 manually or only partly automatically.

Claims

1. Aircraft suspension means comprising a mechanism for differentiated automatic pick-up and deliveryofweapons, characterised in that the weapons are provided with recognition features and the mechanism is equipped with sensors capable of detecting same, the signals of these sensors being comparable, by means of a computer and/or byway of a mechanical arrangement, with values stored in the mechanism so asto achieve programmed activation ofthe suspension means.

2. Aircraft suspension means as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the recognition features provided on the weapons aretypicallydiscernablefea- tures and the sensors on the mechanism are optically effective to correspond thereto.

3. Aircraft suspension means as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the recognition features prov ided on the weapons are in operative communication acoustically with the sensors on the mechanism, which sensors are suitable for receiving acoustic signals.

4. Aircraft suspension means as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the recognition features provided on the weapons collaborate in an electromagnetic manner with the sensors on the mechanism,which sensors are electromagnetic.

5. Aircraft suspension means as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the weapons are provided with recognition features in the form of characteristic markings which are scannable by a feeler on the mechanical arrangement of the mechanism.

6. Aircraft suspension means as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in thatthe computer arranged on the mechanism is equipped with a de vicefordata input and output.

7. Aircraft suspension means as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the mechanism is provided with weapon pick-up and delivery memberswhich areactuablebyanactuationarran- gement, which, in turn, is dependent upon or in subordination to the computer or the mechanical arrangement.

8. Aircraft suspension means as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the mechanism is provided with displays or indicators which identify the respective loading station and the loading state thereof for the weapon which is or isto be suspended.

9. Aircraft suspension means as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in thatfurther displays, which indicate to the pilotthe respective loading state of the weapon pick-up and delivery mechanism as well as the type of weapon, are arranged in the aircraft cockpit.

10. Aircraft suspension means comprising a mechanism for differentiated automatic pick-up and delivery of weapons substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.