GB2433104A

GB2433104A - Guided weapon

Info

Publication number: GB2433104A
Application number: GB8326433A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stanley Leek
Original assignee: British Aerospace PLC; Matra Bae Dynamics UK Ltd; MBDA UK Ltd
Current assignee: Matra Bae Dynamics UK Ltd
Priority date: 1982-10-02
Filing date: 1983-10-03
Publication date: 2007-06-13
Anticipated expiration: 2003-10-03
Also published as: GB8326433D0; GB2433104B; GB8228228D0

Abstract

A guided weapon with a limited field of view for its target seeker 4 has that portion 1 of its structure carrying a window 2 and at least the viewing part of its target seeker adapted to be rotatably mounted with respect to the remainder of the structure, so that at least during that period before launch when the weapon is fixedly attached to a carrier vehicle the field of view of the target seeker is improved.

Description

GUIDED WEAPON

This invention relates to guided weapons of the type which house target seeker means within their structure, the structure carrying window means whicI, due to design requirements, provide at best only a limited field of view for the target seeker means. These design requirements, additionally to the more general requirements of low drag and low optical aberration of the window means, stem from the speeds attained by the weapons in flight which may necessitate the window means being able to withstand considerable aerodynamic pressure and heating. These design requirements suggest, if not actually dictate, that the window means should be formed of flat electro-magnetic radiation transmissive plates inclined at a low angle to the air flow.

An object of the present invention is to provide such guided weapons with an improved field of view for the target seeker means, at least during that period before launch when the weapon is fixedly attached to a carrier vehicle.

According to one aspect of the present invention a guided weapon of the type described has that region of structure carrying window means capable of angular move-ment with reference to the remainder of the structure of the weapon.

In a preferred embodiment where the window means is shaped and located such that the target seeker means looks generally forward but with a narrow field of view, that region carrying the window means comprises a nose portion of the weapon. In this case the nose portion conveniently is rotatable about a generally fore-and-aft axis with respect to the remainder of the structure.

One embodiment of a guided weapon according to the invention is described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a perspective view of a guided weapon.

A guided weapon capable of high speed flight has a nose portion 1 provided with a window 2 in the form of a generally rectangular radiation transmissive plate of width much less than its length and lying at a generally low angle, referenced 3, to the ambient air stream in flight, that is to say with respect to the roll or fore-and-aft axis of the weapon X -X. Behind the window 2, within the nose portion 1, is carried a target seeker shown generally at 4.

The approximate field of view through the window 2

is shown in broken outline as a wedge having an included angle referenced 5 and a constant width referenced 6.

The field of view of the target seeker itself is much less and is illustrated by that wedge having a small included angle referenced 7 and having a similar width to that referenced 6. So that full use of the included angle

of the window field of view is achieved, a nodding

mirror (not shown) or a device having a similar effect is included in the target seeker 4.

When the weapon is fixedly attached to a carrier vehicle, for example an aircraft, and target acquisition is required before launch, to effect the wide field of view necessary, namely that conical field shown in broken outline at reference 8, the whole nose portion 1 is mounted for rotation about the roll axis X -X with reference to that portion of the weapon structure shown generally at 9. Conveniently, a spigot 10 extends rear-warly from the portion 1 into the portion 9 and annular bearings 11 and 12 are provided to allow relative rotation.

Such rotation is effected by a servo motor 13 having a pinion engaging with an annular rack on the spigot. Not shown, are interconnections between the target seeker 4 and those parts of a weapon control system housed within the portion 9.

In use, in one exemplary method of operation, with the guided weapon fixedly carried by its carrier vehicle, the target seeker 4 is scanned through its conical field of view by nodding and by rotation of the nose portion 1 about the axis X -X. Lock-on to a sensed target is effected prior to launch and, on launch, the weapon is steered to intercept the acquired target. Since, in all probability, when the target seeker 4 is locked on to a target, the nose portion 1 is set at an angle in roll to the portion 9 different to that normal flight position illustrated, said portion 9 will be steered to effect interception of the target and in doing so will cause the two portions 1 and 9 to rotate relatively until they can be locked into the normal flight position illustrated.

Subsequently, the weapon can be controlled in the manner disclosed in our co-pending Application No. 81-29316 and any Application taking convention priority therefrom.

Alternatively, the nose portion 1 and hence the target seeker 4 may be capable of rotational movement relative to the portion 9 throughout the weapon flight.

In this case, the relative position would naturally need to be taken into account by the weapon control system.

In a further embodiment, the servo motor 13 is carried by the carrier vehicle and releasable connection means are provided to effect rotation of the nose portion 1 during that period in which the weapon is fixedly carried by the carrier vehicle -i.e. that period of scanning prior to launch.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A guided weapon having a structure, target seeker means

housed within the structure, and window means carried by the structure through which the seeker means can view a target, the weapon characterjsed by having that portion of the structure carrying the window means and housing at least part of said target seeker means adapted for angular movement with reference to a remaining portion of the structure.

2. A guided weapon according to Claim 1, wherein said angular movement is effected by rotation about a generally fore-and-aft axis of the weapon.

3. A guided weapon according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, including transmission means and motor means to effect angular movement, both means being carried by the weapon structure.

4. A guided weapon according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, including transmission means to effect angular movement carried by the weapon structure, said transmission means having releasable connecting means for drivably inter-connecting said transmission means to motor means provided remote from the weapon.

5. A guided weapon substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawing. (p

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A guided weapon having a structure, a generally fore-and-aft axis, target seeker means housed within the structure and window means carried by the structure through which the seeker means can view a target, the window being in the form of a generally flat radiation transmissive plate lying at a generally low angle to the fore-and-aft axis and offset to one side of said axis, the weapon having that portion of the structure carrying both the window means and at least a portion of the seeker means adapted for rotary movement about said fore-and-aft axis with reference to the remaining portion of the structure whereby a generally conical field of view for the seeker means is provided.

2. A guided weapon according to claim 1 wherein the radiation trananissive plate is of generally rectangular shape of a width nuch less than its length and the seeker means is provided with a nodding arrangement the location of the trananissive plate and the nodding arrangement being such that the field of view extends in a plane extending generally radially of said fore-and-aft axis.

3. A guided weapon according to claim 1 or claim 2 including transmission means and motor means to effect said rotational movement, both means being carried by the weapon structure.

4. A guided weapon according to claim 1 or claim 2 including transmission means to effect said rotational movement carried by the weapon structure, said transmission means having releasable connecting means for drivably inter-connecting said transmission means to motor means provided remote from the weapon.

5. A guided weapon substantially as described with reference to the acccxranying drawing.