FUZING SYSTEMS FOR PROJECTILES

Abstract

An explosive projectile, eg an anti-tank shell, is fitted with a light-sensitive fuze enabling it to be detonated by a laser pulse transmitted at a time after firing the projectile determined by the pre-determined range to the target and the known velocity of the projectile. The fuze is located in the base of the shell (in addition to the usual impact fuze) with the light-signal detector, eg a photo-diode, facing backwards. The detector is connected to the initiator via "fast" electronic circuitry so that the fuze is insensitive to "slow" or "DC" light signals such as the sun, searchlights etc. The laser beam is made slightly divergent to illuminate a suitable target area. The invention allows an anti-tank shell, normally loaded in the tank gun, to be used effectively against "soft" targets (troops, helicopters, etc) for which a direct hit is not necessary. The laser may be part of the gun range-finder system.

Source: Google Patents

35 USC §181 Secrecy Order

Inventor

• 1LESLIE GEORGE KNIGHT

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