Patent Application
20120055322
Munitions such as air to ground missiles (AGM), air to air missiles (AAM), and rockets (e.g., smart rockets) can be carried and launched from various vehicle types including aircraft vehicles (e.g., fighter jets, helicopters, etc.,), land vehicles (e.g., tanks), and/or watercraft (e.g., aircraft carrier, submarines, etc.). Launchers, fixed to the vehicle, may be used to secure the munitions during transportation as well as used to deploy the munitions. Conventional munition launchers include a rail structure for holding the munitions and electromechanical apparatus for fixing the munitions to the launcher. A release mechanism arms the munitions and releases it for launching. For example, the launcher may include power supply equipment that controls the fusing and firing of the munitions.
Conventional munition launchers have many drawbacks. For example, the electromechanical apparatus that supports and separates the munitions from the launcher during deployment are often bulky and heavy. Additionally, the electromechanical apparatus can sometime interfere with electrical interconnections between the munitions and the launcher.
The present disclosure provides techniques for launching munitions that substantially eliminates or reduces at least some of the disadvantages and problems associated with previous methods and systems.
In some embodiments, a system for launching munitions is provided. The system may include a launcher coupled to a vehicle and configured to retain a munition during transport by a vehicle and configured to route electrical signals from the vehicle to the munition. The system may also include a flexible, peel-away connector coupled to the launcher, the peel-away connector comprising an adhesive for coupling to at least a portion of the munition. The flexible, peel-away connector may be configured to route electrical signals from the launcher to the munition during transport and detach from the munition as the munition exits from the launcher during a launch.
In other embodiments, a launcher configured to retain a munition during transport by a vehicle is provided. The launcher may include a flexible, peel-away connector comprising an adhesive for coupling to at least a portion of the munition. The flexible, peel-away connector may be configured to route electrical signals from the launcher to the munition during transport and detach from the munition as the munition exits from the launcher during a launch.
In some embodiments, a method for launching a munition from a launcher coupled to a vehicle is provided. The method may includes steps for adhering a flexible, peel-away connector to the munition, coupling the peel-away connector to a contact point of the launcher, routing electrical signals from the launcher to the munition during transport, and detaching the peel-away connector from the munition as the munition exits from the launcher during a launch.
The systems and methods of the present disclosure provide a non-mechanical, cost-effective communication channel to munitions during transportation and allow for a seamless disconnect from the communication channel upon launching of the munitions. Other technical advantages will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following figures, descriptions, and claims. Moreover, while specific advantages have been enumerated above, various embodiments may include all, some or none of the enumerated advantages.
A more complete understanding of the present embodiments and advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers indicate like features, and wherein:
Preferred embodiments and their advantages are best understood by reference to
Launcher 104 coupled to vehicle 102 may be configured to house munitions 106 during transport. In some embodiments, launcher 104 may also provide continuous electrical contact between each of munitions 106 and a user (e.g., pilot of vehicle 102, mission control in communication with vehicle 102, etc.). Launcher 104 may also include a peel-away connector configured to secure the electrical contact to munitions 106. When munitions 106 is launched, the peel-away connector may “peel away” from munitions 106, disconnecting the electrical contact and allowing munitions 106 to exit launcher 104. Details of launcher 104 are described below with respect to
In some embodiments, during deployment of vehicle 102, a user (e.g, a pilot of vehicle 102 or mission control remotely located from vehicle 102 and in communication with vehicle 102) may launch munitions 106 by communicating with munitions 106 via the electrical components provided by launcher 104. The electrical components may provide signals that include the coordinate information of a specific target and/or other information that allows munitions 106 to accurately strike the target, reducing or substantially eliminating incidental or collateral damages.
Optionally housing 112, which may integrally formed as a part of launcher 104 or may be secured to launcher 104, may be any enclosure coupled between launcher 104 and vehicle 102. In some embodiments, housing 112 may enclose one or more electrical components 114 disposed therein and may route the appropriate electrical components to each munition 106 in housing 112.
Electrical components 114 may be one or more electrical transmission wires or cables and/or any other transmission component configured to provide a communication channel between a user (e.g., a pilot or mission control in communication with vehicle 102) and munition 106. In some embodiments, electrical components 114 may transmit signals sent from a user to one or more munitions 106, where the signals provide details about a launching including, for example, GPS coordinates of a target, launch time, etc.
In some embodiments, electrical components 114 are coupled to munition 106 at contact point 118 (shown in
Peel-away connector 108 may allow for continuous communication between the pilot of vehicle 102 and/or mission control in communication with vehicle 102 during the transport of munition 106. For example, peel-away connector 106 may include, at least in some portions, a polyimide adhesive film, an epoxy adhesive film, or other flexible, heat-tolerant, adhesive film(s) that may secure electrical connectors 114 to munition 106 during transport and may be detachable from munitions 106 during a munition launch. Peel-away connector 108 may include one or more embedded conductors 110 configured to conduct electrical signals between contact point 118 of munition 106 and contact point 120 of launcher 104.
Referring to
At time of launch, after appropriate signals s and/or other information are sent to munition 106, launcher 104 may launch munition 106. Referring to
Although the figures and embodiments disclosed herein have been described with respect to information handling systems, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alternations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as illustrated by the following claims.
