Method and device for varying a flight path of a projectile by intentional tumbling of the projectile

A method for varying the flight path of a missile, the missile having an outer wall and a longitudinal axis, the method which comprises:

• providing at least one impulse device and arranging the impulse device with respect to the longitudinal axis of the missile such that an impulse originating from the impulse device initiates a tumbling movement causing a shortening or a variation of a flight path of the missile;
• deliberately activating the at least one impulse device at a defined time during a flight of the missile to initiate the tumbling movement and to thereby deliberately shorten or vary the flight path of the missile;
• and
• timing a transmission of an activation signal to the impulse device in dependence of a current position of the projectile, as determined via a GPS signal.

A method for varying the flight path of a missile, the missile having an outer wall and a longitudinal axis, the method which comprises:

• providing at least one impulse device and arranging the impulse device with respect to the longitudinal axis of the missile such that an impulse originating from the impulse device initiates a tumbling movement causing a shortening or a variation of a flight path of the missile;
• deliberately activating the at least one impulse device at a defined time during a flight of the missile to initiate the tumbling movement and to thereby deliberately shorten or vary the flight path of the missile;
• repeatedly comparing an actual position of the missile determined via GPS data with a nominal position during the flight of the missile;
• and
• repeatedly activating impulses of the impulse device, if necessary, for correcting the flight path of the missile.

A spin-stabilized projectile, comprising:

• an outer wall and a longitudinal axis;
• an impulse device for generating an impulse and configured to be deliberately activated at a defined time during a flight of the projectile, said impulse device being disposed, with respect to said longitudinal axis, to initiate a tumbling movement of the projectile at times by generating the impulse and to thereby shorten or vary a flight path of the projectile;
• said impulse device including at least one moveable mass element, and
• said impulse device including at least two mass elements mounted to be moved separately and deliberately within the projectile.

A spin-stabilized projectile, comprising:

• an outer wall and a longitudinal axis;
• an impulse device for generating an impulse and configured to be deliberately activated at a defined time during a flight of the projectile, said impulse device being disposed, with respect to said longitudinal axis, to initiate a tumbling movement of the projectile at times by generating the impulse and to thereby shorten or vary a flight path of the projectile;
• and
• a GPS receiver and a computer unit for activation of said impulse device disposed inside the projectile.