Systems to measure yaw, spin and muzzle velocity of projectiles, improve fire control fidelity, and reduce shot-to-shot dispersion in both conventional and air-bursting programmable projectiles

摘要

Systems to measure muzzle exit conditions of for ammunition improve fire control solutions and reduce shot-to-shot dispersion in both conventional and air-burst programmable ammunition. A first system measures muzzle velocity and, when firing “post-shot” programmable ammunition, the system calculates a unique time-of-flight optimized for the actual muzzle velocity and transmits the time to detonate signal by using either optically or radio-frequency signals that represent an optimized time of burst to a projectile. A second system measures muzzle velocity coupled to a ballistic calculator and, when used with ammunition having ferrous characteristics, the force is applied to exiting ammunition to slow or increase the muzzle velocity to a consistent, standardized target velocity. The systems are separately or in combination incorporated into kits that readily improve the performance of weapon systems.

主权项

1. Projectile flight parameter measurement apparatus for a weapon having a gun barrel defining a central longitudinal axis extending between a breech end and an opposite, muzzle end, said weapon being operative to launch a projectile through said gun barrel, said flight parameter measurement apparatus comprising:
(a) a tubular housing configured to be attached to the weapon to receive a launched projectile as it leaves the muzzle end of the gun barrel, said tubular housing having a longitudinal axis aligned with the central longitudinal axis of the gun barrel; (b) at least one beam emitter disposed in the housing for illuminating the projectile as it passes through the housing; (c) at least one electronic imager disposed in the housing for viewing the projectiles that are illuminated by the emitter and for producing electronic signals representing images of the projectile; (d) an electronic computational logic device, coupled to said at least one electronic imager, for processing said signals to determine at least one flight parameter of the projectile that has passed through the housing, said projectile flight parameters being selected from the group consisting of: (1) projectile yaw; (2) projectile spin; (3) projectile muzzle velocity.