Patent ID: 6192741
Filing Date: 2001-02-27
Classification: F41G,F42B

Abstract:
In a system for testing a missile intended for ultimate battlefield performance, the missile having a tip charge, a main warhead and a crush switch mounted onto the tip charge, the crush switch being connected to a power source and having an inner and an outer ogive that close together upon impact with a target, the testing system utilizing a sled having two opposing sides, the sled being adapted for carrying thereon the missile and being mounted on a track having an end and opposite sides, the sled being controllable to rush at a pre-selected speed toward a target located at one end of the track; a first pair and a second pair of screen boxes, one pair located on either side of the track; a means for powering the screen boxes; a first and a second conductive blade, one blade protruding from opposite sides of the sled and being long enough to make contact with the screen boxes at a pre-determined time; AN IMPROVEMENT for obtaining more accurate information of the missile performance, said IMPROVEMENT comprising: a first fireset for detonating the tip charge; a second fireset for detonating the main warhead; an opto-coupler interface board coupled to said first fireset and said second fireset; a time-delay circuit for counting a pre-set time interval, said time-delay circuit being coupled to said opto-coupler interface board and the crush switch and responding to the closure of the ogives by initiating said pre-set time count and outputting a voltage at the end of said pre-set time interval and transmitting said output voltage to said opto-coupler interface board, said opto-coupler interface board being further coupled to the crush switch and producing fire pulses in response to the closure of the ogives of the crush switch and said output voltage from said time-delay circuit, said fire pulses being input to said first and second firesets to cause the detonation of the tip charge and the main warhead, respectively, so as to enable the missile more closely to mimic its battlefield performance.