GB2255398A

GB2255398A - A ballistics system.

Info

Publication number: GB2255398A
Application number: GB9109476A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Malcolm Morrison
Original assignee: GEC Ferranti Defence Systems Ltd
Current assignee: Leonardo MW Ltd
Priority date: 1991-05-02
Filing date: 1991-05-02
Publication date: 1992-11-04
Also published as: GB9109476D0

Abstract

A ballistics system comprises a gun 4, e.g. a rifle, operatively connected to a thermal imaging means 1 arranged so as to cause the gun to fire automatically at an object identified by the thermal imaging means as being a possible target. The operator may switch the system at 6 between manual and automatic operation, and with the trigger 8 held in the firing condition the gun may fire when the reticule (5) of the thermal imager is coincident with a target. Means 10, 11 can be provided respectively to estimate optimum time for firing at a moving target and to choose between objects within the field of view. The gun may be remote from the operator, with servo means (16) moving and aiming the gun at objects identified by the imaging means; in such a system movement of a helmet may select which of a plurality of guns to fire. <IMAGE>

Description

A BALLISTICS SYSTEM The invention relates to a ballistics system and more particularly to a ballistics system comprising a firearm such as a gun or rifle.

A problem can arise when a gun is being used at night or in conditions of poor visibility, or where targets can easily be concealed, for example in a jungle, in that target identification can prove difficult. Even when a target has been identified, valuable time can be lost while the operator takes aim and then makes a decision whether to fire.

In one aspect the invention provides a ballistics system comprising a gun and thermal imaging means operatively connected to the gun and arranged so as to cause the gun to fire automatically at an object identified by the thermal imaging means as being a possible target.

In use of the invention, because the thermal imaging means is operatively connected to the gun, no time is lost while the operator takes aim and then makes a decision to fire. Instead the gun can be traversed across an area where targets are believed to be hidden and any targets which are identified by the thermal imaging means are fired at automatically.

In order that the invention may be well understood, various embodiments thereof will now be described by way of example with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows schematically a system according to one embodiment of the invention, Figure 2 shows schematically a system according to another embodiment of the invention, Figure 3 is an example of an image seen through the view finder of the system shown in Figure 1, Figure 4 is an example of an image seen through the view finder of the system shown in Figure 2; and Figure 5 shows schematically a system arranged to be used remotely from the operator.

The system shown in Figure 1 comprises a thermal imager 1 having a view finder 2, an objective lens 3 and which is operatively connected to, and preferably mounted upon, a rifle 4. The thermal imager 1 includes a sensor (not shown) sensitive to infra-red radiation of generally known type, and is arranged to display through the view finder 2 any objects within the field of view that are emitting infra-red radiation, for example living beings. An example of an image seen through the view finder 2 is shown in Figure 3. The system is preferably arranged so that a reticule, or a pair of cross hairs, 5 is substantially coincident with the bore sight of the rifle 4.The system further comprises switch means 6 for switching the system between a "manual" condition, in which the operator can view the received image through the view finder 2 and can take aim and then make a decision whether to fire and an "automatic" condition, described below. The thermal imager is operatively connected to the rifle through a solenoid means 7, or other suitable actuator, which may be operative to engage together or disengage parts of the firing mechanism of the rifle. Signal processing circuitry (not shown) is arranged to actuate the solenoid means 7 when the reticle 5 is centered upon an object emitting infra-red radiation as shown in Figure 3.The trigger mechanism 8 is preferably movable between a non firing and a firing condition and the system is preferably arranged so that the rifle will only fire while the trigger is held in the firing position and the reticule 5 is coincident with a target identified by the thermal imager 1.

In use, the system can be switched to the automatic condition and the trigger 8 held in the firing condition while the rifle and thermal imager is traversed over an area within which it is believed that targets are hidden. The rifle will fire automatically when the reticule 5 is centered upon a target, as is shown in Figure 3.

The system shown in Figure 2 is generally similar to that shown in Figure 1 except that two additional elements are present. The element identified schematically by box 10 is for use when the rifle 4 is being swept rapidly across a possible target area, or for use in hitting a rapidly moving target, and where due to the time delay involved in initiating firing, a possible target may otherwise be missed. The means 10 is arranged to estimate the rate of movement of, and direction of, a target across the field of view of the thermal imager and to calculate the optimum time for firing the rifle 4 so that a bullet will hit the target.

The system shown in Figure 2 further comprises a means 11 for labelling each of a plurality of objects identified by the thermal imager. As shown in Figure 4, the target label means 11 generates a label for each object, each identified in the example shown by a number. A numerical key pad 12 is associated with the target label means 11 so that the operator can decide at which of the identified objects he wishes to fire. In the example shown in Figure 4 he may wish to fire at objects 1 and 2, but not at object 3. The rifle 4 could then be swept across the target area and automatically caused to fire at the selected objects as they passed across the centre of the reticule 5.

The system shown schematically in Figure 5 is to be used remote from the operator so that any problems of cross-firing are minimised. As shown, the rifle 4 is mounted in a gimbals arrangement 15. Servo means 16 are present to pivot the rifle about vertical and horizontal axes 17 and 18 respectively. The gimbals arrangement 15 is operatively connected to the thermal imager 1 for aiming the gun at an identified object. In a variation of this embodiment, target label means 11 may be provided and the system may be adapted so that each of a plurality of guns are aimed at one of the identified objects. The operator could decide at which objects he wished to fire, for example the images could be relayed to a remote location, and the guns fired as required. For example, the system may further comprise a helmet positioning system adapted so that movement of the helmet by the operator can cause the guns to fire in any desired sequence. The helmet positioning system may incorporate a display means for displaying the images received by the thermal imagers.

The thermal imager may incorporate an image intensifier for amplifying the received infra-red light photons, or for enhancing the visible light levels for viewing by the operator.

Claims

1. A ballistics system comprising a gun and thermal imaging means operatively connected to the gun and arranged so as to cause the gun to fire automatically at an object identified by the thermal imaging means as being a possible target.

2. A ballistics system according to Claim 1, wherein the gun includes a trigger movable between a non-firing and a firing position, the system being operative to cause the gun to fire only if the trigger is in the firing position.

3. A ballistics system according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, comprising a solenoid means arranged so as to cause the gun to fire upon receipt of a signal from the thermal imaging means.

4. A ballistics system according to any preceding claim switchable to an alternative mode in which the operator can identify an object using the thermal imaging means and can then choose whether to fire the gun.

5. A ballistics system according to any preceding claim, further comprising means for labelling each of a plurality of objects within the field of view of the thermal imaging means and arranged so that the operator can choose at which of the labelled objects he wishes to fire.

6. A ballistics system according to any preceding claims, wherein the gun is arranged to be located remote from the operator and the system includes servo means for moving and aiming the gun at objects identified by the thermal imaging means.

7. A ballistics system according to Claim 6 comprising a plurality of guns.

8. A ballistics system according to Claim 7, further comprising a helmet positioning system operative to select which of the guns to fire by appropriate movement of the helmet.

9. A ballistics system according to any preceding claim further comprising means for estimating the rate of movement of an object within the field of view of the thermal imaging means and for estimating the optimum time for causing the gun to fire at the object.

10. A ballistics system substantially as described with reference to any one of the drawings.