GB2455490A - Military aircraft bomb arming system - Google Patents

Military aircraft bomb arming system Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2455490A
GB2455490A GB0718881A GB0718881A GB2455490A GB 2455490 A GB2455490 A GB 2455490A GB 0718881 A GB0718881 A GB 0718881A GB 0718881 A GB0718881 A GB 0718881A GB 2455490 A GB2455490 A GB 2455490A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
bomb
arming
fuze
pulse
conditioning unit
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB0718881A
Other versions
GB0718881D0 (en
Inventor
Graeme Nicholas Snowden
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
PORTSMOUTH AVIAT Ltd
Original Assignee
PORTSMOUTH AVIAT Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by PORTSMOUTH AVIAT Ltd filed Critical PORTSMOUTH AVIAT Ltd
Priority to GB0718881A priority Critical patent/GB2455490A/en
Publication of GB0718881D0 publication Critical patent/GB0718881D0/en
Priority to EP08253089A priority patent/EP2042827A3/en
Publication of GB2455490A publication Critical patent/GB2455490A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
    • F42C—AMMUNITION FUZES; ARMING OR SAFETY MEANS THEREFOR
    • F42C15/00—Arming-means in fuzes; Safety means for preventing premature detonation of fuzes or charges
    • F42C15/005—Combination-type safety mechanisms, i.e. two or more safeties are moved in a predetermined sequence to each other
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
    • F42C—AMMUNITION FUZES; ARMING OR SAFETY MEANS THEREFOR
    • F42C11/00—Electric fuzes
    • F42C11/001—Electric circuits for fuzes characterised by the ammunition class or type
    • F42C11/006—Electric circuits for fuzes characterised by the ammunition class or type for fall bombs
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
    • F42C—AMMUNITION FUZES; ARMING OR SAFETY MEANS THEREFOR
    • F42C15/00—Arming-means in fuzes; Safety means for preventing premature detonation of fuzes or charges
    • F42C15/28—Arming-means in fuzes; Safety means for preventing premature detonation of fuzes or charges operated by flow of fluent material, e.g. shot, fluids
    • F42C15/295—Arming-means in fuzes; Safety means for preventing premature detonation of fuzes or charges operated by flow of fluent material, e.g. shot, fluids operated by a turbine or a propeller; Mounting means therefor
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
    • F42C—AMMUNITION FUZES; ARMING OR SAFETY MEANS THEREFOR
    • F42C15/00—Arming-means in fuzes; Safety means for preventing premature detonation of fuzes or charges
    • F42C15/40—Arming-means in fuzes; Safety means for preventing premature detonation of fuzes or charges wherein the safety or arming action is effected electrically
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
    • F42C—AMMUNITION FUZES; ARMING OR SAFETY MEANS THEREFOR
    • F42C17/00—Fuze-setting apparatus
    • F42C17/04—Fuze-setting apparatus for electric fuzes

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Connection Of Motors, Electrical Generators, Mechanical Devices, And The Like (AREA)
  • Radar Systems Or Details Thereof (AREA)
  • Control Of Eletrric Generators (AREA)

Abstract

A military aircraft bomb arming system is provided for use with an aircraft that includes a Lead Electrical Fuze Arming (LEFA) pulse generator that is configured for use with a UK bomb fuze of the kind having both electrical and mechanical fuze arming means. The system comprises a pulse conditioning unit connected between the LEFA pulse generator and an international bomb fuze of a second kind that is intended to be armed by an air driven turbine alternator. The pulse conditioning unit converts a LEFA pulse from the pulse generator into a modified pulse suitable for providing a first arming environment to the international bomb fuze of the second kind. The system thus enables UK military aircraft to benefit from the utility offered by some of these international fuzes whilst providing additional arming safety.

Description

-I
Q
MILITARY AIRCRAFT BOMB ARMING SYSTEM
This invention relates to a military aircraft bomb arming system, and to a bomb fuze adapter.
Current UK military aircraft bomb fuzes are required to provide safety through the inclusion of multiple arming environments.
Typically these require both mechanical and electrical/electronic means to ensure weapons are not armed whilst the bomb is in carried * .* ****** flight. These are known as the first and second arming environments. I... * S I..
The current UK bomb fuze has both electrical arming, provided by a :e: 10 Lead Electrical Fuze Arming (LEFA) electrical pulse, and mechanical S..
* arming by the rotation of an arming vane on the rear of the bomb tail. * S. * . .
i'':': The majority of other bomb fuzes manufactured internationally are electronic in nature and do not provide the same mechanical safety.
The invention stems from some work aimed at enabling UK military aircraft to benefit from the utility offered by some of these international fuzes by providing additional arming safety.
Most internationally available fuzes utilise an air driven turbine alternator to provide electrical power to arm the fuze of the bomb after release of the bomb from the aircraft, but do not provide an additional means of safety up to the moment of release.
On UK military aircraft, an electrical signal, the LEFA pulse, is generated by the aircraft at the moment of bomb release that is conditional upon the mechanical unlocking of the aircraft's bomb release unit and hence the separation of the bomb from the aircraft.
This signal is directed from the aircraft to the fuze via a LEFA Cable and provides the first arming environment; the second arming environment being produced by the rotation of the arming vane.
We have realised that this LEFA pulse can be harnessed and modified through the medium of a signal conditioning unit to provide the first arming environment for bombs provided with international fuzes, with the second arming environment being provided after release by the air driven turbine alternator of the international fuze. * ** * * . * **
According to one aspect of the invention we provide a military aircraft bomb arming system suitable for use with an aircraft that is provided with a Lead Electrical Fuze Arming (LEFA) pulse generator that is configured for use with a bomb fuze of the kind having both electrical and mechanical fuze arming means, the system comprising a pulse conditioning unit adapted to be connected between said pulse generator and a bomb fuze of a second kind that is intended to be armed by an air driven turbine alternator, the pulse conditioning unit being adapted to convert, in use, a LEFA pulse from the pulse generator into a modified pulse suitable for providing a first arming environment to the bomb fuze of the second kind.
Thus the signal conditioning unit is preferably so configured to take the aircraft's LEFA pulse (of "X" voltage, current and pulse length), generated at bomb release, and modify it electronically to provide the first arming environment for the bomb fuze of the second kind (of "Y" voltage, current and pulse length). After a short delay, the air driven turbine alternator will run up to speed, driven by the airflow over the bomb, and provide the second arming environment that then allows the fuze to arm.
Preferably the signal conditioning unit requires no independent power supply since it need only modify the existing LEFA pulse generated at bomb release. The signal conditioning unit may conveniently be incorporated within the fuze's own electrical cable harness.
One embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of the example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic side elevation of a bomb that has just been released from the bomb release unit of a UK military aircraft, the bomb fuze being connected to a signal conditioning unit in accordance with the invention,
S
Figure 2 is a flow chart showing the stages in releasing the bomb and providing the first arming environment of the bomb fuze, and Figure 3 is a functional block diagram of the signal conditioning unit in accordance with the invention.
In use, when the bomb is mechanically released from the bomb release unit of the aircraft, the LEFA pulse generator sends a standard LEFA pulse to the signal conditioning unit on the bomb.
The signal conditioning unit comprises power supply electronics that convert the LEFA pulse to a power suitable to supply a generator for modifying the pulse to a power and duration required for the international bomb fuze of the second kind.
The signal conditioning unit may include pulse isolation electronics that, where necessary, isolate the modified pulse from the initial LEFA input by means of a pulse transformer or the like.
The modified pulse is then fed to the international bomb fuze of the second kind to provide a first arming environment, the second arming environment being provided subsequently by air flow through an air driven turbine or the like on the bomb.
*:*::* It will be appreciated that the second arming environment may be mechanical as described, or electrical.
I * I I * 10 * *** * * IS * I * * ** ** * * I * * I. -I
Q
MILITARY AIRCRAFT BOMB ARMING SYSTEM
This invention relates to a military aircraft bomb arming system, and to a bomb fuze adapter.
Current UK military aircraft bomb fuzes are required to provide safety through the inclusion of multiple arming environments.
Typically these require both mechanical and electrical/electronic means to ensure weapons are not armed whilst the bomb is in carried * .* ****** flight. These are known as the first and second arming environments. I... * S I..
The current UK bomb fuze has both electrical arming, provided by a :e: 10 Lead Electrical Fuze Arming (LEFA) electrical pulse, and mechanical S..
* arming by the rotation of an arming vane on the rear of the bomb tail. * S. * . .
i'':': The majority of other bomb fuzes manufactured internationally are electronic in nature and do not provide the same mechanical safety.
The invention stems from some work aimed at enabling UK military aircraft to benefit from the utility offered by some of these international fuzes by providing additional arming safety.
Most internationally available fuzes utilise an air driven turbine alternator to provide electrical power to arm the fuze of the bomb after release of the bomb from the aircraft, but do not provide an additional means of safety up to the moment of release.
On UK military aircraft, an electrical signal, the LEFA pulse, is generated by the aircraft at the moment of bomb release that is conditional upon the mechanical unlocking of the aircraft's bomb release unit and hence the separation of the bomb from the aircraft.
This signal is directed from the aircraft to the fuze via a LEFA Cable and provides the first arming environment; the second arming environment being produced by the rotation of the arming vane.
We have realised that this LEFA pulse can be harnessed and modified through the medium of a signal conditioning unit to provide the first arming environment for bombs provided with international fuzes, with the second arming environment being provided after release by the air driven turbine alternator of the international fuze. * ** * * . * **
According to one aspect of the invention we provide a military aircraft bomb arming system suitable for use with an aircraft that is provided with a Lead Electrical Fuze Arming (LEFA) pulse generator that is configured for use with a bomb fuze of the kind having both electrical and mechanical fuze arming means, the system comprising a pulse conditioning unit adapted to be connected between said pulse generator and a bomb fuze of a second kind that is intended to be armed by an air driven turbine alternator, the pulse conditioning unit being adapted to convert, in use, a LEFA pulse from the pulse generator into a modified pulse suitable for providing a first arming environment to the bomb fuze of the second kind.
Thus the signal conditioning unit is preferably so configured to take the aircraft's LEFA pulse (of "X" voltage, current and pulse length), generated at bomb release, and modify it electronically to provide the first arming environment for the bomb fuze of the second kind (of "Y" voltage, current and pulse length). After a short delay, the air driven turbine alternator will run up to speed, driven by the airflow over the bomb, and provide the second arming environment that then allows the fuze to arm.
Preferably the signal conditioning unit requires no independent power supply since it need only modify the existing LEFA pulse generated at bomb release. The signal conditioning unit may conveniently be incorporated within the fuze's own electrical cable harness.
One embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of the example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic side elevation of a bomb that has just been released from the bomb release unit of a UK military aircraft, the bomb fuze being connected to a signal conditioning unit in accordance with the invention,
S
Figure 2 is a flow chart showing the stages in releasing the bomb and providing the first arming environment of the bomb fuze, and Figure 3 is a functional block diagram of the signal conditioning unit in accordance with the invention.
In use, when the bomb is mechanically released from the bomb release unit of the aircraft, the LEFA pulse generator sends a standard LEFA pulse to the signal conditioning unit on the bomb.
The signal conditioning unit comprises power supply electronics that convert the LEFA pulse to a power suitable to supply a generator for modifying the pulse to a power and duration required for the international bomb fuze of the second kind.
The signal conditioning unit may include pulse isolation electronics that, where necessary, isolate the modified pulse from the initial LEFA input by means of a pulse transformer or the like.
The modified pulse is then fed to the international bomb fuze of the second kind to provide a first arming environment, the second arming environment being provided subsequently by air flow through an air driven turbine or the like on the bomb.
*:*::* It will be appreciated that the second arming environment may be mechanical as described, or electrical.
I * I I * 10 * *** * * IS * I * * ** ** * * I * * I.

Claims (6)

1. A military aircraft bomb arming system suitable for use with an aircraft that is provided with a Lead Electrical Fuze Arming (LEFA) pulse generator that is configured for use with a bomb fuze of the kind having both electrical and mechanical fuze arming means, the system comprising a pulse conditioning unit adapted to be connected between said pulse generator and a bomb fuze of a second kind that is intended to be armed by an air driven turbine alternator, the pulse conditioning unit being adapted to convert, in use, a LEFA pulse from the pulse generator into a modified pulse suitable for providing a first arming environment to the bomb fuze of the second kind.
2. The military aircraft bomb arming system of claim 1 wherein a signal conditioning unit is preferably so configured to take the aircraft's LEFA pulse (of "X" voltage, current and pulse length), generated at * * 15 bomb release, and modify it electronically to provide the first arming :::::: environment for the bomb fuze of the second kind (of "Y" voltage, current and pulse length). *
* e SSS*
3. The military aircraft bomb arming system of claim 2 configured such that, in use, after a short delay, the air driven turbine alternator will ** S* run up to speed, driven by the airflow over the bomb, to provide the ** S. * * second arming environment that then allows the fuze to arm.
4. The military aircraft bomb arming system of claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the signal conditioning unit requires no independent power supply.
I b
5. The military aircraft bomb arming system of claim 2, claim 3 or claim 4 wherein the signal conditioning unit is incorporated within the fuze's own electrical cable harness.
6. A military aircraft bomb arming system substantially as described herein and as shown in the accompanying drawings. * ** * S S * S. S... * S **5*
S
* 555S. * S
S S..
S S.S * S S... SS ** * S S
S S
6. A military aircraft bomb arming system substantially as described herein and as shown in the accompanying drawings. * ** * S S * S. S... * S **5*
S
* 555S. * S
S S..
S S.S * S S... SS ** * S S
S S
1. A military aircraft bomb arming system suitable for use with an aircraft that is provided with a Lead Electrical Fuze Arming (LEFA) pulse generator that is configured for use with a bomb fuze of the kind having both electrical and mechanical fuze arming means, the system comprising a pulse conditioning unit adapted to be connected between said pulse generator and a bomb fuze of a second kind that is intended to be armed by an air driven turbine alternator, the pulse conditioning unit being adapted to convert, in use, a LEFA pulse from the pulse generator into a modified pulse suitable for providing a first arming environment to the bomb fuze of the second kind.
2. The military aircraft bomb arming system of claim 1 wherein a signal conditioning unit is preferably so configured to take the aircraft's LEFA pulse (of "X" voltage, current and pulse length), generated at * * 15 bomb release, and modify it electronically to provide the first arming :::::: environment for the bomb fuze of the second kind (of "Y" voltage, current and pulse length). *
* e SSS* 3. The military aircraft bomb arming system of claim 2 configured such that, in use, after a short delay, the air driven turbine alternator will ** S* run up to speed, driven by the airflow over the bomb, to provide the ** S. * * second arming environment that then allows the fuze to arm.
4. The military aircraft bomb arming system of claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the signal conditioning unit requires no independent power supply.
I b
5. The military aircraft bomb arming system of claim 2, claim 3 or claim 4 wherein the signal conditioning unit is incorporated within the fuze's own electrical cable harness.
GB0718881A 2007-09-27 2007-09-27 Military aircraft bomb arming system Withdrawn GB2455490A (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0718881A GB2455490A (en) 2007-09-27 2007-09-27 Military aircraft bomb arming system
EP08253089A EP2042827A3 (en) 2007-09-27 2008-09-20 Military aircraft bomb arming system

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0718881A GB2455490A (en) 2007-09-27 2007-09-27 Military aircraft bomb arming system

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0718881D0 GB0718881D0 (en) 2007-11-07
GB2455490A true GB2455490A (en) 2009-06-17

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ID=38701770

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB0718881A Withdrawn GB2455490A (en) 2007-09-27 2007-09-27 Military aircraft bomb arming system

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EP (1) EP2042827A3 (en)
GB (1) GB2455490A (en)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN107782206A (en) * 2017-11-22 2018-03-09 中国工程物理研究院电子工程研究所 A kind of aerial guided bomb fuse and its environmental information recognition methods based on mems accelerometer
GB2577028A (en) * 2018-02-02 2020-03-18 Portsmouth Aviation Ltd Weapon delivery system
GB2575989B (en) * 2018-07-30 2021-02-24 Thales Holdings Uk Plc A safety and arming unit for a munition

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3757695A (en) * 1969-12-19 1973-09-11 Us Army Charging system for electric bomb fuzes (u)
US4936187A (en) * 1989-04-20 1990-06-26 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy Wire-free arming system for an aircraft-delivered bomb

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4586436A (en) * 1984-09-13 1986-05-06 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy Electronic assembly for moderate hard target penetrator fuze

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3757695A (en) * 1969-12-19 1973-09-11 Us Army Charging system for electric bomb fuzes (u)
US4936187A (en) * 1989-04-20 1990-06-26 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy Wire-free arming system for an aircraft-delivered bomb

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP2042827A3 (en) 2010-11-17
GB0718881D0 (en) 2007-11-07
EP2042827A2 (en) 2009-04-01

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