# US 10,371,493 B2 · Target assignment projectile > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,371,493 B2 - Document ID: US10371493B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/113,218 - Filed: 2018-08-27 - Published: 2019-03-28 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2003-09-27 - Assignees: Marsupial Holdings, Inc. - Applicants: Marsupial Holdings, Inc. - Inventors: William P. Parker; Thomas F. A. Bibby - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10371493B2 ## CPC - F42B 12/382: {emitting an electromagnetic radiation, e.g. laser beam or infrared emission} - F42B 12/365: {Projectiles transmitting information to a remote location using optical or electronic means (F42B12/385 takes precedence)} - F42B: EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION (explosive compositions C06B; fuzes F42C; blasting F42D) ## Abstract A system for communicating with a projectile in flight toward an intended target includes a barrel-launched projectile and a remote receiver. The barrel-launched projectile includes an ordnance portion, an active communications apparatus and an onboard speed control. The active communications apparatus includes an onboard receiver, an electromagnetic wave reception device, and an active transmitter. The electromagnetic wave reception device includes at least one from the group consisting of an antenna and a photo receptor and is configured to receive an electromagnetic signal. The electromagnetic wave reception device is connected to provide a signal derived from the electromagnetic signal to the onboard receiver to deploy the onboard speed control. The active transmitter is connected and configured for transmitting a signal to the remote receiver during flight and before activation of the speed control. The transmitted signal is directed within a cone angle extending in a direction opposite of the barrel-launched projectile's flight direction. The onboard speed control includes a shaped explosive charge. Deploying the onboard speed control initiates explosion of the shaped explosive charge. The explosion of the shaped explosive charge adjusts velocity of the barrel-launched projectile. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A projectile capable of impacting a target comprising: an ordnance portion; an onboard speed control coupled to the ordnance portion and having a shaped explosive charge, wherein the shaped explosive charge adjusts the velocity of the ordnance portion after firing of the projectile; and an active transmitter coupled to the ordnance portion, wherein the active transmitter transmits a signal within a cone angle extending in a direction opposite of the projectile's flight direction after the projectile has impacted the target. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A projectile according to claim 1, further including an active communication apparatus in electronic communication with the onboard speed control, the active communication apparatus having a reception device. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A projectile according to claim 2, wherein the reception device is an electromagnetic wave reception device. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) A projectile according to claim 3, wherein the electromagnetic wave reception device is configured to receive an electromagnetic signal. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) A projectile according to claim 2, wherein the reception device is configured to receive a signal so as to deploy the onboard speed control. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) A projectile according to claim 2, wherein the reception device is one of an antenna and a photo receptor. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) A projectile according to claim 2, further comprising a power supply for providing energy to at least the active communication apparatus. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) A projectile according to claim 7, wherein the power supply includes a use detection apparatus for activating the power supply after the occurrence of a use event. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A projectile according to claim 8, wherein the use event is one of a launch event and an impact event. ### Claim 10 (depends on 2) A projectile according to claim 2, wherein the reception device is configured to receive a signal representative of a distance of the projectile to the target and to communicate the distance to the onboard speed control, and wherein the onboard speed control is configured to detonate the shaped explosive charge when the distance is at or less than a predetermined value. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A projectile according to claim 1, further comprising a sensor capable of detecting one or more of a vibration, a motion, a chemical, a biological agent, a nuclear decay particle, a sound, and an electromagnetic signal. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A projectile according to claim 1, further including a probe coupled to the ordnance portion, wherein the shaped explosive charge is detonated on contact of the probe with the target. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) A projectile according to claim 1, wherein the ordnance portion is constructed of an energy absorbing material. ### Claim 14 A projectile capable of impacting a target comprising: an ordnance portion; an onboard speed control coupled to the ordnance portion and having a shaped explosive charge, wherein the shaped explosive charge adjusts the velocity of the ordnance portion after firing of the projectile; an active communication apparatus in electronic communication with the onboard speed control, the active communication apparatus having a reception device and an active transmitter, wherein the active communication apparatus is coupled to the rear of the ordnance portion, and wherein the active transmitter transmits a signal within a cone angle extending in a direction opposite of the projectile's flight direction after the projectile has impacted the target. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) A projectile according to claim 14, wherein the ordnance portion is constructed of an energy absorbing material and wherein the energy absorbing material encases a penetration device. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) A projectile according to claim 14, further including a plurality of light sources in electronic communication with the active communication apparatus, and wherein the active communication apparatus sequentially excites ones of the plurality of light sources. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) A projectile according to claim 16, wherein the communication apparatus further includes a lens assembly configured to project the light transmitted from one of the plurality of light sources at a first angle and to project the infrared energy transmitted from another of the plurality of light sources at a second angle. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) A projectile according to claim 14, wherein the ordnance portion and the communication apparatus are arranged such the ordnance portion extends in the direction of flight ahead of the communication portion, and wherein the ordnance portion is sized and configured so that upon impact the communication apparatus is undamaged and attached to the target. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) A projectile according to claim 14, further comprising a deployable fin configured for slowing the projectile. ### Claim 20 (depends on 14) A projectile according to claim 14, wherein the reception device is configured to receive a signal representative of a distance of the projectile to the target and to communicate the distance to the onboard speed control, and wherein the onboard speed control is configured to detonate the shaped explosive charge when the distance is at or less than a predetermined value.