Rapid ignition infrared decoy for anti-ship missile
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorsMichael Doctor, John Horton, Robert Woodall
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An IR radiating decoy for an IR seeking anti-ship missile (ASM) includes a propulsion section, safe and arming section, gas generator section, fuel tank section, and flight stabilization section to ignite and continuously maintain an IR plume for decoying the ASM away from the targeted ship. The IR radiating decoy ignites the IR plume immediately when the decoy reaches a safe separation distance from the targeted ship. The IR plume continues to be emitted as the decoy flies away, as it lands on the water, and while it floats upon the water until all the fuel is used from the fuel tank. The fuel can be changed to change the signature of the IR plume so that different ASM missiles can be drawn away from the ship.
Claims16
A decoy for an IR seeking missile comprising:
- means for launching a decoy for an IR seeking missile using launch pressure;
- means for detonating an explosive train in said decoy;
- a safe and arm section having a cocking bar provided with a valve hole to permit fuel to be valved therethrough in response to said launch pressure created during launch of said decoy, having a slider provided with a slider hole to transmit said explosive train therethrough in response to said decoy being propelled from said launching means, and having a bore rider to displace said slider to allow said explosive train to be transmitted therethrough;
- means coupled to receive said explosive train for generating pressurized gas;
- means coupled to receive said pressurized gas for forcing said fuel through said valve hole in said cocking bar;
- and
- means coupled to receive said pressurized gas for creating a pilot flame to ignite and burn said fuel as an IR plume at a safe separation distance from said launching means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.