US 12,638,280 B1 · Weaponized unmanned vehicles, weapons release systems, and low-cost munitions for remotely engaging one or more targets

Abstract

Unmanned systems, and primarily vehicles, and in most embodiments unmanned aerial systems (UAS), as well as novel guided and unguided munitions are presented herein. to the two combine to present unmanned weaponized systems that not only carry weapons functionality, but allow for advanced observation and reconnaissance. These unmanned systems are largely directed toward military applications where the weaponized unmanned system may be forward deployed to allow human warfighters to remain at long range distances from the potential targets, and to provide surveillance, target identification and tracking, general reconnaissance information, and the like, while also providing weaponized attack capabilities. The unmanned systems may, in some embodiments, include advanced command and control capabilities for communication between the system and the remote, rear-positioned warfighter, and between separate elements of the unmanned system. Many embodiments also include weapons systems, munitions, or rounds with guidance and real-time maneuverability capabilities as well.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An unguided round or munition releasable or deployable from an uncrewed aerial system (UAS), the round or munition comprising:

a modular airframe comprising at least a forebody and an aftbody adapted to be attachable to and detachable from each other, the forebody comprising a warhead or payload volume;
a sensor suite adapted to measure vehicle state data of the round or munition in flight;
at least one electronic component adapted to provide two-way communication between the round or munition and UAS to which the round or munition is mounted, and also adapted to receive one or more signals from the sensor suite;
at least two aftbody tailfins adapted to control spin of the airframe in flight, the tailfins being slanted with respect to the aftbody of the round or munition;
a modular warhead or payload adapted to be inserted into the forebody, or being the forebody;
and
a fuze adapted to arm and enable the warhead or payload to detonate,
wherein the electronic component communicates with the host UAS to determine arming and release of the round or munition, and further activates the fuze based on flight data from the sensor suite, and wherein at least three conditions precedent must be met and as measured by the sensor suite and/or communicated to the electronic component before the fuze can be armed.

5 more elements

An unguided round or munition releasable or deployable from an uncrewed aerial system (UAS), the round or munition comprising:

a modular plastic airframe comprising at least a forebody and an aftbody adapted to be attachable to and detachable from each other, the forebody comprising a warhead or payload volume;
a sensor suite adapted to measure vehicle state data of the round or munition in flight;
at least one electronic component adapted to provide two-way communication between the round or munition and UAS to which the round or munition is mounted, and also adapted to receive one or more signals from the sensor suite
at least two aftbody tailfins adapted to control spin of the airframe in flight, the tailfins being slanted with respect to the aftbody of the round or munition;
a modular warhead or payload adapted to be inserted into the forebody, or being the forebody;
and a fuze adapted to arm and enable the warhead or payload to detonate,
wherein the electronic component communicates with the host UAS to determine arming and release of the round or munition, and further activates the fuze based on flight data from the sensor suite, and wherein at least three conditions precedent must be met and as measured by the sensor suite and/or communicated to the electronic component before the fuze can be armed.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Weaponized unmanned vehicles, weapons release systems, and low-cost munitions for remotely engaging one or more targets

Life of this patent

Weaponized unmanned vehicles, weapons release systems, and low-cost munitions for remotely engaging one or more targets

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20