Apparatus and method for automated feedback and dynamic correction of a weapon system

Abstract

A method, apparatus, and system for adjusting a targeting solution of a weapon system are provided. The weapon system may fire a projectile at a target, where the projectile comprises a location device. The location device may be active or passive. A location notification is received about the first projectile. An impact location of the projectile is determined based on the location notification. The targeting solution of the weapon system is adjusted based on the determined first impact location. The targeting solution may be adjusted directly or indirectly. An indirect adjustment of the targeting solution may include displaying a projectile-status display and/or providing a suggested targeting solution.

1 . A method for adjusting a targeting solution of a weapon system, wherein the weapon system fires a first projectile at a target, comprising:
 receiving a first location notification about the first projectile, wherein the first location notification comprises location information about the first projectile and wherein the first projectile comprises a location device;   determining a first impact location of the first projectile based on the first location notification; and   adjusting the targeting solution of the weapon system based on the determined first impact location.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving a second location notification for a second projectile fired by the weapon system at the target, wherein the second projectile comprises a location device;   determining a second impact location of the second projectile based on the second location notification; and   adjusting the targeting solution of the weapon system, based on the determined second impact location.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first location device provides a location notification about an in-flight location of the first projectile. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein adjusting the targeting solution of the weapon system based on the first impact location comprises performing an indirect adjustment of the targeting solution of the weapon system. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first location device provides an impact location of the first projectile. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first location device provides information via transmitted electromagnetic energy. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first location device is a passive location device. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the first location device reflects electromagnetic radiation. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first location notification comprises weapon-system information about the weapon system. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining a status of the target based on the first impact location.   
     
     
         11 . A projectile-tracking device, comprising:
 a processor;   data storage; and   machine-language instructions stored in the data storage and executable by the processor to perform functions comprising:
 determining a first target of a first weapon system based on a first targeting solution, comprising a first azimuth, a first elevation, and a first location, 
 receiving a location notification from a projectile fired from the first weapon system, 
 determining a first impact location of the projectile, and 
 determining a second target of the first weapon system based on the first impact location. 
   
     
     
         12 . The projectile-tracking device of  claim 11 , wherein determining a second target of the first weapon system comprises determining a second location of the first weapon system, wherein the second location differs from the first location. 
     
     
         13 . The projectile-tracking device of  claim 11 , wherein determining a second target of the first weapon system comprises determining a second azimuth of the first weapon system, wherein the second azimuth differs from the first azimuth. 
     
     
         14 . The projectile-tracking device of  claim 11 , wherein determining a second target of the first weapon system comprises determining a second elevation of the first weapon system, wherein the second elevation differs from the first elevation. 
     
     
         15 . The projectile-tracking device of  claim 11 , wherein the projectile-tracking device further comprises an output unit, and the functions further comprise displaying a projectile-status display on an output unit, wherein the projectile-status display comprises a display of an in-flight location of a projectile. 
     
     
         16 . The projectile-tracking device of  claim 11 , wherein the functions further comprise:
 determining a third target of a second weapon system;   receiving a location notification from a projectile fired from the second weapon system; and   determining a second impact location of the projectile fired from the second weapon system.   
     
     
         17 . The projectile-tracking device of  claim 16 , wherein the third target comprises a third azimuth and a third elevation. 
     
     
         18 . The projectile-tracking device of  claim 16 , wherein the functions further comprise:
 determining a fourth target of the second weapon system based on either the first or the second impact location.   
     
     
         19 . The projectile-tracking device of  claim 18 , wherein determining the fourth target of the second weapon system comprises determining a fourth azimuth of the second weapon system, wherein the fourth azimuth differs from the third azimuth. 
     
     
         20 . A system, comprising:
 a weapon system configured to fire a projectile at a target, wherein the projectile comprises a location device and is configured to provide a location notification; and   a projectile-tracking device configured to (1) receive the location notification and (2) display a projectile-status display, wherein the projectile-status display comprises:
 the location of the projectile based on the received location notification, 
 a location of the weapon system, and 
 a location of the target of the weapon system.