Universal smart fuze for unmanned aerial vehicle or other remote armament systems
US9410783B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 20, 2014 |
| Grant date | Aug 9, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 7, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF42C1/04
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An unmanned aerial vehicle is equipped to carry a payload of explosives for remote delivery upon a target. The vehicle includes a small TV camera, global positioning system, and auto pilot homing target software. The modified vehicle is capable of being detonated upon an impact or selectively while still in flight. Vehicle flight is monitored by an operation person at a ground control station. The vehicle includes universal smart fuze circuitry for enabling the multiple functions for the vehicle and for enabling communications/commands from the operator at the ground control station. The fuze continuously communicates aspects of fuze status back to the ground control station; measures flight velocity by sensing air speed of the UAV; arms/disarms an explosives warhead package in the vehicle; in flight fires the explosives or else detonates the explosives warhead package upon impact with a select target. The camera images are communicated back to the operator who can make a decision on completing/aborting a mission. The wind speed indications, also fed back to the operator, can further aid in verifying a successful launch/good flight for decision of completing/aborting a mission.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.