The present invention provides apparatus and methods for accurate guidance of small munitions to a target. The guidance for the small munition is mainly provided by a device external to the small munition, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The UAV may provide external guidance commands by use of a command transmitter to the small munition. The small munition is equipped to receive the guidance commands and consequently use a maneuvering mechanism to react to the guidance commands. The UAV may determine a successful release point of the small munition and track a flight path from a release point toward the target of the small munition using a passive sensor mounted in a gimbaled mount, which is controlled by use of a closed-loop control system. The UAV may be controlled by a ground control device, such as an operator control unit (OCU), to release small munitions.

Guidance system for missiles

Guided delivery of small munitions from an unmanned aerial vehicle

A missile guidance system including a sensor for detecting the position of a target and for detecting the position of a missile. A fire control processor is provided that computes a trajectory for the missile to the target and is connected to the sensor to determine any variations between the actual missile position from a computed trajectory missile position. A transmitter connected to this guidance computer then provides guidance information to the missile. The guidance information includes the missile position relative to the target and enables a processor on board the missile to recompute a new trajectory to the target. This guidance information is transmitted as a single pulse during a predetermined time interval as a periodic update to the missile.

Weapon guidance system (AER-716B)

A device is disclosed which, in response to forces acting upon it, such as gravity, inertia, magnetic fields and the like, opens or closes electric circuits or otherwise generates signals which may be used to control predetermined functions.

Force responsive device

A target locating and missile guidance system comprising reconnaissance araft equipped with laser or radar range-measuring apparatus in conjunction with a plurality of selectively predetermined ground stations. Range and altitude of the aircraft relative to a detected surface target are obtained at two or more points on its flight path. The positions of the aircraft with respect to the ground stations are simultaneously determined by pulse-time-of-arrival technique. Using triangulation techniques the location of the target is determined with respect to a pulse grid coordinate system associated with the ground stations. At any time after the determination of the location of the target, properly timed signals from the ground stations or command signals based upon time-of-arrival data with respect to pulses from the missile are used to provide accurate guidance of the missile to the target.

Target locating and missile guidance system

An improved system for sensing the disturbance forces on a spacecraft. An unsupported mass is shielded by the spacecraft from external non-gravitational forces, allowing the mass to travel in a purely gravitational orbit. A sensor system responds to motion of the spacecraft relative to the unsupported mass and activates thrusters which force the spacecraft to follow the unsupported mass without touching it. Movable masses or chargeable magnets on three orthogonal axes are mounted in the spacecraft to compensate for the attraction between the mass and other components located within the spacecraft.

Guidance system for missiles

Citations

Guided delivery of small munitions from an unmanned aerial vehicle

Weapon guidance system (AER-716B)

Force responsive device

Target locating and missile guidance system

System for sensing and compensating for the disturbance forces on a spacecraft

References

Acceleration and velocity detection devices and systems

Related Papers (5)

Guidance of missiles

Integrated Guidance and Control for Missiles

Swingaway support for missiles

Design of Guidance and Control Systems for Tactical Missiles

History, Problems, and Status of Guided Missiles