Release unit, and release system comprising at least one such release unit

Abstract: The invention relates to a relates to a release unit for launching countermeasures and/or signal activity and a release system comprising at least one such release unit. A good protection even in applications, for example helicopter applications, in which the vehicle travels at a low speed is obtained by means of a relatively simple design of the release device. The release unit is constructed of modules and comprises a first module in the form of a central body (2) accommodating electronics for the activation of the countermeasures and a number of other and at least two modules in the form of release cassettes (3, 4) corresponding to the number of directions of opening (Figure 1).

Description: The present invention relates to a release unit for launching countermeasures and/or for signal activity and a release system comprising at least one such release unit. The invention also relates to a release system comprising at least one release unit according to the above. A release device or release unit normally has one single direction of opening for launching and/or signal activity. Examples of such release units are shown in Swedish Patent B8302508-0 or EP B1 0 667 733. Such known release devices are well suited to an application in an aeroplane and similar aircraft in the normal travel of the craft when its direction of movement does not significantly vary in relation to the direction of opening of the release device. In helicopters with a high capability of moving in different directions relative to the helicopter fuselage, for example, and which travel at relatively low speeds and at certain times can be almost considered to be standing still in relation to the environment, the release device of the above known type with only one direction of opening provides unsatisfactory protection. The protection can be improved by mounting several release devices on the craft. However, this becomes costly and also results in a not insignificant increase in weight. In this connection, launching of countermeasures in two directions previously known per se through US 3 135 511 can also be mentioned. In this case, countermeasures are launched in the form of flares from a target towed by an aircraft. Before launching, the flares are stored in flare holders constructed in the towed target. The design only provides a strictly limited variation in the launching direction of the flares and only has the aim of launching countermeasures at the rear of the aircraft. A limiting of the launching directions is in any case necessary so that the aircraft does not risk being hit by launched countermeasures. By using a towed target for launching the countermeasures, it is also necessary that the aeroplane or craft travels forward at a not inconsiderable speed. The design is not applicable under the conditions applying with the movements of the type carried out by helicopters. It is aim of the present invention to produce a release unit which also provides good protection with applications, for example helicopter applications or slow flight, where known release devices according to the above are unsatisfactory, but which still has a simple design. The aim of the invention is achieved by means of a release unit which is characterised in that the release unit is constructed of modules and comprises a first module in the form of a central body accommodating the electronics for the activation of the counter means and a number of other modules in the form of release cassettes corresponding to the number of directions of opening, which central body is designed for receiving the release cassettes in directions corresponding to the directions of opening of the release unit. By the release unit having several directions of opening, the release cassette that is thought to provide the highest protection in the prevailing situation can be activated. The release unit makes it possible for the conceivable directions of attack against the craft to be covered in a better way and thus provides the possibility for producing a satisfactory protection for the craft. The modular construction makes it possible for the release cassettes of the release unit to be easily exchanged for new loaded release cassettes with the same or another type of ammunition as required. The electronics of the central body are common to the incoming release cassettes and activate these depending on information supplied and stored in the electronics. According to an advantageous embodiment of the release unit, it comprises two directions of opening with one release cassette belonging to each direction of opening. Such a release unit is adapted for mounting on the long side of a fuselage, preferably a helicopter. Launching of countermeasures can thus be achieved at an angle towards the back according to one direction of opening and at angle towards the front according to the second direction of opening. The directions of opening can be advantageously separated by 60° - 120° and particularly importantly 90°. This provides cover all around with two release units with two directions of opening each, which release units are placed each on its own long side of the fuselage. The release system according to the invention comprises at least one release unit as described above and one control unit coupled to the electronics of the release units for controlling the release process of the respective release unit. The control unit, which is preferably placed in the pilot's cabin of the craft and coupled to a number of release units on the outside of the craft, forms, together with the release units, a simple modular design which also provides good protection for slow moving or stationary vehicles. The control unit advantageously controls the release process of the release units in relation to the detected direction of the threat and to the movement of the vehicle on which the release units are mounted. The invention will be described in greater detail below with reference to the attached drawings, in which Figure 1 shows a release unit according to the invention in a perspective view, Figure 2 shows a release system according to the invention comprising two release units, which release system is shown incorporated in a helicopter's equipment, Figure 3 shows an example of a control unit incorporated in the release system, and Figures 4a-c show positions which result in hits scored on a helicopter in a simulated example for a helicopter without countermeasures equipment, Figure 4a, with conventional countermeasures equipment, Figure 4b and provided with countermeasures equipment according to our invention, Figure 4c. The release unit 1 shown in Figure 1 consists of a first module in the form of a central body 2 and two other modules in the form of release cassettes 3, 4. Each release cassette 3, 4 is arranged to accommodate a number of shells with countermeasures ammunition. In Figure 1, twelve openings 5 for receiving these shells are shown. The number of shells per release device can amount to significantly more than the twelve indicated. Instead of shells with circular cross section, other shapes can be used. The release cassettes 3 and 4 are fixed to the central body 2 by means of locking elements 6, 7. The release cassettes 3, 4 can be easily replaced with new release cassettes when the ammunition of the release cassettes is used up, or change to other ammunition is required, by a simple actuation of the locking elements 6, 7. The central body 2 accommodates electronics, not shown, for activating the countermeasures in the two release cassettes 3, 4. On the basis of information about which type of ammunition the release cassettes are loaded with, how often the ammunition shall be activated, how much shall be activated and in which direction or directions, the electronics in the central body cause the countermeasures to be activated. This information can be obtained from a control unit shown in Figure 3. Information about the type of ammunition can also be supplied from the release cassettes. Figure 2 shows a release system comprising two release units 1.1, 1.2 according to Figure 1. The release units are mounted one on each long side of a helicopter 8. Due to the assembly of the release units 1 as shown, four directions of opening 9, 10, 11, 12 have been produced in the horizontal plane of the helicopter 8. The release units 1.1, 1.2 are connected to a control unit 13 which is described in greater detail below with reference to Figure 3. The control unit 13 shown in Figure 3 is connected to a number of release units 1 via a datalink 14. The control unit 13 delivers status information to the cockpit on a display 15. Operating elements 16 for manually feeding in instructions from the cockpit are connected to the display 15. A threat alarm 17 provides information to the control unit 13 about detected threats and air data are fed in from air data-recording elements 18. From a library 19 incorporated in the control unit 13, and in which a number of response algorithms are stored, a suitable response algorithm is taken when the threat alarm 17 has specified the type of threat. On the basis of information accessible in the control unit, release units are selected in, and release parameters are calculated in, a calculating element 20, whereafter calculated parameters are transferred to the electronics in the release units in question. Figure 4a - 4c show the results obtained with simulated firing on a helicopter without countermeasures equipment according to Figure 4a, with conventional countermeasures equipment according to Figure 4b and with the countermeasures equipment according to the present invention according to Figure 4c. A firing has been carried out for every 500 metres and no closer than 1000 m and for every tenth degree. Each square in the figures indicates a position from which firing successfully puts the helicopter out of action. As can be seen in Figure 4a, the possibilities of the helicopter avoiding hits are small. The helicopter can get clear mainly when the firing is from the front. As can be seen in Figure 4b, the possibilities for the helicopter to get clear increase if it is equipped with conventional countermeasures equipment. However, firing from the side results in hits on the helicopter. With countermeasures equipment according to our invention, the helicopter avoids all hits under the given conditions, which can be seen in Figure 4c. The same type of helicopter, ammunition and automatic threat system were utilised in the simulated firing.

Claims: Release unit with at least two directions of opening for launching countermeasures, such as chaff, flares or smoke, and/or signal activity, such as forming radar or laser decoys, characterised in that the release unit is constructed of modules and comprises a first module in the form of a central body accommodating electronics for activating the countermeasures and a number of other modules in the form of release cassettes corresponding to the number of directions of opening, which central body is constructed for receiving the release cassettes in directions corresponding to the directions of opening of the release unit. Release unit according to Claim 1, characterised by two directions of opening with one release cassette belonging to each direction of opening. Release unit according to Claim 2, characterised in that the directions of opening are separated by 60° - 120°. Release unit according to Claim 3, characterised in that the directions of opening are separated essentially by 90°. Release system comprising at least one release unit according to any of the preceding claims and a control unit coupled to the electronics of the release units for controlling the release process of the respective release unit. Release system according to Patent Claim 5, characterised in that the control unit controls the release characteristics of the release units in dependence on the detected direction of the threat and the movement of the vehicle on which the release units are mounted.

Inventors: HOLMSTROEM PETER, PETTERSSON SVEN, HOLMSTROEM, PETER, PETTERSSON, SVEN, Holmström, Peter
Applicants: CELSIUSTECH ELECTRONICS AB
Application year: 1992
Main classification: B64D1
IPC codes: F41F1, F41H11, B64D1