US 11,525,649 B1 · Weapon platform operable in remote control and crew-served operating modes

Abstract

Several examples of a dual remote control and crew-served weapon station are described herein that uniquely provide different operating modes, any one of which can be quickly and efficiently selected based on outputs from various system sensors (e.g., switches and buttons). For example, a first operating mode is a mode in which the weapon is remotely steered and fired (e.g., remote controlled). A second operating mode is a mode in which a weapon cradle is stabilized by a gimbal and the weapon is aimed and fired by a local operator (e.g., crew-served stabilized). A third operating mode is a mode in which the cradle is manually steered and the weapon is fired by the local operator (e.g., full manual).

Claims21

Dependent claims

A weapon platform comprising:

a cradle having a shape and size to receive and secure a weapon;
a local operator sensor to sense when an operator is locally controlling the weapon mounted in the cradle, the local operator sensor not being part of a trigger mechanism to fire the weapon mounted in the cradle;
and
a controller to cause a weapon mounted in the cradle to:
operate in a first operating mode in which the weapon is remotely steered and fired, and
in response to receiving a signal from the local operator sensor indicating that a local operator is locally controlling the weapon mounted in the cradle, switch from operating in the first operating mode to operate in at least one other operating mode in which the weapon is aimed and fired by the local operator.

3 more elements

A method comprising:

sensing, with a local operator sensor of a weapon platform, when an operator is locally controlling a weapon mounted in a cradle of the weapon platform, the local operator sensor not being part of a trigger mechanism to fire the weapon mounted in the cradle;
causing the weapon mounted in the cradle to operate in a first operating mode in which the weapon is remotely steered and fired;
and
causing the weapon mounted in the cradle to, in response to receiving a signal from the local operator sensor indicating that a local operator is locally controlling the weapon mounted in the cradle, switch from operating in the first operating mode to operate in at least one other operating mode in which the weapon is aimed and fired by the local operator.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

17/116,812Filed 9 Dec 2020 · continuation in part

Priority

15 Jul 2020

Granted

13 Dec 2022

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification11 codes

F41A 23/24
Gun mountings, e.g. on vehicles; Disposition of guns on vehicles: turret gun mountings
F41G 3/06
Aiming or laying means: with rangefinder
F41A 19/59
Electric firing mechanisms: electromechanical firing mechanisms, i.e. the mechanical striker element being propelled or released by electric means
F41A 27/28
Gun mountings permitting traversing or elevating movement, e.g. gun carriages: electrically-operated systems

Weapon platform operable in remote control and crew-served operating modes

Life of this patent

Weapon platform operable in remote control and crew-served operating modes

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21