WO1995017640A1

WO1995017640A1 - Weapon with stabilised sight

Info

Publication number: WO1995017640A1
Application number: PCT/FR1994/000405
Authority: WO
Inventors: Philippe Giry; Claude Michel; Vincent Quentin; Denis Mazerolle
Original assignee: Thomson-Csf
Priority date: 1993-12-21
Filing date: 1994-04-12
Publication date: 1995-06-29

Abstract

A personal weapon (10) having a barrel (11) aligned along a firing axis XX', optronic sighting means (12) defining a sighting axis YY' for the weapon, and means for controlling firing of ammunition from the weapon, operable by the bearer of said weapon, is characterised in that it comprises means (15, 16; 22, 23; 13, 14; 112, 114) for stabilising the YY' sighting axis, means for detecting angular congruence (16, 24, 25; 48, 49) between sighting axis YY' and firing axis XX', said means generating a firing signal when the two axes coincide, and in that the firing control function incorporates a firing enabling means (18) operable by the bearer of the weapon and an automatic firing means (26) causing the ammunition to be fired when the enabling means (18) has been operated and the congruence detection means deliver the firing signal.

Description

STABILIZED SIGHT WEAPON

The invention relates to the field of sighting devices for light weapons, in particular sighting devices for precision shooting at long distance or for instinctive shooting at medium distance.

The aiming devices for light weapons include a telescope allowing the magnification of the target. This telescope has a reticle allowing to verify that the target is in the line of sight of the weapon. We know that for long range shooting, the optical sighting axis is offset from the axis of the barrel of the weapon by a so-called rising angle or more simply by a rise which increases with distance of the target. This aspect of aiming will not be discussed for the description of the present invention and when it is spoken of aiming axis and alignment of the target with the reticle it will be a question of aiming and alignment axis. increase included.

The problem solved by the present invention is that of the stability of the weapon. We know that for long distance shooting the weapon must be very stable, because a pointing error of 1/1000 of radian for example, or 0.06 °, results at 200 m by an error of 20 cm sufficient for make the target miss. We also know that despite training and precautions to have a stable position, the hands are subject to tremors, making the aiming axis and the weapon's shooting axis unstable. In order to limit this instability, it is generally provided to provide the shooter with a fulcrum of the weapon in the form of a bipod or support. In this way the support of the weapon is ensured by the support, the shooter does nothing but orient the weapon and can be satisfied with a contact of lesser pressure which limits the effect of the tremors. This known solution has the known drawbacks of limiting the speed of taking part of the target and of requiring a fulcrum which the circumstances of combat do not always provide. In addition, efficiency assumes that the target is fixed or weakly mobile.

The object of the invention is to provide an aiming system which does not require support and which allows good alignment of the target. and the reticle despite the shooter's tremors. It is also to fire when the axis of the weapon is aligned with the target.

To achieve the above defined goal, it is provided according to the invention to stabilize the aiming axis only, and no longer the entire weapon comprising the aiming axis, to measure the difference between the aiming axis stabilized and the axis of the weapon and to fire only when this difference is less than a predetermined value.

The term measure should be understood in its broadest sense. In particular according to the present invention, we are not interested in the value of the angle of deviation between the line of sight and the axis of fire in itself, we simply seek to verify that the angle between the two axes is less than a predetermined value.

This can be obtained by comparison of value at a threshold but also by detection of coincidence by an all or nothing system. The above method assumes that the target or the firing axis have been previously designated. The idea underlying the invention is based on the fact that, on the one hand, it is easier to stabilize a part of the weapon simply than the whole weapon. It is based on the other hand on the idea that there is a great probability that the real axis of shooting of the weapon, will coincide during its erratic movements due to the tremors of the shooter with the axis of sight stabilized. The coincidence between the firing axis and the aiming axis is considered to be established if the angle between the firing axis and the aiming axis is less than a predetermined or pre-set threshold which can be a function of the distance from the target.

Thus the invention relates to an individual weapon having a barrel centered on a firing axis XX 'and optronic sighting means defining a sighting axis YY' of the weapon, a means for controlling the firing of ammunition fired by the weapon actuable by a carrier of the weapon, weapon characterized in that it comprises means for stabilizing the axis YY 'of aiming, means for detecting angular coincidence between the aiming axis YY 'and the firing axis XX' these means emitting a firing signal when there is coincidence between the two axes and in that the firing control comprises a firing authorization means actuable by the carrier of the weapon and a circuit automatic firing triggering the firing of the ammunition when the authorization means has been actuated and the coincidence detection means emit the firing signal.

Thus, according to the invention, the trigger tail which is the usual device for firing the ammunition carried by the weapon is replaced or supplemented by a device which only authorizes the firing. This device can be constituted by a mechanical or electrical member controlled by a shooter's finger and placed at the usual location of the trigger tail when the member replaces the trigger tail or close when the member replaces the trigger tail. .

This separation between fire authorization and effective fire control improves accuracy.

Naturally the shooter waits to activate the trigger tail that the target is in alignment with the line of sight, which in a weapon according to the prior art permanently corresponds to the axis of fire. However, the simple pressure of the finger on the trigger tail and the time necessary for this movement are enough to modify the axis of fire. The dissociation according to the invention makes it possible to increase the speed of firing after authorization when the axis YY 'is aligned with the axis XX'.

The means of stabilization of the line of sight will depend on the nature of the optical means used. These means allow the shooter to materialize the line of sight by means of a collimated reticle, the position of which in the field of optical means constitutes the designation of the target. Stabilization of the aiming makes it possible to stabilize the position of the reticle on the target despite the tremors of the shooter. Various systems for stabilizing an image are known in the art. They can be classified into two categories, closed loop systems and open loop systems. In systems in a closed loop, two categories can still be distinguished, depending on the nature of the motion detectors. Detection can be ensured using a matrix of CCD sensors receiving an image obtained by optical means and a computer determining a motion vector. It can also be provided by gyroscopic sensors. In both cases, the detected movement is applied to means for correcting the image capture optics. In open-loop systems stabilization is obtained for example by means of a suspension at CARDAN of the optical means. In this case, proximity sensors make it possible to detect the coincidence between the firing axis and the aiming axis.

The detection of the coincidence between these two axes whether ensured by a proximity sensor or by the value of the correction signal in closed loop systems is used to trigger the creation of a firing signal which itself directly or indirectly will create the firing.

With a suitable munition that can be fired electrically, for example by means of an exploded wire detonator, the firing signal will be used directly. This solution is excellent because of the speed of reaction which it allows, much less than a millisecond, but has the disadvantage of a high cost due to the price of primers and the need to carry out ammunition in small quantities.

With an ordinary ammunition the firing signal can be used to move a plunger core driving a striker of a primer of the munition, or even releasing a striker ordinarily pushed by a spring.

In order to facilitate understanding of the invention without however entering into detailed descriptions which are not necessary since they are already known to the person skilled in the art, publication or production references describing loop image stabilization systems will be cited below. open or closed; Stabilization methods using a CCD matrix, allowing the detection of movement by image processing are described for example in the "SMPTE Journal February 1992, pages 66 to 75" in an article entitled "Electronic Image Stabilization System for Video Cameras and VCR _S "whose authors are Kenya UOMORI, Atsushi MORIMURA and Hirofumi ISHII or in an article by IEEE Transaction on Consumer Electronics" vol 36 nO 3 of August 1990 pages 510-519 entitled "Automatic Image Stabilizating System by Full Digital signal Processing "whose authors are the three previously cited authors and Takashi SAKAGUCHI and Yoshinori KITAMURA or in another article located in the same publication following this last page 520-524 and entitled" Electronic Image Stabilizer For Video Camera Use ".

Such methods are used in handheld camcorders at high magnification, for example PANASONIC NV 7 or S6 VHS C (registered trademark).

A method of stabilization using a gyroscopic detector allowing the detection of the angular difference between an axis defining the support structure of the optics and the optical axis is described in an article by the IEEE Transaction on Consumer electronics vol 35 n ° 4 November 1989 pages 749-757 and used on SONY CCD-TR 805 E handheld camcorders (registered trademark). The sensor used can for example be the GYROCHIP TM 5 (registered trademark) produced by SYSTRON DONNER - Inertial Division in DOVER, KENT. In open-loop stabilization systems, the 20x60 s binoculars from the Karl ZEISS firm can be cited as an example, in which the optical means are suspended at Cardan.

The embodiments in which the optical means are constituted by a telephoto lens forming an image on a matrix of sensors, each sensor delivering a signal as a function of the illumination received, have the advantage of allowing night shooting when the sensor array is made up of sensors sensitive to infrared rays.

The angular deviation detection device between the position of the aiming axis and the actual position of the shooting axis can be produced by any known position detection means. Note however that the difference in itself is not important to know since according to the invention there is no means to bring the shooting axis into coincidence with the aiming axis. According to the invention, we only wait until the erratic movements due to the tremors cause the two axes to coincide. Also in the case where stabilization is obtained by mechanical stabilization of the optical means, the detection of the coincidence between the two axes may for example be carried out by a proximity sensor.

Finally, it should be noted that according to the invention it is not necessary for the line of sight YY 'to be materialized by a reticle.

We know that some individual weapons are equipped with laser designators. These designators are used to view the firing axis of the barrel of the weapon. The shooter, in certain cases, using a particular optical equipment visualizes in the landscape the place where the laser "spot" is placed, which indicates to him the place towards which the barrel of the weapon points, and this without even looking at the weapon. The individual weapons thus equipped are well suited to instinctive shooting. These can be submachine guns or any handgun such as a pistol or revolver. When the designation of the target is thus constituted, the invention relates to an individual weapon having a barrel centered on a firing axis XX ′, means for designating a target constituted by a light emitter emitting a target on the target. radiation detectable by a shooter possibly specially equipped for this purpose, the light radiation defining an axis of designation YY ', the weapon also comprising a means for controlling the firing of a munition fired by the weapon, actuable by the shooter, weapon characterized in that it comprises means for stabilizing the light radiation, means for detecting angular coincidence between the designation axis YY 'and the firing axis XX', these means emitting a firing signal when there is coincidence between the two axes and in that the firing control comprises a firing authorization means operable by the carrier of the weapon and an automatic firing circuit triggering the firing ammunition when the authorization means has been activated and the coincidence detection means emit the ignition signal.

The detection of erratic movements of the weapon can be carried out as explained above using auxiliary optronic means comprising a matrix of CCD sensors allowing using a computer to determine a movement vector. It can also be provided by gyroscopic sensors. The angular movement thus detected will be used to quantify a reverse deflection of the light beam of the designator.

In one embodiment, the deflection of the light beam is obtained by known use of an acousto-optical transducer.

In another embodiment, the deflection is obtained by reflection of the beam on a set of micromirrors, each mirror being controllable on two axes of rotation by capacitive effect. Finally, the deflection of the light beam can be obtained by micro displacement either of the source emitting the beam or of one end of an optical fiber transporting the beam, in the focal plane of a beam focusing device.

Finally, it is again possible to stabilize the beam by mounting the designator in a gimbal suspension, and to use proximity sensors to detect the coincidence between the aiming and firing axes. Examples of embodiments with image stabilization in open or closed loop and variants of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

- Figure 1 shows a weapon produced according to the invention with electronic stabilization of the line of sight;

- Figure 2 shows a block diagram of the invention for an image stabilized by electronic means;

- Figure 3 is intended to illustrate the choice of color of the reticle to obtain a good contrast with the target; - Figure 4 shows a weapon produced according to the invention with mechanical stabilization of the line of sight;

- Figure 5, is an example of proximity sensor adapted to the weapon according to Figure 4;

- Figure 6 illustrates the processing mode of the sensor according to Figure 5;

- Figure 7 shows another functional diagram of the invention with development of a real reticle.

- Figures 8 and 9 show a weapon according to the invention in which the firing axis is materialized using a light beam emitter;

- Figure 10 shows an example of an electrical circuit for a weapon according to Figure 8;

FIGS. 11 to 13 represent embodiments of light beam deflectors usable in a weapon according to FIG. 8.

Figure 1 shows a rifle 10 equipped according to the invention. This rifle 10 intended for precision shooting comprises a barrel 11 of axis XX ', a stock 17 comprising a layer plate 20, a trigger guard 19, a telescopic sight 12 comprising an optical axis YY', a objective 14 and an eyepiece 13. All these elements are arranged in a conventional manner. The telescope 12 comprises between the objective and the eyepiece a matrix of sensors 16 on which is formed by a first prism 15 the image landscape electronics seen through the lens. This image processed by an electronic image processing circuit 21 is used to form a stabilized image on a miniature electroluminescent screen 22.

This screen has as many pixels and arranged in the same way as the array of detectors.

In the exemplary embodiment, it is a matrix and a screen of 1024 × 1024 pixels. This image is returned by means of a second prism 23 to the eyepiece 13 of the telescope 12. The center of the matrix corresponds to the position of the optical axis of the telescope. This center is represented by a crosshair 30 in the form of a cross along two perpendicular axes shown in FIG. 3.

The pixels located on these two axes appear by special treatment in white or black so as to obtain the best contrast between the image observed and the reticle. For this, the processing circuits 21 calculate a weighted average brightness in an area corresponding to the pixels forming a cross-shaped surface surrounding the reticle 30. The average is said to be weighted because as explained below with reference to FIG. 3, it is applied a heavier weight to the pixels located at a smaller distance from the reticle. Figure 3 shows a portion of the central area of the screen entering into account for determining the white or black color of the reticle. FIG. 3 represents a reticle 30 formed by the crossing of a vertical line of pixels 31 and a horizontal line of pixels 32. The weighting of the gray levels of the pixels having symmetry with respect to each of the lines 31 and 32 , it will only be spoken below of the upper right corner. The average of the gray level of the cross-shaped area surrounding the reticle 30 is said to be weighted in the sense that greater weight is given to the gray levels of the pixels of the vertical 33 and horizontal 34 lines which are the most closer to the pixels forming the reticle, than to the gray levels of the vertical 35, horizontal 36 lines which are a little further away. The weight of each vertical or horizontal line taken into account thus decreases with its distance from the vertical 31 and horizontal 32 lines, lines of pixels defining the reticle. The contrast enhancement process can be transposed directly to a screen that would be in color. It is necessary to have introduced into the software a matrix of contrasting colors.

The method for processing the image of the sensor matrix 16 using processing circuits incorporated in the module 21 makes it possible, in a manner known as explained above, to define a motion vector of the image with respect to an image of reference. When the modulus of this vector is less than a determined threshold, it is considered that the firing axis is aligned with the line of sight. In this case, if a key 18, located under the trigger guard has been pressed, the shot is triggered automatically.

The automatic percussion device is not shown. The circuit 21 generates, when the two axes are close enough, a signal which is used to produce a current in a coil. This current activates the withdrawal of a nucleus. This withdrawal releases a striker conventionally pushed by a spring.

An embodiment of the circuit 21 and its operating mode will be explained below with reference to FIG. 2.

This circuit includes a module 25 for analyzing the image from the sensors 16. This analysis is carried out by comparison with a previous image, the data of which is stored in a field memory 24. The analysis consists in determining a motion vector between a previous image and the current image and in the possible determination of a voluntary motion vector. If the value of the module of the motion vector is less than a predetermined threshold and if there is no detection of voluntary movement, the circuit 21 generates a firing signal. This signal is transmitted to a circuit 26, for producing a firing trigger current. This current can only be produced when a status bit produced from the pusher 18 is at the value 1, representing the authorization of the firing. The module 25 includes a sub-module 27 for optimizing the contrast of the reticle, the role of which has been defined above.

Another embodiment will now be described with reference to Figures 4 to 6. In these figures the elements having the same function as those of Figures 1 and 2 have the same numbers. This exemplary embodiment (FIG. 4) relates to a rifle 10 equipped with a riflescope 12 with a stabilized optical axis. As has been seen previously, in this type of telescope optical elements are gyrostabilized or suspended so as to obtain a stable image despite the tremors of the wearer. In this case, provision is made according to the invention to provide at least one of the stabilized optical elements with a part 41, constituting the mobile part of a proximity sensor 40. The fixed part 42 of this same sensor is fixed to a fixed part of the telescope. This type of sensor is well known in the art and there are many varieties. This type of sensor is characterized by the absence of mechanical connection between the measuring device and the moving object; it is through a field that an interaction is established between them, a function of their relative position:

- magnetic induction field for reluctance variation, Hall effect or magneto resistance sensors;

- electromagnetic field for current sensors

Eddy

- electrostatic field for capacitive sensors.

In the embodiment, a capacitive sensor has been chosen.

For this and as shown in Figure 5 in a longitudinal section of a trunk of the telescope 12, metal deposits have been performed on the one hand on the peripheral ring 44 of a stabilized optical element 45 and on the other hand, along two crowns 46, 47 located in front and behind the optical element 45 on a fixed part 50 of the telescope. When the axis of the optical element 45 is aligned with the axis of the crowns 46 and 47, the value of the capacity formed by the armatures 44 and 46, 47 is almost zero.

However, the value of this capacity increases with the misalignment. The electrical circuits 53 (FIG. 4) measure this capacity and trigger a firing signal, when the measurement indicates that the capacity is below a certain threshold.

A diagram of the circuit 53 is shown in FIG. 6. The capacity 49 formed by the armatures 44 and 46, 47 is measured in a circuit 48.

This circuit emits a signal when the capacity 49 is less than a predetermined threshold. This signal is used as in the previous embodiment by a circuit 26 to develop the firing current, if an authorization from the pusher 18 is given. In the case where the line of sight is materialized by a laser designation beam, it is either the whole of the designator or only optical means of collimating the beam which are gyroscopically stabilized.

A rifle produced according to this mode is shown in Figure 9. In this figure, the elements having the same function as those of Figures 4 or 5 have the same numbers. A laser designator 11 is suspended gyroscopically in a fixed structure 42 linked to the rifle 10. A proximity detector 40 produced for example like that which is described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 makes it possible to trigger the firing by means of a circuit 53 operating like that described with reference to FIG. 6. An operating mode with production of a movable reticle corresponding to the real line of sight on the stabilized image will now be described with reference to FIG. 7.

This figure represents an optical telescopic sight 712 possibly equipped with means for forming an electronic image. This telescope is equipped with image stabilization means 725 producing a stabilized image 740 comprising at its center a fixed reticle 730 materializing the axis XX 'of shooting. A device 760 detects the difference between the stabilized image 740 and the real image. This detection makes it possible to develop in a module 731 a reticle 729 corresponding to the actual position of the shooting axis in the stabilized image and thus to inform the shooter of the aiming deviation. The coincidence between the two reticles is determined in a 750 module.

A signal produced by the module 750 makes it possible to actuate an electrical firing command if the push button 18 has been pressed.

Another embodiment will now be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 10. In this embodiment, the aiming axis of the weapon is materialized by a laser beam emitted by a transmitter 112. In FIG. 8, the elements having the same function as those described with reference to FIG. 1 have the same number. Items with similar functions have the same number increased by 100.

FIG. 8 represents a rifle 10 equipped according to the invention. This rifle 10 intended for precision shooting comprises a barrel 11 of axis XX ′, a stock 17 comprising a layer plate 20, a trigger guard 19.

The rifle also comprises a laser transmitter 112, mechanically fixed to the rifle, possibly by means of adjustment for the rise. This transmitter is, upwards, aligned with the firing axis XX 'of the rifle. By this we mean that the laser beam emitted by the transmitter 112 defines an axis YY 'aligned with the axis XX' of the rifle. In front of the transmitter 112, a device 114 deflector of the laser beam is fixed. This device, which exemplary embodiments will be described below, has the function of correcting the direction of the ray emitted by the transmitter 1 12 to keep it in a direction independent of erratic rotational movements due to tremors of the shooter. This device is only designed for small corrections of the order of a hundred milliradians. In the embodiment of Figure 8, the deflector 1 14 and the transmitter 1 12 are incorporated in the same tubular structure 1 13. This inclusion in a structure is not mandatory. It is used for reasons of convenience in assembling the sub-assemblies. Motion detection means 1 16 are fixed under the barrel 1 1 of the weapon, included in a gripping structure conventionally serving to control the direction of the weapon with one hand of the shooter.

The detector 116 is in itself known and has already been briefly described. It will be recalled that it may be either a device based on image processing providing a motion vector or a device based on gyrometers providing a measurement of the angular displacements in elevation and azimuth. Finally, it may be any known device for measuring angular displacement. The motion detector 116 sends its signal by a link (not shown) to processing circuits 121. These circuits have the function:

- Develop a signal which will be applied by a link not shown in the device 1 14 deflects the light beam. It will be recalled that this diverting device has the function of keeping stable the direction of the beam which is emitted by the transmitter 1 12 despite the movements of the rifle 10. An exemplary embodiment of a circuit 121 is shown in FIG. 10. This example is more particularly adapted to the case where the motion detector of the rifle 10 is constituted by gyrometers measuring a speed of rotation.

The signal 5 from the detectors 11 is first sent to an amplification and shaping circuit 171. From this amplifier 171, the amplified and shaped signal is sent to a filtering circuit 172.

The filtering circuit 172 is a band pass filter which is intended to retain only the erratic movements of the rifle and to eliminate the voluntary movements corresponding to continuous movements in the same direction.

The signal at the output of the filtering circuit 172 is introduced into an integrator 173 which transforms the angular speed signal into a deviation value. It is this signal which is used by the deflector 114 two examples of which will be given below.

The value of this signal is also used to detect coincidence between the designation axis and the firing axis. Below a certain threshold, it will be considered that there is a coincidence and a firing signal may be emitted. This is why the signal at the output of the integrator 173 is also sent to a circuit for developing a firing signal 26. This circuit receives, as already described, information 18 indicating that the push button authorization also referenced 18 (Figures 1 and 8) is pressed.

Examples of embodiments of the deflector 114 will now be given with reference to FIGS. 11 to 13.

FIG. 11 represents a first example of such a deflector. The deflector 60 comprises a crystal 61 transparent to the light wave to be deflected. An acousto-optical transducer 62 constituted for example by a piezoelectric material, for example a quartz, is fixed to the crystal 61 so as to be able to generate in the crystal 60 a progressive acoustic wave. The vibration frequency of the piezoelectric material is determined by the frequency of the output signal from an electrical circuit 63. The circuit 63 is a circuit which converts variations in voltage received at its input 64 into a variation in frequency at its output 65 The output frequency present at output 65 is applied to the piezoelectric material, in a known manner by electrodes not shown. The input signal present on terminal 64 is a component of the output signal of the integrator circuit 173 (Figure 10).

The operation of such a deflector is as follows: either an incident light beam materialized by its axis II 'in FIG. 1 1. In the absence of a vibrational phenomenon in the crystal, the crystal 61 behaves like a blade with parallel faces . The incident beam is simply translated. On the other hand, if the crystal is traversed by a progressive acoustic wave, the refractive index of the crystal is spatially variable. This phenomenon produces a progressive deflection of the beam. In this way the incident beam II 'is deflected. It has been represented at the output of the crystal by an output beam materialized by its axis DD '. The axes II 'and DD' form the angle α between them. The value of the angle α varies as the ratio - in which λ represents the wavelength of the incident optical wave and L the wavelength of the acoustic wave induced in the crystal by the piezoelectric material 62 .

Preferably the value of the angle of incidence of the incident beam is chosen to be close to the angle of BRAGG of the crystal. The response time of the crystal is low, the volume is of the order of cm ³ and the consumption of the order of a watt. Two deflectors 60 in series each receiving a component of the signal at the output of the integrator 173 make it possible to control the direction of the beam in elevation and in azimuth.

Another embodiment of a deflector 1 14 will be described with reference to Figure 12. In this mode, an incident beam of axis II 'is deflected by a mirror 71 to give a beam reflected along an axis DD'. The mirror 71 is pivotable about an axis 73. Capacities 72 more or less loaded allow to exert rotation torques on the mirror 71, thus modifying the direction of the output beam DD '. Here again, voltages from circuit 173 make it possible to control the charge of the capacitors 72 and therefore the angle of pivoting of the mirror 71. Such deflection mirrors thus ordered are produced for example by the company TEXAS INSTRUMENTS.

The mirrors have sizes of 20x20 μm and can be used in a network. The response time is of the order of ten μs.

Again, two arrays of mirrors make it possible to control two axes of the output beam DD '.

A third embodiment 70 of a deflector 114 will now be given with reference to FIG. 13. In this embodiment, the designation beam produced by the light beam emitter emits via one or more optical fibers 71. The exit end 74 of the fiber is displaceable in the focal plane of a lens 73. The distance from the end 74 of the fiber to the axis OO ′ of the lens, determines the angle made by l 'axis OO' of lens 73 with axis DD 'of the output beam. Two piezoelectric motors 72 allow movement along two axes. The motors 72 are supplied with voltages from the integrator 173. The same effect can be obtained by moving a diode or more generally the source of the transmitter 112.

Claims

1. Individual weapon (10) having a barrel (1 1) centered on a firing axis XX 'and optronic means (12, 712, 1 12) defining an aiming axis YY' of the weapon (10) , a means for controlling the firing of a munition fired by the weapon actuable by a carrier of the weapon, weapon characterized in that it comprises means (15, 16 - 22, 23 - 13, 14 , 725) for stabilizing the aiming axis YY ', means for detecting angular coincidence (16, 24, 25 - 48, 49) between the aiming axis YY' and the firing axis XX 'these means emitting a firing signal when there is coincidence between the two axes and in that the firing control comprises a firing authorization means (18) actuable by the carrier of the weapon and an automatic firing circuit (26) triggering the firing of the munition when the authorization means (18) has been actuated and the coincidence detection means emit the firing signal.

2. Weapon (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the means of stabilization of the line of sight consist of a matrix (16) of photosensitive sensors receiving the radiation received by at least part (14) of the means optronics (12), means for storing (24) at least part of an image formed on the matrix (16) of photosensitive sensors, and processing circuits (25, 725) receiving signals from the matrix ( 16) of sensors, storage means (24), the processing circuits (25) sending signals to the storage circuits (24), to a display screen (22) and to the automatic firing (26) .

3. Weapon (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that the screen is an electroluminescent screen (22) viewable by the wearer of the weapon by means of at least part (13) of the optronic means.

4. Weapon (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that the processing circuits (25) form a reticle (30) on the screen (22).

5. Weapon (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that the processing circuits (25, 725) comprise a module (27) for optimizing the contrast of the reticle (30).

6. Weapon (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the means of stabilization of the line of sight YY 'are constituted by gyroscopic means of stabilization of the optical means.

7. Weapon (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the means of stabilization of the line of sight YY 'are constituted by means of suspension from the gimbal of the optical means.

8. Weapon (10) according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the coincidence detection means consist of a proximity sensor (40) comprising a movable part (44) linked to a part of the optical means and a fixed part (46,

47) linked to a part (50) linked to the structure of the weapon.

9. Weapon (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises circuits (725, 760, 731) allowing the visualization of a reticle (729) corresponding to the real axis of shooting.

10. Weapon (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the optronic sighting means defining the sighting axis YY 'of the weapon (10) are constituted by an emitter (1 12) d '' a light beam capable of projecting a radiation detectable by a shooter possibly specially equipped.

11. Weapon (10) according to claim 10, characterized in that the means for stabilizing the light beam consist of sensor means (116) of the angular movements of the weapon producing signals representative of these movements, and means of deflection of the light beam (114) receiving the signals from the sensors (116).

12. Weapon (10) according to claim 1 1, characterized in that the angular movement sensor means are gyroscopic means.

13. Weapon (10) according to claim 10, characterized in that the angular ray sensor means comprise image sensors (1 16) and image processing means producing an image displacement vector.

14. Weapon (10) according to claim 10, characterized in that the means for stabilizing the light beam comprise a gimbal suspension of at least part of the emitting means (1 12), the coincidence detection means comprising proximity sensors (40).

15. Weapon (10) according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the means (114) for deflecting the light beam comprise a transparent medium (61) and means (62) for creating acoustic waves in this medium (61) these means (62) receiving on an input (65) signals from the motion detection means (173).

16. Weapon (10) according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the means (114) of deflection of the light beam are constituted by mirrors (71) movable in rotation, the rotations being controlled by signals in from the motion detection means (173).

17. Weapon according to one of claims 10 to 16 characterized in that the weapon is a handgun.