Observation and/or firing system

Abstract

The invention relates to an observation and/or firing system intended for an observer housed in a vehicle 1 , wherein the vehicle 1 is equipped with elevation means 3 for the observation means 4 , said means 4 being supported by a supporting structure, said elevation means 3 being equipped with an interface 19 to provide a power supply and communications with the observation means 4. The observation means 4 are constituted by a cupola adapted to the supporting structure and able to be removed from it. The cupola 4 is a component of the usable supporting structure which can be a vehicle.

1 . An observation and/or firing system intended for an observer housed in a vehicle ( 1 ), wherein the vehicle ( 1 ) is equipped with elevation means ( 3 ) for the observation means ( 4 ), said means ( 4 ) being supported by a supporting structure, said elevation means ( 3 ) being equipped with an interface ( 19 ) to provide a power supply and communications with the observation means ( 4 ).  
   
   
       2 . An observation and/or firing system according to  claim 1 , wherein the observation means ( 4 ) are constituted by a cupola adapted to the supporting structure and able to be removed from it.  
   
   
       3 . An observation and/or firing system according to  claim 1 , wherein the cupola ( 4 ) is a component of the usable supporting structure.  
   
   
       4 . An observation and/or firing system according to  claim 3 , wherein the supporting structure is a vehicle ( 1 ).  
   
   
       5 . An observation and/or firing system according to  claim 4 , wherein the elevation means ( 3 ) are constituted by the maneuvering arm of the vehicle.  
   
   
       6 . An observation and/or firing system according to  claim 5 , wherein the cupola ( 4 ) is equipped with control means activated by the observer when the cupola ( 4 ) is attached to the elevation means ( 3 ) or to the vehicle.  
   
   
       7 . An observation and/or firing system according to  claim 5 , wherein the cupola ( 4 ) is equipped with sensors to measure the distance or identify the vehicle or targets.  
   
   
       8 . An observation and/or firing system according to  claim 7 , wherein the sensors are cameras that can be of the day, low level lighting, thermal infrared, light intensifying type, radars, optical or laser range finders, imaging systems, pointed optics detectors or position finders.  
   
   
       9 . An observation and/or firing system according to  claim 1 , wherein the cupola ( 4 ) is equipped with offensive devices intended to neutralize, destroy or blind a target.  
   
   
       10 . An observation and/or firing system according to  claim 9 , wherein the offensive devices ( 18 ) are constituted by grenade launchers, automatic weapons, cannons or mortars, missile launchers or lasers.  
   
   
       11 . An observation and/or firing system according to  claim 1 , wherein the observation means ( 4 ) comprise a base ( 10 ) able to be adapted onto the supporting structure ( 1 ) and onto the elevation means ( 3 ), a first cradle ( 12 ) able to move along a first axis (D 1 ) with respect to the supporting structure under the action of motor means ( 25 ), a second cradle ( 13 ) able to move along a second axis (D 2 ) under the action of a motor ( 15 ) with respect to the first cradle, and interfaces to provide power and communications between he structure and the base, the first and second cradle.  
   
   
       12 . An observation and/or firing system according to  claim 11 , wherein the vehicle ( 11 ) is equipped with control means for the observation means from the driver's cabin, reception means for the signals transmitted by the observation means and image display means.  
   
   
       13 . An observation and/or firing system according to  claim 11 , wherein the offensive devices ( 18 ) and the observation means ( 16 ) are fastened to the second cradle ( 12 ).  
   
   
       14 . An observation and/or firing system according to  claim 1 , wherein the elevation means ( 3 ), the motor means and the observation means ( 4 ) are provided with electrical, hydraulic or pneumatic power.