ROCKET OR ARTILLERY LAUNCHED SMART RECONNAISSANCE POD

摘要

A modular reconnaissance capsule or reconnaissance pod is provided that is suitable for deployment by means of an artillery launching platform, such as a conventional 40 mm grenade launcher or 155 mm cannon wherein a parachute is deployed at a pre-calculated observation altitude, the parachute being designed to yield a sufficiently slow rate of descent to permit live video capture and transmission of images as forward observation information. Alternatively, pods according to the invention may also be air dropped from an aircraft, either piloted or pilotless, thus allowing the aircraft to operate at a safe distance and yet provide close reconnaissance even under a cloud cover. Accurate information about targeting dynamics is made available to the user through commercially available products. The invention complements other reconnaissance methods and provides easy-to-use real-time visual information for a desired area of interest.

主权项

1. A reconnaissance system comprising:
a modular reconnaissance capsule having a form factor and weight distribution configured for deployment by means of a launching platform comprising a projectile, the capsule containing; an observation subsystem for observing a target area; a locator subsystem to establish location and orientation of the capsule; a communication subsystem for communicating images and location information to a receiving location when the capsule is remotely distant from the receiving location; a parachute subsystem for moderating descent of the capsule; and a control subsystem coupled to the observation subsystem, the locator subsystem, the parachute subsystem, and the communication subsystem for controlling deployment of the device and observation along a predetermined trajectory for a period over a target area.