Applications of directional ammunition discharged from a low velocity cannon

Abstract

A method for destruction of hostile projectiles and a design of a low velocity cannon firing projectiles that contain directional ammunition. The method includes: firing from a low velocity cannon at least one projectile containing directional ammunition and detonating this directional ammunition at the optimal distance away from the target.

1 . A method for protecting a second location from a first projectile fired from a first location at the second location, the method comprising: (a) firing at least one second projectile towards the first projectile from a low velocity cannon, said low velocity cannon discharging projectiles at a velocity substantially lower than a velocity of a projectile being discharged from a firearm of a similar caliber; (b) detonating at least one piece of directional ammunition enclosed within said second projectile; (c) destroying or damaging the first projectile with shrapnel pieces generated after detonation of said at least one piece of directional ammunition. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising tracking the first projectile. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of second projectiles being fired at the first projectile. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said second location being defined as an airborne vehicle carrying at least one low velocity cannon, the method further comprising performing at least one maneuver by said airborne vehicle carrying at least one low velocity cannon, the purpose of said maneuver being to aim said at least one low velocity cannon at said first projectile. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising detonating said at least one piece of directional ammunition via tension force of at least one piece of wire, said at least one piece of wire connecting said at least one second projectile either to said low velocity cannon or to said airborne vehicle. 
     
     
         6 . A counter-projectile weapons system comprising: (a) a low velocity cannon, said low velocity cannon comprising at least one firing tube, said at least one firing tube being substantially lighter than a firing tube of a firearm of a similar caliber; (b) at least one projectile being able to be discharged from said low velocity cannon, said at least one projectile containing at least one piece of directional ammunition; (c) at least one detonator incorporated into said at least one piece of directional ammunition; (d) a signal receiver incorporated into said at least one projectile, said signal receiver being able to initiate detonation of said at least one piece of directional ammunition after receiving an appropriate signal. 
     
     
         7 . The counter-projectile weapons system of  claim 6 , further comprising: (a) a tracker being able to track an incoming projectile; (b) an array of electronic circuits being able to receive data from said tracker and being able to automatically fire said low velocity cannon. 
     
     
         8 . The counter-projectile weapons system of  claim 6 , wherein said detonator being connected to either said low velocity cannon or any other structure with at least one piece of wire, the tension force of said at least one piece of wire acting as said appropriate signal when said at least one piece of wire becomes fully stretched. 
     
     
         9 . The counter-projectile weapons system of  claim 8 , further comprising a mechanism controlling the length of said at least one piece of wire. 
     
     
         10 . A method for protecting a ground combat vehicle from a hostile missile, the method comprising:(a) detecting and tracking said incoming hostile missile; (b) firing at least one projectile from at least one smoke grenade launcher, said at least one smoke grenade launcher being mounted on said ground combat vehicle; (c) detonating at least one piece of directional ammunition enclosed within said at least one projectile; (d) destroying or damaging said hostile missile via action of shrapnel being discharged by said at least one piece of directional ammunition. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said at least one piece of directional ammunition being detonated via tension force of at least one piece of wire, said at least one piece of wire connecting said projectile either to said at least one smoke grenade launcher or to said ground combat vehicle 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising detecting said hostile missile via an array of heat sensors, each of said heat sensors being located closer to a separate said smoke grenade launcher than to any other smoke grenade launcher mounted on said ground combat vehicle.