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US 5,493,301 AGranted
Spin determination of KE projectiles
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
InventorsRobert Bossoli, Eugene Ferguson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A technique for determining the spin history of kinetic energy penetrator projectiles. The method employs a special dihedral plug fitting in the rear (tracer well) of the penetrator projectile that produces a modulation of the tracking radar's signal. This signal is recorded and analyzed to yield the rotation rate of the projectile as it travels down range.
Claims5
A projectile spin rate measurement system comprising:
- a dihedral radar reflector means mounted on a projectile, antenna means connected to a radar system for illuminating said dihedral radar reflector means,
- measurement means connected to said radar system for detecting and measuring an amplitude variation in a radar signal reflected from said dihedral radar reflector means mounted on said projectile when said projectile is spinning in flight,
- wherein a diameter of said dihedral radar reflector means is approximately equal to the wavelength of said radar system, and further wherein said radar system is a linearly polarized radar system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.