Abstract:
A mobile target assembly for use in small arms practice includes an armor-protected automotive unit with remote control for movement through a target area. Further, the target assembly includes a plurality of repairable/replaceable façades, wherein a selected façade is mounted on the automotive unit. For the present invention, the façade is formed as a land vehicle body and is constructed for intentional destruction by the small arms fire. Importantly, the armor protection provides survivability for the automotive unit in response to small arms fire.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention pertains generally to a reusable target for small arms practice. More specifically, the present invention pertains to remotely controlled moving targets. The present invention is particularly, but not exclusively useful as a moving target having a selectively repairable/replaceable façade structure, and an armor-protected automotive unit that is survivable for repetitive reuse with a plurality of different façades. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    When one&#39;s physical safety is involved, the response to a threat from another relies on many factors. In particular, a response to threats in a combat, or quasi-combat environment must be as instinctive as possible, and it must be appropriate for elimination of the threat. This requires both preparation and training. 
         [0003]    A realistic environment for training is a significant consideration when preparing an individual(s) to encounter a life-threatening situation. In a combat environment where there are many different types of threats, it is all the more important that an individual be able to identify and properly respond to each threat. With this in mind, a situation of particular importance in today&#39;s conflicts arises wherever a conventional looking land vehicle (i.e. an unarmored vehicle) drives into a potential strike zone without proper identification or authorization. In a combat environment, even though the vehicle may look like a car, truck or some other non-military vehicle, a justifiable response to this situation is to engage the vehicle with small arms fire. 
         [0004]    In preparation for a situation as presented above, a realistic target should be used for training purposes. It must look like a vehicle, move like a vehicle, and sound like a vehicle. Further, the action that is taken to nullify (eliminate) such a target must be the same as will be used for a response to such a threat in actual combat. Specifically, this means the land vehicle (target) will be engaged by small arms fire. In this case, the term “small arms” means any portable firearm (e.g. rifles, pistols and light machine guns). As a practical matter, however, this may also include 50 cal. weapons. In any event, when a vehicle (training target or otherwise) is engaged, the expectation is that the target vehicle will be destroyed. This can be expensive. Particularly, when a large number of target vehicles are needed during a training cycle. 
         [0005]    In light of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a mobile target assembly (i.e. target vehicle) having a façade that can be repaired/replaced for a subsequent training exercise, after being damaged/destroyed by small arms fire. Another object of the present invention is to provide a target vehicle having an armor-protected automotive unit that is survivable for subsequent use after being attacked by small arms fire. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a mobile target assembly that is easy to manufacture, is simple to use and is comparatively cost effective. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    A mobile target assembly in accordance with the present invention includes an automotive unit that is mounted on a chassis. Also included is an armored shell. Specifically, the armored shell is formed with a compartment for receiving the automotive unit therein when the armored shell is mounted on the chassis. With this configuration, the automotive unit is enclosed and is effectively protected by the armored shell. Further, the mobile target assembly includes a façade that is selectively affixed to the armored shell. The purpose of the façade is to give the target assembly a visual presentation that is representative of a land vehicle (e.g. a civilian car or commercial type truck). 
         [0007]    For the present invention there are a plurality of different façades. Only one façade, of course, is selectively useable for the target assembly at a time. In detail, each façade is manufactured using a plastic foam type material, and it is shaped to represent a conventional land vehicle. Importantly, each façade is repairable/replaceable. Thus, when a façade is damaged or destroyed, it can either be repaired for reuse, or it can simply be discarded. 
         [0008]    As indicated above, the armored shell of the target assembly structurally supports a selected façade. Additionally, the armored shell is designed to enclose and protect the automotive unit during use of the target assembly. For this purpose, the armored shell is mounted on the chassis. With this structural combination in mind, a description of the armored shell is perhaps best appreciated using a chassis-based reference system. Specifically, consider that the chassis defines a base plane and a central axis that is perpendicular to the base plane. In relation to this reference system, the armored shell has an upper portion and a lower portion. In detail, the upper portion includes a plurality of panels, and each of these panels is inclined relative to the base plane at a respective angle α. In general, the angle α is in a range between 20° and 45°. Further, the lower portion also includes a plurality of panels. Similarly, each panel of the lower portion is inclined relative to the base plane at a respective angle β. In general, the angle β is in a range between 20° and 45°. Also, the upper portion is joined to the lower portion to establish a periphery surrounding the central axis, wherein each panel of the upper portion and each panel of the lower portion extend a respectively predetermined distance from the periphery. Additionally, the armored shell includes a top plate that is affixed to the upper portion to establish the compartment between the top plate, the upper portion and the lower portion. Preferably, the top plate and the panels are made of AR 500. 
         [0009]    For an operation of the present invention, a façade is selected and mounted on the armored shell. The automotive unit is then activated. For the present invention, the automotive unit includes a remote control unit for steering the target assembly. It also includes a propulsion unit that is responsive to the control unit for controlled movement of the target assembly. Although the control unit will preferably include a steering lever and a throttle lever, any type of remote controls that are well known in the pertinent art can be used. In any event, the control unit is used to move the target assembly into a target area. 
         [0010]    As envisioned for the present invention, the moving target assembly is intended for use in a training exercise to pose a realistic threat to trainees (e.g. soldiers and marines) within the target area. The expectation here is that the trainees will respond to the perceived threat (i.e. vehicle incursion into the target area) with small arms fire. Specifically, it is expected this small arms fire will damage or destroy the façade. It is also expected, however, that due to the armored shell, the small arms fire will not damage or destroy the automotive unit. Instead, in accordance with the present invention, a new (repaired or replacement) façade can be affixed to a previously used armored shell for subsequent use as a mobile vehicle target assembly. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an operational environment for use of the target assembly in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the mobile vehicle target assembly with portions broken away for clarity; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram of the automotive unit of the target assembly; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the armored shell of the target assembly; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a front view of the armored shell of the target assembly. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0017]    Referring initially to  FIG. 1  a mobile target assembly in accordance with the present invention is shown and is designated  10 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the target assembly  10  is approaching a target area  12  where it will be engaged with small arms fire. For purposes of the present invention, the target assembly  10  includes three major components. These components are best seen in  FIG. 2  and are: a façade  14 , an armored shell  16  and a chassis  18 . 
         [0018]    With reference to  FIG. 2  it will be appreciated that, in combination, the armored shell  16  is mounted on the chassis  18 , and the façade  14  is affixed to the armored shell  16 . In detail,  FIG. 2  shows the chassis  18  includes a support structure  20  that is used for mounting the armored shell  16  on the chassis  18 . Further, as shown, the chassis  18  includes tires  22 , of which the tires  22   a  and  22   b  are exemplary. Preferably, the tires  22  are of a solid rubber, ballistic type construction that can substantially resist debilitating damage from small arms fire. Also, the support structure  20  is shown to include a cradle  24 . Specifically, the cradle  24  is intended to hold an automotive unit such as one schematically shown in  FIG. 3  and generally designated  26 . As also shown in  FIG. 3  the automotive unit  26  includes a remote control unit  28  and propulsion unit  30 . 
         [0019]      FIG. 3  indicates that the remote control unit  28  of the automotive unit  26  is operationally connected to the front tires  22  (i.e. tire  22   a ) of the target assembly  10 . Further,  FIG. 3  indicates that the propulsion unit  30  of the automotive unit  26  is operationally connected to the rear tires  22  (i.e. tire  22   b ) of the target assembly  10 . By cross-referencing  FIG. 3  back with  FIG. 1 , it will be appreciated that a control box  32  can be employed somewhere in the target area  12  to operate the automotive unit  26 . Specifically, by using a steering lever  34  and a throttle lever  36  on the control box  32 , signals  38  can be sent to the automotive unit  26  in the target assembly  10  for the respective operation of the remote control unit  28  (steering) and the propulsion unit  30  (movement) of the target assembly  10 . As will be appreciated by the skilled artisan, in different embodiments of the control box  32  a conventional vehicle control configuration can be used or, alternatively, a single lever can be used to replace the two levers  34 ,  36 . 
         [0020]    Returning to  FIG. 2 , and with specific reference to the armored shell  16 , it will be seen that the armored shell  16  has a unique structural configuration. In detail, the specifics of this configuration will be best appreciated by simultaneously considering views of the armored shell  16  as shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  4  and  5 . As a reference for describing the armored shell  16 , consider the chassis  18  when the armored shell  16  is mounted on the chassis  18  as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . Regardless whether considered alone, or in combination with the armored shell  16 , the chassis  18  can be taken to define a base plane  40  and a central axis  42  that is substantially perpendicular to the base plane  40  (see  FIGS. 4 and 5 ). Further, the armored shell  16  can be considered as having an upper portion  44  and a lower portion  46  that are joined together at a periphery  48 . 
         [0021]    The armored shell  16  is essentially a plurality of panels  50  that comprise the upper portion  44  (the panels  50   a  and  50   b  are exemplary), and a plurality of panels  52  that comprise the lower portion  46  (the panels  52   a  and  52   b  are exemplary). Structurally, the panels  50  in the upper portion  44  of armored shell  16  are connected to each other and, as best seen with reference to  FIG. 5  (see panel  50   a ), the panels  50  are each inclined relative to the central axis  42  by an angle α. Similarly, the panel  52  in the lower portion  46  of armored shell  16  are connected to each other, and as best seen with reference to  FIG. 5  (see panel  52   a ), the panels  52  are each inclined relative to the central axis  42  by an angle β. Preferably, both the respective angles α and the respective angles β are in a range between 20° to 45°. Further, the armored shell  16  includes a top plate  54  that is connected to the upper portion  44 . As shown, the top plate  54  is oriented perpendicular to the central axis  42  and substantially parallel to the base plane  40 . When connected to each other, the upper portion  44 , the lower portion  46  and the top plate  54  enclose a hollow compartment  56 . More specifically, as intended for the present invention, when the armored shell  16  is mounted on the chassis  18 , the automotive unit  26  will be positioned on the cradle  24  of the chassis  18 , and it will be protectively enclosed inside the compartment  56  of the armored shell  16 . 
         [0022]    The façade  14  can be of any configuration desired. Specifically, it should be designed to mimic the type of vehicle that is commonly used by indigenous personnel. More importantly, the façade  14  should be inexpensive and, if not easily repaired for reuse, should be discarded. Preferably, the façade  14  will be made of a foam plastic material and painted as desired. For the purposes of the present invention, the façade  14  can be affixed to the armored shell  16  in any way well known in the pertinent art, such as by gluing or with fasteners. 
         [0023]    In the operation of the present invention, trainees  58  are pre-positioned in a target area  12 . They are then presented with a perceived threat as a target assembly  10  is moved (driven) into the target area  12 . For the present invention this movement of the target assembly  10  is accomplished by remotely controlling the target assembly  10  with a control box  32 . The expected reaction in this training exercise is that the target assembly  10  will be engaged by small arms fire from the trainees  58   a,b . The consequence of this engagement will most likely be the destruction of the façade  14 . Once the live fire exercise has been completed, the destroyed façade  14  can be repaired or removed from the armored shell  16 . As disclosed above, the armored shell  16  is designed to survive an attack by small arms fire. If the façade  14  cannot be repaired and instead needs to be removed, it can be easily replaced and the target assembly  10  can then be reused for a subsequent training exercise. 
         [0024]    While the particular Ballistic Robotic Vehicle as herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable of obtaining the objects and providing the advantages herein before stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown other than as described in the appended claims.