Patent ID: 6392213
Filing Date: 2002-05-21
Classification: B64C,F42B

Abstract:
A flyer assembly adapted for launching with, transit in, and deployment from an artillery shell having a central void region extending along a ballistic shell axis, comprising:A) a jettisonable shroud extending along a shroud axis and positionable within said central void region with said shroud axis substantially parallel to said shell axis; B) a flyer adapted when in a first state to withstand a launch acceleration force along a flyer axis and adapted when in a second state to effect aerodynamic flight, the flyer in said first state being positionable within said shroud with said flyer axis parallel to said shroud axis and said shell axis, the flyer including: a) a body member disposed about said flyer axis; and b) a foldable wing assembly mounted to the body member, the wing assembly being configurable in a folded state characterized by a plurality of nested wing segments when the flyer is in said first state; the wing assembly being configurable in an unfolded state characterized by a substantially uninterrupted aerodynamic surface when the flyer is in said second state; wherein the flyer is adapted for coupling to the shroud so as to maintain a portion of the flyer in tension during an acceleration of the flyer along the flyer axis resulting from the launch.