Textron Systems Corporation

Ralph Nardone

Richard P McConville

James A Hollowell

Dean E Rich

Robert Kingsley

Norman C Lariviere

In a sensor-fuzed munition system and method, the munition is provided with an additional laser designator/repeater mode of operation. In the laser designator/repeater mode, the munition has the option of initiating a target strike additionally based on whether a laser appointer energy is detected as being present on the target. The laser appointer energy signal is generated at a wavelength that is consistent with the wavelength of the laser rangefinder of the munition, and is generated based on the detected presence of a designator signal at a designator spot on the target. The laser appointer signal is directed to the designator spot and detected by the munition laser rangefinder receiver. In one embodiment, the repeater system for detecting the designator signal and for generating the appointer signal is provided on the delivery vehicle for the submunition. This additional mode of operation is preferably achieved using the existing laser receiver of the rangefinder hardware, with minimal additional hardware and software systems for detecting and processing the additional laser appointer signal energy. In this manner, collateral damage and false-target firings are decreased to near-zero probability.

Laser designator and repeater system for sensor fuzed submunition and method of operation thereof

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for the controllable deployment of a samara wing from a spinning housing by use of an active deployment system. The active deployment system operates to deploy the samara wing as a function of time, for example a step function, or a monotonic function. The samara wing may be attached to a base, which may include a releasable portion. The active deployment system may include an electronic control unit and release means. Suitable release means include, but are not limited to pin actuators, explosively actuated cutters, and the like. Suitable electronic control units include programmable electronic sequencers and the like.

Methods and apparatus for active deployment of a samara wing

A method and system for extracting and targeting multiple submunitions from a delivery vehicle. Each submunition may be self-extracting, recoil-less extracting, self-spin initiating, and/or sensor fuzed.

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Billerica, MA, United States of America

Ralph Nardone