Spin-stabilized projectile with pulse receiver and method of use

Abstract

A spin-stabilized projectile the trajectory of which can be improved to increase accuracy with the projectile being controlled by a source of electromagnetic radiation providing pulses carrying encoded information. The projectile includes a nose end and a midportion having a periphery disposed about which are a plurality of spaced masses with a high explosive charge associated with each mass for high explosive detonation acceleration of its corresponding mass to provide an impulse to the projectile. A projectile has a boattail defining a cavity opened at the rear end of the boattail. Received in the cavity is a pulsed electromagnetic radiation receiver and processor. This radiation receiver and processor has a component for determining the appoximate elapsed time from firing of the projectile, a component for determining the direction of the source of electromagnetic radiation with respect to the projectile, a component for determining approximate vertical, a component for determining rotational rate, and a component for counting the times between adjacent electromagnetic pulses in a series of such pulses. The radiation receiver and processor also includes a microprocessor responsive to these components for controlling selective high explosive detonation acceleration of the masses to improve the trajectory of the projectile towards its target. A method of controlling a number of such projectiles is also disclosed.