Towed body for representing an airborne target

Abstract

The invention relates to a tow body for representing a flying target by means of infrared flares, the infrared flares being situated on the rear of the tow body and being ejectable by the tow body and being pulled by the tow body by means of a reel-off towing cable during burning time. According to the invention, a drop unit ( 1 ) for the burned-up IR flares is arranged on the rear of the tow body, which drop unit ( 1 ) comprises a circular receiving unit ( 7 ) which is rotatably disposed and constructed under a retaining plate ( 8 ), for the towing cable nipples ( 17 ) forming the tow-body-side end of the towing cable, after the burning-up of an infrared flare, the corresponding towing cable nipple ( 17 ) connected with the infrared flare being released by a rotation of the receiving unit ( 7 ).

1 . Tow body for representing a flying target by means of infrared flares, the infrared flares being situated on the rear of the tow body and being ejectable by the tow body and being pulled by the tow body by means of a reel-off towing cable during burning time, 
 characterized in that a drop unit ( 1 ) for the burned-up IR flares is arranged on the rear of the tow body, which drop unit ( 1 ) comprises a circular receiving unit ( 7 ) which is rotatably disposed and constructed under a retaining plate ( 8 ), for the towing cable nipples ( 17 ) forming the tow-body-side end of the towing cable, after the burning-up of an infrared flare, the corresponding towing cable nipple ( 17 ) connected with the infrared flare being released by a rotation of the receiving unit ( 7 ).    
     
     
         2 . Tow body according to  claim 1 , 
 characterized in that indentations ( 10 ) for receiving the towing cable nipples ( 17 ) are constructed in the receiving unit ( 7 ) at a fixed distance from the center, and a not completely closed ring-shaped recess ( 13 ) is constructed in the retaining plate ( 8 ), the width of the recess being smaller than the diameter of the towing cable nipples ( 17 ).    
     
     
         3 . Tow body according to  claim 1  or  2 , 
 characterized in that an opening is constructed in the retaining plate ( 8 ) whose diameter is larger than the diameter of the towing cable nipples ( 17 ).  
 
     
     
         4 . Tow body according to one of the preceding claims, 
 characterized in that the angular position of the receiving unit ( 7 ) can be detected by means of an intermittent sprocket  18 ) of a microswitch ( 3 ) rolling off on the circumference of the receiving unit ( 7 ).    
     
     
         5 . Tow body according to  claim 4 , 
 characterized in that recesses ( 11 ) for receiving the intermittent sprocket ( 18 ) are constructed on the circumference of the receiving unit ( 7 ), which recesses ( 11 ) are assigned to the individual indentations ( 10 ).    
     
     
         6 . Tow body according to one of the preceding claims, 
 characterized in that a driving motor ( 2 ) is provided for driving the receiving unit ( 7 ).    
     
     
         7 . Tow body according to  claim 6 , 
 characterized in that the power supply of the driving motor ( 2 ) and the microswitch ( 3 ) are connected in parallel.    
     
     
         8 . Tow body according to one of the preceding claims, 
 characterized in that an electronic control device is provided by means of which the IR flares are ignited and can be ejected from the ejection unit of the tow body and, after the burning-up of the IR flares, can be dropped with the towing cable.    
     
     
         9 . Tow body according to one of the preceding claims, 
 characterized in that, for promoting the ejection of the towing cable nipples ( 17 ), spring elements ( 12 ) are provided in the indentations for receiving the towing cable nipples ( 17 ), which spring elements ( 12 ) have a force acting in the direction of the retaining plate ( 8 ).