Projectile for radially deploying sub-projectiles

Abstract

A projectile (10) for firing from a barrel, said projectile including a multiplicity of barrel assemblies (12, 13, 14) radially disposed from the centre of mass of the projectile, wherein each of said multiplicity of barrel assemblies includes a plurality of sub-projectiles (16) axially disposed within a barrel; each of said sub-projectiles associated with a discrete propellent charge (17) for propelling a respective sub-projectile from the barrel, wherein said projectile is capable of selectively firing sub-projectiles (16), suitably with the aid of primers (18) each coupled to an electronic controller (15). to provide a predetermined pattern of deployed sub-projectiles. A defence system employing projectiles of the type described is also disclosed, together with a method for disguising the launch location of a projectile utilising divert propulsion.

1 . A projectile for launching at a target, said projectile including: 
 a multiplicity of barrel assemblies radially disposed from the centre of mass of the projectile, wherein each of said multiplicity of barrel assemblies includes a plurality of sub-projectiles axially disposed within a barrel;    each of said sub-projectiles associated with a discrete propellent charge for propelling a respective sub-projectile from the barrel, wherein said projectile is capable of selectively firing sub-projectiles to provide a predetermined pattern of deployed sub-projectiles.    
     
     
         2 . The projectile of  claim 1  wherein the projectile is adapted to be fired from a barrel.  
     
     
         3 . The projectile of  claim 2  wherein the plurality of sub-projectiles is axially disposed within the barrel for operative sealing engagement with the bore of the barrel.  
     
     
         4 . The projectile of any one of  claims 1  to  3  that is generally spherical in shape and have the multiplicity of barrel assemblies radially disposed from the centre of the sphere.  
     
     
         5 . The projectile of  claim 4  having a variety of different barrel diameters in order that sub-projectiles of a variety of calibres may be utilised.  
     
     
         6 . The projectile of either  claim 4  or  claim 5  wherein relatively large diameter barrels are disposed from the centre of the spherical projectile and relatively small diameter barrels are positioned between the larger diameter barrels to maximise sub-projectile density in the projectile.  
     
     
         7 . The projectile of any one of  claims 1  to  6  wherein the projectile includes a sabot.  
     
     
         8 . The projectile of any one of  claims 1  to  7  further including an electronic controller for controlling ignition of the propellant charges.  
     
     
         9 . The projectile of  claim 8  wherein a number of sub-projectiles can be fired simultaneously or in quick succession.  
     
     
         10 . The projectile of either  claim 8  or  claim 9  wherein the multiplicity of barrel assemblies are arranged such that the sub-projectiles may be deployed with minimal resultant reactive force on the projectile, allowing the projectile to maintain a desired trajectory.  
     
     
         11 . The projectile of  claim 8  further including sensors for tracking a threat or intruder.  
     
     
         12 . The projectile of  claim 8  wherein said electronic controller receives firing instructions from a remote tracking station via a communications link.  
     
     
         13 . The projectile of any one of  claims 1  to  12  wherein sub-projectiles are deployed in order to alter or control the trajectory of the projectile.  
     
     
         14 . A method of intercepting a missile, said method including the steps of determining the path of the missile; firing a projectile as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  13  into the path of said missile; and firing selected sub-projectiles to form a predetermined pattern of sub-projectiles in and adjacent to the determined path of the missile.  
     
     
         15 . A self defence method for a vehicle from an attacking force including the steps of determining the location of the attacking force; firing a projectile as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  13  adjacent to the determined location of the attacking force; and firing selected sub-projectiles to form a predetermined pattern of sub-projectiles in and adjacent to the determined location of the attacking force.  
     
     
         16 . A method of repelling an infantry including the steps of determining the location of the infantry; firing at least one projectile as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  13  adjacent to the determined location of the infantry; and firing selected sub-projectiles to form a predetermined pattern of sub-projectiles in and adjacent to the determined location of the infantry.  
     
     
         17 . A method of forming airborne images including the steps of firing a projectile as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  13  into the air; and firing selected sub-projectiles including image forming matter to form a predetermined pattern of image forming matter in the air.  
     
     
         18 . A method of fire fighting including the steps of determining the location of the fire; firing at least one projectile as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  13  adjacent to the determined location of the fire; firing selected sub-projectiles to form a predetermined pattern of sub-projectiles in and adjacent to the determined location of the fire; and deploying from the fired sub-projectiles a fire retardant.  
     
     
         19 . A method of generating a fuel-air explosion including the steps of selecting the desired. location of the fuel-air explosion; firing at least one projectile as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  13  adjacent to the desired location of the fuel-air explosion; firing selected sub-projectiles including a fuel to form a predetermined pattern of sub-projectiles; deploying the fuel from the fired sub-projectiles; firing selected sub-projectiles including detonators to form a predetermined pattern of sub-projectiles; detonating said detonators to generate a fuel-air explosion.  
     
     
         20 . A method of deploying a payload including the steps of selecting a desired location for the delivery of a payload; firing at least one projectile as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  13  adjacent to the desired location of the payload; firing selected sub-projectiles including said payload to form a predetermined pattem of sub-projectiles; and deploying said payload from the fired sub-projectiles.  
     
     
         21 . A defence system for defending a designated area, said defence system including: 
 at least one monitor for monitoring the designated area to detect any zone therein in which a new presence appears;    defence means capable of debilitating an intruder present anywhere in a remote designated area wherein said defence means includes a weapon capable of firing projectiles, wherein the projectiles include: 
 an array of barrel assemblies disposed radially from the centre of mass of the projectile, each barrel assembly having a plurality of secondary or sub-projectiles axially disposed within a barrel, which sub-projectiles are associated with discrete propellant charges for propelling said sub-projectiles sequentially from the barrel, and  
 said array of barrel assemblies is capable of selectively firing the sub-projectiles from selected barrels whereby said projectile may deploy a predetermined pattern of sub-projectiles; and  
   communication means providing communication between the monitor and the defence for triggering selective activation of the defence for delivering a debilitating attack to the detected zone.    
     
     
         22 . The defence system of  claim 21  wherein the monitors include one or more on-site sensors deployed in the designated area or remote-sensing means deployed remote from the designated area.  
     
     
         23 . The defence system of either  claim 21  or  claim 22  wherein the monitoring means provide a visual display of the monitored designated zone so that manual override means may be actuated, if desired, to enable manual control of the weapon.  
     
     
         24 . The defence system of any of  claims 21  to  23  wherein a number of sub-projectiles be fired simultaneously from a plurality of barrels or in quick succession from the one barrel.  
     
     
         25 . The defence system of  claim 24  wherein an electrical firing signal is carried through a circuit externally of the barrel.  
     
     
         26 . The defence system of  claim 24  wherein an electrical firing signal is carried through superimposed sub-projectiles.  
     
     
         27 . The defence system of  claim 26  wherein the sub-projectiles clip on to one another to continue an electrical circuit through the barrel.  
     
     
         28 . The defence system of  claim 26  wherein the sub-projectiles abut in electrical contact with one another.  
     
     
         29 . The defence system of  claim 24  wherein the sub-projectiles each carry a control circuit.  
     
     
         30 . The defence system of any one of  claims 21  to  29  wherein the array of barrel assemblies includes barrels arranged adjacent an end of the projectile for effecting changes in attitude of the projectile.  
     
     
         31 . The defence system of any one of  claims 21  to  30  wherein the array of barrel assemblies includes barrels arranged medially for laterally displacing the projectile.  
     
     
         32 . The defence system of any one of  claims 21  to  31  wherein each array of barrel assemblies may fire a sub-projectile in a direction having a longitudinal component in order to provide a consequent addition to the kinetic energy of the projectile.  
     
     
         33 . The defence system of any one of  claims 21  to  31  wherein each array of barrel assemblies may fire a sub-projectile in a direction having a component in a direction tangential to the longitudinal axis of the projectile in order to impart or change projectile rotation about its longitudinal axis.  
     
     
         34 . The defence system of any one of  claims 21  to  33  wherein at least some of the barrel assemblies may fire secondary projectiles across flight surfaces such as a wing to induce a further steering effect to the projectile.  
     
     
         35 . The defence system of any one of  claims 21  to  33  wherein at least some of the barrel assemblies extend through aerofoil surfaces so as to fire in both directions.  
     
     
         36 . The defence system of any one of  claims 21  to  33  wherein a separate array or opposing arrays of barrel assemblies are provided to control projectile rotation about the longitudinal axis of the projectile.  
     
     
         37 . The defence system of  claim 36  wherein the configuration of said arrays include opposing pairs of barrel assemblies that are fired simultaneously to effect changes in rotation about the longitudinal axis of the projectile only.  
     
     
         38 . The defence system of any one of  claims 21  to  37  wherein energy required to change attitude and trajectory of the projectiles is provided by the firing of sub-projectiles from selected barrel assemblies.  
     
     
         39 . A method of masking the launch location of a projectile launching apparatus, said method including the steps of: 
 (a) discharging at least one projectile from a barrel assembly, said barrel assembly having a barrel, a plurality of projectiles axially disposed within the barrel for operative sealing engagement with the bore of the barrel, and discrete propellant charges for propelling respective projectiles sequentially through the muzzle of the barrel; and    (b) whilst said at least one projectile is in flight firing at least one sub-projectile from an array of divert propulsion assemblies incorporated therein, each divert propulsion assembly having a plurality of sub-projectiles axially disposed within a divert propulsion barrel, which sub-projectiles are associated with secondary discrete propellant charges for propelling said sub-projectiles sequentially from the divert propulsion barrel; wherein    (c) said array of divert propulsion barrel assemblies is capable of selectively firing the sub-projectiles from selected divert propulsion barrels whereby said projectile is accelerated by the reactionary force generated by said firing of sub-projectiles.