Actuation method, components, and systems for initiation or fuzing a device

A proximity fuze for a munition for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) comprising:

• a printed circuit board including a plurality of switches and a microcontroller, wherein at least one of the plurality of switches is an electronic switch controlled by the microcontroller;
• at least one power supply connected to and powering the printed circuit board;
• external sensor inputs connected to the microcontroller of the printed circuit board, the external sensor inputs including proximity sensors;
• an output terminal of the printed circuit board configured to connect the munition to the printed circuit board;
• wherein, the printed circuit board is configured to control a connection of the power supply to the munition connected to the output terminal for initiating or fuzing the munition based on signals from the external sensor inputs;
• and
• wherein, when the plurality of switches are closed including the electronic switch being closed by the microcontroller based on the signals from the external sensor inputs, the printed circuit board connecting the at least one power supply with the munition for initiating or fuzing the munition.

A method of initiating or fuzing a device comprising:

• providing a proximity fuze comprising:
• a circuit including a plurality of switches and a microcontroller, wherein the plurality of switches including:
• a first mechanical switch;
• a second mechanical switch;
• and
• a third electronic switch controlled by the microcontroller;
• an output terminal of the circuit configured to connect the device to the circuit;
• determining if the first mechanical switch is closed;
• if the first mechanical switch is closed, determining if the second mechanical switch is closed;
• if the first mechanical switch and the second mechanical switch are both closed, determining if the third electronic switch should close by, after a 2 second delay;
• continuously measuring a distance to a target;
• and
• if the measured distance to the target is less than or equal to a target distance, closing the third electronic switch whereby the device is initiated or fuzed.