U.S. patent application number 10/272894 was filed with the patent office on 2004-04-22 for tactical surveillance sensor projectile system.
Invention is credited to Faiz, Robert L., George, Sean, Kaiser, Kenneth W..
Application Number | 20040075585 10/272894 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32092693 |
Filed Date | 2004-04-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040075585 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kaiser, Kenneth W. ; et
al. |
April 22, 2004 |
Tactical surveillance sensor projectile system
Abstract
A tactical surveillance sensor projectile system includes a
propellant and primer chamber, a firing device, a sensor device, a
signal processor, and a fiber optic cable; the firing device fires
the primer and propellant to establish a powered phase of flight
followed by a ballistic phase of flight to clear an obstacle; the
sensor device generates surveillance signals representative of
ambient characteristics beyond the obstacle at least during the
ballistic phase of flight; the signal processor is responsive to
the sensor device for converting the signals representative of
ambient conditions to an optical data stream; and the fiber optic
cable delivers the optical data stream to a ground station at least
during the ballistic phase of flight.
Inventors: |
Kaiser, Kenneth W.; (North
Reading, MA) ; Faiz, Robert L.; (Sandy Hook, CT)
; George, Sean; (Boston, MA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Iandiorio & Teska
260 Bear Hill Road
Waltham
MA
02451-1018
US
|
Family ID: |
32092693 |
Appl. No.: |
10/272894 |
Filed: |
October 17, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
340/946 ;
244/3.1; 244/3.11; 244/3.12 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F42B 15/04 20130101;
F42B 12/365 20130101; F41F 3/045 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
340/946 ;
244/003.12; 244/003.11; 244/003.1 |
International
Class: |
F41G 007/00; F42B
015/04 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A tactical surveillance sensor projectile system comprising: a
propellant and primer chamber; a firing device for firing said
primer and said propellant to establish a powered phase of flight
followed by a ballistic phase of flight to clear an obstacle; a
sensor device for generating surveillance signals representative of
ambient characteristics beyond the obstacle at least during the
ballistic phase of flight; a signal processor responsive to said
sensor device for converting said signals representative of ambient
conditions to an optical data stream; and a fiber optic cable for
delivering said optical data stream to a ground station at least
during a ballistic phase of flight.
2. The tactical surveillance sensor projectile system of claim 1
further including a personal portable launcher.
3. The tactical surveillance sensor projectile system of claim 2
wherein the launcher is integral with the ground station.
4. The tactical surveillance sensor projectile system of claim 2 in
which said launcher includes an integral passive connector for
engaging said fiber optic cable with the launcher.
5. The tactical surveillance sensor projectile system of claim 3 in
which said ground station includes an integral passive connector
for engaging said fiber optic cable with the ground station.
6. The tactical surveillance sensor projectile system of claim 2 in
which said fiber optic cable is fixedly connected to said signal
processor at the proximate end and releasably interconnected with
the launcher at the remote end for separating the fiber optic cable
from the launcher.
7. The tactical surveillance sensor projectile system of claim 3 in
which said fiber optic able is fixedly connected to said signal
processor at the proximate end and releasably connected with the
ground station at the remote end for separating the fiber optic
cable from the ground station.
8. The tactical surveillance sensor projectile system of claim 1 in
which said propellant and primer chamber, firing device, sensor
device, and fiber optic cable are housed in a standard existing
projectile body.
9. The tactical surveillance sensor projectile system of claim 8 in
which said projectile body includes a M127A1 flare.
10. The tactical surveillance sensor projectile system of claim 1
further including a spool for holding the fiber optic cable.
11. The tactical surveillance sensor projectile system of claim 10
further including a fiber optic cable payout tube extending from
the spool through the propellant and primer chamber.
12. The tactical surveillance sensor projectile system of claim 1
in which the sensor device includes a camera.
13. The tactical surveillance sensor projectile system of claim 12
in which the camera is a visible light camera.
14. The tactical surveillance sensor projectile system of claim 12
in which the camera is an infrared camera.
15. The tactical surveillance sensor projectile system of claim 12
further including a battery.
16. The tactical surveillance sensor projectile system of claim 1
in which the sensor device includes a radiation detector.
17. The tactical surveillance sensor projectile system of claim 1
in which the sensor device includes an audio detector.
18. The tactical surveillance sensor projectile system of claim 1
in which the sensor device includes a chemical/biological agent
detector.
19. The tactical surveillance sensor projectile system of claim 1
in which the sensor device includes a temperature detector.
20. The tactical surveillance sensor projectile system of claim 4
wherein the fiber optic cable disconnects from the launcher at a
predetermined distance.
21. The tactical surveillance sensor projectile system of claim 5
wherein the fiber optic cable disconnects from the ground station
at a predetermined distance.
22. The tactical surveillance sensor projectile system of claim 4
wherein the fiber optic cable disconnects from the launcher when
the entire length of fiber optic cable has been payed out.
23. The tactical surveillance sensor projectile system of claim 5
wherein the fiber optic cable disconnects from the ground station
when the entire length of fiber optic cable has been payed out.
24. The tactical surveillance sensor projectile system of claim 1
further including markers on said fiber optic cable and a second
sensor device for generating a signal representative of the number
of markers ejected wherein said signal processor is responsive to
the second sensor device for converting said marker signals to
length of fiber optic cable payed out.
25. The tactical surveillance sensor projectile system of claim 24
wherein the markers are optically sensed markers.
26. The tactical surveillance sensor projectile system of claim 25
wherein the optically sensed markers are reflective markers.
27. The tactical surveillance sensor projectile system of claim 24
wherein the markers are magnetic markers.
28. The tactical surveillance sensor projectile system of claim 2
wherein the launcher includes a processor for determining azimuth
and elevation data for angle of launch of the projectile.
29. The tactical surveillance sensor projectile system of claim 2
wherein the launcher includes a processor for determining target
coordinates.
30. The tactical surveillance sensor projectile system of claim 1
wherein the optical data stream consists of a one-way flow of data
from the signal processor to the ground station.
31. The tactical surveillance sensor projectile system of claim 30
in which the one-way flow of data is storable on a computer.
32. The tactical surveillance sensor projectile system of claim 30
in which the one-way flow of data is storable on a computer
disc.
33. A tactical surveillance sensor projectile system comprising: a
propellant and primer chamber; a firing device for firing said
primer and said propellant to establish a powered phase of flight
followed by a ballistic phase of flight to clear an obstacle; a
sensor device for generating surveillance signals representative of
ambient characteristics beyond the obstacle at least during the
ballistic phase of flight; a signal processor responsive to said
sensor device for converting said signals representative of ambient
conditions to an optical data stream; a fiber optic cable for
delivering said optical data stream to a ground station at least
during a ballistic phase of flight; and a personal portable
launcher.
34. A tactical surveillance sensor projectile system comprising: a
propellant and primer chamber; a firing device for firing said
primer and said propellant to establish a powered phase of flight
followed by a ballistic phase of flight to clear an obstacle; a
sensor device for generating surveillance signals representative of
ambient characteristics beyond the obstacle at least during the
ballistic phase of flight; a signal processor responsive to said
sensor device for converting said signals representative of ambient
conditions to an optical data stream; and a fiber optic cable for
delivering said optical data stream to a ground station at least
during a ballistic phase of flight, wherein the propellant and
primer chamber, firing device, sensor device, and fiber optic cable
are housed in a standard existing projectile body.
35. A tactical surveillance sensor projectile system comprising: a
propellant and primer chamber; a firing device for firing said
primer and said propellant to establish a powered phase of flight
followed by a ballistic phase of flight to clear an obstacle; a
sensor device for generating surveillance signals representative of
ambient characteristics beyond the obstacle at least during the
ballistic phase of flight; a signal processor responsive to said
sensor device for converting said signals representative of ambient
conditions to an optical data stream; a fiber optic cable for
delivering said optical data stream to a ground station at least
during a ballistic phase of flight; and a fiber optic cable payout
tube extending from the spool through the propellant and primer
chamber.
36. A tactical surveillance sensor projectile system comprising: a
propellant and primer chamber; a firing device for firing said
primer and said propellant to establish a powered phase of flight
followed by a ballistic phase of flight to clear an obstacle; a
sensor device for generating surveillance signals representative of
ambient characteristics beyond the obstacle at least during the
ballistic phase of flight; a signal processor responsive to said
sensor device for converting said signals representative of ambient
conditions to an optical data stream; and a fiber optic cable for
delivering said optical data stream to a ground station at least
during a ballistic phase of flight, wherein the optical data stream
consists of a one-way flow of data from the signal processor to the
ground station.
37. A tactical surveillance sensor projectile system comprising: a
chamber including means for propelling and means for priming; means
for firing said means for priming and said means for propelling to
establish a powered phase of flight followed by a ballistic phase
of flight to clear an obstacle; means for generating surveillance
signals representative of ambient characteristics beyond the
obstacle at least during the ballistic phase of flight; means
responsive to said means for generating surveillance signals for
converting said signals representative of ambient conditions to an
optical data stream; and means for delivering said optical data
stream to a ground station at least during a ballistic phase of
flight.
38. The tactical surveillance sensor projectile system of claim 37
further including a personal portable launcher.
39. The tactical surveillance sensor projectile system of claim 38
wherein the launcher is integral with the ground station.
40. The tactical surveillance sensor projectile system of claim 38
in which said launcher includes means for engaging said means for
delivering said optical data stream with the launcher.
41. The tactical surveillance sensor projectile system of claim 39
in which said ground station includes means for engaging said means
for delivering said optical data stream with the ground
station.
42. The tactical surveillance sensor projectile system of claim 38
in which said means for delivering said optical data stream is
fixedly connected to said means responsive to said sensor device at
the proximate end and releasably interconnected with the launcher
at the remote end for separating the means for delivering said
optical data stream from the launcher.
43. The tactical surveillance sensor projectile system of claim 39
in which said means for delivering said optical data stream is
fixedly connected to said means responsive to said sensor device at
the proximate end and releasably connected with the ground station
at the remote end for separating the means for delivering said
optical data stream from the ground station.
44. The tactical surveillance sensor projectile system of claim 37
in which said chamber, said means for firing said primer and said
propellant, said means for generating surveillance signals, and
said means for delivering said optical data stream are housed in a
standard existing projectile body.
45. The tactical surveillance sensor projectile system of claim 44
in which said projectile body includes a M127A1 flare.
46. The tactical surveillance sensor projectile system of claim 37
further including a means for holding the means for delivering said
optical data stream.
47. The tactical surveillance sensor projectile system of claim 37
further including protecting means extending from the spool through
the chamber to protect the means for delivering said optical data
stream.
48. The tactical surveillance sensor projectile system of claim 37
in which the means for generating surveillance signals includes a
camera.
49. The tactical surveillance sensor projectile system of claim 48
in which the camera is a visible light camera.
50. The tactical surveillance sensor projectile system of claim 48
in which the camera is an infrared camera.
51. The tactical surveillance sensor projectile system of claim 48
further including a battery.
52. The tactical surveillance sensor projectile system of claim 37
in which the means for generating surveillance signals includes a
radiation detector.
53. The tactical surveillance sensor projectile system of claim 37
in which the means for generating surveillance signals includes an
audio detector.
54. The tactical surveillance sensor projectile system of claim 37
in which the means for generating surveillance signals includes a
chemical/biological agent detector.
55. The tactical surveillance sensor projectile system of claim 37
in which the means for generating surveillance signals includes a
temperature detector.
56. The tactical surveillance sensor projectile system of claim 40
wherein the means for delivering the optical data stream
disconnects from the launcher at a predetermined distance.
57. The tactical surveillance sensor projectile system of claim 41
wherein the means for delivering the optical data stream
disconnects from the ground station at a predetermined
distance.
58. The tactical surveillance sensor projectile system of claim 40
wherein the means for delivering the optical data stream
disconnects from the launcher when the entirety of the means for
delivering the optical data stream has been payed out.
59. The tactical surveillance sensor projectile system of claim 41
wherein the means for delivering the optical data stream
disconnects from the ground station when the entirety of the means
for delivering the optical data stream has been payed out.
60. The tactical surveillance sensor projectile system of claim 37
further including markers on said means for delivering said optical
data and means for generating a signal representative of the number
of markers ejected wherein said means responsive to said means for
generating surveillance signals responsive to the means for
generating a signal representative of the number of markers ejected
for converting said marker signals to amount of means for
delivering the optical data stream payed out.
61. The tactical surveillance sensor projectile system of claim 60
wherein the markers are optically sensed markers.
62. The tactical surveillance sensor projectile system of claim 61
wherein the optically sensed markers are reflective markers.
63. The tactical surveillance sensor projectile system of claim 60
wherein the markers are magnetic markers.
64. The tactical surveillance sensor projectile system of claim 38
wherein the launcher includes means for determining azimuth and
elevation data for angle of launch of the projectile.
65. The tactical surveillance sensor projectile system of claim 38
wherein the launcher includes means for determining target
coordinates.
66. The tactical surveillance sensor projectile system of claim 37
wherein the optical data stream consists of a one-way flow of data
from the means responsive to said means for generating surveillance
signals to the ground station.
67. The tactical surveillance sensor projectile system of claim 66
in which the one-way flow of data is storable on a computer.
68. The tactical surveillance sensor projectile system of claim 66
in which the one-way flow of data is storable on a means for
storing data.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a tactical surveillance sensor
projectile system, and more particularly to such a system which is
portable, personal and can be used to see over and behind/beyond
obstacles such as hills and buildings.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A combatant or military foot soldier is often confronted
with a hill or other obstacle and the uncertainty of conditions on
the other side. Former methods of determining the military
situation on the other side of a hill or nearby object included
human observers, satellite observations, aircraft observations and
an unmanned autonomous HMMWV.
[0003] The disadvantages of human observers are the exposure of the
observer to harm and the revealing of his battlefield location.
Moreover, the disadvantages of radio relay of information or radio
communication data links include the requirement of line-of-sight
connection, which results in the inability to communicate back over
a hill. Additionally, radio communications are vulnerable to
jamming and can also give away the location of the soldier.
[0004] The disadvantage of satellite and aircraft observations is
the very long response time that often renders the information of
little or minimal value to the soldier. The satellite and aircraft
must be positioned over the observation area. The video data must
be transmitted by low bandwidth radio links to a central station.
Then, the video data must be transmitted to the soldier in some
way, which involves location of autonomous Special Forces units,
which takes additional time, if it is possible to do at all.
[0005] The disadvantage of the autonomous HMMWV is that it must
travel over road-like terrain. Furthermore, the satellite up link
of the video data can take an excessively long time. Further relay
to a ground station and then back to the soldier results in a long
delay time, and the HMMWV provides a significant battlefield
signature, which is undesirable. Additionally, the use of
satellite, aircraft and HMMWV observations involves high economic
cost.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an
improved tactical surveillance projectile system.
[0007] It is a further object of this invention to provide an
improved tactical surveillance projectile system which enables a
combatant to see over a hill.
[0008] It is a further object of this invention to provide an
improved tactical surveillance projectile system which is small,
lightweight, and portable.
[0009] It is a further object of this invention to provide an
improved tactical surveillance projectile system that can be easily
launched and allows easy evaluation of the surveillance
intelligence by a single soldier.
[0010] It is a further object of this invention to provide an
improved tactical surveillance projectile system which is
inexpensive, expendable and containable in an existing projectile
housing such as an M127A1 flare housing.
[0011] It is a further object of this invention to provide an
improved tactical surveillance projectile system which is rapidly
deployable and provides rapid feedback of surveillance
information.
[0012] It is a further object of this invention to provide an
improved tactical surveillance projectile system that leaves no
battlefield signature that would reveal the location of the launch
site.
[0013] It is a further object of this invention to provide an
improved tactical surveillance projectile system which is immune to
countermeasures and cannot be "jammed".
[0014] The invention results from the realization that a truly
personal, portable tactical surveillance system for over-the-hill
surveillance which can be rapidly deployed and launched by a single
individual and provide a very fast response is achieved with a
projectile that is launched with a powered phase flight followed by
a ballistic phase flight during which a sensor in the projectile
senses ambient characteristics, such as images, biological or
chemical agents, sound or radioactivity, and sends signals
representative of those characteristics as an optical data stream
over a fiber optic cable to a ground station.
[0015] This invention features a tactical surveillance sensor
projectile system including a propellant and primer chamber, a
firing device, a sensor device, a signal processor, and a fiber
optic cable; the firing device fires the primer and propellant to
establish a powered phase of flight followed by a ballistic phase
of flight to clear an obstacle; the sensor device generates
surveillance signals representative of ambient characteristics
beyond the obstacle at least during the ballistic phase of flight;
the signal processor is responsive to the sensor device for
converting the signals representative of ambient conditions to an
optical data stream; and the fiber optic cable delivers the optical
data stream to a ground station at least during the ballistic phase
of flight. The propellant and primer chamber, firing device, sensor
device, and fiber optic cable may be housed in a standard
projectile body such as a M127A1 flare.
[0016] In a preferred embodiment, a personal, portable launcher may
be integral with the ground station or separate from the ground
station. The launcher or ground station may include an integral
passive connector for engaging the fiber optic cable with the
launcher or ground station. The fiber optic cable may be fixedly
connected to the signal processor at the proximate end and
releasably interconnected with the launcher or ground station at
the remote end for separating the fiber optic cable from the
launcher or ground station. The fiber optic cable may disconnect
from the launcher or ground station at a predetermined distance or
when the entire length of fiber optic cable has been payed out. The
tactical surveillance sensor projectile system may further include
a spool for holding the fiber optic cable. A fiber optic cable
payout tube may extend from the spool through the propellant and
primer chamber to protect the fiber optic cable from combustion
material. The launcher may further include a processor for
determining azimuth and elevation data for angle of launch of the
projectile and a processor for determining target coordinates. The
sensor device may include a camera, such as a visible light camera
that may include a battery, an infrared camera, or the sensor
device may be a radiation detector, an audio detector, a
chemical/biological agent detector, or a temperature detector.
There may be markers on the fiber optic cable and a second sensor
device for generating a signal representative of the number of
markers ejected, wherein the signal processor is responsive to the
second sensor device for converting the marker signals to length of
fiber optic cable payed out. The markers may be optically sensed,
such as reflective markers, or the markers may be magnetic markers.
The optical data stream generated by signal processor and
representing ambient conditions may consist of a one-way flow of
data from the signal processor to the ground station or launcher,
and the one-way flow of data may be storable on a computer or on a
computer disc.
[0017] This invention further features a tactical surveillance
sensor projectile system including a chamber having propelling
means and priming means; means for firing the means for priming and
the means for propelling to establish a powered phase of flight
followed by a ballistic phase of flight to clear an obstacle; means
for generating surveillance signals representative of ambient
characteristics beyond the obstacle at least during the ballistic
phase of flight; means responsive to the means for generating
surveillance signals for converting the signals representative of
ambient conditions to an optical data stream; and means for
delivering the optical data stream to a ground station at least
during a ballistic phase of flight.
[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the tactical surveillance sensor
projectile system further includes a personal portable launcher
which may integral with the ground station or separate from the
ground station. The launcher or ground station may include means
for engaging the means for delivering the optical data stream with
the launcher. The means for delivering the optical data stream may
be fixedly connected to the means responsive to said sensor device
at the proximate end and releasably interconnected with the
launcher or the ground station at the remote end for separating the
means for delivering the optical data stream from the launcher.
[0019] In one example, the chamber, the means for firing the primer
and the propellant, the means for generating surveillance signals,
and the means for delivering the optical data stream are housed in
a standard existing projectile body. The projectile body may
include a M127A1 flare. There may be means for holding the means
for delivering the optical data stream, and there may be a means
for protecting the means for delivering the optical data stream
extending from the spool through the chamber to protect the means
for delivering the optical data stream. The means for generating
surveillance signals includes a camera, which may be a visible
light camera or an infrared camera, and which may include a
battery. The means for generating surveillance signals may include
a radiation detector, an audio detector, a chemical/biological
agent detector or a temperature detector. The means for delivering
the optical data stream may disconnect from the launcher or the
ground station at a predetermined distance. The means for
delivering the optical data stream may disconnect from the launcher
or ground station when the entirety of the means for delivering the
optical data stream has been payed out.
[0020] There may be markers on the means for delivering the optical
data stream and means for generating a signal representative of the
number of markers ejected, wherein the means responsive to said
means for generating surveillance signals responsive to the means
for generating a signal representative of the number of markers
ejected for converting said marker signals to amount of means for
delivering the optical data stream payed out. The markers may be
optically sensed markers, which may be reflective markers. The
markers may be magnetic markers. The launcher may include means for
determining azimuth and elevation data for angle of launch of the
projectile, and may further include means for determining target
coordinates. The optical data stream may consist of a one-way flow
of data from the means responsive to the means for generating
surveillance signals to the ground station, and the one-way flow of
data may be storable on a computer or storable on a means for
storing data at the ground station or launcher.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] Other objects, features and advantages will occur to those
skilled in the art from the following description of a preferred
embodiment and the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0022] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a tactical surveillance sensor
projectile system in accordance with the present invention with
integral launcher and ground station;
[0023] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a tactical surveillance sensor
projectile system in accordance with the present invention with
separate launcher and ground station;
[0024] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a tactical surveillance sensor
projectile system in accordance with the present invention in the
stowed position;
[0025] FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 of a tactical
surveillance sensor projectile system in the deployed position;
[0026] FIG. 5 is a schematic exploded view of a tactical
surveillance sensor projectile system of FIGS. 3 and 4;
[0027] FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a tactical
surveillance sensor projectile system in accordance with the
present invention;
[0028] FIG. 7 is an enlarged schematic detailed view of a
connection between the launcher and the projectile for a tactical
surveillance sensor projectile system in accordance with the
present invention;
[0029] FIG. 8 is an enlarged schematic detailed view of an integral
passive connector and fiber optic cable of a tactical surveillance
sensor projectile system in accordance with the present invention;
and
[0030] FIG. 9 is an enlarged schematic view of the fiber optic
cable payout tube when a tactical surveillance sensor projectile
system of the present invention is in the deployed position.
DISCLOSURE OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0031] Aside from the preferred embodiment or embodiments disclosed
below, this invention is capable of other embodiments and of being
practiced or being carried out in various ways. Thus, it is to be
understood that the invention is not limited in its application to
the details of construction and the arrangements of components set
forth in the following description or illustrated in the
drawings.
[0032] Tactical surveillance sensor projectile system 10, FIG. 1,
of this invention includes projectile 12, a personal portable
launcher 14 and ground station 16. Launcher 14 may be integral with
ground station 16, as shown in FIG. 1, or separate from it, as
shown in FIG. 2. In FIG. 3, projectile 12 is shown in the stowed
position, including cap 18 and fins 20. In FIG. 4, projectile 12 is
shown in the deployed position, with cap 18 removed exposing sensor
device 26, and with fins 20 deployed.
[0033] Projectile 12 in accordance with the present invention,
FIGS. 5 and 6, includes a chamber having means for propelling and
means for priming, such as propellant and primer chamber 22
containing propellant 22a and primer 22b, and means for firing
propellant 22a and primer 22b such as firing device 24 for firing
primer 22a and propellant 22b and establishing a powered phase of
flight of projectile 12 followed by a ballistic phase of flight to
clear an obstacle such as a building or hill. Projectile 12 further
includes means for generating surveillance signals representative
of the ambient characteristics beyond the obstacle or hill at least
during the ballistic phase of flight, such as sensor device 26.
Sensor device 26 may be a camera, such as a visible light camera or
an infrared camera, or sensor device 26 may be a radiation
detector, an audio sensor, a chemical/biological agent detector or
a temperature detector. A battery or battery pack 27 may be
included, in one example, to power a camera. Propellant and primer
chamber 22, firing device 24, sensor device 26, and fiber optic
cable 30 can be housed in a standard existing projectile body 29,
which may be a standard M127A1 flare.
[0034] Projectile 12 also includes means responsive to sensor
device 26 for converting the signals to optical data stream 35,
such as signal processor 28, FIGS. 5 and 6. Means for delivering
optical data stream 35 to ground station 16, 16a, or launcher 14,
14a, FIGS. 1 and 2, at least during the ballistic phase of flight,
may include fiber optic cable 30 (shown unwound in FIG. 5). Means
for holding fiberoptic cable 30, such as spool or bobbin 31, holds
fiber optic cable 30, which is wrapped around spool or bobbin 31.
Delivery of optical data stream 35 to ground station 16, 16a or
launcher 14, 14a may take as little as six (6) seconds and may
include, in one example, a picture of the military situation on the
other side of a hill. Optical data stream 35 may consist of a
one-way flow of data 37 from signal processor 28 through fiber
optic cable 30 to ground station 16, 16a or launcher 14, 14a and
the data may be storable on computer 15 or storing means such as
computer disc 17, at ground station 16, 16a, FIGS. 1 and 2, to be
analyzed at a later time.
[0035] In one embodiment, tactical surveillance projectile system
10 includes launcher 14b, FIG. 7, with firing device 24b including
striker 32 and firing pin 34 for firing primer 36 and propellant
38. To launch projectile 12, the soldier or operator uses the same
technique used to launch a standard flare such as the existing
M127A1 flare, or a rifle grenade launcher, whereby a sharp force is
applied to at least one of projectile 12 and launcher 14, causing
striker 32 and firing pin 24 to strike one another, thus firing
primer 36 and propellant 38. Launcher 14b further includes means
for engaging fiber optic cable 30 with launcher 14b or ground
station 16, 16a, such as integral passive connector 40, FIG. 5.
[0036] Fiber optic cable 30, FIG. 8 is fixedly connected to signal
processor 28 at the proximate end and releasably interconnected
with launcher 14b at the remote end for separating fiber optic
cable 30 from launcher 14b or the ground station. In one example,
integral passive connector 40 may be a readily available bayonet
fiber optic connector. Integral passive connector 40 may include
female connector 42 on launcher 14 or ground station 16, and male
connector 44 on fiber optic cable 30. Thus, during launch
preparation, male connector 44 attaches to female connector 42.
Thereafter, fiber optic cable 30 may disconnect from launcher 14 or
ground station 16 at integral passive connector 40 when male
connector 44 disengages from female connector 42 at a predetermined
distance, or when the entire length of fiber optic cable 30 has
been payed out through fiber optic payout tube 33, FIGS. 5 and 6,
or if fiber optic cable 30 breaks due to some battlefield
condition. Consequently, no battlefield signature is left that
would reveal the location of the launch site or ground station.
[0037] When projectile 12 is deployed, protecting means for
protecting fiber optic cable 30 from the heat, exhaust and
combustion products of projectile 12, such as fiber optic payout
tube 33, extends from propellant and primer chamber 22 and beyond
nozzle plate 52, FIG. 9. It has been determined that a 240 micron
optical fiber accommodating a one-half mile range can be wound in
an annulus within the M127A1 flare envelope. Other diameters and
lengths of fiber optic cable may be employed with the present
invention.
[0038] Fiber optic cable 30 may include markers 46, FIG. 8 which
may be optically sensed, such as reflective markers, or markers 46
may be magnetic. System 10 may further include a means for
generating signals representative of the number of markers 46
ejected, such as second sensor device 48, wherein signal processor
28 is responsive to second sensor device 48 for converting the
marker signals to amount or length of fiber optic cable 30 payed
out. Thus, the range of an obstacle, target or enemy may be
determined.
[0039] Preferably, launcher 14 includes means for determining
azimuth and elevation data for an angle of launch of projectile 12,
such as processor 28', FIG. 8 and may include means for determining
target coordinates, such as a processor 28". Launcher azimuth and
elevation data sensors, which may include a compass and
inclinometer, are generally available, and target coordinate
determining software is relatively easily written or available and
used, for instance, by the commercial firearms industry.
[0040] The subject invention thus results in a tactical
surveillance sensor projectile system that is personal and
portable, and capable of rapid deployment over hills or obstacles
to provide information rapidly and that may be contained in an
existing projectile housing, making it safer and less expensive
than previous approaches.
[0041] Although specific features of the invention are shown in
some drawings and not in others, this is for convenience only as
each feature may be combined with any or all of the other features
in accordance with the invention. The words "including",
"comprising", "having", and "with" as used herein are to be
interpreted broadly and comprehensively and are not limited to any
physical interconnection. Moreover, any embodiments disclosed in
the subject application are not to be taken as the only possible
embodiments.
[0042] Other embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art and
are within the following claims:
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