Matrix gun system

The invention provides a method and apparatus for firing a guided projectile. The invention provides a matrix of one time shot gun systems. Each one time shot gun system has a one time shot barrel, a one time shot recoil system, a propelling charge, breakable seal, and a guided projectile which is stored in and from the barrel. The one time shot system provides an inexpensive firing system, which eliminates single points of failure that exist in conventional gun systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates generally to large gun systems. 
Conventional indirect fire gun systems fire "dumb bullets" where the 
bullets follow a trajectory based on gun muzzle velocity and the direction 
the gun barrel is pointed. As with all conventional gun systems shooting 
dumb bullets, it's systems effectiveness, defined by its range and 
accuracy and rate of fire, are to a great extent limited to what the gun 
barrel and gun pointing system can provide. Since bullets of these larger 
gun systems can weigh 70 lb. and more, are over 4 inches in diameter, and 
often stand more that 4 feet tall, conventional gun systems also require 
complicated loading systems that expose people to the dangers associated 
with loading and handling these munitions. An additional problem of these 
larger gun systems is that all of the bullets need to be fired out of a 
single barrel, thereby creating a single point failure possibility of the 
entire gun systems. Even when the gun system is properly operating, simple 
physics involved with gun barrel heating and the related loss of 
mechanical strength of the material at too high of a temperature, often is 
the limiting factor in gun system rate of fire, one of the critical 
performance parameters of the gun. 
Currently there are gun launched guided munitions, so called "smart 
bullets" being developed that, much like missiles that have been used for 
years, once they are launched from the gun they are actively guided to a 
preprogrammed target. Many are also being fitted with rocket motors that 
light off at a preset time interval once leaving the gun, thereby further 
increasing the range of these munitions. Properly designed, these rocket 
motors require less muzzle velocity, and less internal gun pressure, to 
achieve the desired range. These smart bullets achieve their longest range 
when fired at or near vertical position of the gun barrel. A big problem 
that has been identified by the gun community is that these guided 
projectiles have a limited shelf life once they leave the environmental 
protection of their shipping container. In the container the shelf life of 
the guided rounds can approach 10+ years however out of the container the 
shelf life is estimated at about 1 year. 
Current military battle threats are defeated one of two ways: missiles or 
indirect fire guns lobbing in munitions at a target. Missiles are 
typically very expensive, $500,000 and up per missile is not unrealistic, 
and have ranges of up to hundreds of miles. These missiles are typically 
used on far out targets, and when guided are very accurate. Indirect fire 
guns usually have ranges limited to 20 miles or less and usually cost a 
couple of thousand dollars per round. They are also typically not very 
accurate and thus required a large amount of rounds to defeat the target. 
For threats that are at 20 to 100 miles the only current option is to fire 
a very expensive missile. It is desirable to be able to defeat a target 20 
to 100 miles out with something less expensive than missiles. It is also 
desirable to be more accurate at hitting targets in the gun range thus 
requiring less munitions, and thus less overall cost, to defeat the close 
target. It is also more desirable to reduce manpower requirements of the 
gun and loading system while increasing the overall reliability. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is an object of the invention to provide a gun system that has limited 
moving parts and that can be operated autonomously. 
It is another object of the invention to provide a gun system, where the 
projectiles are less expensive than a conventional missile. 
The invention provides a matrix gun system that uses guided projectiles 
stored in a disposable barrel, which houses the guided projectile, a 
propelling charge, and a recoil system. 
This invention addresses the design of a smart bullet gun launching system 
that overcomes the well understood problems and issues associated with 
conventional gun launching systems shooting these bullets, while at the 
same time addressing the need for a low cost, low manning, high 
reliability gun system. This invention also allows for autonomous and/or 
remote operation of the gun system.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
FIG. 1 is a cut away perspective view of a single cell 10 of a matrix gun. 
The cell comprises a barrel 12, a projectile 13, a propelling charge 14, a 
recoil system 15, and a frangible closure 16. 
In the preferred embodiment, the barrel 12 is a steel lined composite 
overwrap pressure vessel, which is designed to contain the launching 
pressures required for the ordnance design, and has a bore of 5 inch (12.7 
cm) and a length of 310 inches (7.9 m). The barrel 12 is in the form of a 
cylinder with a first end and a second end, with the first end being a 
closed end. The projectile 13 is a guided projectile, which can be 
launched in a vertical direction, and then be turned towards an intended 
target. The guided projectile 13 has an internal propulsion system, which 
is able to change the direction of the guided projectile 13 towards a 
target. Such guided projectiles 13 can be radio controlled, or can have an 
on board computer which is programmed with the location of the target, or 
the projectile may be able to detect and seek a target, or have other 
means for controlling the internal propulsion system to direct the 
projectile towards a target. 
Below the projectile 13 between the projectile 13 and the first end of the 
barrel 12 is the propelling charge 14. As shown, the propelling charge 14 
is outside of (or external to) the projectile 13. In the preferred 
embodiment, the propelling charge 14 has a propellant volume of 1150 cubic 
inches (11,845 cm.sup.3). A recoil system 15 is placed around the first 
end of the barrel 12. In the preferred embodiment the recoil system 15 is 
a collapsible foam which is not reusable. The recoil system 15 is in a 
cylindrical shape, with a diameter approximately equal to the outer 
diameter of the barrel 12 and with a length of 20 inches (50.8 cm). A 
frangible closure 16, such as a plastic sheet is placed across the opening 
at the second end of the barrel 12, to seal the barrel 12 and protect the 
projectile 13 and propelling charge 14 from the elements. An ignition 
system 18, which utilizes one of a multitude of available ignition methods 
such as electrical, percussion, or laser ignition is placed adjacent to 
the propelling charge 14. An electrical wire 19 is placed between the 
ignition system 18 and a control system 20. 
The assembly begins at an ordnance depot with a one time use, recoil system 
15 being attached to the barrel 12. The propelling charge 14 is then 
inserted into the barrel 12. The guided projectile 13 is then inserted 
into the barrel 12. Once inside, the interior of the barrel 12 is filled 
with a preservative gas to ensure longest shelf life, typically dry air. 
The air tight, frangible closure 16 is then placed into the open end of 
the barrel 12 and sealed to the barrel 12. The frangible closure 16 
creates an air tight seal, so that the barrel 12 becomes an air tight 
environment for storage and transportation of the guided projectile 13. 
The ignition system 18 is then inserted into the barrel 12. This completes 
the assembly of a single cell 10. 
FIG. 2 shows a plurality of cells 10 in a preferred embodiment of a matrix 
configuration 21. In the preferred embodiment the cells 10 are placed in a 
box shaped container 22 that has a length 23 of 80 inches 203 cm), a width 
24 of 80 inches (203 cm) and a height 25 of 240 inches (610 cm). 24 cells 
10 may be packed in the container 22. 
In operation, the matrix configuration 21 is placed on board of a ship or 
placed on land. Electrical wires 19 (FIG. 1) pass from the ignition 
systems 18 of the individual cells 10 to a single control system 20, which 
also provides power electronics. The control system 20 is the control 
center of the entire matrix. The control system 20 can receive firing 
commands from a remote site and sends signals through the electrical wires 
19 to the ignition systems 18 of individual cells 10, to cause the 
propelling charge 14 to ignite, firing the projectiles 13. The projectiles 
13 may be either fired sequentially or more than one at a time. The recoil 
from the propellant 14 accelerating the projectile 13 is absorbed by the 
recoil system 15, where in this embodiment the foam is inelastically 
compressed. The projectile 13 breaks the seal of the frangible closure 16 
and exits the barrel 12, which to this point in the procedure has been 
used as a shipping and storage tube for the projectile 13. The guidance 
system of the projectile 13 causes an internal propulsion system to turn 
the projectile 13 towards the target. The barrels 12 and recoil systems 15 
of the cells 10 where the single projectile has been fired are removed and 
either disposed of or refurbished and replaced 
In another method of using the single cell 10, the single cell 10 is 
shipped to the field where it is used to replace a fired single cell 10 in 
an already fielded matrix configuration 10. Once again, the barrel 12 is 
both the shipping container and the launching tube thus ensuring maximum 
shelf life, and thus maximum ordnance effectiveness of the projectile 13. 
In either method outlined above, once the projectile 13 is fired from the 
barrel 12, the barrel 12 can be discarded or sent back to the ordnance 
depot for overhaul and reuse. 
In another embodiment, the matrix uses a smaller container to house fewer 
cells, like 10 cells. The matrix is placed on the ground, which supports 
the matrix in a vertical position or in a position angled from the 
vertical. 
In another embodiment, electromagnetic waves carried through space and 
receivers connected to the ignition systems 18 replace electrical signals 
carried through wires 19 as another means for electrically connecting the 
control system 20 to ignition systems 18. 
The advantages of this invention include a virtual unlimited firing rate 
since no loading mechanism is used. Another major advantage is that the 
shelf life of the guided rounds can be held to their maximum shelf life, 
since the only time the container seal is broken is when the munitions is 
fired. Another subtle yet very important advantage the matrix gun has over 
conventional guns is the ability for continuous system readiness testing 
of the individual guided munitions. In a conventional gun with a moving 
munitions handling system, continuous readiness testing of the guided 
munitions is virtually impossible, or at the very best a complicated and 
often manpower intensive operation. The matrix gun system with disposable 
barrels and recoil systems eliminates complex loading systems and human 
contact with ordinance, typical of large gun systems. This allows for in a 
reduction of down time caused by failures in the loading system, human 
error, or problems with single point of failure gun barrels and recoil 
systems. The reduction of human contact also increases safety. 
While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and 
described herein, it will be appreciated that various changes and 
modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the 
invention as defined by the scope of the appended claims.