WO2026019389A1 - Vertical glidding guided tactical munition (tamu-p) - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to the Vertical Gliding Guided Tactical Munition or in other words, the Tactical Combat Unit Propeller System (TAMU-P), which is a guided miniature munitions system that can be dropped from cargo and fighter planes, helicopters, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), portable small UAV (Drones) type vehicles or launcher land platforms such as mortars, can aim at the target position by means of the propellers placed at 120-degree intervals and perpendicular to the ammunition body with the help of GPS/INS or Laser seeker by getting to a vertical position by creating a parachute effect when the flaps on the rear of the ammunition open shortly after being launched and can even engage the target by tracking it at very low speeds.

Description

VERTICAL GLIDDING GUIDED TACTICAL MUNITION (TAMU-P)

Technical Field of the Invention

The invention relates to the Vertical Gliding Guided Tactical Munition or in other words, the Tactical Combat Unit Propeller System (TAMU-P), which is a guided miniature munitions system that can be dropped from cargo and fighter planes, helicopters, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), portable small UAV (Drones) type vehicles or launcher land platforms such as mortars, can aim at the target position by means of the propellers placed at 120-degree intervals and perpendicular to the ammunition body with the help of GPS/INS or Laser seeker by getting to a vertical position by creating a parachute effect when the flaps on the rear of the ammunition open shortly after being launched and can even engage the target by tracking it at very low speeds.

State of the Art

Today, many gliding munition systems that can be dropped from a wide variety of air platforms and reach their targets without thrust, completely according to ballistic rules, are widely used for attack purposes. For example, the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM), one of the most well-known gliding munitions in this regard, starts to fly with the initial speed that the aircraft gives to the munitions after being released from the aircraft. During the flight, the munitions can reach longer horizontal distances (ranges) by flying further than they should, i.e. by gliding by means of a number of aerodynamic protrusions called fins on them. Although they do not have a thrusting feature like a rocket engine, these types of munitions can reach a horizontal range of 30-40 km by gliding depending on the firing altitude. The long range obtained as a result of gliding allows the aircraft's anti-aircraft defence elements, etc., to safely release such attack elements without entering the striking range. In fact, this range can be doubled, up to 60-70 km, by means of the wings (Winged Guidance Kit, WGK) attached to this type of general-purpose bombs. These types of ammunition produced by TUBlTAK SAGE are currently widely used in the Turkish Air Force for tactical purposes, especially in cross-border operations and national exercises. However, the biggest disadvantages of all these types of winged or wingless gliding systems are that they hit the target at an angle, are used for point targets and are high-cost. These types of systems are horizontally attached to carrier structures called pylons on air platforms such as aircraft or UAVs. When the air platform reaches the appropriate position, the ammunition is released from the pylons in a horizontal position. The ammunition tries to disrupt its position by being exposed to yaw/pitch/roll moments due to aerodynamic effects throughout its flight. The flight control computer (autopilot) of the ammunition tries to keep the ammunition stable in the horizontal flight position by moving the fins or wings (control surfaces) in a way that creates an effect opposite to these moments. When the ammunition approaches the target, it is positioned for the impact angle by means of the seeker or similar terminal guidance systems. The ammunition hits the target at a certain angle horizontally. It loses some of its effectiveness during this impact. The best impact angle is the full vertical position, that is, when the ammunition engages the target at a level of ninety degrees to the horizontal, it transfers all of its kinetic energy. For this reason, almost all gliding ammunition autopilot systems try to bring the impact angle to 90 degrees (full vertical position). Especially in warhead systems with armour effectiveness and anti-personnel features, low impact angles directly affect the ammunition effectiveness. If cave and shelter-penetration bombs do not engage the target at impact angles close to the vertical, the penetration depth decreases geometrically.

Existing systems are horizontal gliding systems, and since horizontal systems engage the target at a certain angle to the vertical in the final stage, they lose their effectiveness significantly compared to vertical strikes. Existing horizontal gliding or thrust-guided systems are carried on carrier interfaces (pylons) located under the wings of aircraft or UCAV platforms.

Although various suggestions and applications have been developed for ammunition systems in the state of the art, these developments are not sufficient. Some applications belonging to the inventions developed for this purpose are given below.

The invention, which is the subject of the application numbered “RU2577831 C1” in the state of the art, relates to a portable tactical ammunition designed for the search and destruction of various ground, surface, air, low-flying targets from a significant distance, and it is explained that the probability of detecting and destroying the target is high due to its high targeting accuracy, and that the ammunition provides minimum dimensions and weight characteristics.

The invention, which is the subject of the application numbered “WO2011019424A2” in the state of the art, relates to a guided missile having a projectile body and aerodynamic surfaces that stabilise, direct and/or lift the projectile body during various stages of the flight path of a launched guided missile.

The invention, which is the subject of the application numbered “TR2020/08784” in the state of the art, relates to guided missiles used in attacks on ground targets and provides a miniature missile that is compatible with existing grenade launcher systems and is laser-guided. It relates to a miniature missile system that includes a hollow grenade launcher barrel equipped with a trigger and a miniature missile with a body that fits into the barrel.

A portable tactical ammunition designed to destroy various ground, air and mobile targets from a distance in the state of the art, guided missiles and miniature missile systems with aerodynamic surfaces that stabilise, direct and/or lift the ammunition body during various stages of the flight path. Due to the high production costs of the current systems and their relatively heavier systems, they can be loaded into air platforms in smaller numbers and as a result, they limit the strike effectiveness capabilities of the UCAV platforms in use. Since the current systems are heavy and expensive ammunition, they are preferred to be used only for the destruction of point opportunity targets. In addition, since horizontal systems engage the target at a certain angle to the vertical in the final stage, they lose their effectiveness significantly compared to vertical strikes.

As a result, due to the negativities described above and the inadequacy of existing solutions on the subject, it has become necessary to make a development in the relevant technical field.

The Aim of the Invention

The most important aim of the invention is to provide an ammunition with vertical gliding feature. By this way, it can increase the effectiveness of the ammunition to much higher levels compared to ammunition that glides horizontally and hits an angled target. Another aim of the invention is to have propellers placed in the center of gravity. These propellers can easily carry the ammunition body to the target without exposing it to any rotational effect (moment) caused by any thrust force, as if it were carrying a point load.

Another aim of the invention is to have parachute wings that allow the ammunition to quickly come to a vertical position.

Another aim of the invention is to be able to make a vertical free fall, to be a system that glides and also has a guided feature.

Another aim of the invention is to be able to engage the target by following it at very low speeds.

Another aim of the invention is to have the feature of being able to be fired from cargo and fighter planes, helicopters, UAV, portable small UAV (Drone) type vehicles or launcher land platforms such as mortars.

Description of Drawings

FIGURE -1 is the drawing showing the general appearance of the Tactical Combat Element Propeller (TAMU-P) System, which is the subject of the invention.

FIGURE -2 is the drawing showing the closed phase image of the Tactical Combat Element Propeller (TAMU-P) System, which is the subject of the invention.

FIGURE -3 is the drawing showing the open phase image of the Tactical Combat Element Propeller (TAMU-P) System, which is the subject of the invention.

FIGURE -4 is the drawing showing the scattering efficiency image of the Tactical Combat Element Propeller (TAMU-P) System, which is the subject of the invention.

FIGURE -5 is the drawing showing the open phase A-A section image of the Tactical Combat Element Propeller (TAMU-P) System, which is the subject of the invention.

FIGURE -6 is the drawing showing the image of the center of gravity position of the ammunition in the Tactical Combat Element Propeller (TAMU-P) System, which is the subject of the invention. Reference Numbers

1. Safety pin

2. Aerocover

3. Resin body

4. Main body

5. Seeker

6. Positioning propeller

7. Cocking propeller

8. Parachute wing

9. Cocking spring

10. Cocking propeller screw

11. Ball

12. Shrapnel body

13. Explosive

Description of the invention

The invention relates to the Vertical Gliding Guided Tactical Munition or in other words, the Tactical Combat Unit Propeller System (TAMU-P), which is a guided miniature munitions system that can be dropped from cargo and fighter planes, helicopters, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), portable small UAV (Drones) type vehicles or launcher land platforms such as mortars, can aim at the target position by means of the propellers placed at 120-degree intervals and perpendicular to the ammunition body with the help of the GPS/INS or Laser seeker by getting to a vertical position by creating a parachute effect when the flaps on the rear of the ammunition open shortly after being launched and can even engage the target by tracking it at very low speeds (such as 50 km/h). Since this ammunition system will not hit the target at any angle, its effectiveness is much higher than other angled ammunition systems. As its name suggests, the ammunition is tactical and it is anticipated that it will play an active role in frontal wars in order to achieve results quickly.

Since the TAMU-P system engages the target in a vertical position, it has the highest effectiveness among this type of gliding ammunition. For example, while TAMU-P has a high destructive effectiveness compared to mortar ammunition, it has a more limited range compared to gliding ammunition.

The invention basically consists of a safety pin (1 ), aerocover (2), resin body (3), main body (4), seeker (5) and positioning propeller (6).

The invention is loaded onto the air platform in the first state as shown in Figure 1 . When TAMU-P is released from the air platform, the air entering the air pockets on the aerocover (2) is thrown into the space from where it is located. After the aerocover (2) is launched, the cocking propeller (7) rotates and separates from the cocking propeller screw (10) again under the effect of the air flow. At this time, the cocking spring (9) pushes the mechanism and opens at least four parachute wings (8) simultaneously. The opening phase stages of TAMU-P are shown in detail in Figure 3. As soon as the parachute wings (8) open, the ammunition quickly comes to the vertical position shown in Figure 5 and Figure 6 under the effect of air resistance.

While the invention is in free fall in a vertical position, at least three positioning propellers (6) mounted at the level of the ammunition's center of gravity (See Figure 6) and placed at equal angles on the main body (4) rotate in line with the commands from the autopilot, allowing the TAMU-P to move horizontally. The avionics system integrated into the ammunition measures the current position of the TAMU-P in real time, operates all three wings synchronously and directs it to the target location. This guidance process can be done with the GPS system or by sending a laser beam from a laser source to the target location.

Since the TAMU-P system has a laser seeker (5), it can engage the target marked with the laser beam. In the invention, three positioning propellers (6) placed on the ammunition body at an equal angle of 120 degrees and in a position where the ammunition center of gravity and the propeller rotation axes coincide can easily carry the ammunition body to the target without exposing it to any rotational effect (moment) caused by any thrust force, as if it were carrying a point load.

The invention is expected to be indispensable in tactical terms due to its features of a vertical free-falling, gliding and guided system, as well as its high strike capability, low cost and low effective weight. Its low weight (between 3.5-4.5 kg) and low cost (cost close to mortar shells) offer a new concept of operation, especially in terms of transforming armed unmanned aerial platforms into mini bombers and therefore using these UAV systems for area destruction. As seen in Figure 5, metal balls (1 1 ) are located in equal numbers and positions around the body. Metal balls (11 ) are cast with resin material to form the resin body (3). The resin body (3) is a type of warhead made of resin material that holds the balls (1 1 ) and the shrapnel body (12) that will create the shrapnel effect together and is poured into the mould prepared during production and can harden later. During casting, the shrapnel body (12) and ball (1 1 ) parts are brought together and then poured onto a hardenable resin (epoxy) to ensure permanent hardening. The resulting intermediate product is processed to its final dimensions on a lathe to obtain the resin body (3).

The shrapnel body (12) that is made of steel and is placed inside the resin body (3) and the explosive (13) inside the shrapnel body (12) constitute the warhead of the ammunition (See Figure 5, Section A-A). Since the ammunition falls vertically by means of the parachute wings (8), when the explosive (13) explodes, the shrapnel body (12) and the ball (11 ) blocks around it are scattered 360 degrees vertically to the target and parallel to the ground (See Figure 4). This creates a double shrapnel effect as the shrapnel body (12) and the metal balls (1 1 ), increasing the warhead effectiveness of the TAMU-P two-fold. There is a shrapnel body (12) that is placed inside the resin body (3), has explosives (13) and balls (1 1 ) around it, has a double shrapnel effect with a tile and diamond pattern opened around it, and forms the warhead with the explosive (13) inside.

The ammunition can increase its scattering effectiveness (lethal effectiveness) by detonating it a certain distance (such as 1 .5-2 meters) above the ground by means of proximity sensors placed inside. The invention also has a horizontal gliding feature by means of the vertical positioning propellers (6). The vertical positioning increases the effectiveness of the ammunition to significantly higher levels compared to ammunition that glides horizontally and falls on an angled target. By means of the positioning propellers (6) placed in the center of gravity of the TAMU-P, the invention has high mobility by operating according to the positioning commands coming from the autopilot. By means of the thrust provided by the horizontal propellers, it can reach high ranges depending on the shooting height. TAMU-P paves the way for the use of existing UCAV platforms for area destruction due to its low weight and low cost, and thus it can transform the UCAV platform used into a bomber aircraft. This new operational concept makes existing UCAV systems a much more effective combat weapon system, especially in the tactical battlefield.

TAMU-P can be used in higher numbers, just like a mortar system or grenade, for both point targets and area destruction, and can significantly increase UCAV effectiveness. For TAMU-P, without the need for such carrier and launcher interfaces, they can be released through a hatch opened from the aircraft body, as in bomber aircraft. TAMU- P has a modular (optional) design that can be easily used for area destruction when the laser seeker (5), positioning propellers (6), battery and other avionics on it are removed and reduced to much lower costs (at or below the cost of a mortar). By means of this low-cost and low-weight alternative use concept, TAMU-P can be launched not only from air platforms but also from ground platforms such as mortars. In addition, since they can be launched from quadrator-type portable drones with their low weight (2-3 kg), they can also be used by infantry elements. The laser seeker (5) can be removed and replaced with a commercial camera and can be easily controlled remotely. In this way, infantry units on the battlefield can produce a much more effective, low-cost solution as anti-personnel in tactically destroying opposing (enemy) units, giving infantry units an advantage over their opponents.

The safety pin (1 ) prevents the cocking propeller (7) from opening before the ammunition is fired, thus preventing the ammunition from accidentally exploding. When the ammunition is released from the air platform, air fills the aerodynamic air pockets on the aerocover (2), allowing the cover to be removed. While the cover is being opened, the safety pin (1 ) is also removed, and the propeller is removed by the thrust of the cocking spring (9) and the air thrust, rotating and setting the fuse to explode. The main body (4) is the part made of seamless aluminium pipe material that houses the positioning propellers (6), drive motors, gearboxes, batteries that provide energy to the system and avionics (software and hardware related to flight). The laser seeker (5) is an electro-optical subsystem that enables the ammunition to engage the target. In these systems, it acts like a kind of eye that receives the reflected parts of the laser beam fired from the source and transmits location data to the avionics system of the ammunition. In this way, the ammunition is engaged in a way that aims at the target illuminated by the laser. There are three positioning propellers (6) on the main body of the ammunition (4) distributed at equal angles of 120 degrees each. As a result of the evaluation of the location data coming from the seeker (5) in the avionics system, these propellers enable the ammunition to be carried to the target by activating any of the positioning propellers at different times during the flight of the ammunition. The cocking propeller (7) is the part that opens the necessary device for the ammunition to explode. The cocking propeller is screwed onto the screw (10). After the safety pin (1 ) comes out of the hole on the aerocover (2) and the cocking propeller (7), the cocking propeller

(7) that is left idle rotates and comes out with the thrust of the cocking spring (9) over the cocking propeller screw (10). In this way, 4 parachute wings (8) open and bring the ammunition to a vertical position. The parachute wings (8) are placed on the upper side of the ammunition at an equal angle (90 degrees) as 4 pieces. When the parachute wing (8) parts are opened, they create an aerodynamic parachute effect and allow the ammunition to take a vertical position. The cocking spring (9) is a standard helical pressure spring that provides the thrust to open the mechanism that allows the cocking propeller (7) part to be pushed out of its place and thus the parachute wings

(8) to open. The cocking propeller screw (10) is a type of screw shaft part that has a trapezoidal tooth profile opened on it and allows the cocking propeller (7) part screwed on it to open automatically (without auto-blocking). Ball (11 ) is a large number of particles that can be spheres, cubes or different shapes, placed inside the resin body (3) that forms the outer wall of the ammunition and scattered around the ammunition. When the ammunition explodes, the balls (1 1 ) scatter 360 degrees around the ammunition at very high speeds and provide killing or wounding effectiveness.

The ammunition system used in the invention is an ammunition with double particle (shrapnel) effectiveness. In the first stage, the explosive (13) inside the shrapnel body (12) detonates. The detonating explosive (13) first breaks the shrapnel body (12), which is shaped on a lathe in a diamond-shaped pattern similar to a hand grenade and produced from durable steel material, in order to provide particle effectiveness. In the second stage, the pieces of the balls (11 ) on the resin body (3) are scattered around as the resin body (3) breaks apart. In this very short period of time in milliseconds, the ammunition creates a double-effect particle killing effect with both the shrapnel pieces produced by the shrapnel body (12) and the ball (1 1 ) pieces.

The explosive (13) is a composite explosive (13) that varies according to its level of effectiveness. As explosives (13), they are used in the literature with various names and symbols according to their different levels of effectiveness and different purposes of use, such as TNT, C, RDX, Comp.A5, PBXN (Thermo-baric) etc.

Claims

1. Vertical glide guided tactical munitions system, comprising:

- the safety pin (1 ) that prevents the cocking propeller (7) from opening before the ammunition is fired, thus prevents the ammunition from accidentally exploding,

- the aerocover (2) that is ejected from its location into the void, causes the safety pin (1 ) to come off, when released from the air platform, by allowing air to enter the air pockets on it, pushing the propeller cocking spring (9), and spinning due to the air effect,

- the resin body (3), which is a type of warhead made of resin material that holds the balls (1 1 ) and the shrapnel body (12) that will create the shrapnel effect together and is poured into the mould during production and can harden later, and is formed by casting the metal balls (1 1 ) with resin material,

- the main body (4), that is the part made of seamless aluminium tubing that houses the positioning propellers, drive motors, gearboxes, batteries that provide energy to the system and avionics components,

- the removable and attachable seeker (5) that allows the ammunition to aim and engage the target illuminated with laser,

- the positioning propellers (6) placed at least three times at equal angles on the main body (4) and rotate in accordance with the commands from the avionics system to ensure movement in the horizontal direction,

- the cocking propeller (7) that is screwed onto the cocking propeller screw (10), rotates under the effect of the air flow and separates from the cocking propeller screw (10) after the aerocover (2) is thrown,

- at least four parachute wings (8) that are opened by the cocking spring (9) pushing the mechanism when the cocking propeller (7) is separated from the cocking propeller screw (10), and that ensure that the ammunition system, which falls in any free position as soon as it is opened, comes to a vertical position and remains in the vertical position by creating an aerodynamic parachute effect under the effect of air resistance,

- the cocking spring (9) which is a standard helical compression spring that provides the thrust to open the mechanism that pushes the cocking propeller (7) out of its place and thus opens the parachute wings (8),

- the cocking screw (10), which is a type of screw shaft that has a trapezoidal tooth profile on it and allows the cocking propeller (7) part to open automatically,

- the balls (1 1 ) that are formed by casting resin material to form the resin body (3), are placed in equal numbers and positions around the body, and are scattered 360 degrees around the ammunition when it explodes, and are effective in killing or injuring the target,

- there is a shrapnel body (12) that is placed inside the resin body (3), has explosives (13) and balls (1 1 ) around it, has a double shrapnel effect with a tile and diamond pattern opened around it, and forms the warhead with the explosive (13) inside, and

- the explosive (13) that is located inside the shrapnel body (12), forms the warhead together with the shrapnel body (12) and breaks the shrapnel body (12).

2. Vertical glide guided tactical munitions system according to Claim 1 , comprising the removable seeker (5), propellers and battery so that it can be used for area destruction and can also be launched from ground platforms.

3. Vertical glide guided tactical munitions system according to Claim 1 , comprising a camera that can be mounted instead of a remote-controlled seeker (5) and is effective in the destruction of infantry units and tactical anti-personnel elements on the battlefield.

4. Vertical glide guided tactical munitions system according to Claim 1 , comprising, with the ammunition system having double particle effectiveness, - in the first stage, the shrapnel body (12), which is made of durable steel material and shaped in a tile pattern on a lathe, and in which the explosive (13) explodes and the detonated explosive (13) first fragment into diamondshaped pieces to provide particle effect and scatters shrapnel pieces fragmented into diamond-shaped pieces around, and

- in the second stage, resin body (3) which breaks into pieces and scatters the balls (1 1 ) around.