Expandable telescoped missile airframe
AssigneeGeneral Dynamics Corp., Pomona Div.
InventorsLarry D. Wedertz, Jose R. Vazquez, Scott R. Schoneman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An expandable telescoped airframe for a missile provides a shorter configuration for convenience in handling and a longer configuration to provide added predetermined clearance in front of a shaped charge warhead after launch. The airframe is mechanically locked into its extended configuration upon deployment of its expansion feature by means of a wedge brake collar. Possible deployment means include gas pressure, one or more springs, and a drogue parachute. Tail and other control surfaces spring open after clearing the airframe tube to provide aerodynamic stability.
Claims18
An expandable airframe for a missile carrying a shaped charge comprising:
- an aerodynamic front portion;
- a rear portion;
- and
- an extendible telescoping portion connected between said front and rear portions, contained within said front portion in a first, stowed configuration and extending rearwardly from said front portion in a second, deployed configuration;
- wherein an increased distance between a frontmost tip of said front portion and said shaped charge following transition from said first to said second configuration results in more effective penetration by said shaped charge into a target subsequent to detonation of said shaped charge.
An expandable airframe for a missile carrying a shaped charge comprising:
- a telescoping aerodynamic front portion;
- a telescoping rear portion;
- and
- a middle portion connected to said front and rear portions, within which said front portion is partly stowed and within which said rear portion is partly stowed in a first configuration and from which said front portion extends forwardly and said rear portion extends rearwardly in a second, deployed configuration;
- wherein an increased distance between a frontmost tip of said front portion and said shaped charge following transition from said first to said second configuration results in more effective penetration by said shaped charge into a target subsequent to detonation of said shaped charge.
An expandable airframe for a missile carrying a shaped charge comprising:
- an aerodynamic front portion;
- a rear portion;
- a middle portion at least partly telescoped into said front and rear portions in a first overall configuration;
- and
- extension means in the middle portion for extending the aerodynamic front portion relative to the rear portion and locking said front and rear portions in a second overall configuration.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.