Method for the attacking of a target object from an overflying projectile and overflying projectile for implementing the method

A method for the attacking of a target object from an overflying projectile, and wherein the projectile is equipped with a target detector for the activation of its warhead. Moreover, there is disclosed an overflying projectile which is equipped with a downwardly oriented target detector and with a warhead which is activated in dependence upon the target detection for the attacking of the target object. The method contemplates that the projectile be guided into a lower altitude of flight for the scanning of the target area, and upon detection of a target object is pulled up steeply into an ascending path, which has its tail end oriented towards the target object, so as to launch the warhead opposite the direction of flight which is in an ascending trajectory from the tail end of the projectile in a direction towards the target object.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to a method for the attacking of a target 
object from an overflying projectile, and wherein the projectile is 
equipped with a target detector for the activation of its warhead. 
Moreover, the invention relates to an overflying projectile which is 
equipped with a downwardly oriented target detector and with a warhead 
which is activated in dependence upon the target detection for the 
attacking of the target object. 
2. Discussion of the Prior Art 
Measures of the kind which are under consideration herein are already 
presently known from the disclosure of British Published Patent Appln. 
2,133,514. In that particular instance, it is contemplated to trigger or 
activate a warhead possessing a projectile-forming hollow charge, when a 
sensor which is oriented forwardly at a downward angle has acquired a 
target object which is to be attacked, and this target object is again 
detected shortly thereafter during overflight through the intermediary of 
a vertically downwardly oriented sensor. However, the problem is always 
encountered that at a low-level altitude of overflight which is intended 
to be achieved due to reasons of low probability of detection by enemy 
radar, the point in time for the precision-hitting release of the warhead 
becomes excessively critical. It is further disadvantageous that the 
necessarily relatively high speed of overflight, and the large transverse 
or cross-components relative to the direction of action of the warhead 
which result therefrom, will adversely influence the effect of the latter 
on the target. Thus, it is also already known from the disclosure of 
German Laid-Open Patnet Appln. 35 25 546 to shift the direction of action 
of a warhead in an overflying projectile in conformance with the extent of 
the change in the line of sight to the target, so as not be restricted to 
the short moment of the actual overflying of the target for effecting the 
release of the warhead. The demand on guidance technology for such 
inclusion in the orientation for the warhead; however, is considerably 
extensive, and the problems encountered by the components of movement 
which oriented deviatingly from the direction of action is only reduced by 
means of such measures, but is not completely overcome. 
Target attacking conditions which appear to promise success for an effect 
on the target are obtained when, in accordance with the disclosure of 
German Patent 28 15 206, the projectile additionally flies away over the 
detected target object in order, to a certain extent in a rearward balance 
or clearance, attain some altitude and then to attack this target object 
practically vertically in a steep or crash dive. However, in this 
instance, again there are encountered problems in the reacquisition of the 
target object which was previously detected from completely different 
conditions of flight; and the looping guidance for target attack in a 
steep crash dive presents from the beginning quite extraordinary demands 
on the precise maneuverability of the projectile, and on correspondingly 
rapidly operating detectors for the redetection and subsequent exact 
homing against the target object. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Accordingly, in recognition of these conditions, it is an object of the 
present invention to provide a method and a projectile of the type which 
is under consideration herein which, from a lower-level searching 
trajectory, produce a higher degree of target attacking effectiveness. 
The foregoing object is inventively achieved in that for measures of the 
type which is considered herein the method contemplates that the 
projectile be guided into a lower altitude of flight for the scanning of 
the target area, and upon detection of a target object is pulled up 
steeply into an ascending path, which has its tail end oriented towards 
the target object, so as to launch the warhead opposite the direction of 
flight whichis in an ascending trajectory from the tail end of the 
projectile in a direction towards the target object. 
Pursuant to another object of the invention, the overflying projectile of 
the type described herein is equipped with a directional control which is 
acted upon from the target detector, which upon detection of the target 
will guide the projectile from its searching trajectory at a low altitude 
of flight above the target area into a relatively steeply ascending 
trajectory, in which a tail end or rearwardly-facing sensor maintains the 
longitudinal axis of the projectile oriented towards the target object so 
as to be able to launch the warhead in a direction opposite that of the 
ascending trajectory. 
The essential advantage of this object resides in that there can be carried 
out a transfer of the target acquisition data from the sensors which are 
oriented somewhat transversely of the movement of the projectile to a tail 
end-sensor, when the overflying projectile is guided out of its low-level 
searching trajectory extending generally somewhat in parallel with the 
target area during overflights of targets into a relatively steeply 
ascending trajectory or path of flight, and thereby again positively 
detecting this target object at its tail end in an extrapolation of the 
longitudinal axis of the projectile, and thereby by means of the tail-end 
sensor. Therefore, it is not necessary that because of the flying 
maneuvers subsequent to target detection the target need again by 
completely newly discovered. The informations obtained from the tail-end 
sensor, through the direction control of the airborne body, cause the 
ascending trajectory to be maintained in its rearward extrapolation 
towards the target object (in essence, with the longitudinal axis of the 
airborne body). Consequently, this will ensure the highest possible 
hitting accuracy, when from this ascending trajectory there is activated 
the warhead which is arranged coaxially in the tail end portion of the 
airborne body, preferably expelled by means of an ejecting charge, in a 
direction opposite the ascending path of flight towards the target object. 
With regard to this warhead, the latter can pertain to an inertial or 
tandem projectile for the piercing through of the earth embankment and 
concrete armorings of a protective structure (referring; for example, to 
European Patent 084 007) or may relate to intelligent ammunition; in the 
last instance, generally either unguided or guided search head-submunition 
with projectile-forming hollow charges (as shown in British Patent Appln. 
2,167,536) against stationary or movable target objects.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
A target object 11 which is to be attacked may pertain to a stationary 
object, such as a protective structure or shelter, or to a movable object, 
such as an armored vehicle, within a previously reconnoitered target area 
12. The target object 11 should be attacked through the intermediary of a 
warhead 13 of an overflying projectile 14, which projectile surveys the 
target area 12 from a low-level flight searching trajectory 15 through the 
utilization of a forwardly oriented target detector 16 which is angled 
downwardly relative to the searching trajectory 15. Expediently, this 
detector incorporates a plurality of sensors 17.1, 17.2 which are oriented 
at different inclinations, so that the target determination given under a 
level detecting direction 18.1 investigates shortly subsequent to a 
steeper detecting direction 18.2 and, upon occasion, can be confirmed, as 
is already known per se. 
The angle of inclination or slope subtended intermediate the two detecting 
directions 18.1 and 18.2 is selected in such a manner relative to the 
altitude of flight 19 that, on the one hand, upon a first target 
determination there remains in the target detector 16 adequate 
signal-processing time for the target classification on the basis of 
specified target pattern informations during the continuing flight of the 
projectile 14, and, on the other hand, possibly also in parllel with the 
target detection, there is determined the surroundings about the target in 
the second direction 18.2, in order to achieve a higher probability of 
detection on the basis of information which is specific to the target in 
comparison with environmental informations; for example, having reference 
to the disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 4,532,867. 
When the detection of a target object 11 which is to be attacked is 
sufficiently assured (through either a single or repetitive target 
detection), the target detector 16 delivers a control signal 20 to the 
pitch control 21 for the projectile 14. This actuation, for example, 
through the intermediary of elevator controls 22, causes the previous 
trajectory 15 to be converted into a steeply ascending trajectory or path 
of flight 23. By means of a switching signal 24, the sensors 17.1, 17.2 
which are oriented at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis 25 of the 
projectile are switched off and, instead thereof, a tail-end or rear 
sensor 27 which is rearwardly oriented along the longitudinal axis 25 is 
switched to the (or to another) target detector 16. The informations 26 
obtained fro the latter are compared with applicable informations for 
verification of the target object, which were obtained and stored 
immediately prior thereto through the inclined-oriented sensors 17.1, 
17.2, so as to then deliver such control signals 20 to the directional 
control 21, such that the longitudinal axis 25 of the projectile will 
remain at its trailing end within the ascending trajectory 25 oriented as 
closely as possibly against the target object 11. 
When the (repeated) determination of the target object 11 which is to be 
attacked is thusly confirmed by the tail-end sensor 27, the target 
detector 16 delivers a triggering information 28 for the actuation of a 
somewhat pyro-electrically triggerable ejecting charge 29, and to thereby 
accelerate the warhead 13 opposite the direction of flight of the 
projectile along the ascending trajectory 23 from the tail end 30 of the 
projectile in a direction towards the target object 11. 
This warhead 13 may pertain to an unguided active member; for instance, 
such as an inertial projectile or a tandem warhead for piercing through 
the camoflage and armoring of the target object 11. However, it can also 
relate to such a search head-equipped warhead 13 which, in a known manner, 
spirally scans the target area 12 (which has already been restricted in 
size by the function of the overflying target detector 16), and upon 
determining a target object will trigger a warhead possessing hollow 
charges. In the same manner, the tail end sensor 27 can also be designed 
for an intelligent warhead 13 to store a directional or course-correcting 
control 31 with target depot or deployment informations 32 whereby, 
through a discontinuous or continuous final flight phase-guidance to still 
further increase the hitting probability, especially for a moving target 
object 11.