Arming devices

US4800814A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• British Aerospace Public Limited Co. · GB

Inventors

• Alan Holt · Birmingham, US
• Martin Thaw · Maidstone, GB

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 7, 1986
• Grant date: Jan 31, 1989
• Expiry date: Apr 7, 2006

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F42C15/23
• WIPO field: Other special machines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An arming device for a missile having a rotating tail fin assembly is disclosed. The device includes a distance counter comprising a given length of coiled tape contained within a rotatable drum, the length of the tape being determined by the distance required to be covered by the missile before arming the warhead. The tape is wound onto a shaft driven by the tail fin assembly from the drum which is initially locked to the missile body, and when the tape has been completely wound onto the shaft, the drum is released and is free to rotate through a half-turn to initiate arming of the warhead.