Ronald F Collier

US Patent:

7185575, Mar 6, 2007

Filed:

Oct 4, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/251532

Inventors:

Ronald F. Collier - Decatur AL, US
John T. Dillon - Huntsville AL, US

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army - Washington DC

International Classification:

F41F 3/04

US Classification:

89 18, 89 1815

Abstract:

A system for remote tracking of a tactical missile assembly orientation during targeting and leading to launch from a platform, including a weapon station frame rotatably attached to the platform and a command launch unit attached to the weapon station frame. A launch tube assembly is pivotably attached thereon, including a launch tube in which a tactical missile is positioned prior to launch. The launch tube is replaceable with a like-configured launch tube and tactical missile. A launch tube position recognition unit is disposed proximal of the launch tube and adjacent of the weapon station frame. The position recognition unit includes a tracking and encoder device enclosed by a protective encoder member rotatably attachable between the launch tube and weapon station frame. The tracking and encoder device identifies launch tube positions and remotely relays position coordinates to the command launch unit during targeting of the missile leading to missile launch.