Aerial deployment of an explosive array
AssigneeTracor Aerospace, Inc.
InventorsDavid J. Schorr, Les H. Richards, James K. Vinson, Lex N. Allen
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Abstract
The present invention pertains to the aerial deployment of generally planar structures. Typically, these structures are explosive arrays. Such explosive arrays are typically used in standoff minefield clearing and breaching on the ground, at river crossings, on beaches, and in shallow water surf zones adjoining beaches. The invention more specifically involves devices and methods for stably deploying such structures. This stable deployment is achieved by positioning the structure in a dihedral configuration as it moves through the air.
Claims44
An aerially deployable mine neutralizing system, comprising:
- a plurality of jet-type munitions, each having a top and bottom end, disposed in a preselected pattern and having preselected spacing and orientation for deployment over a mine field;
- a support structure for supporting the munitions during deployment such that the preselected spacing and orientation of the munitions is attained after deployment;
- and
- a dihedral forming member operably connected to the support structure and adapted to position the structure in a substantially dihedral configuration during deployment.
An aerially deployable minefield clearing system comprising an explosive array, and at least one dihedral forming member connected to the array, the dihedral forming member adapted to position the array in a substantially dihedral configuration during deployment.
An aerially deployable mine neutralizing system comprising a dihedral forming system adapted to position the system in a substantially dihedral configuration during deployment.
A method of aerially deploying an explosive system comprising:
- providing a system to be aerially deployed, said system
- comprising at least one dihedral forming system adapted to position the system in a substantially dihedral configuration during deployment;
- attaching said system to an aircraft;
- and
- using said aircraft to deploy the system by positioning the system in a dihedral configuration during deployment.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.