Small caliber guided projectile
| DWPI Title: Non-spinning self-guided projectile e.g. bullets has control and guidance electronics module to receive signal from optical sensor and generates control command for electromagnetic actuators to pivot control fins in controlled manner |
| Abstract: A non-spinning projectile that is self-guided to a laser designated target and is configured to be fired from a small caliber smooth bore gun barrel has an optical sensor mounted in the nose of the projectile, a counterbalancing mass portion near the fore end of the projectile and a hollow tapered body mounted aft of the counterbalancing mass. Stabilizing strakes are mounted to and extend outward from the tapered body with control fins located at the aft end of the strakes. Guidance and control electronics and electromagnetic actuators for operating the control fins are located within the tapered body section. Output from the optical sensor is processed by the guidance and control electronics to produce command signals for the electromagnetic actuators. A guidance control algorithm incorporating non-proportional, “bang-bang” control is used to steer the projectile to the target. |
| Use: Non-spinning self-guided projectile such as bullets. |
| Advantage: Since the control fins are pivoted in a controlled manner, the projectile can be guided towards the target effectively. The complexity, cost, size and weight of the actuator mechanisms in the non-spinning self-guided projectile can be greatly reduced. The radial and tangential stresses on the wall of the non-spinning self-guided projectile can be decreased more reliably. |
| Novelty: A sensor (102) is arranged to detect light reflected from laser designated target. A mass (104) is arranged to cause center of gravity of projectile main portion to be located forward of center of pressure of main portion. The control fins (112) are mounted adjacent to strakes (110) and attached to rotatable shafts. The electromagnetic actuators are magnetically coupled to actuation levers of shafts. An electronics module (106) is arranged to receive signal from sensor and generate control command for actuators to pivot fins in a controlled manner. |
| Filed: 9/30/2008 |
| Application Number: US2008241410A |
| Tech ID: SD 10769.1 |
| This invention was made with Government support under Contract No. DE-NA0003525 awarded by the United States Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration. The Government has certain rights in the invention. |
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