Automated fire control device

Abstract

A device that causes a weapon to fire upon a target when the weapon is enabled by an operator, and when the weapon point of impact passes through a target or in a proximity thereto and when the target satisfies certain criteria as determined by one or more sensors/designations. This invention represents a significant paradigm shift. Some prior art (large scale) weapons automatically acquire/track/prioritize/target/fire upon targets without operator intervention (i.e. Phalanx). Most prior art weapons, especially but not limited to small arms, are manually aimed, and fire immediately upon an input (trigger pull, or equivalent) from the operator. The current invention is a novel approach which triggers the release of a round, multi-round burst, rocket, missile, or other projectile(s) when enabled by the operator, and when the target passes through the point of impact (or desired/computed proximity thereto), relieving the operator of the split second judgment in timing the release and/or cessation of such fire. The results intended include a reduction in off-target rounds fired, increased hit rate, conservation of ammunition, more effective targeting for non-motion-stabilized weapons (in particular small/medium arms), and the introduction of a backup mode for nominally motion-stabilized weapons which may allow effective operations when primary stabilization systems fail or are overwhelmed by dynamics. This invention is applicable (in embodiments of varying complexity) to weapons ranging from handheld pistols to the main (artillery) gun of a tank, a ship, or the cannon aboard an aircraft.