Infra-red emitting decoy flare

Abstract

An infra-red emitting decoy flare capable of diverting an incoming missile equipped with a counter-countermeasures system away from an intended target consisting of a primer flare ( 2 ), a spectral flare ( 4 ) and a means for igniting the primer flare ( 22, 30 ), all contained within a flare casing ( 6 ). The primer flare ( 2 ) is formed from a fast burning pyrotechnic composition and is adapted to produce an intense infra-red source of short duration on ignition. The spectral flare ( 4 ) is ignited by the burning of the primer flare ( 2 ) and is adapted to produce a slower burning composition having a fixed ratio in the intensity of infra-red radiation emitted, when burning, in at least two fixed bands.

1 - 26 . (canceled)  
   
   
       27 . An infra-red emitting decoy flare comprising a flare casing, two pyrotechnic components housed within the flare casing, and an ignition system for igniting the pyrotechnic components, the two pyrotechnic components comprising a primer flare and a spectral flare, the primer flare including at least one primer pellet comprising a fast burning pyrotechnic composition that causes rapid ignition of the primer pellet to produce an intense infra-red source, the spectral flare including at least one spectral pellet comprising a pyrotechnic composition that produces a spectral infra-red source having ratios of the intensity of the infra red spectrum measured at at least two fixed bands at the same time lying within a fixed range, and wherein the spectral flare is still burning after the primer flare has finished burning, and wherein the spectral flare further comprises an explosive material with a waxy composition.  
   
   
       28 . An infra-red emitting decoy flare as claimed in  claim 27  wherein the intensity of the infra-red radiation emitted from the spectral flare is greater than that normally emitted from an intended target.  
   
   
       29 . An infra-red emitting decoy flare as claimed in  claim 27  wherein the primer flare comprises a stack of discs of a pyrotechnic composition.  
   
   
       30 . An infra-red emitting decoy flare as claimed in  claim 27  wherein the primer flare is provided with a central hole.  
   
   
       31 . An infra-red emitting decoy flare as claimed in  claim 27  wherein the primer flare is provided with a plurality of holes.  
   
   
       32 . An infra-red emitting decoy flare as claimed in  claim 27  wherein the primer flare has a plurality of grooves in its surface.  
   
   
       33 . An infra-red emitting decoy flare as claimed in  claim 27  wherein the burn time of the primer flare is within the range of 100 to 600 ms.  
   
   
       34 . An infra-red emitting decoy flare as claimed in  claim 33  wherein the burn time of the primer flare is in the range of 150 to 250 ms.  
   
   
       35 . An infra-red emitting decoy flare as claimed in  claim 27  wherein the spectral flare comprises a single pellet.  
   
   
       36 . An infra-red emitting decoy flare as claimed in  claim 35  wherein the spectral flare is provided with a central hole.  
   
   
       37 . An infra-red emitting decoy flare as claimed in  claim 27  wherein the spectral flare is ignited by the burning of the primer flare.  
   
   
       38 . An infra-red emitting decoy flare as claimed in  claim 27  wherein the primer flare is formed from a fast burning magnesium-Teflon-Viton composition.  
   
   
       39 . An infra-red emitting decoy flare as claimed in  claim 27  wherein the ignition of the primer pellet produces an intense spectral infra-red source wherein the ratio of the intensity of the infra-red spectrum at at least two fixed bands is within a fixed range.  
   
   
       40 . An infra-red emitting decoy flare as claimed in  claim 39  wherein the primer flare is comprised from a composition of potassium benzoate, potassium perchlorate and a binder comprised of an explosive material with a waxy composition.  
   
   
       41 . An infra-red emitting decoy flare as claimed in  claim 27  wherein the spectral flare pyrotechnic composition produces quantities of gas on ignition.  
   
   
       42 . An infra-red emitting decoy flare as claimed in  claim 27  wherein the spectral flare is formed from a composition having an organic fuel or a boron fuel, an oxidant and a binder.  
   
   
       43 . An infra-red emitting decoy flare as claimed in  claim 42  wherein the oxidant is chosen from the group of potassium perchlorate, potassium nitrate, sodium nitrate and ammonium nitrate.  
   
   
       44 . An infra-red emitting decoy flare as claimed in  claim 42  wherein the binder is chosen from the group of Viton A, dextrin or polybutyl rubber.  
   
   
       45 . An infra-red emitting decoy flare as claimed in  claim 42  wherein the spectral flare composition comprises an additive such as silicon.  
   
   
       46 . An infra-red emitting decoy flare as claimed in  claim 42  wherein the organic fuel is chosen from the group comprising sucrose, lactose, starch and potassium benzoate.  
   
   
       47 . An infra-red emitting decoy flare as claimed in  claim 27  wherein the explosive material is chosen from the group of RDX, HMX and HNS.  
   
   
       48 . An infra-red emitting decoy flare as claimed in  claim 27  wherein the spectral flare composition is formed from a mix of 30-40% by mass of potassium benzoate and 60-70% by mass of potassium perchlorate together with 3-8% by mass of RDX, HMX or HNS.