EP0220201B1 - Process for operating a proximity fuse, and device for the implementation of the process - Google Patents

Abstract

A fuse circuit for a missile (10) with a proximity fuse (11) which can be adjusted to different target distances (H1, H2). In order to combat in an optimum manner different target types (13, 14, 15) the proximity fuse (11) is equipped with a target sensor (17), which picks up characteristic target features and ensures that the proximity fuse (11) reacts either already at the distance (H1) or only at distance (H2) and detonates an explosive charge (10a).

Description

The invention relates to a method for actuating a proximity fuse and a device for performing the method.

To effectively combat certain types of targets, explosive projectiles must be detonated at an optimal distance from the respective target. To combat semi-hard targets, for example, the optimal detonation point is a few 10 m above the target, in order to use the active units released by the detonation of the projectile, e.g. B. High kinetic energy chips to hit these targets from above. To combat soft targets, a lower explosive point is preferable, e.g. B. a few meters above the target, since such targets can preferably be fought from the side.

To combat different target types, explosive projectiles with proximity fuses are already known, in which the optimum firing interval is set by the operating team immediately before the projectile is fired. In the event of heavy loading due to unusual combat situations and / or in the dark, incorrect operation cannot be ruled out, so that the projectile cannot be effectively destroyed as a result of an incorrectly set proximity fuse.

After all, the correct setting of the proximity fuse also depends on excellent and always up-to-date reconnaissance results that are not available under all combat conditions.

The invention has for its object to provide a method for actuating a proximity fuse that avoids the aforementioned sources of error and ensures optimal use of the projectile. Furthermore, a facility is to be created to carry out the method.

Starting from a method of the type described in more detail above, this object is achieved by the features specified in the characterizing part of patent claim 1.

A device for carrying out the method emerges from the subclaims.

• Fig. 1: in einer schematischen Darstellung ein anfliegendes Geschoß über einem Zielgebiet;
• Fig. 2: ein Blockschaltbild der Einrichtung.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing. It shows:

• Fig. 1: in a schematic representation an approaching floor over a target area;
• Fig. 2: a block diagram of the device.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a floor 10, which is in the final approach to a target area in which different target types, for. B. hard goals 13, semi-hard goals 14 and soft goals 15 can be determined. The projectile 10 transports an explosive charge 10a which must be detonated at an optimal height above it in order to effectively combat a target.

For this purpose, the projectile 10 has an adjustable proximity fuse 11, which is able to measure the height of the projectile 10 above the ground or above a target and detonate the explosive charge 10a when an adjustable optimum height is reached. The proximity fuse 11 can expediently work according to the radar principle or optically. Conventional ignition circuits enable the proximity igniter 11 to respond as a result of programming or. Setting when shooting at a preset height above the ground. Whether this height actually represents the optimal control height above the target depends on the quality of the reconnaissance results and is therefore subject to great uncertainties. The invention avoids this disadvantage by additionally providing a target sensor 17 on the floor 10 which is able to distinguish different target types. This target sensor is coupled to the proximity igniter 11 in such a way that - depending on the recognition of a specific target type - it causes it to respond at the optimum level for combating the detected target. The target sensor 17 can be, for example, a metal detector that reacts to metal masses when approaching and is therefore able to detect armored and / or unarmored vehicles. According to a further variant of the invention, the target sensor 17 also works according to the radar principle and can determine its presence by transmitting and receiving radiation, in particular reflected from metallic targets. If a metallic, semi-hard target is determined, the target sensor 17 triggers the triggering of the distance igniter 11 at the optimal explosive height H1 for this target type, which is a few 10 m

In this way, the target types 13, 14 are effectively combatted, in particular by fragments with high kinetic energy, which are formed from the shell of the projectile 10 when the explosive charge 10a is detonated. If the target sensor 17 does not detect a target of the hard or semi-hard type 13, 14, it prevents the proximity fuze 11 from responding until the projectile 10 has reached the optimum height H2 above ground to combat a soft target 15. Since the optimum blasting height no longer has to be set by hand and the current battlefield situation is only evaluated directly on the final approach of the projectile 10, operating errors and incorrect blasting heights can be avoided, so that extremely effective targeting is made possible.

Fig. 2 shows the device for performing the method as a block diagram. The proximity fuse 11 is connected to the explosive charge 10a. In the case of a proximity detonator 11 working according to the radar principle, the height above the target area is increased by transmitting and receiving reflected radio waves 12 measured. By programming which is known per se, the proximity fuse 11 can be triggered in two different heights H1 and H2, for example, and detonate the explosive charge 10a. A target sensor 17, which is able to recognize certain target properties, is connected to the proximity fuse 12. For example, it can be a metal detector that detects the presence of metallic components or it can also be a radar transmitter / receiver that detects the presence of a target, which is also preferably metallic, on the basis of radiated and reflected electromagnetic energy.

This target sensor 17 is linked to the proximity fuse 11 via a switching element 11, which is only shown schematically, in such a way that it controls its time of detonation at a certain height above ground or above a target, and in a first switching position the proximity fuse 11 can be at height H1 respond to the earth's surface 16, while in the second switching position it is only activated at the height H2.

Claims (4)

1. Method for operating a proximity fuse which is settable to different target distances, characterised by the fact that by a target sensor (17) provided in a missile (10) characteristic properties of targets (13, 14, 15) present in the target area are detected, and that under control of the target sensor (7), the proximity fuse (11) is caused to respond at different heights (H1. H2) above ground surface (16) according to the type of target detected by the target sensor (17).

2. Apparatus for carrying out the method described in Claim 1, characterised by the fact that in the missile (10) and adjacent to the proximity fuse (11), a target sensor (17) is provided which, according to the nature of the target detected, sets the proximity fuse (11) to the optimum moment of detonation for attack on the target concerned.

3. Apparatus in accordance with Claim 2, characterised by the fact that the target sensor (17) is a metal detector and/or radar transmitter/receiver.

4. Apparatus in accordance with one of Claims 2 and 3, characterised by the fact that the target sensor (17) and the proximity fuse (11) are structurally combined and comprise a radar transmitter/receiver by which the height (H1, H2) of the missile (10) above the ground and also characteristic properties of the target can be detected.

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