Method and apparatus for flight path correction of projectiles

Abstract

A method and an apparatus for flight path correction of one or more projectiles (2-6) with the aid of a guide beam (9), wherein target data, such as speed, range and direction of movement, are continuously acquired in a fire-guidance system associated with the firing device (1), for example, an automatic cannon, and are transmitted to the laser apparatus (21) that produces the guide beam (9), and wherein each projectile includes a receiving apparatus (31) which receives the guide beam (9). To be able to correct, in a simple manner with a pulse correction, both individual projectiles as well as a plurality of projectiles flying closely behind one another in time and having different courses, the guide beam (9) is aimed toward the collision point (15) calculated on the basis of the target data, and the guide beam (9) is subdivided into a plurality, at least five, partial beams (guide beam segments 10-14) including a central guide beam segment (10) which is aimed at the collision point (15) and around which the remaining partial beams or beam segments are disposed. The guide beam segments (10-14) are all modulated differently. Each projectile (2-6), with the aid of its respective receiving apparatus (31), then determines the angular position necessary for the correction, with respect to the collision point (15), from the modulation of the respective received guide beam segment (10-14).