Man-packable missile weapon system
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorSteven D. Felix
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Abstract
Provided is a compact, low-cost, lightweight, man-packable weapon system for engaging static and slowly maneuvering targets. In one embodiment, it may incorporate in its own backpack a compact launcher and multiple compact missiles, each weighing less than five pounds, for carry on a soldier's back. The missile itself uses a strapped-down acquisition and tracking sensor electrically connected to a simplified guidance system interfaced with an aero-control section capable of altering the flight path of the missile to a target. A solid-propellant rocket motor provides sufficient power to propel the missile at a predetermined limited speed and over a pre-determined limited distance that enables the proper operation of the simplified guidance system. A method for deploying a man-packable weapon system is disclosed also.
Claims20
A compact man-packable weapon system, comprising:
- a compact launcher;
- at least one compact missile weighing less than eight pounds, incorporating:
- a simplified guidance system having:
- an aero-control section that may alter a flight path of said missile to a target,
- a simplified computer hardware package operably connected to said aero-control section, to process a simplified algorithm for adjusting said aero-control section in relation to at least one measured value,
- a strapped-down acquisition and tracking sensor operably connected to said simplified computer hardware package,
- wherein the sensor provides said at least one measured value to said simplified computer hardware package;
- a solid-propellant rocket motor,
- wherein said motor projects said missile at a pre-determined limited speed and over a pre-determined limited distance, thus enabling proper operation of said simplified guidance system;
- and
- a contact-actuated ordnance section that may be positioned between said guidance system and said rocket motor in said missile.
A method of employing a compact man-packable weapon system incorporating a simplified guidance system, a compact launcher, and at least one compact missile, each said compact missile weighing less than eight pounds, comprising:
- providing a configuration that allows said weapon system to be carried comfortably and hands-free by a person;
- removing said compact launcher and one said compact missile from said configuration;
- loading into said compact launcher one of said compact missiles incorporating:
- a simplified onboard guidance system having an aero-control section for altering a flight path of said compact missile,
- a simplified computer hardware package for processing at least one simplified algorithm for adjusting said aero-control section in relation to at least one measured value,
- a strapped-down acquisition and tracking sensor operably connected to said simplified computer hardware package,
- wherein said strapped-down acquisition and tracking sensor provides said at least one measured value to said simplified computer hardware package,
- a contact-actuated ordnance section, and
- a solid-propellant rocket motor of sufficient power to project said compact missile at a predetermined limited speed and over a predetermined limited distance, thus enabling proper operation of said simplified guidance system;
- identifying a target;
- acquiring said identified target whereupon said strapped-down acquisition and tracking sensor fixes on said acquired identified target;
- and,
- launching said compact missile wherein said rocket motor propels said compact missile towards said acquired identified target.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.