Abstract: A radar processor for controlling detonation of a munition and operable to receive a detonation altitude from an external source is provided. The radar processor is configured to set a first range gate and a reference range gate based on the received detonation altitude, and cause a radar transmitter to operate in a continuous wave mode, for a predetermined period, upon receipt of radar return signals through the first range gate. The radar processor calculates a velocity of the munition from continuous wave return signals, and calculates a time delay for outputting a detonation signal based on the received detonation altitude, the calculated velocity, and a reference altitude of the munition, the altitude of the munition calculated based upon receipt of radar return signals through the reference range gate. The radar transmitter operates in a pulse mode while the munition is outside the reference range gate.

Abstract: A method for controlling a detonation altitude of a radar equipped munition is described. The method includes calculating a velocity of the munition while the munition is at an altitude greater than the desired detonation altitude, determining when the munition is at a reference altitude, and calculating a time representing when the vehicle will reach the desired detonation altitude based on the calculated velocity and determined reference altitude. The method also includes generating a fusing signal to detonate the munition after the calculated time has passed.

Abstract: A method for programming the shattering of projectiles (G) and a weapon (12) with a programming system (14, 16, 18). The projectiles are intended to destroy a target (Z) at which they are fired along heavily curved trajectories and are detonated at shattering points near the target. The longitudinal distance (xZ) of the target from the weapon is measured and the elevation (?) is adjusted for which a known muzzle velocity (v0(0)) and a longitudinal distance of the shattering point at a predetermined optimal height (y*) are taken into consideration. The actual muzzle velocity (v0(eff)) is determined and a calculation for the programming is carried out in which the actual muzzle velocity is taken into account and the optimal height of the shattering point is held constant. The corresponding programming is transmitted to the projectiles. The weapon has an associated programming system for correspondingly programming the projectiles.

Abstract: A low velocity air burst munition and launcher system allows the user to program the munition to detonate in the air at a specified range from the muzzle. The system further allows the munition to detonate upon impact or self-destruct if the target is missed. The system allows the user to program and reset the munition multiple times, and allows the user to perform this operation at night in cold weather conditions. The system requires the user to manually input the range into a fuze programming device prior to projectile launch. The fuze programming device is capable of direct interface with electronic range determining devices. The system employs electrical contacts in the chamber of the munition launcher barrel and on the projectile body to complete the circuit used for programming. Furthermore, this system is capable of integrating a magnetic induction method of programming.

Abstract: A projectile launch detection system utilizes a continuous wave radio frequency signal (CW/RF) to confirm muzzle exit. The projectile launch detection system can be used in smoothbore, fin-stabilized, non-air breathing projectiles. The gun tube appears as a waveguide to the projectile launch detection system during projectile launch. The projectile launch detection system transmits a CW/RF signal down the gun tube during launch of the projectile. A portion of the CW/RF signal is reflected back by an impedance mismatch at the boundary between the muzzle of the gun tube and free space. Upon exit by the projectile from the gun tube, an exit signature is detected that is defined by the impedance of the gun tube and by a ratio of the diameter of the gun tube to the frequency of the CW/RF signal. The projectile launch detection system processes the exit signature to detect a muzzle launch of the projectile from a specific gun tube.

Abstract: A safety and arming apparatus for arming a fuze of a smooth bore projectile, comprises a setback sensor and a spin rate sensor. The setback sensor is in cooperative electronic communication with the spin rate sensor such that when the setback sensor senses at least one predetermined setback condition and the spin rate sensor detects a predetermined number of spins within a predetermined window of time the fuze is armed.

Abstract: A plasma antenna generator includes an ionizable material, an explosive charge capable of projecting the ionizable material upon detonation, and a detonator coupled with the explosive charge. An electromagnetic pulse transmitting system includes an electromagnetic pulse generator and a plasma antenna generator capable of reradiating an electromagnetic pulse emitted from the electromagnetic pulse generator. A method includes providing an explosive device comprising an ionizable material, detonating the explosive device to propel the ionizable material, and ionizing the ionizable material to form at least one plasma trail. A sensing system includes an electromagnetic pulse generator, a plasma antenna generator capable of reradiating an electromagnetic pulse emitted from the electromagnetic pulse generator, and a sensing system capable of receiving and analyzing at least a portion of the electromagnetic pulse after being reflected from an interface.

Abstract: The invention is based on the concept of providing a digital data transmission of the fuze-timing data into a fuze-timable ammunition unit, for example with an HDB-3 (High-Density Bipolar) transmission code and voltage modulation. As is known from asynchronous data transmission, a start byte and a stop byte are respectively positioned in front of and behind the HDB-3 code, and are therefore components of thee fuze-timing data. The fuze-timing time is transmitted numerically as a data byte between the start and stop bytes. Accordingly, the ammunition unit (3) includes fuze-timing electronics (4), which comprise a (voltage) demodulator (30), a (current) modulator (31) and a microprocessor (32) having an RC-oscillator cycle counter (32.1), an RC oscillator (33), a fuze-timing counter (34) and an actuator end stage (36). A firing sensor (35) serves as the fuze-timing-time triggering element at the start of the flight phase.

Abstract: A cartridge, comprising a cartridge case (3), a projectile (4), a propellant charge igniter (8) extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis of cartridge (1) and arranged inside the cartridge case (3), and an electrically programmable projectile fuse arranged in the projectile (4) and connected via at least one electrical line (110) to an electrode on the cartridge base (2). The cartridge case (3) comprises at least two case sections (5, 6) with at least one separation location in the region between the front end (7) of the propellant charge igniter (8) and the projectile tail (9) for the installation of a section of the electrical line (110) between the cartridge base (2) and the projectile fuse using two rotating connector assemblies, one of which turns more easily than the other.

Abstract: Energy (110) and mission data (108) for a guided projectile are transferred from a projectile setter (102) over an inductive interface (118). The projectile may include energy storage element (114) to store the energy and a data storage element (112) to store the mission data. Precision GPS clock circuitry (316) of the projectile may receive power from a capacitive energy storage (304) element during projectile loading until a flight battery (320) is activated. In one embodiment, the capacitive energy storage element (304) includes at least one super capacitor (322) and a gun-hardened capacitor (324). The clock circuitry (316) may receive power from the gun-hardened capacitor (324) if the super capacitor (322) fails during the launching operation. The capacitive energy storage element (304) may include one-way energy transfer elements (326) coupled between the super capacitor (322) and the gun-hardened capacitor (324).

Abstract: An open bolt firing mechanism for programmable cartridges. The mechanism includes a firing bolt having a bolt face configured to engage a programmable cartridge and force the programmable cartridge toward a barrel of the weapon. The mechanism also includes a cradle connected to the bolt for holding the programmable cartridge in a position adjacent to the bolt. The cradle stabilizes the cartridge so that fusing information may be transferred to the programmable cartridge.

Abstract: The invention aims to increase the overflight safety of a projectile, comprising a time-fuse which has an acceleration-activated battery. To this end, the safety device actuates a switch, whose position is interrogated during the flight phase and the fuse function is deactivated, if the switch is not in the correct position.

Abstract: The invention is based on the concept of providing a digital data transmission of the fuze-timing data into a fuze-timable ammunition unit, for example with an HDB-3 (High-Density Bipolar) transmission code and voltage modulation. As is known from asynchronous data transmission, a start byte and a stop byte are respectively positioned in front of and behind the HDB-3 code, and are therefore components of the fuze-timing data. The fuze-timing time is transmitted numerically as a data byte between the start and stop bytes.

Abstract: A power indicating setter system monitors the power level of a fuze setter coil of a fuze setter system for a gun operable to fire inductively-fuzed shells. The fuze setter system transmits a carrier signal that induces magnetic field power in the fuze setter coil. The strength of the magnetic field power correlates to reliability of the fuze setter system to transmit fuzing data to the shells. The fuze setter coil induces a signal in an adjacent induction element. Circuitry, coupled to the induction element, operates to compare the signal to a calibrated signal produced by the circuitry. The circuitry, by a power indicator, functions to indicate to an operator when the value of the signal is greater than the calibrated value. The power indicator indicates during operation of the gun, thereby informing the operator of the reliability of the fuze setter system to transmit fuzing data to the shells.

Abstract: An open bolt firing mechanism for programmable cartridges. The mechanism includes a firing bolt having a bolt face configured to engage a programmable cartridge and force the programmable cartridge toward a barrel of the weapon. The mechanism also includes a cradle connected to the bolt for holding the programmable cartridge in a position adjacent to the bolt. The cradle stabilizes the cartridge so that fusing information may be transferred to the programmable cartridge.

Abstract: A cartridge includes a cartridge case having a cartridge base; a projectile having a rearward portion received by the cartridge case; a propellant primer disposed in the cartridge case and extending along the longitudinal cartridge axis; an electrically programmable projectile fuze disposed in the projectile; an electrode disposed at the cartridge base; a plug mounted on the propellant primer at a frontal end thereof; a first contact carried by the plug; a first conductor extending in the propellant primer and connecting the first contact with the electrode; a socket, formed on the rearward portion of the projectile, receives and surrounds the plug; a second contact carried by the socket and being in electric contact with the first contact; and a second conductor extending in the projectile and connecting the second contact with the projectile fuze.

Abstract: A missile system includes a launcher having a built-in pulse power source and an electrical connection to a missile. The pulse power source is used to send activation and firing pulses to the missile. The pulse power source utilizes a piezoelectric crystal which produces a pulse of energy when struck by a spring-loaded hammer that is released by an operator. In one version, a first piezoelectric crystal produces a first pulse to activate the system when struck by a first hammer, and a second piezoelectric crystal produces a second pulse to fire the missile when struck by a second hammer. The energy pulses are conducted from the launcher to the missile through an inductive coupling between a primary induction coil in the launcher and a facing secondary induction coil in the missile.

Abstract: The transmission of the disaggregation time takes place in the area of the conveying path of the projectiles (18) between a a magazine of the gun and the start of the flight path of the projectile (18), wherein the disaggregation time (Tz(Vo_typ)) is corrected by means of a delay time, which is a function of the selected transmitting point.

Abstract: A device for adjusting a fuse in the tip of a large-caliber projectile without actually touching it. The device is provided with a programming station that has an annular or cylindrical programming coil mounted on it coaxially with the longitudinal axis of the resting projectile and communicating with electric controls. The tip of the projectile extends into the coil at least while the fuse is being adjusted. The programming coil slides back and forth axially paralleling the resting projectile relative to the programming station. A Y shaped grip that secures the projectile is positioned facing the side of the coil toward the projectile. The grip is shaped to accommodate the tip of the projectile. The grip moves along with and axially parallels the coil. The tip of the projectile fixes the projectile grip when it is accommodated therein.

Abstract: A process for the in-flight programming of a trigger time for an element of a projectile by a fire control system of a weapon, wherein the muzzle velocity (Vo) of the projectile is measured and the distancing velocity of the projectile at at least one other point during its trajectory after exiting the weapon barrel it measured. Based on these measured values an optimal trigger time is determined for the element so as to minimize the difference between the actual ground impact point and the desired ground impact point for the projectile or for a payload released during the payload's trajectory, and a programming or corrective programming is transmitted to the projectile which takes this optimal trigger time into account.

Abstract: In a weapons system of the type in which a round having a case is fired from a gun, the round including a fuze processor, the round further made up of a firing circuit having a resistor and also having two contacts in the case of the round, the gun having two contacts which contact the two contacts of the round when the round is in the gun and ready to fire, the gun being fired by applying a voltage in excess of a certain threshold to the contacts of the round via the contacts of the gun, the weapons system including a fire control system outside the gun.

Abstract: The inventive environment sensor apparatus includes an electrostatic sensor carried by the projectile. The electrostatic sensor has first and second electrical conducting areas separated by a dielectric material to form two plates of a capacitor. The first electrical conducting area is conductively connected to a current-to-voltage converter and the second electrical conducting area is conductively connected to the outside projectile body surface. A time changing electric field surrounding the projectile causes a time changing current to flow within the electrostatic sensor, which is converted to a time changing voltage by the current-to-voltage converter. A threshold detector device is conductively connected to an output of the current-to-voltage converter and provides a voltage signal to the safe and arm mechanism when the time changing voltage signal from the current-to-voltage converter exceeds a predetermined level, to indicate that a change has occurred in the sensed muzzle exit environment.

Abstract: A weapon system, comprising a fire control system (1) and an ammunition unit (3) that can be fired from a weapon and that has at least one electronic switching device (8) that can be actuated by the fire control system (1). To achieve a constant, secure and simple monitoring of the link between the fire control computer (1) and the electronic switching device (8) to be triggered of the respective ammunition unit (3), a bidirectional data transfer is conducted via the two supply lines (15, 16) that are necessary for the voltage and current supply of the electronic switching device (8) of the respective ammunition unit (3). In the process, data are transmitted from the fire control system (1) to the electronic switching device (8) by a voltage modulation of the supply voltage, and data are transmitted from the switching device (8) to the fire control system (1) by a current modulation of the operating current.

Abstract: Improved transmitter coil, improved fuze setter circuitry for adaptively tuning the fuze setter circuit for resonance and current difference circuitry for interpreting a fuze talkback message. The transmitter coil utilizes an “L” shaped coil cross section, with the wrapped coil portion being at right angles to the return coil portion, in order to increase the coupling efficiency between the fuze setter coil and the fuze receiver coil, as compared to the prior art “C” coil. The inventive “L” shaped cross section also eliminates counter magnetic field due to the return coil portion being at right angles to the wrapped coil portion. The fuze setter includes circuitry for adaptively tuning the resonant LC circuit for resonance by adjusting the capacitance in the LC circuit to maximize current in the LC circuit. The fuze setter utilizes a switched capacitor network circuit to tune the LC circuit for resonance.

Abstract: A method for contactless inductive transmission of programming data to a programmable time fuse included in a shell for a single shot, semi-automatic, or fully automatic shell firing barrel weapon. While the shell is situated in a cartridge chamber of a barrel of the weapon, data is transmitted to the programmable time fuse from a programming device of the weapon via a transmitting coil arranged around the cartridge chamber of the barrel to a receiving coil arranged in the shell. At least a part of the barrel lying between the coils is replaced by a non-magnetic material and designed so that it does not form an electrically conductive short circuited layer that would prevent transmission between the coils.