Patent ID: 11898828
Assignee: ORBITAL RESEARCH INC.
Field: Other special machines (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC F  B  G | IPC B  F  G

Claim 14:
15. A method of reconfiguring the airframe of a ballistic projectile comprising:
firing or launching a ballistic projectile having a self-contained apogee detection module;
the self-contained apogee detection module detecting or predicting the projectile's ballistic apogee by computing a ballistic trajectory estimate using a plurality of sensors each having a measurement signal associated therewith and a computer processor all within the projectile and without reference to barometric pressure; and
at the detected or predicted apogee or at some time related thereto, the apogee detection module transmitting a signal that reconfigures the airframe of the ballistic projectile,
wherein the reconfiguration is the deployment of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) from the projectile, and the remainder of the projectile proceeds to descend toward a target while the UAV loiters in the air above the target.