US 9,664,485 B1 · Aircraft, missile, projectile, or underwater vehicle with improved control system and method of using

Abstract

An aircraft, missile, projectile, or underwater vehicle with an improved control system, an improved control system, or a method of maneuvering an aircraft, missile, projectile, or underwater vehicle uses control surfaces that are movable along a track. The control system on a track (or “tracked control surface”) advantageously enables the aircraft, missile, projectile, or underwater vehicle to have an unlimited number of configurations, each configuration being tailored to the specific stability or maneuverability requirements during a specific portion of the flight by adjusting the center of pressure of the aircraft, missile, projectile, or underwater vehicle relative to its center of gravity.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A method of defending a threatened aircraft from enemy attack comprising:

firing, launching or releasing from the threatened aircraft a countermeasure projectile, the countermeasure projectile having a body and at least one control surface movable along at least one track along the body and distinct from the body;
propelling the at least one control surface along the at least one track positioned on the countermeasure projectile to dynamically and adaptively reconfigure the stability or maneuverability of the countermeasure projectile throughout flight;
and
intercepting an enemy missile or projectile with the countermeasure projectile.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Aircraft, missile, projectile, or underwater vehicle with improved control system and method of using

Life of this patent

Aircraft, missile, projectile, or underwater vehicle with improved control system and method of using

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18