Target activated projectile
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
InventorLewis C. Cole
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A target activated spin stabilized projectile fired in a sustantially flat rajectory utilizes a pair of diametrically disposed antennae electrically coupled to a 35 gigahertz radiometer to scan a target area. Upon detection of a target within the proximity of the projectile's flight path logic circuitry of the radiometer generates a signal activating one branch of a dual out-of-line ignition system. The selected ignition branch fires a high speed self-forging slug from a target aligned side of a Miznay-Shardin type warhead vertically downward into the "soft" top side of the detected target.
Claims7
A target activated spin stabilized projectile fired in a substantially flat trajectory against metal armored ground targets comprises:
- a tubularly shaped housing having an ogive shaped forward end and a cylindrically shaped rear end;
- double ended warhead means, transversely operatively disposed intermediate said forward end and said rear end of said housing, for firing a self-forging armor piercing fragment from one end of said double ended warhead means at said armored target in a direction normal to said flat trajectory of said projectile when said projectile passes directly over said target;
- set back actuated radiometer means for detecting the presence of said target along a ground search pattern beneath said flat trajectory of said projectile, and for initiating a firing signal to fire said double ended warhead means in response to radiation detection of said armored target when said armored target is aligned with one end of said double ended warhead means;
- and
- set back activated detonator means for safing and arming said projectile during launch and for initiating said warhead means upon receipt of said firing signal from said radiometer means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.