Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02693006 2009-12-23
Rheinmetall Waffe Munitioli, II euenburg
W.BU.0322.WO/DIE June 13, 2008
DESCRIPTION
Method and launching apparatus for protection of an
object against a threat, in particular a missile, as
well as munition
So-called jamming (interference sources) is used, for
example, to divert anti-tank guided missiles by means
of deployed jammers. Signatures are produced which
correspond to the motor of the enemy rockets. The motor
is continuously measured in order to control the
rockets from the launching apparatus, and the deviation
from the expected flight path is carried out by
correction of the rockets. This guidance mechanism is
influenced by the additional signatures. The rockets
are deflected from the flight path.
Jamming can be carried out optically or
pyrotechnically. One optical variant is the generation
of light flashes by means of a stroboscopic lamp which
is fitted in a stationary position on the vehicle. One
pyrotechnic variant is pyrotechnic burning in the
relevant spectral band by means of a pyrotechnic flare,
similar to a Bengal flare.
When pyrotechnic solutions are present in the munitiorl,
the jamming is produced by the same munition that is
also used to produce the visual blockade (smoke). Light
flashes are generated by means of an appropriate break-
up charge, integrated in the smoke muriition (DE 38 35
887 C2; DE 28 42 797 C2; DE 10 2005 020 159 A1).
DE 10 2005 054 275 Al describes a self-defence
installation for combat vehicles or other objects to be
protected. The launch system of the self-defence
insta1lation is in this case fitted primarily with a
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pyrotechnic munition, in which irritation bodies are
included which, immediately after release, produce a
powerful light flash and/or smoke. A smoke munition is
added to the irritation bodies, for this purpose.
~
J
EP 0 512 202 A2 discloses a method for protection of
objects which emit IR radiation, in which, after the
missile has been located, a large-area pyrotechnic
jamming radiation cloud is produced between the missile
and the objet, which cloud first of all briefly emits
powerful infrared radiation, which itself interferes
with the lock-on and tracking electronics of the homing
head. This jamming radiation cloud then emits weak
infrared radiation for a comparatively long time. Only
after this are a plurality of spoof target clouds
created, which deflect the missile step-by-step away
from the object to be protected.
The disadvantages of the optical solutions are the high
level of technical complexity, the heavy weight and the
long firing chain before they become effective.
In the case of pyrotechnic solutions, it has been found
that, because of the relatively large munition caliber,
it is possible to store and to carry in the vehicle
only ammunition for a few missions. Furthermore, the
munition is heavy. Furthermore, the ammunition
consumption is high because of the normal false-alarm
rate.
Conventionally, the munition is fired in the threat
direction. This generally depends on alignment of the
munition launching installation (DE 10 2005 020 177
A1), which can result in a time delay. A plurality of
installatiorls are often necessary in order to allow all
threat directions to be covered at the same time
(DE 10 2005 054 275 Al).
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Known munition launch installations frequently require
a large amount of space and are often difficult to
integrate, in particular in vehicles.
A further disadvantage is the muni_tiori itself. 'The
functions of jamming and camouflage, for example by
means of smoke, are in gerieral always deployed together
by this munition. However, smoke iri particular is riot
always desirable since it carl impede one's own view.
The invention is based on the object of improved
jamming associated with an improved integration
capability, by saving weight in the launch
installation.
The object is achieved by the features of
patent claim 1, patent claim 4 and patent claim 6.
Advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent
claims.
The invention is based on the idea of absolute
separation of the functions of camouflage and jamming.
This makes it possible to use a small-caliber munition
which deploys exclusively jammers. These jammers or
munitions are preferably fired vertically in height
and/or laterally by the vehicle (object) to be
protected. For this purpose, the launch barrels are
fitted and aligned vertically on the vehicle or the
object to be protected. Arl adequate light flash is
produced in the relevant spectrum by initiation of a
pyrotechnic charge, which irlitiat.ion is clocked in time
and is arranged offset in height, and the light flash
irlterferes with the aiming mechanism of the approaching
warhead. Alternatively, different heights of the break-
up flashes above and/or to the side of the object can
be generated by a plurality of munitions.
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This measure for deployment of the jammers is deployed
separately from other effects, such as smoke. The smoke
munition, which can be fired separately, then does riot
itself need to carry out jamming. This allows a
plurality of smoke bodies to be included in the actual
smoke munition.
Launching is carried out electrically or mechanically,
initiated by a small, compact launching apparatus, for
example from magazines. The sub-clocking for initiation
of the individual light flashes is controlled by
electronics. These electronics are preferably a
component of the launching apparatus.
The advantages which result from this are a small
launch design, with no aiming elements being required,
and lower weight associated with this. Because of the
lack of aiming elements, simple integration and a
simple technical implementation are possible.
The invention will be explained in more detail using
one exemplary embodiment and with reference to the
drawing, iri which:
Figure 1 shows a launcher with a munition,
Figure 2 shows the munition from Figure 1, and
Figure 3 shows an integration optiori on/to a vehicle.
Figure 1 shows a compact launching apparatus or a
launcher 1_ in a transparent form, preferably with a
plurality of launch barrels 2 which are aligned upward
parallel and form a magazine 3. One munition 4 is
located in each of these launch barrels 2.
Figure 2 shows the design of the munitions 4. The
munition 4 comprises a casing 5 from which one or more
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sub-munitioris 6(jammers) are fired. Alternatively, the
sub-munitions 6 (jammers) can be fired directly from
the magazine 3, without a casing. The munition 4 or
sub-munitions 6 has/have a comparatively small caliber
for vehicle protectiorl muriitions, for example 40 mm
(medium caliber).
The munitions 4 or the sub-munitions 6 have interfaces
to the launching apparatus 1, via which they are
10 initiated electrically or mechanically. The sub-
clocking for initiatiori of the individual light flashes
8 is controlled by electronics 7. These electronics are
preferably a component of the launching apparatus 1. In
order to initiate the light flash or break-up flash 8,
a plurality of sub-munitions 6 and/or a plurality of
munitions 4 can be initiated, clocked in time,
successively.
The break-up flashes 8 of the jammers 6 are generated
spatially above the vehicle 9 (Figure 3) . The break-up
height is preferably in the range from about 3 to 15 m
above the vehicle 9. In this case, the height rises
within the individual light flashes 8. Firing is
preferably carried out from the vehicle 9 vertically
upward. A lateral break-up can thus be set, with the
break-up taking place with decreasing height.
Figure 3 shows an example of an arrangement of a
launching apparatus 1 on a vehicle 9. The break-up
flashes 8 are generated at heights of, for example,
4 m, 8 m, or 12 rn above the vehicle 9.
