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

Claim 7:
8. A method of steering a ballistic projectile comprising:
firing or launching a ballistic projectile having a body and a nose;
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 enclosed entirely within the projectile and without reference to barometric pressure; and
at the detected or predicted apogee or at some time related thereto, actuating at least one flow effector to steer the ballistic projectile,
wherein the projectile further comprises a video camera located in the nose of the projectile and a guidance system located in the body of the projectile, the guidance system comprising a radio frequency transmitter capable of transmitting video signals from the video camera and a radio frequency receiver capable of receiving guidance commands, and wherein the guidance system is activated and consumes power only upon receiving a signal indicative of detected or predicted apogee from the computer processor, and wherein the guidance commands adjust the angle of attack of the flow effector to steer the projectile toward a target.