Overflying munitions device and system

Abstract

In a munitions system, a cylindrical canister is fired over a target. The canister carries a target sensing infrared device and, when a target is detected, a projectile is fired downward from the bottom of the overflying missile. A spinning motion is imparted to the missile to stabilize its flight, and a wobbling motion is imparted to the missile to provide a larger target area. The projectile forms a concave lower end to the missile and is fired by an explosive charge.

We claim: 
     
       1. A munitions system comprising: a missile having a projectile mounted for downward firing from the bottom of the missile;   means for propelling the missile along a .Iadd.ballistic .Iaddend.trajectory to overfly a target;   stabilizing means for stabilizing the missile in flight with the projectile directed downward;   means for imparting a lateral precession motion to the missile relative to the .[.target.]. .Iadd.trajectory; .Iaddend.   detector means carried by the missile for detecting a target below the missile; and   means carried by the missile for propelling the projectile downward from the missile toward the target upon detection of the target.   
     
     
       2. A munitions system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the stabilizing means includes means for imparting spin to the missile about a near vertical axis. 
     
     
       3. A munitions system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the detector means is an infrared detector. 
     
     
       4. A munitions system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the means for imparting precession is an offcenter bob extending outwardly from the spinning missile. 
     
     
       5. A munitions system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the means for imparting precession is an explosive charge. 
     
     
       6. A munitions system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the missile is a cylindrical canister. 
     
     
       7. A munitions system as claimed in claim 6 wherein the cylindrical canister carries an explosive charge for propelling the projectile downward from the bottom end of the canister. 
     
     
       8. A muntions system as claimed in claim 7 wherein the projectile is a lens which forms a concave lower end to the missile. 
     
     
       9. A munitions system as claimed in claim 8 wherein the projectile is a self-forging device. 
     
     
       10. A munitions system as claimed in claim 6 wherein the missile has a concave bottom end. 
     
     
       11. A munitions system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the means for imparting spin to the missile is a disconnectable strap attached to the missile and to the means for propelling the missile. 
     
     
       12. A munitions system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the means for imparting spin to the missile is an off-center weight. 
     
     
       13. A munitions system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the means for imparting spin to the missile is a pin and groove connection between the missile and the means for propelling the missile. 
     
     
       14. A munitions system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the means for imparting spin to the missile is a high friction surface between the missile and the means for propelling the missile. 
     
     
       15. A munitions system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the means for imparting spin to the missile is a rack and pinion connection between the missile and the means for propelling the missile. 
     
     
       16. A munitions system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the means for sensing the target is an infrared detector. 
     
     
       17. A munitions system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the missile carries an explosive charge for propelling the projectile downward from the missile. 
     
     
       18. A munitions system as claimed in claim 17 wherein the projectile is a self-forging lens which forms a concave lower end to the missile. 
     
     
       19. A .[.submunition.]. .Iadd.munition .Iaddend.to be launched along a .Iadd.ballistic .Iaddend.trajectory to overfly a target, the .[.submunition.]. .Iadd.munition .Iaddend.including: a generally circular missile to be propelled over a target with a spinning motion about a near vertical axis;   means for imparting a lateral precession motion to the missile relative to the .[.target.]. .Iadd.trajectory.Iaddend.;   a projectile carried by the missile and to be fired downward from the bottom of the missile toward the target;   detector means carried by the missile for detecting the target; and   means for propelling the projectile downward from the bottom of the missile upon detection of a target.   
     
     
       20. A .Iadd.submunition.]. .Iaddend..Iadd.munition .Iaddend.as claimed in claim 19 wherein the means for sensing a target is an infrared detector. 
     
     
       21. A .[.submunition.]. .Iadd.munition .Iaddend.as claimed in claim 19 wherein the means for propelling the projectile is an explosive charge. 
     
     
       22. A .[.submunition.]. .Iadd.munition .Iaddend.as claimed in claim 21 wherein the projectile is a lens which forms a concave lower end to the missile. 
     
     
       23. A .[.submunition.]. .Iadd.munition .Iaddend.as claimed in claim 22 wherein the projectile is a self-forging device. 
     
     
       24. A .[.submunition.]. .Iadd.munition .Iaddend.as claimed in claim 19 wherein the .[.submunition.]. .Iadd.munition .Iaddend.has a concave lower end. .Iadd. 
     
     
       25.  In a munition system for propelling a munition along a ballistic trajectory, housing means characterized by stable flight relative to an axis transverse to the trajectory when propelled along said trajectory, and means for imparting to the housing lateral precessional motion relative to said trajectory. .Iaddend. .Iadd.26. A munition system as defined in claim 25 wherein the means for imparting precession is an off-center bob extending outwardly from the housing. .Iaddend. .Iadd.27. A munition system as claimed in claim 25 wherein the means for imparting a precession is an explosive charge. .Iaddend. .Iadd.28. A munition system as defined in claim 25 wherein the housing is cylindrical. .Iaddend. .Iadd.29. A munition system as defined in claim 25 wherein the means for imparting precession imparts a torque in a roll plane. .Iaddend. .Iadd.30. A munition system as defined in claim 25 wherein the housing is characterized by rotational stability about a vertical axis. .Iaddend. .Iadd.31. In a munition system for propelling a munition along a ballistic trajectory to overfly a target zone, the combination of: housing means characterized by spin about an axis transverse to said trajectory when propelled along said trajectory;   means for imparting to the housing means lateral precessional motion relative to said trajectory; and   detector means having a field of view and carried by said housing means for scanning to sense a target in said field. .Iaddend.