초록

A method and system for delivering ordnance to a target via a remotely piloted or programmable aircraft including a yaw-to-turn guidance system, a deployment and launching system and packaging for the aircraft are disclosed.

대표청구항 ▼

A system for guiding an expendable pilotless aircraft to an electromagnetic wave energy emitting target comprising: (1) an aircraft having: (a) control surfaces asymmetrical in the pitch and yaw planes, (b) an electromagnetic energy sensor mounted in a forward position thereof for generating error s

A system for guiding an expendable pilotless aircraft to an electromagnetic wave energy emitting target comprising: (1) an aircraft having: (a) control surfaces asymmetrical in the pitch and yaw planes, (b) an electromagnetic energy sensor mounted in a forward position thereof for generating error signals representing the difference between the longitudinal axis of the aircraft and the line-of-sight to the detected electromagnetic wave energy in the pitch and yaw planes with a maximum error between about seven degrees and about ten degrees, (c) a signal processing circuit; (d) a programmable flight profile controller carried by said aircraft, and (e) a guidance system carried by said aircraft for controlling said control surfaces, said guidance system being responsive to a said flight profile controller in the initial portion of the flight of the aircraft and being responsive to said signal processing circuit in the terminal portion of the flight of the aircraft, said guidance system being operative in said terminal portion of the flight of said aircraft in a yaw-to-turn mode with a substantially zero yaw roll rate, (f) a frame, (g) a pair of wings and a pair of horizontal stabilizers foldably carried by said frame, (h) a side force generator foldably carried by each of said wings, (i) a rearwardly facing or push propeller, (j) an engine for driving said propeller, (k) a fuel cell receiving recess, (l) an ordnance receiving recess, and (m) electrical circuit means including a quick release plug for applying power to said engine from an external source of electrical power and for applying programming data from an external source of programming data to said flight profile controller; (2) a fuel cell adapted for insertion into said fuel cell receiving recess for operative connection to said engine; (3) an ordnance adapted for insertion into said ordnance receiving recess; (4) a generally rectangular crate for said aircraft, said crate having: (a) a top panel, (b) upright side and end panels, (c) a base member having a propulsion unit receiving recess extending inwardly from one of said end panels toward the other of said end panels, said upright side and end panels and said top panel being removable from said crate to leave said aircraft releasably supported on said base member, (d) lifting means adjacent said top panel, (e) launching rail engaging guide means depending from said base member adapted for sliding engagement with a launching rail, (f) a solid fuel rocket adapted for insertion into the propulsion unit receiving recess in said base, and (g) means carried by said base for removably connecting said base to said aircraft to impart forward thrust from said rocket through said base to said aircraft and for separating said base from said aircraft upon the extinguishing of said rocket; and (5) a vehicle having: (a) means for carrying a plurality of aircraft filled crates, (b) a launching rail, (c) means for selectively loading one of said plurality of crates on said launching rail with the guide of the base member of said crate means in engagement therewith so that said upright side and end panels and said top panel can be removed from said base member leaving said aircraft on said base member in position, when said wings, horizontal stabilizers and side force generator are unfolded, to be launched with said base member by the firing of said rocket, (d) a source of electrical power with a connect-disconnect plug adapted for connection to the engine of said aircraft; and (e) a source of program data with a quick connect-disconnect plug adapted for connection to the flight profile controller of said aircraft.