Target assignment projectile

Abstract

A system for communicating with a projectile in flight toward an intended target includes a barrel-launched projectile and a remote receiver. The barrel-launched projectile includes an ordnance portion, an active communications apparatus and an onboard speed control. The active communications apparatus includes an onboard receiver, an electromagnetic wave reception device, and an active transmitter. The electromagnetic wave reception device includes at least one from the group consisting of an antenna and a photo receptor and is configured to receive an electromagnetic signal. The electromagnetic wave reception device is connected to provide a signal derived from the electromagnetic signal to the onboard receiver to deploy the onboard speed control. The active transmitter is connected and configured for transmitting a signal to the remote receiver during flight and before activation of the speed control. The transmitted signal is directed within a cone angle extending in a direction opposite of the barrel-launched projectile's flight direction. The onboard speed control includes a shaped explosive charge. Deploying the onboard speed control initiates explosion of the shaped explosive charge. The explosion of the shaped explosive charge adjusts velocity of the barrel-launched projectile.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A projectile for affixing to a target, the projectile having a forward portion and a rear portion, the projectile comprising:
 an ordnance portion in the forward portion of the projectile, wherein the ordnance portion is configured to absorb energy upon impact of the target; and   an active transmitter coupled to the ordnance portion, wherein the active transmitter is in the rear portion of the projectile and wherein the active transmitter transmits a signal within a cone angle extending outwardly from the rear portion after the projectile has been affixed to the target.   
     
     
         22 . A projectile according to  claim 21 , wherein the ordnance portion includes a thermoplastic material. 
     
     
         23 . A projectile according to  claim 21 , wherein the ordnance portion includes lead. 
     
     
         24 . A projectile according to  claim 21 , wherein the ordnance portion includes depleted uranium. 
     
     
         25 . A projectile according to  claim 21 , further including an explosive charge configured to project energy in a forward direction upon impact with the target. 
     
     
         26 . A projectile according to  claim 25 , further including a probe extending forward from the ordnance portion, wherein the probe initiates detonation of the explosive charge upon impact with the target. 
     
     
         27 . A projectile according to  claim 21 , wherein the ordnance portion further includes a tip structure configured to dissipate sufficient impact energy such that the active transmitter functions after impact. 
     
     
         28 . A projectile according to  claim 27 , wherein the tip structure is a dense honeycomb portion sandwiched between a rigid base plate and a lead front of the tip. 
     
     
         29 . A projectile according to  claim 21 , further including a plurality of light sources in electronic communication with the active transmitter, and wherein the active transmitter sequentially excites ones of the plurality of light sources. 
     
     
         30 . A projectile according to  claim 29 , wherein the active transmitter further includes a lens assembly configured to project the light transmitted from one of the plurality of light sources at a first angle and to project the infrared energy transmitted from another of the plurality of light sources at a second angle. 
     
     
         31 . A projectile according to  claim 21 , further comprising a deployable fin configured for slowing the projectile. 
     
     
         32 . A projectile according to  claim 21 , further comprising a sensor capable of detecting one or more of a vibration, a motion, a chemical, a biological agent, a nuclear decay particle, a sound, and an electromagnetic signal. 
     
     
         33 . A projectile for impacting a target, the projectile having a forward portion and a rear portion, the projectile comprising:
 an ordnance portion in the forward portion of the projectile, wherein the ordnance portion is configured to absorb energy upon impact of the target; and   an active transmitter coupled to the ordnance portion, wherein the active transmitter is in the rear portion of the projectile and wherein the active transmitter transmits a signal within a cone angle extending outwardly from the rear portion after the projectile impacted the target.   
     
     
         34 . A projectile according to  claim 33 , wherein the ordnance portion includes a thermoplastic material. 
     
     
         35 . A projectile according to  claim 33 , wherein the ordnance portion includes lead. 
     
     
         36 . A projectile according to  claim 33 , further including an explosive charge configured to project energy in a forward direction upon impact with the target. 
     
     
         37 . A projectile according to  claim 36 , further including a probe extending forward from the ordnance portion, wherein the probe initiates detonation of the explosive charge upon impact with the target. 
     
     
         38 . A projectile according to  claim 33 , wherein the ordnance portion further includes a tip structure configured to dissipate sufficient impact energy such that the active transmitter functions after impact. 
     
     
         39 . A projectile according to  claim 33 , further including a plurality of light sources in electronic communication with the active transmitter, and wherein the active transmitter sequentially excites ones of the plurality of light sources. 
     
     
         40 . A projectile according to  claim 39 , wherein the active transmitter further includes a lens assembly configured to project the light transmitted from one of the plurality of light sources at a first angle and to project the infrared energy transmitted from another of the plurality of light sources at a second angle.