WO2004111567A2 - Mission cartridge - Google Patents
Mission cartridge Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2004111567A2 WO2004111567A2 PCT/IL2004/000509 IL2004000509W WO2004111567A2 WO 2004111567 A2 WO2004111567 A2 WO 2004111567A2 IL 2004000509 W IL2004000509 W IL 2004000509W WO 2004111567 A2 WO2004111567 A2 WO 2004111567A2
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- mission
- connector element
- memory unit
- cartridge
- weapon
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
- F42C—AMMUNITION FUZES; ARMING OR SAFETY MEANS THEREFOR
- F42C17/00—Fuze-setting apparatus
- F42C17/04—Fuze-setting apparatus for electric fuzes
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
- F42C—AMMUNITION FUZES; ARMING OR SAFETY MEANS THEREFOR
- F42C17/00—Fuze-setting apparatus
- F42C17/02—Fuze-setting keys
Definitions
- the present invention relates to munitions and in particular to a mission cartridge for smart weapons.
- Increasingly weapon systems deliver weapons equipped with on-board computers. Such weapons include, but are not limited to, missiles and smart bombs.
- the on-board computers allow execution of relatively complex and data-dependent missions.
- One method of supplying the required mission data to the on-board computer of a weapon is transmission of the required data after launch of the weapon, for example, transmission by an operator. This method is most suitable for supplying a weapon with real-time mission data. Weapons using this method are susceptible to inflight neutralization by jamming of the data transmission.
- Another method of supplying mission data to the on-board computer of a weapon is the downloading of all mission information from the weapon control system to the individual weapon proximately to the actual use of the weapon.
- a pilot of an airplane downloads mission data such as target coordinates during flight or proximately to the moment of weapon launch.
- mission data such as target coordinates during flight or proximately to the moment of weapon launch.
- One weakness of this method is that often the amount of data that needs be transferred to a weapon system is quite large.
- An alternative is that as the weapon is loaded onto the launch platform, mission data is downloaded onto on-board storage media associated with the on-board computer.
- intelligence and command assets are exposed to interception or may be otherwise compromised.
- a known disadvantage of weapons equipped with on-board computers is the difficulty in keeping the software (Operation Flight Program, OPF) up to date.
- OPF Operaation Flight Program
- a mission cartridge comprising a memory unit functionally associated with a connector element, that is, where the input and output channels of the memory unit are accessible through the connector element.
- the connector element is one part of a connector of which many types are well known to one skilled in the art.
- Such connecters include but are not limited to bayonet type connectors, quick-release connectors and screw connectors.
- One specific connector is a 35-pin D38999/26 WD35PN connector provided by, for example, Amphenol Inc. (Wallingford, Connecticut, USA).
- information stored on the memory unit is randomly accessible (as opposed to serially accessible).
- the memory unit is a rewritable memory unit.
- the memory unit is a programmable memory unit such as flash-based data storage (for example, as manufactured by M-Systems Ltd., Kfar Saba, Israel).
- the memory unit stores mission data, an OPF or an OPF update.
- a labeling area on the outer surface of the memory unit is a labeling area.
- the labeling area allows markings to be affixed or otherwise brought in to the labeling area to allow differentiation of any two otherwise externally identical mission cartridges.
- a weapon of the present invention comprises three parts.
- the first part of the weapon of the present invention is the weapon body and includes a payload and an on-board computer functionally associated with a first connector element.
- the second part of the weapon of the present invention is a mission cartridge (as described hereinabove) and includes a memory unit functionally associated with second connector element.
- the first connector element and second connector element are configured to mate.
- the memory unit and on-board computer are functionally associated, allowing the onboard computer to access information stored in the memory unit.
- access is meant that amongst other functions, the on-board computer is configured to read information already stored in the memory unit.
- by access is meant that amongst other functions, the on-board computer is configured to store information onto the memory unit.
- the third part of the weapon of the present invention is a mission loader and includes a memory unit writer and a third connector element.
- the third connector element is configured to reversibly mate with the second connector element and is therefore substantially similar or substantially identical to the first connector element.
- the memory unit and the memory unit writer are functionally associated, allowing the memory writer to access the memory unit.
- access is meant that amongst other functions, the memory writer is configured to store information onto the memory unit.
- by access is meant that amongst other functions, the memory writer is configured to read information already stored in the memory unit.
- information written by the memory writer to be stored on the memory unit, and thereafter used by the on-board computer includes but is not necessarily limited to mission data, OPF or OPF updates.
- mission data, OPF or OPF updates are considered to be additional parts of the weapon of the present invention.
- the on-board computer is also configured to record data, such as data acquired during flight, onto a mission cartridge with which there is a functional association through the respective connectors.
- a method of attacking a target comprising a) providing a weapon of the present invention as described above; b) mating the second connector element with the third connector element; c) storing information (mission data, OPF or OPF updates) in the memory unit using the memory unit writer; d) detaching the second connector element from the third connector element; e) mating the second connector element with the first connector element; and f) the in-flight computer uses the information stored in the memory unit to attack the target.
- FlG. 1 is a schematic depiction of a mission cartridge of the present invention.
- FIGS. 2 are a schematic depiction of a weapon of the present invention.
- the present invention is a mission cartridge, a weapon and a method of using the same.
- the principles and operation of the present invention are better understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description.
- FIG. 1 is depicted a mission cartridge 10 of the present invention.
- Memory unit 12 is a flash-based data storage element contained within a protective casing.
- flash-based data storage elements are standard products that can be purchased in various sizes and with various data storage capacities.
- the leads, ports and electrical connections of memory unit 12 pass through cartridge connector element 14 and are in electrically conductive connection to pins 16.
- Cartridge connector element 14 is a male connector element of a 35-pin D38999/26WD35PN connector (Amphenol Inc., Wallingford, Connecticut, USA). Apart from pins 16, cartridge connector element 14 includes a rigid guide collar 18, alignment tabs 20 and rotatably attached tightening collar 23.
- Labelling area 22 in Figure 1 is a polymer surface on which a "permanent marker" can be used to write annotations.
- Figures 2 is depicted a weapon of the present invention.
- FIG. 2A are depicted a mission cartridge 10 together with a mission loader
- Mission loader 24 includes a memory writer 26; a loader connector element 28 in communication with memory writer 26 through cable 30; an operation flight program storage unit 32 and a mission data storage unit 34 both in communication with memory writer 26 through cables 36.
- memory writer 26 is a computer provided with software and hardware allowing transfer and writing of information to a memory unit 12 of mission cartridge 10.
- Loader connector element 28 is a female connector element of a 35-pin D38999/26WD35PN connector (Amphenol Inc.,
- Operation flight program storage unit 32 is physically a hard disk drive and stores the most recent version and updates of the operation flight program (OFP) of a given weapon. Developers continuously upgrade and improve the OFP.
- OFP operation flight program
- Mission data storage unit 34 is physically a hard disk drive and stores mission operational data for many missions. Mission operational data is continuously updated, improved and optimized for example as a result of intelligence, tactical or command decisions.
- FIG. 2B is depicted mission cartridge 10 together with a weapon body 38.
- Weapon body 38 is depicted in partial cut-out to expose the internal volume of weapon body 38 and components therein.
- Weapon body 38 includes an in-flight computer 40; a payload 42 in communication with in-flight computer 40 through cable 44; a control surface 46 in communication with in-flight computer 40 through cables 48, and a weapon body connector element 50 in communication with in-flight computer 40 through cables 52.
- Weapon body connector element 50 is a female connector of a 35-pin D38999/26 WD35PN connector (Amphenol Inc., Wallingford, Connecticut, USA).
- weapon body connector element 50 is reversibly mateable to cartridge connector element 14 (as depicted in Figure 2B).
- weapon body 38 is depicted attached to a wing 54 of an aircraft.
- a mission cartridge 10 is provided for each individual weapon.
- Cartridge connector element 14 is mated to loader connector element 28.
- memory writer 26 is functionally associated with memory unit 12 of mission cartridge 10.
- An operator uses memory writer 26 to store a most recent or most appropriate OFP from operation flight program storage unit 32 to memory unit 12. The operator also selects from the missions stored mission data storage unit 34 one or more mission operational data.
- the operational data of the selected mission or missions is stored by memory writer 26 on memory unit 12.
- Mission cartridge 10 is then disconnected from memory writer
- the operator preferably marks mission cartridge, for example by writing with a marker on labeling area 22.
- mission cartridge 10 When it is necessary to actually launch the weapon, the operator selects one of the missions stored on mission cartridge 10. The corresponding mission operational data is read from mission cartridge 10 and implemented by in-flight computer 40. In-flight computer 40 uses control surface 46 to perform the mission properly, and when appropriate, to activate payload 42.
- a mission cartridge of the present invention such as 10, is used together with an appropriately modified weapon of the present invention to record data, for example flight data acquired during training missions.
- a mission cartridge is substantially identical to that described above.
- in-flight computer 40 After mission cartridge 10 has been attached to weapon body connector element 50, in-flight computer 40 writes the desired data during a flight. When the flight is over, and if mission cartridge 10 has not been destroyed (e.g. by actual use of the weapon to which mission cartridge 10 was attached) mission cartridge 10 is detached and attached to a memory reader. The memory reader reads the flight data recorded on mission cartridge 10 for use.
- a memory reader is substantially similar to memory writer 26 depicted in Figure 2A. In fact memory writer 26 can be considered a combined memory reader / writer for the purposes of the present invention. There is thus no need for a more detailed description of a memory reader according to the present invention.
- Mission operational data can be loaded onto mission cartridges at a location remote from where the weapons are armed.
- Combat crews need not be concerned with detailed intelligence and the input of data.
- Intelligence and command units need not be exposed to unnecessary danger.
- Intelligence and operational decisions are not susceptible to interception.
- the present invention simplifies logistics by using easily available standard connectors.
- the present invention is very robust and allows simple retrofitting to existing weapons system.
- a mission cartridge of the present invention can be reused virtually endlessly and is very compact. Further a mission cartridge can more easily contain a plurality of missions due to the possibility of using random data-access.
- An additional advantage of the instant invention is that upgrading of the mission cartridge itself is simple.
- An on-board computer and connector element of the weapon body remain unchanged for years.
- the mission cartridge itself improves over the years and can continuously be changed as technology improves.
- the use of a standard connector allows this to be easily performed.
- One skilled in the art is aware that in the time scale of a few months improvements in memory unit technology reduces prices, increases capacities and increases information access speeds. Using the present invention, these improvements are implemented in existing weapon bodies at a reasonable cost. More importantly, these improvements are logistical Iy simple to implement, performed only at the moment of use and not in a weapons storage depot and the like.
- the use of the present invention also allows the transfer and use of large amounts of data.
- Information is stored onto a mission cartridge of the present invention spatially remotely from the weapon body and temporally remotely from the
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP04736454A EP1636538A2 (en) | 2003-06-16 | 2004-06-09 | Mission cartridge |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
IL156468A IL156468A (en) | 2003-06-16 | 2003-06-16 | Data mission cartridge for use with on-board weapon computer |
IL156468 | 2003-06-16 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2004111567A2 true WO2004111567A2 (en) | 2004-12-23 |
WO2004111567A3 WO2004111567A3 (en) | 2005-09-22 |
Family
ID=33548806
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/IL2004/000509 WO2004111567A2 (en) | 2003-06-16 | 2004-06-09 | Mission cartridge |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1636538A2 (en) |
IL (1) | IL156468A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2004111567A2 (en) |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5048771A (en) * | 1989-11-15 | 1991-09-17 | Hughes Aircraft Company | Method and apparatus for a reprogrammable program missile memory |
US5548510A (en) * | 1994-10-28 | 1996-08-20 | Mcdonnell Douglas Corporation | Method and apparatus for providing a universal electrical interface between an aircraft and an associated store |
US6266273B1 (en) * | 2000-08-21 | 2001-07-24 | Sandisk Corporation | Method and structure for reliable data copy operation for non-volatile memories |
-
2003
- 2003-06-16 IL IL156468A patent/IL156468A/en active IP Right Grant
-
2004
- 2004-06-09 WO PCT/IL2004/000509 patent/WO2004111567A2/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2004-06-09 EP EP04736454A patent/EP1636538A2/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5048771A (en) * | 1989-11-15 | 1991-09-17 | Hughes Aircraft Company | Method and apparatus for a reprogrammable program missile memory |
US5548510A (en) * | 1994-10-28 | 1996-08-20 | Mcdonnell Douglas Corporation | Method and apparatus for providing a universal electrical interface between an aircraft and an associated store |
US6266273B1 (en) * | 2000-08-21 | 2001-07-24 | Sandisk Corporation | Method and structure for reliable data copy operation for non-volatile memories |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
IL156468A0 (en) | 2004-08-31 |
WO2004111567A3 (en) | 2005-09-22 |
IL156468A (en) | 2013-07-31 |
EP1636538A2 (en) | 2006-03-22 |
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