WO2010127953A1

WO2010127953A1 - Method for controlling a torpedo, torpedo therefor and antenna section of such a torpedo

Info

Publication number: WO2010127953A1
Application number: PCT/EP2010/055475
Authority: WO
Inventors: Axel Brenner
Original assignee: Atlas Elektronik Gmbh
Priority date: 2009-05-02
Filing date: 2010-04-23
Publication date: 2010-11-11
Also published as: KR20120016235A; SG174860A1; IL215151A0; US20120037059A1; EP2425202B1; EP2425202A1; DE102009040152A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for controlling a torpedo (1) to at least one target. In order to increase the range of the torpedo (1), the torpedo (1), during the travel thereof to the target (Z), submerges once or several times into the near-surface region of a water system (4) that is adjacent to the water surface, wherein, however, the torpedo (1) also remains immersed in said near-surface region. The torpedo (1) then extends a radio antenna (10) into a surface region above the water surface and subsequently receives position data containing target position data of the target by way of said radio antenna (10) and uses said position data to head for the target (Z). The invention further relates to a torpedo (1) comprising an antenna section (31) having an extendable radio antenna (10). Further, the invention relates to such an antenna section (31).

Description

Method of controlling a torpedo, torpedo therefor and antenna section of such a torpedo

The invention relates to a method for controlling a torpedo to at least one target, wherein the torpedo emerges during his journey to the destination one or more times in the water surface adjacent near-surface region of a body of water, but the torpedo remains submerged in this near-surface area, and a radio antenna extends into the overwater area above the water surface. Furthermore, the invention relates to a remote controllable torpedo according to this method with an extendable radio antenna and a radio receiver for receiving position data. Such a control method and a corresponding torpedo are known from DE 601 24 520 T2. Furthermore, the invention relates to an antenna section of such a secti- on formed torpedo.

Conventionally, torpedoes are launched from submarines and routed to the destination via fiber optic data exchange between torpedo and submarine. For this purpose, both the torpedo and a torpedo belonging, but remaining in the submarine cartridge each have an optical fiber coil, from which the optical fiber is unwound during the course of the torpedo or the drive of the submarine.

However, such optical waveguides can only be produced with a limited length. Therefore, the ranges of such optical fiber guided torpedoes are limited.

Furthermore, it is known from EP 0 494 092 A2 to allow a torpedo to emerge into a region near the surface of the surface during its journey to the destination, to unfold an antenna and to receive control commands via the radio antenna, which are used to drive the destination. Furthermore, from DE 10 2006 045 686 B3 an unmanned underwater vehicle with a radio device is known, which is used for the transmission of reconnaissance data.

Furthermore, DE 10 2006 024 858 B4 discloses a method for transmitting current images of a guided missile to an underwater vehicle via a permanent optical waveguide connection.

Furthermore, DE 172 245 A describes a underwater body that is controlled from land or water by means of wires.

Finally, US 3,890,919 shows a starting device for torpedoes on submarines.

After all, the invention is based on the problem of increasing the range of (remote) controlled torpedoes.

The invention solves this problem by means of a method for controlling, in particular remote control, a torpedo according to the aforementioned type, in which the torpedo emerges one or more times during its journey to the destination in the area near the surface of a body of water adjacent to the water surface However, the torpedo remains submerged in this near-surface area, a radio antenna extends into an overwater area above the water surface, then target position data of the target having position data, which are transmitted to the torpedo of a land, air or sea-based control center, via the radio antenna receives and this Position data used to control the destination.

Furthermore, the invention solves the problem by means of a torpedo of the type mentioned above with a control section for guiding the torpedo to a destination, by means of which control signals for controlling rudders of the torpedo for course and depth determination of Torpedoes are generated, the torpedo an antenna section comprising a retractable radio antenna and a radio receiver for receiving target position data of the target having position data, which are transmitted to the torpedo from a land, air or sea-based control center, which are fed to the control section.

Finally, the invention solves this problem by providing an antenna section of such a sectioned torpedo with an extendable Radio antenna and a radio receiver for receiving position data having position data, wherein the antenna section has an interface, which is designed such that the position data of a control section can be fed.

The control section, taking account of the position data, generates control signals which, in a rudder section, provide rudders of the torpedo such that the torpedo travels to the desired destination.

Thanks to a radio communication device in the torpedo, the invention makes it possible to transmit signals by means of electromagnetic waves. Usually, electromagnetic waves are not used for signal transmission in the water, since they have only a very short range in the water. However, the invention is based on the finding that even electromagnetic waves for the remote control of torpedoes can be usefully used if the torpedo extends a radio antenna beyond the water surface during the transmission of electromagnetic waves out. About such a radio antenna then electromagnetic signals can be exchanged over long distances. Such distances significantly exceed the range of conventional fiber optic coils. Therefore, thanks to the control of a torpedo via electromagnetic waves, the range of torpedoes can be significantly increased. According to the invention, the torpedo is placed close to the water surface, so that the antenna can be extended over the water surface. By means of the positional data obtained by means of the antenna, a precise position determination of the torpedo and a precise course determination of the torpedo can be carried out to the destination. Thus, even with long ranges and over long distances thanks to the received position data any fluctuations in the price of the torpedo, which can occur during a phase without external data transmission, be compensated.

According to the invention, a further antenna section is installed for this purpose in a conventional sectional torpedo, which has the extendable antenna and a corresponding radio receiver for receiving position data. This antenna section can be installed with minimal effort in a sectional torpedo so that no complete redesign of torpedoes is required. For this purpose, the antenna section has an interface which is designed such that the position data obtained by means of the antenna section can be supplied to a control section, by means of which control signals for controlling the torpedo powders for course and depth determination of the torpedo can be generated. Advantageously, the position data includes target position data of the target transmitted to the torpedo from a land, air or sea-based control center. The received position data can therefore be or contain data transmitted by a control center, in addition to or as an alternative to the position data of a navigation system. In this way, changes in the target position can be transmitted to the torpedo so that the target can be tracked even with longer travel times of the torpedo and thus also of the target. This is advantageous if the target has completed a maneuver and therefore there is a danger that the target will move out of the expected target area. In this way, it can be ensured that the target is within the detection range of the torpedo when the torpedo approaches the target. Thus, the target area or a target expected area within the target area can be tracked, so that target maneuvers can be taken into account during the destination control. This is advantageous in particular because long travel times of the torpedo occur especially in the case of large torpedo passages, which can lead to significant changes in position and possibly also course changes of the target during the travel time of the torpedo.

In a preferred embodiment, the torpedo comprises a torpedo sonar with a limited detection range, wherein the torpedo is started outside a so-called target detection range determined around a target, within which the detection range is sufficient to detect the target, and upon reaching a target area located within the target detection area, the control of the torpedo to the destination by means of the torpedo sonar takes place. The use of the torpedoes own torpedo sonum thus takes place only in the target area. This is advantageous because the range of a torpedo sonar is regularly limited and therefore a control of the torpedo based on its own torpedo sonar is possible only in a narrowly limited to the target area. By means of the radio antenna and the position data received via the radio antennas, the torpedo is guided to the target area, and when the target area is reached, the torpedo activates its own torpedo satellite and then finds its destination automatically. An appearance of the torpedo near the target is therefore not required. This is advantageous since the emergence and extension of an antenna increases the risk of radar detection of the torpedo even with the torpedo body still submerged.

In a further particular embodiment, the position data comprise so-called self-position data of the torpedo, ie data from which the eigenposition of the torpedo results. These data are obtained using a satellite, air, land and / or sea-based navigation system and used to correct the torpedoes own course. Advantageously, these are GPS navigation data, ie data from a satellite-based global positioning system. This variant is advantageous because when the torpedo is traveling over a long distance due to the limited accuracy of a torpedo-own navigation system under water, in particular a gyro or gyro, an angular error with respect to the course of the torpedo occurs. The longer the journey of a torpedo lasts, the larger becomes due to the angular error, the deviation to the desired course. From the obtained position data, the torpedo determines its own position to then make the required course correction.

In a further particular embodiment, the torpedo not only has a radio receiver for receiving via the radio antenna, but also a radio transmitter for transmitting via the radio antenna, so that the position data, in particular target position data but also self-position data can be transmitted via a bidirectional radio data connection , This radio data link is advantageously routed via one or more satellite, land, air and / or sea-based relay stations. Thanks to such a bidirectional radio data connection, it is possible that a connection between the control center and the torpedo only occurs when the torpedo has reported at a relay station. For a connection setup, therefore, a data exchange in both directions, i. E. from the torpedo to the control center and vice versa from the control center to the torpedo. In this way, additional special commands can be given to the torpedo, such as the command to abort a mission.

In a further particular embodiment, the torpedo transmits current and / or previously stored sonar data of the torpedo sonar via the radio-data connection to the control center. The control center thus receives precise sonar data of a near-target sonar, namely the torpedo sonar, which is useful for the location reconnaissance in the control center.

In a further particular embodiment, the control center is a mobile control center that receives destinations from a permanently installed, remotely-established operations center. That is, the control center is in turn led by a higher-level operations center and then in turn leads the torpedo to its destination. Such an organization with a mobile control center is advantageous, since in this way the control center can be laid quickly and in particular can be spent near the coast. This is particularly advantageous if the Communication between control center and torpedo over land, air or sea-based relay stations is performed. In fact, any obstacles, such as mountains, that could affect the communication link can be bypassed.

In a further particular embodiment, the target position data is obtained from a land, air and / or sea-based radar and / or visual reconnaissance. Target position data obtained in this way can sometimes be obtained very precisely and up-to-date, often more precisely than the data obtained from passive sonar systems of submarines. The precision of the target data is thus advantageously increased.

In a further particular embodiment, the torpedo is provided with waypoints for its way to the destination and / or transmitted by radio, which are then activated during its route to the destination. The guidance of a torpedo along waypoints is advantageous, since thus obstacles, such as islands or other restricted areas, such as, for example, shipping lanes of merchant shipping or territories of foreign states, can be avoided.

In a further particular embodiment, the control center makes a target selection during the torpedo journey when a plurality of targets are detected by reconnaissance instead of a previously accepted single target and the torpedo is informed by the control center of a selected target which the torpedo has to attack. This embodiment is advantageous when several ships are in a bandage, under which in particular civilian merchant ships are located, which are not attacked.

Advantageously, the antenna section of the torpedo is lighter than the water displaced by it, in particular seawater, so that the antenna section reduces the torpedoes own understory. Usually torpedoes are namely provided with a sub-drive, so that they fall when the drive is at sea bottom. By reducing the underdrive, however, the torpedo's energy requirements are reduced during its journey so that it can reach longer ranges.

Advantageously, the torpedo is started by a land based delivery system. For this purpose, the torpedo is housed in a starting device for starting the torpedo, which has a container movable on land side for transporting the container, wherein the container contains a transfer system for land-based transport of the torpedo into a coastal waters. This variant is based on the recognition that torpedoes do not necessarily have to be started from a sea-based platform, but that this is also possible by means of a land-based system. For this purpose, a land-based transport system is envisaged, by means of which torpedoes can be brought directly from land into the water and started there. In this way, sea-based platforms can be dispensed with, so that the use of expensive over- or underwater vehicles can be dispensed with. This allows a significantly lower cost torpedo launching system, which, moreover, is very flexible in its mobility.

Preferably, the movement system comprises a movable out of the container boom, a trolley and a rope, the trolley is movable on the boom and the rope at a first of its two ends directly or indirectly connected to the torpedo and is guided over the trolley and with Its second end communicates with a drive, by means of which the trolley can be lowered to the water by means of the trolley moved with the boom extended and to an outer end position on the boom. The torpedo can thus be driven out of the container with the help of the trolley and the movable boom and left over the water substantially vertically into the water and then started.

This embodiment is particularly advantageous because a controlled transfer of the torpedo into the water is ensured even in shallow waters. The torpedo can be started even at shallow water as it can be accelerated out of a stationary, quiet horizontal position. This is made possible by the substantially vertical, guided on a rope lowering the torpedo into a predetermined depth of water.

In a further preferred embodiment, the transfer system has a cage for receiving the torpedo, wherein the first end of the cable is connectable to the cage. Thanks to such a cage, the torpedo does not require a declutching device to separate it from the rope, which would be required in an alternative direct attachment of the rope to the torpedo. However, this would initially lead to a drop and thus to a vertical acceleration of the torpedo. Thanks to the cage, however, the torpedo can be accelerated horizontally out of the cage. The training as a cage, ie with only a few struts, which surround the torpedo, is particularly advantageous because the water of the torpedo no air must be displaced, as would be the case for example with a tubular container. In addition, essentially when starting the torpedo also no recoil on the cage, which would lead to uncontrollable movements of the cage, thus complicating a horizontal launch of the torpedo. The use of a cage is therefore also advantageous in terms of the necessary depth of water. If, in fact, a torpedo with a propeller running would initially take up a dynamic dive trip due to inclination, a substantially deeper depth of water would be required to start. However, thanks to the cage's horizontal launch orientation of the torpedo, even shallow water depths are sufficient to launch the torpedo.

In a further particular embodiment, the boom is designed as a telescopic boom with a plurality of telescopic segments. Such a telescopic boom allows longer boom reaches and thus a farther from the shore starting position in which larger water depths are expected. The application possibilities of the starting device are hereby extended, as even with only gently sloping banks thus a shipment of the torpedo into the water is possible.

In a further particular embodiment, the container has a counterweight, which is arranged in the region of the end of the container, which is opposite an optionally closable, in particular rear-side, opening for extending the boom. This embodiment is advantageous in view of longer boom reach, which tends to cause a larger tilting moment on the container with the risk of tilting the container around a rear lower edge of the container or about a (rear) axle of a trailer carrying the container. Thanks to the counterweight can be counteracted such a tilting moment. The counterweight thus allows longer boom reaches. However, as explained above, this leads to an expanded field of application, since the greater range makes it possible to move a torpedo into even shallow waters, since the longer boom reach allows greater water depths to be achieved.

Advantageously, the boom is mounted in the upper region of the container. As a result, the space below the boom for storing a plurality of torpedoes remains free. In this way, it is readily possible to accommodate a variety of torpedoes in a single container. In a further embodiment, the transfer system has a slide device which, starting below a torpedo located in the container or following a cage receiving the torpedo, extends over a closable, in particular rear-side, opening of the container and can be extended downwards in a downward direction. In this way, a torpedo can be spent on a slide into the water and then started. The torpedo requires for this purpose only an inclined slide, which is advantageously designed in the manner of a channel. This slide begins in the container below the torpedo or adjacent to the said cage and is extended by one or more sections outside the container as part of take-off preparations. In this way, an application of the movement system is also possible on beaches or silty coastal sections where the immediate bank area is not passable.

Advantageously, the slide device therefore has a plurality of slide extension segments, which can be connected to one another. As a result, the chute can be extended such that even larger water depths can be reached, in which the torpedo can be easily started without the risk of damage to the water bottom.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the transfer system has a cage for receiving the torpedo, wherein said cage is pivotable by means of a drive about a pivot axis provided in the region of the container opening in a vertical plane. By pivoting this cage begins to slip from a predetermined angle of inclination of the torpedo so that it passes through the slide device into the water. The torpedo is therefore released by pivoting the cage.

In a particular embodiment, the cage has fastening means for fastening a cassette to a message line connecting the starting device and the torpedo, in particular in the case of an optical waveguide. Torpedoes are regularly connected via a communication line to a control center for controlling the torpedo. The message line is unwound for this purpose from the torpedo, with moving launch platforms usually also from the launch platform from a message conductor coil is unwound. Since according to the invention, however, the launch platform remains stationary in the water during the running of the torpedo, only a message conductor coil with a short length is needed in the region of the starting device. However, this part of the message line is housed in a cassette, which is advantageously attached to the cage. Advantageously, the cassette comprises a coil on which the message line is wound, and a protective tube for guiding the message line. The protective tube has a length which corresponds to a multiple of the length of the cage. By a "multiple of the length" are also non-integer multiples of the length to understand. In this way, the message line is protected by the protective tube over a length that extends beyond the length of the cage. Thus, the message line is protected not only in the area of the cage, but also in the area of the surf, so even in an area where the wave could possibly damage the communication line, if it would be unprotected in the water.

In a further particular embodiment, the container is provided with a control room which is equipped with at least one workstation. This control room has controls for starting and steering the torpedo. For example, the boot process can be initiated via this control room. In addition, for example, a mission of the torpedo can be canceled out of this control room, if necessary.

In a specific embodiment, the control room is separated from the space accommodating the torpedo by a partition, which preferably has a door.

This partition advantageously has a projection in the area of the torpedo

Direction of the control room. In this way, the maximum length of a torpedo housed in the container is increased. In this way, a torpedo can be extended by one or more additional battery sections. This is advantageous because it can increase its range.

Advantageously, the container is a forty-foot container with customary dimensions in commercial shipping. Such containers have a length of 12.19 m, a width of 2.44 m and a height of 2.60 m. Preferably, the container is therefore designed according to ISO 668. This is advantageous because such a container can be loaded with conventional loading equipment on ships or trucks and trailers for receiving such standard containers. This facilitates the handling of such containers and reduces the costs incurred in the manufacture and use.

The starting device therefore preferably provides a trailer for transporting the container. Alternatively, however, the container may be firmly connected to a chassis. Further advantageous embodiments will become apparent from the dependent claims and from the explained with reference to the accompanying drawings embodiments. In the drawing show:

1 shows an embodiment of a method according to the invention for controlling a torpedo;

Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of a torpedo invention and

3 shows a scenario for explaining the remote control of a torpedo and the tracking of a target area.

FIG. 1 shows a torpedo 1 which has been brought into a sea area 4 by a land-based transport system 3 provided in a container 2. The container is located on a trailer 5, which is movable by means of a tractor 6 land side. Several such container-supported land-based transfer systems 3, 3 ', 3 "are positioned along a shoreline 7. Within the containers 2 are control systems which, via a communication line 8, for example an optical waveguide, with the torpedo 1 at least over a first distance and This first distance is limited by the length of the message line, which in particular is wound up on a coil mounted inside the torpedo 1. The torpedo 1 can be guided by the message line for this first time period, but also data, in particular, send sonar data back to the control systems in the container 2. However, for distances greater than this first distance, the length of the message line 8 is no longer sufficient, so that the torpedo 1 is guided via a radio link 9.

For this purpose, the torpedo 1 has a radio antenna 10, which in the exemplary embodiment shown communicates via a satellite 11 with a communication connection with the control system accommodated in the container 2 and / or with a mobile control center 12. The control system within the container 2 is therefore also equipped with a radio antenna 13, just as the mobile control center 12 has a radio antenna 14. The mobile control center 12 and the radio antenna 14 are each in communication with a transceiver 15, which exchanges data with the control center 12 and Signals generated for transmission via the antenna 14 and converted by the antenna 14 received signals into data signals for the control center 12.

The mobile control center 12 is in turn connected via a radio-supported or wired connection 16 to a higher-level control center 17 which receives radar reconnaissance data relating to a sea area via a radar 18. The radar reconnaissance data is used to assign one or more torpedoes 1 to enemy targets, which are routed to the target in question for the purpose of neutralizing the target.

Alternatively or in addition to a radar reconnaissance, optical and / or hydroacoustic reconnaissance systems can be used to locate targets.

After taking place in the operations center 17 destination assignment to the control center 12 via the connection 16 coordinates and controls the control center 12 a torpedo 1 in the target area.

Since the target area can be outside the range of the message line 8 and outside the detection range of a torpedo torpedo sonar, the torpedo 1 is controlled via a radio link. The torpedo 1 therefore emerges at predetermined times just below the water surface, namely so far that its drive and rudder sections are still completely submerged in order to ensure controllability of the torpedo. Just below the surface of the water, the torpedo extends its radio antenna so that it is above the surface of the water and can establish a radio connection to the satellites 1 1 or other air, sea or land based relay stations undisturbed by water. These relay stations are in radio communication with the control center 12.

The torpedo 1 receives data concerning the destination via this connection, in particular information about a change in the destination area or the destination expected area and possibly further information concerning its mission, such as an order to cancel a mission or to bypass restricted sea areas in which there are obstacles or own or friendly ships.

Additionally or alternatively, the torpedo 1 receives information about its own position via the antenna 10, that is, in the as-surfaced state, specifically via a satellite-based device Navigation system, such as GPS (Global Positioning System) or Galileo or similar land, sea or airborne systems. The torpedo 1 can thus accurately determine its own position in the emerged state. If its destination and its position are already known in advance, for example because it is a stationary destination, no bidirectional communication connection with the control center 12 is required. Rather, then sufficient position data of the own position to guide the torpedo 1 safely to the destination.

However, if the target assigned to the torpedo 1 is a moving target, in particular a watercraft, the torpedo 1 activates its on-board sonar at the latest as soon as the target area is within the range of the torpedo sonar and directs itself to the target based on its own sonar data.

The torpedoes own sonar data are preferably returned via the antenna 10 when torpedo 1 surfaced via said relay stations to the control center 12, which can detect in this way, whether the obtained by means of the previous reconnaissance, for example. About the radar 18 target data were sufficiently detailed. In particular, it can be determined in this way whether a target actually consists of only a single target or a federation of several targets. If the latter is the case, takes place in the control center 12 or in the operations center 17 a target selection, eg. By the main goal is neutralized or civilian targets are not attacked.

Fig. 2 shows the torpedo 1 in an enlarged view. In addition to a sonar head 19, the torpedo 1 has a section 20 with an explosive charge. Furthermore, the torpedo comprises a plurality of battery sections 21, 22, 23, 24 and a control section 25, a message ladder section 26 containing a spool with a communication line, and a drive section 27 with a motor for driving two counter-rotating propellers 28, 29. Further the torpedo 1, a rudder section 29 with multiple oars 30 for determining the course and the depth of the torpedo during his ride on.

Approximately in the region of its center of gravity, the torpedo has an antenna section 31, which has an extendable antenna 10 and radio communication devices for transmitting and / or receiving. The antenna 10 is, for example, telescopically formed. It has such a length in order to be able to reach the water surface even in the submerged state of the torpedo 1 in order to be able to set up a satellite communication connection or at least be able to receive data from a satellite-supported navigation system. Advantageously, the torpedo 1 reduces its driving speed before it extends the antenna 10 and increases its speed after retraction of the antenna 10 again.

The antenna 10 has a structure by means of which data can be received and / or transmitted on at least two frequencies. This is advantageous since an own position data can be received, in particular via a satellite navigation system, and, on the other hand, destination position data and other data can be exchanged via a further communication channel. Advantageously, the frequencies are provided in the same frequency band so that the antenna structure required for each frequency has substantially the same order of magnitude.

Advantageously, the antenna 10 has a plurality, in particular two, separate antenna structures. This is advantageous because each antenna structure is designed specifically for a specific frequency range. The signal / noise ratio can thus be optimized for each individual antenna structure. Preferably, the antenna structures are formed in a similar, as small as possible execution size. This facilitates a streamlined arrangement for the antenna 10 in the non-extended state. Alternatively, the antenna has a multi-band antenna structure tuned to multiple frequencies. By means of at least one of the frequencies bidirectional communication is provided.

Taking into account its volume, the antenna section 31 is lighter than the surrounding (sea) water and in this way reduces the underdrive of the torpedo 1. In this way the energy requirement of the torpedo is reduced, so that the range can be increased.

With regard to its components, with the exception of the antenna section 31, the torpedo 1 essentially corresponds to a conventional torpedo, to which, however, a further section, namely the antenna section 31, has been inserted. The antenna section 31 is thus a modular component which can be inserted into conventional torpedo concepts.

The antenna section 31 can therefore only be connected to the control section 25 via an interface in order to ensure data exchange of the transmitted or received radio data. Fig. 3 illustrates the guidance of a torpedo 1 to a target Z, which moves along a target path 33. The torpedo 1 moves along the track 34.

The torpedo 1 is brought into the sea area 4 by means of the land-based transfer system accommodated in the container 2 and first drives there remotely via the distance D by means of a message line, e.g. using optical fiber or copper cable.

After the communication line is completely unwound and thus disconnected, the torpedo 1 first emerges at the position P1 and receives new coordinates for a target area 35 within which a target expected area lies at a time when the torpedo 1 has reached the target expected area 36 could. At a predefined time, namely at the position P2, the torpedo 1 reappears. However, by means of radar-based reconnaissance and / or possibly hydroacoustic reconnaissance and / or visual reconnaissance, it has been determined in the operations center 17 that the target Z is a target maneuver, i. has made a course change so that the destination area as well as the destination expected area has changed and the new destination area is shown at 37 in Fig. 3 and the new destination expectation area at 38.

The torpedo 1 in turn makes a course change and leaves the initially planned route 39 and pivots on a new route 40.

A dashed line in FIG. 3 around the torpedo 1 indicates a detection area 41 within which the torpedo signal can detect targets. Thus, FIG. 3 illustrates that the distance traveled by the torpedo is significantly greater than the detection radius associated with the detection area 41. Therefore, the torpedo 1 can not be controlled solely by its on-board sonar. Therefore, a control via the aforementioned radio link, via which the torpedo 1 is guided into the target area 35 and 37, respectively. As soon as the target area 35 or 37 lies within a so-called target detection area 42 determined by the detection range of the torpedo 1, a control of the torpedo 1 to the target can take place by means of the torpedo-own sonar. However, it is also useful in this case, ie when the target area 37 is within the target detection area 42, depending on the situation makes sense that the torpedo appears and a communication connection via the relay stations with the control center 12 and / or the operation center 17 builds to To send data from the target area to the control center 12 or Operations Center 17, since this is useful for educational purposes. Fig. 3 further illustrates that, thanks to the particular remote control of the torpedo, restricted areas 43, such as islands, can be bypassed by predetermined waypoints.

The remote control method according to the invention enables significantly higher ranges of torpedoes, which are achieved, in particular, by the fact that the torpedo drives at a noticeably reduced speed in order to have a lower energy requirement per distance covered. Due to the relatively low speed, however, there are noticeable deviations of a predetermined course, since the angular deviation u.a. is time dependent, i. the larger the longer the torpedo is traveling. These course deviations are remedied according to the invention by course corrections, which presuppose a position determination of the torpedo. This position determination takes place according to the invention in the emerged state on the basis of data of a preferably satellite-supported navigation system.

Thanks to the invention, conventional torpedoes can be extended to achieve significantly higher ranges. The applications and purposes of torpedoes can thus be significantly expanded thanks to the invention.

All mentioned in the foregoing description and in the claims features according to the invention both individually and in any combination with each other used. The invention is therefore not limited to the described or claimed feature combinations. Rather, all combinations of individual features are to be regarded as disclosed.

Claims

claims

1. A method for controlling a torpedo (1) to at least one target (Z), wherein the torpedo (1) during its travel to the target (Z) one or more times in the water surface adjacent to the near-surface region of a body of water (4), However, the torpedo (1) remains submerged in this near-surface area, a radio antenna (10) extends into an above-water area above the water surface, characterized in that the torpedo (1) then target position data of the target having position data, the torpedo (1) from a land, air or sea based control center (12), over which radio antenna (10) receives and uses this position data to drive the destination (Z).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the torpedo (1) carries a torpedo sonar (19) with a limited detection range, outside a so-called target detection range (42) determined by the detection range around a target (Z) within which the detection range is sufficient to detect the target (Z), and upon reaching a target area (37) within the target detection area (42), the control of the torpedo (1) to the target (Z) by means of the torpedo-sonar ( 19).

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the position data for the determination of intrinsic position data of the torpedo (1) are used, which are obtained by means of a satellite, air, land and / or sea-based navigation system and this eigenposition data for correction of the own course of the torpedo (1) can be used.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that the torpedo (1) has a radio receiver which receives via the radio antenna (10) and a radio transmitter which transmits via the radio antenna (10), wherein the Po tion data are transmitted via a bidirectional radio data connection (9), which is conducted via one or more satellite, land, air and / or sea-based relay stations (1 1).

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that the torpedo (1) current and / or previously stored sonar data of the torpedo sonar

(19) via the radio-data connection (9) to the control center (12) sends.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the torpedo (1) by a land-based transport system (3) is started.

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the target position data from a land, air and / or sea-based radar and / or visual reconnaissance and / or hydroacoustic reconnaissance are obtained.

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the torpedo (1) waypoints for his run to the destination (Z) given and / or sent via radio, which are controlled during his journey.

9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control center (12) makes a target selection while driving the torpedo when a plurality of targets instead of a previously adopted single target (Z) is detected by reconnaissance and the torpedo (1) notified by the control center (12) of a selected destination that the torpedo (1) has to attack.

A torpedo comprising an extendable radio antenna (10) and a radio receiver for receiving position data, characterized by a control section (25) for guiding the torpedo to a destination by means of the control signals for controlling rudders (30) of the torpedo (1) to the course - and depth determination of the torpedo (1) can be generated, and an antenna section (31) comprising said retractable radio antenna (10) and said radio receiver, said radio receiver adapted to receive position data having target position data of said target which is transmitted to said torpedo (1) from a land, air or sea based guidance location (12 ), and the position data can be fed to the control section (25).

1 Torpedo according to claim 10, characterized in that the antenna section (31) has a receiving part for a satellite, air, land and / or sea-based navigation system, which is designed to from the received position data eigenpositionsdaten determine, wherein the torpedo (1) is designed to determine from the eigenposition data course correction data for correcting a self-price to a destination.

12. torpedo according to claim 10 or 1 1, characterized in that the antenna section (31) is lighter than the water to be displaced by it, in particular seawater.

13. Torpedo according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the torpedo (1) is housed in a starting device for starting the torpedo, wherein the starting device is a container movable on land side (2) for transporting the torpedo and the container a movement system ( 3) for land-based transport of the torpedo (1) into a coastal waters.

14 antenna section of a sectioned torpedo (1) according to any one of claims 10 to 13 with an extendable radio antenna (10) and a radio receiver for receiving target position data of a target having position data, the torpedo (1) of a land, air or by means of the control signals for controlling rudders (30) of the torpedo (1) for course and depth determination of the torpedo (1) are producible.