Patent ID: 8256338
Filing Date: 2012-09-04
Classification: F41F,F42B

Abstract:
1. A method for loading, testing, targeting, and launching a weapon, comprising: providing power to a weapons station; associating an infrared light emitting diode with a weapon rail associated with a weapon; associating a photodetector with a platform rail on a platform of a weapon station on a launch vehicle such that the infrared light emitting diode and the photodetector exhibit optical coupling when the weapon is loaded onto the platform rail; associating a first inductive power coupler with the platform rail; associating the first inductive power coupler with a second inductive power coupler; associating the second inductive power coupler with the weapon rail such that a change in current flow through the first power coupler induces a voltage across the ends of the second power coupler when the weapon is loaded onto the weapon station; providing wireless communication capability such that data can be wirelessly communicated between the platform and the weapon when the weapon is loaded onto the weapon station; loading the weapon onto the weapon station; energizing the first inductive power coupler when the platform recognizes that the weapon has been loaded onto the weapon station; identifying the type and location of the weapon; communicating the type and location of the weapon to the platform using wireless data transfer; initiating a built in test of the weapon; communicating results of the built in test to the platform using the wireless data transfer; reporting weapon status to a remote operator using a datalink on the platform; powering off the weapon; selecting the weapon to be the weapon to be operated; energizing the inductive power coupling of the selected weapon; communicating operational status of the weapon to the platform using the wireless data transfer in response to a query for operational status; communicating targeting and other launch data to the weapon using the wireless data transfer; communicating a launch command to the platform; releasing each of a plurality of retaining devices in response to the launch command; communicating the launch command to the weapon using the wireless data transfer; initiating a battery in the weapon in response to the launch command being communicated to the weapon using the wireless data transfer; initiating a propulsion system of the weapon in response to the launch command being communicated to the weapon using the wireless data transfer; communicating the launch command from the platform to the weapon using the wireless data transfer; launching the weapon; detecting that the weapon is no longer on the station; and terminating power to the station.