Tail thruster control for projectiles
AssigneeBAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
InventorRobert D. Frey, Jr.
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method for guiding a projectile is presented. A method for guiding a projectile includes storing a gas in a chamber that is attached to the projectile. The projectile has an explosive front end and a rear guidance kit consisting of a body extension and a tail boom. The chamber is located in the body extension with the control electronics. Two or more fins that are configured to stabilize the projectile while the projectile is in flight. Pulses of gas are released out of the chamber through a nozzle at the end of the tail boom to control an angle of attack to control the lift of the projectile to guide the projectile to a target while the projectile is in flight.
Claims20
A method guiding a projectile comprising:
- storing a gas in a chamber that is attached to the projectile, wherein the projectile has an explosive front end and a rear tail boom, wherein the chamber is located in the rear tail boom, wherein the tail boom has a plurality of fins configured to stabilize the projectile while the projectile is in flight;
- and
- releasing pulses of gas out of the chamber to control an angle of attack of the projectile to steer the projectile to a target.
A projectile nozzle system comprising:
- a boom assembly body configured to be attached to a rear end of an explosive projectile;
- a gas tank in the boom assembly for containing pressurized gas;
- a valve configured to let a pulse of gas out of the gas tank;
- and
- a nozzle configured to expel pulses of gas from the gas tank to control an angle of attack of the projectile to steer the projectile to a target.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.