US 4,448,106 AGranted

Method of identifying hard targets

AssigneeMcDonnell Douglas Corporation

InventorRichard D. Knapp

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Abstract

A system for identifying a hard target from a distance. A delivery vehicle, such as a missile or bomb, is adapted to be dropped from the air. The delivery vehicle contains a plurality of hard target identifier or kinetic penetrator elements. Each of the elements has a nose portion of aerodynamic shape and a plurality of fins connected thereto. When ejected from the delivery vehicle, the elements will reach a substantial velocity, and hence, kinetic energy to penetrate partially into a hard target. A soft surrounding area, such as earth or water will absorb the elements. The elements may be passive for reflecting waves, such as acoustic waves or electromagnetic energy. Alternatively, they may be active elements capable of ejecting a dye, such as a fluorescent dye, or for transmitting acoustical or electromagnetic energy upon being activated.

Claims14

Dependent claims

The method of using a plurality of kinetic penetrator elements to identify a hard target and distinguish said target from other, more penetrable areas adjacent said target to enable subsequent bombardment of a thus-identified target by direct aiming of projectiles at said target comprising the steps of:

dropping a plurality of said elements in a region in which potential targets may be located, which elements have means for reflecting electromagnetic radiation received from a remote source to indicate their presence to a remote detector when in contact with a target and the capability of penetrating to the point of disappearance those areas adjacent a hard target which are not part of the target to be identified transmitting electromagnetic radiation from said remote source in the direction of said region;
and
detecting said reflected electromagnetic radiation from said elements in contact with a target in order to identify the location of said target.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.