Patent Publication Number: US-7905182-B2

Title: Multi-mode modular projectile

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention generally provides for modular customization of artillery projectiles; and more particularly, representative and exemplary embodiments of the present invention generally relate to systems and methods for providing common aft assemblies for munition rounds which may be augmented with specialized forward modules. 
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     Previous attempts to design a munition cartridge to meet the requirements of the Medium Range Munition (MRM) specification produced unaffordable solutions. Some developers have proposed solutions which appear to meet the requirements, but constrain the user to select a specific caliber round (e.g., 120 mm). If the user selects a 105 mm cannon, for example, existing solutions do not provide the desired lethality. 
     To date, conventional munition cartridges have not been proposed which allow the user to modify the cartridges for a specific mission in the field. Existing systems utilize either multi-purpose projectile cartridges, in which the system performance is compromised in order to satisfy diverse requirements, or single-purpose cartridges, which are sub-optimal against targets other than those they are designed to engage. What is needed is an entry-level, low-cost, modular approach to meeting the requirements of the MRM specification, in which the projectile may be optimized for its role. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In various representative aspects, the present invention provides a modular multi-mode projectile munition. Exemplary features generally include an aft module suitably configured for mechanical and electrical engagement with a forward module. The aft module provides a common assembly for engagement with a variety of specialized forward modules as well as engagement with cartridge casings of various calibers. 
     Advantages of the present invention will be set forth in the Detailed Description that follows and may be apparent from the Detailed Description or may be learned by practice of exemplary embodiments of the invention. Still other advantages of the invention may be realized by means of any of the instrumentalities, methods or combinations particularly pointed out in the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Representative elements, operational features, applications and/or advantages of the present invention reside inter alia in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereafter depicted, described and claimed—reference being made to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout. Other elements, operational features, applications and/or advantages will become apparent in light of certain exemplary embodiments recited in the Detailed Description, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  representatively illustrates a side, cross-sectional view of a 105 mm munition round in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  representatively illustrates a side, cross-sectional view of a 105 mm munition round aft module in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  representatively illustrates a side, cross-sectional view of a 105 mm munition round forward module in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  representatively illustrates a side view of a deployed 105 mm munition round, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, with flight control fins in a deployed position and flight control canards in a stowed position; 
         FIG. 5  representatively illustrates a side view of a deployed 105 mm munition round, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, with flight control fins and flight control canards in deployed positions; and 
         FIG. 6  representatively illustrates a side, cross-sectional view of a 120 mm munition round in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     Elements in the Figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the Figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of various embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, the terms “first”, “second”, and the like herein, if any, are used inter alia for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequential or chronological order. Moreover, the terms “front”, “back”, “top”, “bottom”, “over”, “under”, and the like in the Description and/or in the claims, if any, are generally employed for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for comprehensively describing exclusive relative position. Any of the preceding terms so used may be interchanged under appropriate circumstances such that various embodiments of the invention described herein may be capable of operation in other configurations and/or orientations than those explicitly illustrated or otherwise described. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     The following representative descriptions of the present invention generally relate to exemplary embodiments and the inventors&#39; conception of the best mode, and are not intended to limit the applicability or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the following description is intended to provide convenient illustrations for implementing various embodiments of the invention. As will become apparent, changes may be made in the function and/or arrangement of any of the elements described in the disclosed exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     Various representative implementations of the present invention may be applied to any system for the modular augmentation of munition rounds with specialized modules. Certain representative implementations may include optimization of artillery cartridges for a specific role, such as, for example: low-cost ballistic projectiles; autonomous anti-armor projectiles; all-weather autonomous projectiles; semi-active laser projectiles; multi-mode projectiles; and/or the like. 
     As used herein, the terms “munition”, “artillery”, “cartridge”, “round” and/or any variation or combination thereof, are generally intended to include anything that may be regarded as at least being susceptible to characterization as, or generally referring to, a projectile suitably adapted for launch via a gun, a rail or a rocket motor, such as, for example: an artillery shell; a tank round; a rocket propelled grenade (RPG); a surface-to-air missile (SAM); and/or the like. 
     A detailed description of exemplary applications, namely modular 105 mm and 120 mm tank rounds, are provided as specific enabling disclosures that may be generalized to any application of the disclosed system, device and method for the modular augmentation of munition cartridges in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. 
     Prior attempts to develop a single cartridge to meet the requirements of the medium range munition (MRM) specification resulted in substantially expensive systems. One of the principal drawbacks of these approaches has been the conceptual model employed that generally requires a comprehensive system solution in a unitary design. While unitary designs have been demonstrated, their fabrication and logistical support costs have proven to be excessive. 
     Various representative and exemplary embodiments of the present invention generally provide a modular approach to meeting the MRM specification requirements while providing an entry-level, low-cost alternative to unitary designs. It will be appreciated that additional features may be readily adapted, extended, or otherwise applied to future component module designs. Accordingly, it will be further understood that the present invention is more generally directed to the generic conceptual approach of augmenting a munition device in a modular fashion with the utilization of common aft module components rather than merely disclosing specific module designs and/or combinatorial permutations. 
     Representative and exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a common aft module assembly for a projectile cartridge, which may be augmented in the field (e.g., depot level) with the attachment of specialized forward modules. Accordingly, the present invention provides a modular projectile device optimized for at least one of a plurality of specific engagement/deployment roles; for example: a low-cost ballistic projectile; an autonomous anti-armor projectile; an all-weather autonomous projectile; a semi-active laser projectile; a multi-mode projectile; and/or the like. 
     In general, conventional fixed tank ammunition may not be modified. A modular munition cartridge approach to fixed tank ammunition, for example, would provide several advantages. As representatively depicted in  FIG. 1 , for example, a 105 mm tank round in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, generally comprises a common aft module  110  housed within a 105 mm munition casing  120 . Common aft module  110  is suitably configured with a connective element for engagement with a substantially matching suitably configured connective element of forward module assembly  100 . In the case of the representative example illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the aft module connective element and the forward module connective element may correspond to an assembly engagement joint  155 . Engagement joint  155  may comprise at least one threaded receptacle and at least one threaded extrusion. The resulting engagement of a threaded extrusion with a threaded receptacle would thereby secure the forward module assembly  100  to the aft module assembly  110  (or vice versa). Other types of connective elements may include, for example: clips, press fittings, slots, pins, bolts, clasps, welds or eutectic joints, channels, locks, retaining elements, cams, ball locks, releasable engagement elements, adhesives and/or the like. As generally depicted, for example in  FIG. 1 , assembly engagement joint  155  may comprise a press fit retaining element for mechanically connecting forward module assembly  100  to aft module assembly  110 . 
     Alternatively, conjunctively or sequentially, forward module connective element(s) and aft module connective element(s) may further comprise electrical connections for transmitting power and/or data between forward module assembly  100  and aft module assembly  110 . This may be useful in the case of disposing a battery in the aft assembly  110  to power sensors and/or guidance electronics in the forward assembly  100 . Additionally, sensor and/or guidance data (either pre- or post-processed) may be transmitted from, for example, the forward module  100  to the aft module  110  for subsequent processing and/or mechanical actuation of guidance components, such as, for example, fins  145 , canards  150  and/or the like. 
     The aft module  110  is a “common” module inasmuch as aft module  110  may be provided in a variety of different caliber cartridge casings  120  and the aft module configuration is generally invariant with respect to any of the specialized forward modules  100  that may be modularly engaged therewith. Specifically, common aft module  110  generally would require no specialized adjustment or other configuration (other than perhaps minor electrical/data or ballistic mode selections) for modular engagement with a particular specialized forward module  100 . 
       FIG. 2  generally depicts a representative common aft module in isolation from the composite modular munition cartridge generally illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Common aft module  110  may include, for example: cartridge casing  120  (e.g., 105 mm as generally depicted in  FIG. 1 ), guidance electronics  125 , a main explosive charge  130 , an inertial measurement unit  135 , a battery  140 , fins  145 , a propellant charge, a warhead, a sub-munition, other electronics, a primer, a fuze, a power interface, a data interface, an obturator, and/or the like. It will be appreciated that aft module  110  may be configured with a variety of additional or alternative components, whether now known or otherwise hereafter described in the art. 
     Cartridge casing  120  may comprise any type of material, such as, for example: cellulose, plastic, metal, paper, wax, and the like, including combinations thereof. Casing  120  may conform to a variety of different calibers, depending on the weapons platform selected for deploying the modular munition round. Cartridge casing  120  may further comprise a propellant material for accelerating or otherwise delivering a propulsive impulse to the modular munition cartridge upon deployment from a weapons platform. 
     Guidance electronics  125  may be configured for communication with a variety of munition sub-systems, including, for example: sensors, processors, multiplexers, discriminators, fin actuators, canard actuators, and the like. In a representative and exemplary embodiment, sensor and/or guidance data may be transmitted from forward module assembly  100  and/or inertial measurement unit  135  to guidance electronics  125  disposed in aft module assembly  110  for subsequent processing. Data and/or control signals may be relayed to actuate fins  145  and/or canards  150 , thereby providing flight guidance. 
     Fins  145  may be stowed ( FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 ) prior to firing the modular munition. Thereafter, fins  145  may deploy ( FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 ) to provide sufficient stabilization and/or guidance of the modular munition during its flight to the target. It will be appreciated that a variety of fin configurations, mounting orientations and geometric designs may be employed to achieve a particular stabilization or flight performance requirement. The same shall be understood to be included within the scope of various embodiments of the present invention. 
     The aft-most component of a guided projectile, sometimes referred to as the “base”, performs an important role in the success of a weapon system. The base provides an interface between the extreme pressures and shock loads resulting from the explosion of the propellant charge in the gun and the rest of the projectile. In addition, the base may support aerodynamic fins  145 , which slow the rotation of the projectile as well as providing stabilization and lift. The fins  145  typically remain stowed during firing and deploy after the projectile exits the gun barrel and muzzle brake. The base may also support a projectile obturator, which is a device that seals the gap between the gun barrel bore and the projectile body. An obturator generally maximizes the efficiency of the propellant charge impulse forces, and also rotates relative to the projectile to reduce the spin rate imposed on the projectile by gun rifling. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the base is designed to survive an extremely severe environment during launch. This includes high pressure, shock waves and extreme accelerations from the initial explosion of the propellant charge, as well as a muzzle exit event in which the projectile exits the gun barrel, which results in rapid depressurization. The gun used to launch the projectile may include a muzzle brake, which is cleared before the fins  145  deploy. 
       FIG. 3  representatively depicts a specialized forward module  100  in isolation from the composite modular munition cartridge generally illustrated in  FIG. 1 . In  FIG. 3 , canards  150  are deployed to provide flight guidance. As generally shown in  FIG. 4 , forward module  100  may be configured with a protective casing element  400  which may be subsequently ejected or ruptured by the deployment of canards  150 . After deployment (as shown from a side view in  FIG. 5 ), canard  150  extends out from the casing of forward module  100  through opening  500 . The view depicted in  FIG. 3  generally corresponds to a top view of the forward module  100  portion of  FIG. 5 . 
     Specialized forward module  100  may include, for example: canards  150 , a precursor warhead  160 , a protective covering (e.g., radome  185 ), a sensor (e.g., MMW circuit card  175 ), an antenna (CAPS antenna  180 ), a fuze, counter-active measures (e.g., CAPS circuit card  170 ), an inertial measurement unit, guidance electronics, a sub-munition, other electronics, a primer, a fuze, a power interface, a data interface, a forward module engagement joint  300  (e.g., for engagement with aft assembly engagement joint at  155 ), and/or the like. It will be appreciated that forward module  100  may be configured with a variety of additional or alternative components, whether now known or otherwise hereafter described in the art. 
     In general, specialized forward mission modules are compatible with 105 mm and 120 mm tank ammunition aft modules. In the case of a 120 mm munition round, as representatively depicted in  FIG. 6 , for example, an adapter module  610  may be employed to size forward mission module  620  for engagement with a larger caliber aft module  600 . 
     Aft module  600  is suitably configured with a connective element for engagement with a substantially matching suitably configured connective element of adapter module  610 . In the case of the representative example illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the aft module connective element and the adapter module connective element may correspond to an aft assembly engagement joint  655 . Engagement joint  655  may comprise, for example, at least one threaded receptacle and at least one threaded extrusion. The resulting engagement of threaded extrusion with threaded receptacle would thereby secure the adapter module assembly  610  to the aft module assembly  600  (or vice versa). Other types of connective elements may include, for example: clips, press fittings, slots, pins, bolts, clasps, welds or eutectic joints, channels, locks, retaining elements, cams, ball locks, releasable engagement elements, adhesives and/or the like. As generally depicted, for example in  FIG. 6 , assembly engagement joint  655  may comprise a press fit retaining element for mechanically connecting adapter module assembly  610  to aft module assembly  600 . 
     Forward module  620  may be suitably configured with a connective element for engagement with a substantially matching suitably configured connective element of adapter module  610 . In the case of the representative example illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the forward module connective element and the adapter module connective element may correspond to a forward assembly engagement joint  690 . Engagement joint  690  may comprise, for example, at least one threaded receptacle and at least one threaded extrusion. The resulting engagement of threaded extrusion with threaded receptacle would thereby secure the adapter module assembly  610  to the forward module assembly  620  (or vice versa). Other types of connective elements may include, for example: clips, press fittings, slots, pins, bolts, clasps, welds or eutectic joints, channels, locks, retaining elements, cams, ball locks, releasable engagement elements, adhesives and/or the like. As generally depicted, for example in  FIG. 6 , forward assembly engagement joint  690  may comprise a press fit retaining element for mechanically connecting adapter module assembly  610  to forward module assembly  620 . 
     Alternatively, conjunctively or sequentially, forward module connective element(s), adapter module connective element(s), and aft module connective element(s) may further comprise electrical connections for transmitting power and/or data between forward module assembly  620  and aft module assembly  600 . This may be useful in the case of disposing a battery  640  in the aft assembly  600  to power sensors and/or guidance electronics in the forward assembly  620 . Additionally, sensor and/or guidance data (either pre- or post-processed) may be transmitted from, for example, the forward module  620  to the aft module  600  (via connective elements provided in adapter module  610 ) for subsequent processing and/or mechanical actuation of guidance components, such as, for example, fins  645 , canards  650  and/or the like. 
     Common aft module  600  may include, for example: a cartridge casing (e.g., 120 mm as generally depicted in  FIG. 6 ), guidance electronics  625 , a main explosive charge  635 , an inertial measurement unit, a battery  640 , fins  645 , a propellant charge, a warhead, a sub-munition, other electronics, a primer, a fuze, a power interface, a data interface, an obturator, and/or the like. It will be appreciated that aft module  600  may be configured with a variety of additional or alternative components, whether now known or otherwise hereafter described in the art. 
     Guidance electronics  625  may be configured for communication with a variety of munition sub-systems, including, for example: sensors, processors, multiplexers, discriminators, fin actuators, canard actuators, and the like. In a representative and exemplary embodiment, sensor and/or guidance data may be transmitted from forward module assembly  620  and/or an inertial measurement unit to guidance electronics  625  disposed in aft module assembly  600  for subsequent processing. Data and/or control signals may be relayed to actuate fins  645  and/or canards  650 , thereby providing flight guidance. 
     Fins  645  may be stowed prior to firing the modular munition. Thereafter, fins  645  may deploy to provide sufficient stabilization and/or guidance of the modular munition during its flight to the target. It will be appreciated that a variety of fin configurations, mounting orientations and geometric designs may be employed to achieve a particular stabilization or flight performance requirement. The same shall be understood to be included within the scope of various additional embodiments of the present invention. 
     Specialized forward module  620  may include, for example: canards  650 , a precursor warhead  660 , a protective covering (e.g., radome  685 ), a sensor (e.g., MMW circuit card  675 ), an antenna (CAPS antenna  680 ), a fuze, counter-active measures (e.g., CAPS circuit card  670 ), an inertial measurement unit, guidance electronics, a sub-munition, other electronics, a primer, a fuze, a power interface, a data interface, and/or the like. It will be appreciated that forward module  620  may be configured with a variety of additional or alternative components, whether now known or otherwise hereafter described in the art. 
     Resulting representative systems, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention, would reduced logistical burdens and costs, as well as allow users to deploy fewer rounds to theaters of operation. Users would also be afforded the tactical flexibility of being able to tune munitions to immediate threats. Munition platforms could be mixed-and-matched to better balance the considerations between low-cost competent munitions and high-technology autonomous munitions. 
     Modular components, in accordance with representative aspects of the present invention, may be assembled at several locations, including, for example: factories, state-side depots, ammo re-supply ships, forward depots, in the field, and the like. Various aspects of the present invention have corresponding complexity as compared with current artillery logistics. For example, projectiles, propellant charges and fuzes typically arrive separately at a weapon site with the projectile (and fuze) assembled and set at the weapon, as well as the propellant charge selected and adjusted at the weapon. 
     In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments; however, it will be appreciated that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims below. The specification and Figures are to be regarded in an illustrative manner, rather than a restrictive one and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined by the claims appended hereto and their legal equivalents rather than by merely the examples described above. 
     For example, the steps recited in any method or process claims may be executed in any order and are not limited to the specific order presented in the claims. Additionally, the components and/or elements recited in any apparatus claims may be assembled or otherwise operationally configured in a variety of permutations to produce substantially the same result as the present invention and are accordingly not limited to the specific configuration recited in the claims. 
     Benefits, other advantages and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to particular embodiments; however, any benefit, advantage, solution to problem or any element that may cause any particular benefit, advantage or solution to occur or to become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required or essential features or components of any or all the claims. 
     As used herein, the terms “comprise”, “comprises”, “comprising”, “having”, “including”, “includes” or any variation thereof, are intended to reference a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, composition or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements recited, but may also include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, composition or apparatus. Other combinations and/or modifications of the above-described structures, arrangements, applications, proportions, elements, materials or components used in the practice of the present invention, in addition to those not specifically recited, may be varied or otherwise particularly adapted to specific environments, manufacturing specifications, design parameters or other operating requirements without departing from the general principles of the same.