US 12,078,459 B1
Methods for extended-range, enhanced-precision gun-fired rounds using g-hardened flow control systems
Srikanth Vasudevan, Monroe, CT (US); Paul Suchy, Parma, OH (US); and Matthew C. Birch, Madison, AL (US)
Assigned to Orbital Research Inc., Cleveland, OH (US)
Filed by Orbital Research Inc., Cleveland, OH (US)
Filed on Nov. 10, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/984,292.
Application 17/984,292 is a continuation of application No. 17/325,552, filed on May 20, 2021, granted, now 11,525,655.
Application 17/325,552 is a continuation of application No. 16/691,715, filed on Nov. 22, 2019, granted, now 11,041,702, issued on Jun. 22, 2021.
Application 16/691,715 is a continuation of application No. 15/911,265, filed on Mar. 5, 2018, granted, now 10,520,291, issued on Dec. 31, 2019.
Application 15/911,265 is a continuation of application No. 15/489,859, filed on Apr. 18, 2017, granted, now 9,939,240, issued on Apr. 10, 2018.
Application 15/489,859 is a continuation of application No. 15/188,093, filed on Jun. 21, 2016, granted, now 9,658,040, issued on May 23, 2017.
Application 15/188,093 is a continuation of application No. 14/692,026, filed on Apr. 21, 2015, granted, now 9,395,167, issued on Jul. 19, 2016.
Application 14/692,026 is a continuation of application No. 13/769,560, filed on Feb. 18, 2013, granted, now 9,086,258, issued on Jul. 21, 2015.
Int. Cl. F42B 15/01 (2006.01); F41G 7/22 (2006.01); F42B 10/14 (2006.01); F42B 10/42 (2006.01); F42B 10/44 (2006.01); F42B 10/62 (2006.01); F42B 30/10 (2006.01)
CPC F42B 15/01 (2013.01) [F41G 7/222 (2013.01); F41G 7/2253 (2013.01); F41G 7/2293 (2013.01); F42B 10/14 (2013.01); F42B 10/42 (2013.01); F42B 10/44 (2013.01); F42B 10/62 (2013.01); F42B 30/10 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A g-hardened munition comprising:
a forebody, an afterbody, at least one independently adjustable activatable or deployable flow effector adapted to extend the range and enhance the precision of the munition, at least one g-hardened actuator adapted to actuate and control the at least one flow effector, a g-hardened sensor suite including at least one video sensor, the sensor suite adapted to measure orientation and spin rate of the munition, and a g-hardened microcontroller comprising an algorithm adapted to generate output commands for:
a) self-righting maneuvers,
b) pitch-up maneuvers,
c) range extension, and/or
d) guide-to-hit maneuvers;
wherein the output commands of the algorithm are adapted to signal the actuator to activate or deploy, deactivate or stow, and to reactivate or redeploy the at least one flow effector during flight, and to adjust the at least one flow effector while deployed or activated to achieve one or more of the maneuvers, and
the munition experiences a launch or firing acceleration of more than 10,000 g's.