Host vehicle rocket launcher connectivity system

Abstract

A host vehicle, rocket launcher and rocket assembly connectivity system that automatically determines inventory of plural rocket assemblies of different types randomly loaded in plural rocket launcher tubes in multiple host vehicle rocket launcher installations, manages pre-launch functions for new guided rocket-types, manages fuze setting of time-set fuzes, fires selected guided and unguided rocket assemblies using stored inventory information automatically acquired directly from rocket assemblies and verifies rocket-away after firing command, while maintaining compatibility with legacy US military time-set fuzes, warheads and Rocket Management Systems (RMS).

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A rocket launcher and rocket connectivity system adapted to be connected to a host vehicle for launching rockets, the system comprising:
 means for automatically determining launcher presence and type;   means for providing standby and arming power to the host vehicle's Rocket Management Launcher;   means for communicating commands, data and status between the host vehicle Fire Control System and host vehicle Launcher Interface Assembly through the host vehicle Local Area Network;   means for automatically determining on-board rocket inventory by type and location of a plural number of different rocket assembly-types randomly loaded in a plural number of rocket launcher tubes by way of Rocket Identification;   means for providing pre-launch switched standby power to the Seeker-Guidance Section of guided rockets;   means communicating pre-launch commands, status and data to the Seeker-Guidance Section of guided rockets; and,   means for enabling a launch of said rockets.   
     
     
         2 . The system as defined in  claim 1  further comprising means for communicating data to future rocket assembly Digital time-set Fuzes, setting legacy Analog time-set Fuzes 
     
     
         3 . The system as defined in  claim 1  further comprising means for testing, safeing, arming and firing Rocket Motor Squibs of selected rocket assembly types in various firing modes as commanded by the host vehicle Fire Control System and sensing misfires by way of Misfire Detection through rocket launcher/rocket assembly. 
     
     
         4 . The system as defined in  claim 1  further comprising means for means for testing, safeing, arming and firing of Seeker-Guidance Section Thermal Battery Squibs. 
     
     
         5 . A host vehicle, rocket launcher and rocket connectivity system for automatically determining the rocket inventory directly from a rocket assembly comprising a plurality of guided and legacy unguided rockets of different types randomly loaded in a plurality number of multi-tube rocket launchers controlled by a Fire Control System and Launcher Electronics Module having a guided rocket Seeker-Guidance Section, the system comprising:
 means for connecting a rotating rocket motor or rotating rocket assembly once fired to a stationary rocket launcher while maintaining electrical connectivity between a Launcher Rocket Interface Connector/Launcher Adapter Interface Connector and the Rocket Launcher Interface Connector;   means for communicating with the Rocket Identification/Misfire Detection circuits within said rocket electronics module to monitor the status of said rockets and develop an inventory of stored data;   means for providing standby operating power and arming power to the Launcher Electronics Module;   means for providing serial communication commands, status and data between the host vehicle through a host Local Area Network;   means for providing pre-launch legacy airburst time-set Analog Fuze signals;   means for setting future airburst time-set Digital Fuzes;   means for providing pre-launch guided rocket standby operating power, serial communication commands, status and data between the Launcher Electronics Module and guided rocket Seeker-Guidance Section;   means for testing, safeing, arming and firing guided rocket Seeker-Guidance Section Thermal Battery Squibs; and,   means for testing, safeing, arming and firing Rocket Motor Squibs of selected rocket assembly types in various firing modes as commanded by the host vehicle Fire Control System using data from said stored inventory to sense misfire from the Rocket Identification/Misfire Detection circuits once a given rocket assembly has been commanded to be fired.   establishing connectivity between the host vehicle, new guided rocket assemblies and legacy unguided rocket assemblies, while maintaining compatibility with service branch legacy rocket launchers, warheads, fuzes and Rocket Management Systems;   
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 5 , wherein said common Rocket Management Launcher connectivity comprises a Launcher Interface Assembly. 
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 6 , wherein said Launcher Interface Assembly comprises Launcher Interface Panel(s), Launcher Interface Module, Launcher Electronics Module and Rocket Interface Module rigid Printed Wiring Assembly connected by discrete wiring and/or Flex Cable. 
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 7  wherein said Launcher Interface Panel comprises a removable and replaceable panel, similar in form to existing art, which is attached to the launcher skin in the approximate location as legacy Launcher Interface Panels are currently located, and includes two forms for each US service branch, wherein one is compatible with service branch host Fire Control System Local Area Network, and one is compatible with service branch legacy Rocket Management System; whereby, each can be replaced with an environmentally sealed cover when not in use: 
     
     
         9 . A host vehicle, rocket launcher and rocket assembly connectivity system arrangement which is capable of automatically determining rocket inventory directly from the rocket assembly by way of Rocket Identification/Misfire Detection from a plurality of new guided and legacy unguided rocket assemblies of different types randomly loaded in a plural number of multi-tube rocket launchers; providing pre-launch power to the Launcher Electronics Module; providing serial communication commands, status and data between the host vehicle Fire Control System and Launcher Electronics Module by way of the host Local Area Network; providing pre-launch switched operating power to new guided rocket Seeker-Guidance Sections; providing pre-launch legacy airburst time-set Analog Fuze signals; provisioning for setting future airburst time-set Digital Fuzes; serial communication commands, status and data between the Launcher Electronics Module and new guided rocket Seeker-Guidance Section; testing, safeing, arming and firing of guided rocket Seeker-Guidance Section Thermal Battery Squibs; testing, safeing, arming and firing of Rocket Motor Squibs of selected rocket assembly types in various firing modes as commanded by the host vehicle Fire Control System using said stored inventory derived directly from said rocket assemblies and sense rocket assembly misfire by way of Rocket Identification/Misfire Detection once; wherein, said connectivity system arrangement comprises:
 a common rocket launcher connectivity arrangement for all US military service branches, which includes all required connectivity between the host vehicle, new guided rocket assemblies and legacy unguided rocket assemblies, while maintaining compatibility with service branch legacy rocket launchers, warheads, fuzes and Rocket Management Systems; and,   a Launcher Interface Assembly comprising Launcher Interface Panel(s) and Wiring Assemblies including Launcher Interface Module(s), Launcher Electronics Module and Rocket Interface Module interconnected by discrete wiring, Printed Wiring Assembly connectors and Flex Cable.   
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 9  including a rocket assembly connectivity arrangement having means for connecting a rotating rocket motor or complete rocket assembly to a rocket launcher while maintaining said electrical connectivity between the Rocket Housing Connector Launcher Rocket Interface Connector/Launcher Adapter Interface Connector and the Rocket Launcher Interface Connector during pre-launch.