Weapons control systems

Abstract

Weapons control systems are disclosed including a handheld display and wiring loom configurations for weapons control systems. A control system for a weapon comprises a sight unit for mounting to the weapon for capturing image data for targeting the weapon. The control system also comprises a handheld display having a sight viewable by at least one eye of an operator of the weapon to view data associated with operation of the weapon including image data collected by the sight unit and a controller to control operation of the weapon. The control system also comprises a communication system coupled to be in communication with the handheld display and the sight unit to enable the operator to remotely view the data associated with operation of the weapon and simultaneously control operation of the weapon.

1 . A control system for a weapon, the control system comprising:
 a sight unit for mounting to the weapon or a cradle holding the weapon for capturing image data for targeting the weapon;   a handheld display having:
 a sight viewable by at least one eye of an operator of the weapon to view data associated with operation of the weapon including image data collected by the sight unit; and 
 a controller to control operation of the weapon; and 
   a communication system coupled to be in communication with the handheld display and the sight unit to enable the operator to remotely view the data associated with operation of the weapon and simultaneously control operation of the weapon.   
     
     
         2 . The control system of  claim 1 , wherein communication between the communication system, the handheld display and the sight unit is one of the following: wireless; wired; a combination of wired and wireless communication. 
     
     
         3 . The control system of  claim 1 , further comprising a display unit in communication with the sight unit for displaying imaging data collected by the sight unit. 
     
     
         4 . The control system of  claim 3 , wherein the display unit is mounted to one of the following: the weapon; the cradle; a frame of the cradle. 
     
     
         5 . The control system of  claim 1 , further comprising a grip mouse control in communication with the sight unit for controlling movement of the sight unit. 
     
     
         6 . The control system of  claim 5 , wherein the grip mouse control is in communication with a firing mechanism of the weapon to control firing of the weapon. 
     
     
         7 . The control system of  claim 6 , wherein the combination of the grip mouse control, the sight unit and a display unit comprise a fire control system for the weapon. 
     
     
         8 . The control system of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more thermal cameras in wired or wireless communication with at least the sight unit. 
     
     
         9 . The control system of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more thermal cameras are mounted to or integrated with the sight unit. 
     
     
         10 . The control system of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more thermal cameras are integrated with the sight unit such that the operator can remotely view image data captured by the one or more thermal cameras and simultaneously control operation of the weapon. 
     
     
         11 . The control system of  claim 1 , further comprising two thermal cameras in wired or wireless communication with at least the sight unit, the two thermal cameras having different fields of view or ranges thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The control system of  claim 11 , wherein one thermal camera has a wide field of view and another thermal camera has a narrow field of view. 
     
     
         13 . The control system of  claim 1 , further comprising a head-up display for mounting to a helmet worn by the operator, the head-up display in wired or wireless communication with the communication system. 
     
     
         14 . The control system of  claim 8 , further comprising a back up control unit coupled to be in communication with the one or more thermal cameras and the sight unit. 
     
     
         15 . The control system of  claim 14 , wherein the back up control unit enables switching to one of the following: a back up power supply; a back up communication system. 
     
     
         16 . The control system of  claim 1 , further comprising a recording system coupled to be in communication with the sight unit for recording images captured by the sight unit. 
     
     
         17 . The control system of  claim 13 , wherein the recording system is coupled to be in communication with at least one thermal camera for recording images captured by the at least one thermal camera. 
     
     
         18 . The control system of  claim 13 , wherein the recording system is incorporated in the communication system. 
     
     
         19 . The control system of  claim 1 , further comprising an extension arm coupled to the cradle for mounting the sight unit. 
     
     
         20 . The control system of  claim 19 , wherein the extension arm mounts the sight unit forward of the cradle. 
     
     
         21 . The control system of  claim 1 , further comprising a cable loom configuration coupling at least to the sight unit, the handheld display and the communications system such that disconnection of the cable loom configuration from the sight unit, the handheld display, the communications system or the cradle is not required for transportation of the weapon and weapon control system. 
     
     
         22 . The control system of  claim 21 , wherein at least part of a central portion of the cable loom configuration is coupled to an underside of the weapons cradle. 
     
     
         23 . A handheld display for a weapon control system, the handheld display comprising:
 a sight viewable by at least one eye of an operator of the weapon to view data associated with operation of the weapon including image data collected by a sight unit in communication with the handheld display; and   a controller to control operation of the weapon.   
     
     
         24 . The handheld display of  claim 23 , wherein the sight unit is in wireless communication with the handheld display and the controller wirelessly controls operation of the weapon. 
     
     
         25 . A cable loom configuration for a weapon control system, the cable loom configuration comprising:
 a first cable component for coupling to a power supply, a sight unit and a communication system of the weapon control system;   a second cable component for coupling to a back-up control unit, at least one camera and the sight unit of the weapon control system; and   a third cable component for coupling to a display unit, an input device and the sight unit of the weapon control system.   
     
     
         26 . The cable loom configuration of  claim 25 , wherein the communication system includes a radio. 
     
     
         27 . A control system for a weapon, the control system comprising:
 a sight unit for mounting to the weapon or a cradle holding the weapon for capturing image data for targeting the weapon;   a controller to control operation of the weapon;   a communication system coupled to be in communication with the sight unit and the controller to enable an operator to remotely view data associated with operation of the weapon including the image data and simultaneously control operation of the weapon; and   a cable loom configuration coupling at least to the sight unit, the controller and the communications system such that disconnection of the cable loom configuration from the sight unit, the controller, the communications system or the cradle is not required for transportation of the weapon and weapon control system.