GB2230845A

GB2230845A - Defence system against alien bodies

Info

Publication number: GB2230845A
Application number: GB8624880A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hans-Jurgen Frieske; Manfred Rudiger
Original assignee: Dynamit Nobel AG
Current assignee: Dynamit Nobel AG
Priority date: 1986-10-17
Filing date: 1986-10-17
Publication date: 1990-10-31
Anticipated expiration: 2006-10-17
Also published as: GB2230845B

Abstract

Several mines (M) each of which is installed for universal motion in a detection unit are disposed in a minefield sector. A receptor device (16) determines the position and speed at any time of an approaching alien body (18) on a flight path (19) and directs the fire from the individual mines to the point (P') at which the alien body (18) is subsequently to be found. Alternatively, the mine itself is launched along a ballistic trajectory towards the point P'. The explosion of several mines takes place simultaneously so that a spread-out firing coming from different directions intercepts the alien body. The interception probability is approximately 100%. <IMAGE>

Description

DEFENCE SYSTEM AGAINST ALIEN BODIES The invention relates to a defence system!against alien bodies, with a receptor device for determining the alien body position of the alien body and at least one firing unit aligned to a point on the travel path of the alien body.

Known flight body defence systems, in which special tanks or combat vehicles are employed, whose guns are controlled by a receptor device determining the position of the flight body, have the disadvantage that these can conveniently be only one shot and that a significant time span elapses until the next shot, so that the probability of making a helicopter combat incapable is limited. After each shot, the receptor device must determine anew the position of the flight body and set the firing unit to the flight body.

The invention is based on the object of creating an alien body defence system of the initially indicated type which is installable in fixed manner on the ground and guarantees a high interception probability.

The solution of this object takes place according to the invention in that the firing unit consists of a mine with directed effect which is included in a detection unit such that its operating direction is adjustable by drive means in accordance with signals from the receptor device.

With the alien body defence system according to the invention, several mines which can be controlled from the same receptor device are disposed on the ground in a minefield sector. The detection unit is firmly anchored on or in the ground and the mine is pivotable with respect to the detection unit by the drive means so that its operating direction can be directed by the receptor arrangement towards a point on the travel path of the alien body with optionally an allowance for speed corresponding to the speed and direction of motion of the alien body or even the ballistic flight path of the mine - insofar as this is formed as a flight body mine becoming significant.As a result of control by means of receptor device, the explosion of the mines or the ballistic firing takes place when the sum of the separations of the flight bodies from the mines passes through a minimum for the condition that the mines can reach the flight body. Numerous mines, which form the minefield sector, can be controlled by means of a single receptor device. On the release of the minefield sector, a burst of firing which consists of the discharge of the mines of the minefield sector in whose region the flight bodies are located take place so that an approximately 100% hit probability occurs. The flight body defence system offers a reliable defensive effect as a consequence of its sweeping effect, that is the simultaneous firing of several mines, whose explosion axes are directed to the same target region.With it, objects can be effectively screened against attacks by combat helicopters, tanks, ships and the like. Minefield sectors already in operation can be refitted by incorporation of new mines. The failure of a single mine only insignificantly affects the effectiveness of the system.

The receptor device is arranged stationarily.

Since it is not discharged, it is usable many times.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the mine is positioned in the detection unit for universal movement. The detection unit is fastened at or in the earth in defined disposition and at a position whose coordinates are stored in the receptor device, and, within the detection unit, the explosion axis of the mine can be pivoted with a very precisely operating positioning system.

According to a preferred further development of the invention, the receptor device Contains a control unit which calculates from the coordinates of the momentary position of the alien body an allowance for speed and directs the operating direction of the mines according to this allowance for speed. The mines can be "pre-guided" before release of the explosion according to the flight path of the alien body - with the allowance for speed being taken into consideration.

Since the control arrangement controls all mines and several mines are released simultaneously, it is preferably so formed that it calculates the sum of the distances of the alien body from the individual mines optionally with reference to the allowances for speed and institutes the release of the mines which are nearest the alien body if this sum assumes a minimal value or passes below a predetermined value. In this way it is established that the release of the burst of fire extending from the minefield sector then takes place when the alien body is at minimum distance from all the mines and thereby a high measure of hit probability is guaranteed.

The alien body defence system according to the invention is suitable both for the defence against flight bodies and also for the defence against land or water vehicles. Flight body mines which are fired off from the detection unit and fly along a ballistic flight path are preferably employed in the defence of ground or water vehicles. Such flight body mines can be provided with an approach sensor which responds at a predetermined distance from the target and operates the detonation of a further charge, for example a hollow charge, which is directed towards the target.

The control of the detonation of the individual mines of a minefield by the firing unit, makes possible, the use of different tactics. Thus it is possible not to detonate a mine already when a tank approaches this mine, but only then when the tank is located over the mine or has already passed the mine. In this way, tanks can be hit at their most sensitive positions. Furthermore the control of the mines can be so carried out that not all the mines which are ranged along a travel path of a first tank are detonated by this first tank, whereby a mine free approach path would exist, but it is also possible that a single alien body only releases a limited number of mines, which other mines remain in a state of readiness.

In the following, constructional examples of the invention are explained further with reference to the Figures, with respect to a helicopter defence system.

There are shown: FIGURE 1 a schematic sectional representation of a mine contained in a detection unit, FIGURE 2 a perspective elevation of the axial system of the detection unit, with the mine being located in the initial state, FIGURE 3 in like representation to Figure 2, a situation during the follow up of the subsequent guiding of the mine, FIGURE 4 the system for the control of the pre-guiding of the mine onto the lead point by means of the receptor device, FIGURE 5 a plan view of a minefield with several minefield sectors, FIGURE 6 a sectional drawing of the minefield according to Figure 5 and FIGURE 7 a perspective view of a minefield for defence from for example alien bodies travelling on the ground.

According to Figure 1, a mine M which contains a projectile forming charge, is accommodated in a detection unit 10 formed as a housing. The detection unit 10 is formed essentially cylindrically and its upper, front side is protected by a cover 11. In the lower wall is located a spike 12 which can be stuck into the ground.

The coordinates xi, Yi and z. relate to the detection unit 10. The mine is for example a P-charge mine, which yields a projectile in the explosion. The explosion axis (operating direction) E. of this jet coincides initially with the vertical axis Zi The mine M can be pivoted in the interior of the detection unit 10 by drive means (not shown) so that the operating direction E. then deviates from the axis Zi In the embodiment shown, the base 13 of the detection unit 10 is curved like a type of spherical segment so that the mine M, whose underside is segmentally like shaped, can execute the required pivoting movement. The detection unit 10 is disposed sunk in the earth 14.

The detection unit 10 contains an electric control circuit which receives data from the receptor device disposed at a distance. The mine M can be suddenly switched on by means of this control circuit and then exploded. Furthermore, there exists the possibility of transferring armed mines again into the disarmed state by a corresponding command from the receptor device. In the initial state, the mines of a minefield sector in the disarmed state are controlled by a single receptor device. Should the minefield sector be suddenly switched, on then all the mines are armed.

In Figures 2 and 3, the detection unit 10 is omitted for reasons of clarity. Figure 2 shows the position of the mine M in relation to the coordinate system xi, Yi and z. in the initial state in which the operative direction E. coincides with the axis Zit the mine therefore being vertically directed. During the subsequent guiding (Figure 3) the operative direction Ei takes within a cone 16, which is defined by the boundary of the pivoting region of the mine M and whose apex corresponds with the original coordinates, the angles ai and ssi to the x. and yi axes respectively.

1 1 1 The receptor device 16 (Figure 4), which is camouflaged and arranged at some distance from the minefield sector 17, contains position finding apparatus which is in a position to detect in real time the position of a flight body 18 at a particular time, in relation to the (X,Y,Z)-coordinate system of the receptor device 16, and to determine from this the flight path 19.

A prediction of the flight path of the flight body is possible by extrapolation over specific time periods At.

Accordingly, the time period At of the extrapolation should be less than the relaxation time of the flight body 18. A lead 20 can be calculated by extrapolation from the position P of the flight body 18 and the previous flight path, in order to calculate the future position P' in the (X,Y,Z)-coordinate system.

Furthermore, the positional data of each mine M of the associated minefield sector 17 is stored in a memory of the receptor device 16. The receptor device 16 can therefore determine the distance 1. between the point P or the point P' and each individual mine M of the minefield sector.

By way of example it may be assumed that the alien body is a combat helicopter which has a ground speed of 50 m/s. Its speed relaxation time lies in the region of seconds. An exact prediction where the combat helicopter is located in the next 20 ms is therefore possible. 20 ms is approximately the time which the projectile of the mine M requires to reach the combat helicopter. Since the combat helicopter covers a distance of about 1 m in 20 ms, the hit point of the projectile always lies in the range of the projected body of the combat helicopter.

The orientation of the operating direction E. is achieved by the lead 20 at any instant, which is dependent on the speed and the momentary position P of the combat helicopter, with respect to the positions of the individual mines. on detection of the target, all mines are directed towards the lead point P'.

The receptor device 16 forms at all times from the beginning of the first detection the sum of all distances between the flight body and the individual mines. On account of the spread-out effect of the projectiles, the combat helicopter is not only intercepted with higher probability, but made incapable of combat.

Figures 5 and 6 show several minefield sectors 17 which together form a minefield 21 which is disposed in front of a wood 22. The receptor device 16 for control of the individual minefield sectors 17 is arranged camouflaged at the edge of the wood, outside the minefield 21. The detection range of the receptor device 16 is denoted in Figure 6 by 23. It can be seen that a flight body 18, which is located in the detection region, can be intercepted and shot at from the minefield sector 17. The mines of each minefield sector 17 are connected with the receptor device 16 for it via data lines 24.

Figure 7 shows a minefield 17 disposed on the ground, which contains numerous mines M, of which only two mines M1 and M2 are shown. The receptor device 16 is 1 2 located outside the minefield 17 in the origin of the coordinates X,Y and Z. The coordinates of the position of each mine M1 to Mn are stored in the receptor device.

The alien body to be defended against consists in the present case of a tank 28 which arrives in the region of the minefield 17. The receptor device 16 detects the position of the alien body 28 in the coordinate system X,Y,Z and calculates from this distances 11,12... of the alien body 28 from each of the mines M1, M2 ... . If the sum of all the distances 1. from the alien body 28 of the available operationally ready mines in the minefield 17 reaches a minimum those mines whose distance from the alien body 28 is so small that the mines can reach the alien body are detonated by the receptor device 16, that is, those mines in whose receptor range the alien bodies 28 are located are detonated.

Mines with projectile forming charge produce an essentially straight line jet. Such mines are not usable as a rule for defence against ground targets.

With the embodiment of Figure 7, the mines therefore consist of flight body mines. Such flight body mines are fired from the respective detection unit and they fly on a ballistic trajectory 29 to the alien body 28. The calculation of the firing direction (operative direction Ei) is achieved by the receptor device 16 in dependence on the position coordinates of the alien body 28 of the respective mine Mi. The flight body mine, which moves along the trajectory 29, contains a distance sensor, which for example detonates a hollow charge as soon as the flight body mine has approached near enough to the alien body 28. The hollow charge then explodes in the immediate vicinity of the alien body 28, with the hollow charge jet being directed towards the alien body.

Claims

Claims:

1. Alien body defence system with a receptor device for determing the position of the alien body and at least one firing unit directable towards a point on the travel path of the alien body, characterised in that the firing unit consists of a mine (M) with directed operation, which is included in a detection unit (10) such that its operating direction (Ei) is adjustable by drive means in accordance with signals from the receptor device (16).

2. Alien body defence system according to claim 1, characterised in that the mine (M) is stored in the detection unit (10) so as to be universally pivotable.

3. Alien body defence system according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the receptor device (16) contains a control arrangement which calculates from the earlier flight path of the flight body a lead (20) and orientates the operating direction (Ei) of the mine on to this lead.

4. Alien body defence system according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that several mines (M) are controlled by the same receptor device (16).

5. Alien body defence system according to claim 4, characterised in that the control unit is so formed that it calculates the sum of the distances of the alien body (18) to the individual mines (M) - optionally with reference to the leads (20) - and initiates the explosion of several mines if this sum takes in a minimal value or falls below a predetermined value.

6. Alien body defence system according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the mines (M) are mines with projectile forming charge.

7. Defence system for repelling alien objects, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, Figures 1 to 6 or Figure 7 of the accompanying drawings.

7. Alien body defence system according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the mines (M) are flight body mines and that the control arrangement of the receptor device (16) calculates the operating direction (Ei) of the firing of the flight body mines in accordance with the mine positions and the position of the alien body (28) with reference to the ballistic trajectory (29) of the mines.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows

1. Defence system for repelling alien objects, the system comprising a receptor device for determining the position of the alien object and several firing units directable towards a point on the travel path of an alien object, each firing unit consisting of a mine with directed effect which is incorporated in a receiving unit and whose operating direction is adjustable by drive means in accordance with signals supplied to the receiving unit by the receptor device.

2. Defence system according to claim 1, wherein each mine is stored in a receiving unit so as to be universally pivotable.

3. Defence system according to claim 1 or 2, which is able to determine the position of an alien object which is a body in flight and the firing units of which are directable towards a point on the flight path of the body in flight, in which system the receptor device contains a control arrangement which calculates from the earlier flight path of the body in flight a lead and orientates the operating direction of at least one mine on to this lead.

4. Defence system according to claim 3, wherein the control arrangement is adapted to calculate the sum of the distances of the body in flight to the individual mines - optionally with reference to the leads - and initiates the explosion of several mines if this sum reaches a minimal value or falls below a predetermined value.

5. Defence system according to claims 3 or 4, wherein the mines contain projectile forming charges.

6. Defence system according to any preceding claim wherein the mines are flight body mines and the control arrangement of the receptor device calculates the operating direction for the firing of the flight body mines in accordance with the mine positions and the position of the alien object with reference to the ballistic trajectory of the mines.