Remote fire system
AssigneeUnited Defense, L.P.
InventorsDennis W. Borgwarth, Brad J. Breeggemann
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for remote surface fire support. The remote surface fire support system of the present invention is designed to operate close to shore. The system is adapted to be deployed by a variety of means and remains concealed beneath the water's surface until it is to be launched. The system includes a plurality of munitions containers which can be deployed by submarines, surface ships or aircraft. The munitions containers each carry a guided munition which can be controlled by a networked fire control system such as NFCS.
Claims18
A remote fire support system comprising:
- a guided munition having a positive buoyancy in water;
- a ballast releasably attached to the munition, said ballast together with said munition having a negative buoyancy in water;
- a control package;
- and
- a networked firing system operably in communication with said control package, the control package being capable of releasing said ballast upon a signal from said networked firing system and further being capable of launching said guided munition.
A method of providing remote surface fire support comprising the steps of:
- dispersing a plurality of guided munitions in a body of water, the body of water having a surface, each said guided munition having a ballast releasably attached thereto, said guided munition being positively buoyant in water, the ballast together with the guided munition being negatively buoyant in water;
- releasing the ballast;
- waiting for the guided munition to rise to the surface;
- and
- launching the guided munition, whereby the guided munition may be concealed from discovery until launch is desired.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.