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US 6,276,277 B1Granted
Rocket-boosted guided hard target penetrator
AssigneeLockheed Martin Corporation
InventorBruce E. Schmacker
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A target-penetrating aerial bomb includes a penetrator of hard steel or similar material that contains an explosive charge. A rocket motor is formed as an annular chamber and surrounds the penetrator. The bomb includes a guidance and control unit that guides the bomb on a glide path after release from the delivery aircraft, and steers the bomb onto a dive line. Once the bomb is aligned on the dive line, the guidance and control unit fires the rocket booster to accelerate the bomb to the target. A fuse ignites the explosive after target penetration.
Claims17
A rocket-boosted penetrating bomb, comprising:
- a penetrator having a hardened case with a hollow interior containing a payload;
- a rocket booster motor mounted to the penetrator to accelerate the penetrator;
- an outer skin enclosing at least the penetrator and providing an aerodynamic shape;
- guiding means for guiding the bomb after release from an airborne vehicle in a glide phase and from the glide phase onto a guided dive line to a target;
- controlling means for activating the rocket booster motor after the guiding means has guided the bomb onto the guided dive line;
- and,
- a fuze for initiating the payload after impact with a target.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.