| 摘要 |
The present invention is directed to missile training systems, especially to those relating to the provision of a mechanism that allows missiles and similar devices to be fired at a target in a realistic, but safe, manner. The use of live fire exercises, in which army or other armed forces personnel use fully functioning weapons systems is well established. Live fire exercises can be used to provide realistic training scenarios, but also present obvious dangers. Live fire exercises present opportunities for checking that weapons systems function correctly and allow users, such as soldiers, to practice using real weapons in situations that are more realistic than firing ranges. It is known to use live missiles and torpedoes in naval training exercises and trials. For example, missiles can be fired at a ship to check the effectiveness of mechanisms for tracking and destroying such missiles. Clearly, there are substantial safety and costs issues to address before such a live firing regime is likely to be approved. A first approach for firing live missiles at a ship involves the use of a dummy ship, but crucially requires no personnel to be on board, thereby eliminating the risk to human life. This approach has clear disadvantages. A second approach involves firing a missile or other projectile at a target, such as a ship, so that the missile or projectile passes over the ship and lands on the other side. This approach enables personnel to be on board the ship and enables the on-board systems to be used in a realistic manner to attempt to destroy the incoming missile. However,there is a lack of realism. A third approach is to direct a missile towards a ship but to program its route so that it moves away from the ship immediately prior to any impact. This system also lacks realism. Other approaches exist. The present invention provides a module for attachment to an object (such as a missile), the object being adapted to be directed towards a target (such as a ship), the module comprising a control system providing an output signal indicative of whether or not said object is to be destroyed. |
