Patent GB-1487656-A (GB)
Title: Method and system for combat against surface targets
IPC: F41G7/22
Filed: 1975-03-07
Abstract: 1487656 A method for use in combat against surface targets; missiles PRECITRONIC GES FUR FEINMECHANIK UND ELEKTRONIC mbH 7 March 1975 [12 March 1974] 9499/75 Headings F3C and F3A In a method for use in combat against surface targets a pilot projectile 6, Fig. 1, is shot into a ballistic trajectory 5<SP>1</SP> towards the proximity of a target area 4, the projectile being provided with optical registering means for receiving optical information during the downward part of the flight and for transmitting the information to a projectile launching and/or fire-directing site. The directing data is obtained from the optical information for the subsequent launching of combat projectiles along trajectories 5. Targets 3, Fig. 1, are in a target area 4 and projectiles are launched from vehicles 1 and 2, the first of these projectiles being the pilot projectile 6 provided with a picture taking and transmission installation, a picture being taken over an area 8 during the downward part 5<SP>1</SP> of the projectile's flight and being transmitted to the fire-directing vehicle 1. The latter is equipped with trajectory-following means for example radar, laser aiming monitor &c. The descent of the pilot projectile is delayed to facilitate picture taking and the impact point 7 is shown as a light spot at the fire-directing vehicle. By means of the transmitted picture of the target area, the measured trajectory, and the light spot, it is determined if targets are in the target area and, if so, the position of the targets from the impact point 7, the directive data is correspondingly corrected, and a selection of the single targets is made. Individual adjustment of the launching guides for the live projectiles are made and these projectiles are then launched along trajectories 5. When the projectiles arrive they will either hit the respective target 3 directly or will have been led to the targets by automatic homing and steering devices which are effective within a range 9. A container-type launching magazine 10, Fig. 3, has guides 12 for projectiles, one of which is a pilot projectile. Each guide 12 is individually adjustable in the directions "X" and "Y" and the magazine 10, being pivotally supported at 18, is adjustable by an hydraulic device 20, or manually at 36.  Position sensors (not shown) register the position of the magazine 10 in relation to three axes and supply this information to a computer. The pilot projectile 6 has a front cover 22 a T.V. camera 24, a laser 26, sensors 30 for determining the height of the flight &c., and a sender 32, the latter being directly connected to the sensors 30 and connected, via a processing step 34, to the camera 24. Each live projectile 14 is guided and contains an automatic target-homing and steering device having a sensor 70 which responds to infra-red influences, dipole resonnance characteristics &c. of the respective target.  A launching magazine 10, Fig. 5, is mounted on a track vehicle 80, is roughly directable by a corresponding adjustment of the vehicle and is pivotable at 82 and 83.