[0001] The present invention relates to a military training system for firing a weapon at
a target and, more particularly, to a training system for firing an electro-optically
guided anti-tank missile.
[0002] Military training exercises use simulation, wherever possible, rather than live ammunition
or actual firing of weapons, both to save costs and to avoid unnecessary use of dangerous
equipment.
[0003] More realistic simulation lends greater verisimilitude and helps train soldiers in
conditions that more closely resemble battlefield conditions. Thus, in firing exercises,
a soldier needs to aim a weapon, pull a trigger or otherwise activate firing, and
see the results of a "hit".
[0004] A further requirement is that a training control center be able to monitor all training
activities, if possible, in real time.
[0005] To heighten the sense of reality, there is a need for battlefield simulation systems
that are integrated with armament systems and not intrusive add-ons.
[0006] Current weapons firing simulation systems employ a laser installed on the weapon
that makes it possible to simulate firing, using a laser pulse instead of ammunition,
and to identify the target hit.
[0007] In the case of anti-tank missile systems (ATMS), current simulations employ a pulsed
laser, which is attached to and aligned with the missile launcher and which is fired
instead of a missile. Detectors placed on the target are illuminated by the laser,
may record a hit, and can relay that information both to the operator of the missile
and to the training control center. This method is used in, for example, the Swedish
BT46 system from Saab Training Systems.
[0008] The same system can also be attached to various types of guns and artillery and operated
similarly.
[0009] This is a suitable approach for rigid, so-called "stiff-neck" weapons, whose aiming
is restricted to the direction of a sensor fixed relative to the missile, but not
for the new generation of ATMS which feature "flexible neck" seekers, whose sensors
have an overall wider field of view obtained by varying the sensor orientation relative
to the missile's canister axis. The problem here is that there is not necessarily
any connection between the line of sight of the launcher and that of the seeker head.
[0010] Drawbacks of current simulation systems include:
- Rigid laser alignment:
Being attached rigidly outside the missile or gun barrel, the laser mimics the launcher
operation but not that of the separate target seeker, which is located in the seeker
head of the missile and operates independently of the launcher before and after firing.
A sensor in the seeker head is mounted on gimbals and can alter its pitch and yaw
with respect to missile orientation and the target position, as required, in order
to lock onto a desired target, something the launcher-mounted laser is unable to do.
The situation may be likened to a light on a miner's helmet that may not necessarily
be illuminating the spot where the miner is actually looking. Thus, a laser "hit"
is not necessarily indicative of a missile hit; nor does a laser "miss" necessarily
indicate a missile miss.
- The laser apparatus is a relatively heavy and cumbersome add-on. It requires calibration
before use and is not easy to use.
- The laser apparatus is hazardous to human eyesight.
- The laser apparatus is limited by adverse weather conditions.
[0011] Thus there is a recognized need for, and it would be highly advantageous to have,
a training system that is better integrated with and better simulates the missile's
target-seeking operation, itself, and that is safer, less intrusive and cumbersome,
and less adversely affected by weather conditions.
[0012] According to the present invention there is provided a simulator for simulating the
firing of a weapon at one of a plurality of targets, each target having a respective
shape, including: a housing substantially identical in size and shape to at least
a discrete portion of the weapon; a sensor, operationally connected to the housing,
for acquiring a plurality of images of at least one of the targets; and an image processor
for detecting and analyzing changes among the images and for initiating control signals
based on the analysis.
[0013] According to further features of the invention described below there is included:
for each target, an infra-red lamp that is alternatively activated by one of the control
signals to flash at a unique, respective frequency and deactivated by another of the
control signals; and a mechanism for transmitting the control signals to the lamps.
[0014] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the transmitting mechanism
is wireless.
[0015] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the transmitting
mechanism is wired.
[0016] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sensor includes
a CCD television camera.
[0017] According to further features in preferred embodiments of the invention, the sensor
forms part of the guidance system of an electro-optically guided missile.
[0018] According to further features of the present invention, there is provided a look-up
table for the image processor including data about shapes of the targets and a capability
of the image processor to utilize the data to calculate accuracy of aim at a target.
[0019] According to further features in preferred embodiments of the invention, there is
provided, at each target, a pyrotechnic charge that is detonatable by a respective
control signal and that is able to release variable quantifies of smoke in accordance
with the calculated accuracy of aim.
[0020] According to the present invention, there is provided a method for identifying an
acquired target comprising the steps of: (a) providing a weapon simulator including
a housing substantially identical in size and shape to at least a discrete portion
of the weapon; a sensor, operationally connected to the housing, for acquiring a plurality
of images of a target; an image processor for detecting and analyzing changes among
these images and for initiating control signals based on the analysis; for each target,
an infra-red lamp that is alternatively activated by one of the control signals to
flash at a unique, respective frequency and deactivated by another of the control
signals; and a mechanism for transmitting the control signals to the lamps; (b) aiming
the housing at one of the targets; (c) transmitting a signal to activate all the infra-red
lamps; (d) acquiring the plurality of images, at known time intervals, of the target
aimed at; (e) passing the images to the image processor, (f) calculating the flash
frequency of the lamp on the target, aimed at by comparing successive images from
the sensor; and (g) identifying the target aimed at by comparing the frequency with
a look-up table of the unique frequencies.
[0021] According to further features of the present invention there is provided a method
for determining accuracy of aim.
[0022] According to further features of the present invention there is provided a method
for determining accuracy of aim comprising the further steps of providing a target-shape
look-up table that includes data about the shapes of the respective targets and comparing
the sensor images of an acquired target with the shape data.
[0023] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a
method for a visual simulation of a hit.
[0024] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a
method for a visual simulation of a hit comprising the steps of providing, at each
target, a pyrotechnic charge and detonating the charge at an identified target.
[0025] According to preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a method
for visually simulating the accuracy of a hit comprising the further step of differentially
detonating the charge.
[0026] According to another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a method
for simulation of firing of ballistic weapons.
[0027] According to another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a method
for simulation of firing of ballistic weapons comprising the further step of providing
calculation algorithms for the image processor that include calculation of parabolic
trajectories incorporating known muzzle velocities, angle of elevation, and range
of said target.
[0028] The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the
accompanying drawings, wherein:
- Figure 1 shows a configuration for battlefield training for electro-optically guided
anti-tank missile systems;
- Figure 2 is a schematic representation of the guided missile's seeker head, showing
the essential components of the present invention; and
- Figure 3 shows an implementation for non-electro-optically guided weapons.
[0029] The present invention is of an outdoors military training system for firing a weapon
at a target, which provides for interaction between the training weapon and the target.
Specifically, the present invention can be used for field training for electro-optically
guided anti-tank missile systems. The present invention incorporates reporting mechanisms
so that a training control center can be instantly aware of the results of training
exercises. The present invention is a substitute for, or additional to, the currently
used BT46 system, which is based on laser mechanisms.
[0030] The present invention may also be adapted to field training for other types of guns
and artillery.
[0031] The present invention utilizes the in-built target seeking mechanism of ATMS, with
the addition of a light-weight, inexpensive, and unobtrusive image processor.
[0032] According to the present invention, operation relies on identification of the frequency
of a flashing infra-red lamp located on an acquired target. Identification is done
by means of the image processor fed by the seeker sensor, such as a television camera
in the missile's own target-seeker head, or by an add-on sensor.
[0033] The principles and operation of the present invention may be better understood with
reference to the drawings and the accompanying description.
[0034] In general, the simulated weapon is a housing that represents, in shape and size,
a discrete portion of a real weapon, and sufficient of the launcher to enable training
in aiming and firing. It includes a missile guidance system but neither propulsion
system nor explosive charge. Figure 1 shows a schematic view of the present invention
in operation, for the case of an ATMS, and Figure 2 a block diagram of the relevant
parts of the missile's seeker head and the image processor.
[0035] The electro-optical guidance system of a missile simulator 10 includes a sensor 20,
such as a CCD television camera or imager, in the seeker head 11 thereof. In practice,
the missile simulator could be an actual missile, less the propulsion system and explosive
charge thereof.
[0036] In normal use, sensor 20, which is sensitive to infra-red and visible light, captures
an image 26 of a target 12. Sensor 20 is mounted on gimbals 21, which are an intrinsic
part of the seeker, so that the pitch 27 and yaw 28 thereof may be varied to enable
sensor 20 to see or to lock onto target 12.
[0037] In the present invention, each potential target 12 is equipped with a respective
flashing infra-red lamp 13 mounted thereon, which is invisible to the operator's eye
but detectable by sensor 20 (CCD television camera or IIR imager). The flashing frequency
is unique to each particular target 12 whereupon each lamp 13 is located.
[0038] Successive images 26 from sensor 20 are passed, at predetermined time intervals,
to an image processor 22 that detects changes among images 26. The time intervals
are short enough to enable image processor 26 to calculate the flash frequency of
lamp 13, and, by comparison with a pre-programmed look-up table 23, to identify at
which target missile 10 is 'aiming'. By comparison with data, contained in a second
look-up table 24, about the shape and size of the targets, image processor 22 also
determines the accuracy of aiming. This information is relayed by a wireless signal
17 to target 12, in order to detonate a pyrotechnic charge 19 situated at target 12
to simulate a 'hit' by releasing smoke 14. A second wireless signal 16 is transmitted
to a training control center, in order to enable trainers to monitor and control the
training program and also to rate a trainee.
[0039] In more detail, the stages of operation are:
1. Weapon simulator 10 is aimed at target 12.
2. Seeker head 11 acquires target 12 and the operator locks onto target 12. At that
moment wireless transmitter 15 transmits a signal 17A to all targets and activates
an infra-red lamp 13 located on each target. Each lamp 13 flashes at a unique frequency
specific to the associated target thereof.
3. Simultaneously, sensor 20 passes a sequence of images 26, at predetermined time
intervals, of target 12, including flashing lamp 13, to image processor 22.
4. Image processor 22 calculates the frequency of lamp 13 on acquired target 12 by
comparing successive images and, by comparing the frequency with an in-built, look-up
table of respective target frequencies 23, identifies which target has been acquired.
5. Having thus identified target 12, image processor 22 performs a further comparison
of image 26 of target 12 with target-shape data 24 stored within image processor 22
to estimate aiming precision.
6. When the trainee operator is satisfied with his aim, he 'fires' the missile, which
does not actually launch. Instead, a signal 17B is sent by transmitter 15 to detonate
associated pyrotechnic charge 19 located at target 12, releasing smoke 14, to simulate
a 'hit'. The charge is differentially detonatable: it is possible to vary the amount
of smoke in accordance with the accuracy of aim to provide a visual representation
of that accuracy.
7. Information about the launcher, the target 'hit', and the accuracy of aim is transmitted
to simulation control center 16 to update the data held there.
8. Preferably, the entire target-acquisition process is recorded at the control center
on videotape for later debriefing.
9. The system allows for simulation of the times of flight and probability of hitting
a target, for the purpose of simulation of various types of munitions (such as missile,
shell, bullet, etc).
[0040] It is seen that the invention, by utilizing the missile's in-built sensor, solves
the problem of the difference between the missile line of sight, which may vary in
flight, and that of an externally attached laser, as occurs in existing systems.
[0041] Furthermore, the invention, by utilizing a passive, already in-built sensor such
as a CCD camera, has advantages of weight, safety (no laser beam), operational simplicity
(calibration is not needed as it would be for a separate laser system aligned with
the missile), debriefing (possibility of video record), low cost (less technically
complicated), and better visibility in adverse weather conditions (CCD is more sensitive
than the human eye and is less affected by atmospheric conditions than lasers).
[0042] Moreover, since the present invention is normally integrated into the simulated weapon
and is therefore unobtrusive, there is the consequence that a conventional laser,
may be added to the simulated weapon to facilitate integration into conventional battlefield
simulators that use laser or other techniques such as in the earlier mentioned BT46
system. This adds versatility to the invention.
[0043] In another embodiment the present invention is partially realized by a simpler system,
in which the image processing stage is employed without sending a signal 16 back to
the control center and/or the target 12 by use of transmitter 15, which may therefore
be absent.
[0044] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, wireless communication is replaced
with wired transmission of signals and data. In this case, transmitter 15 is absent
and is replaced by cables.
[0045] Yet another embodiment of the present invention is for non-electro-optically guided
weapons systems, such as rifles and artillery. In such a ballistic implementation,
wherein a gun or cannon is substituted for the launcher, there is no missile, and
a sighting mechanism substitutes for the guidance system. In such cases, 'discrete
portion' of the weapon includes only the gun or cannon and the sighting mechanism
and 'aiming' means pointing the housing so that, if it were a real weapon, a projectile
fired therefrom would follow a trajectory to the target; thus the sensor needs to
be adjustable for range and other considerations in the same way as sights on a real
weapon. In this embodiment as illustrated in Figure 3, there is no signal from sensor
20 to an operator's screen and sensor 20 is not mounted on gimbals but is secured
rigidly to a weapon barrel 31. An inexpensive, light-weight CCD television camera
sensor is less obtrusive than a laser, as used in current systems. In this case, the
aforementioned provision mentioned in stage of operation 9, for simulation of time
of flight etc comes into play to cope with the case of ballistic projectiles, wherein
the sensor points at the target while the gun barrel does not because the projectile
describes a parabolic trajectory. All needed details for the simulation are calculated
from positional data.
[0046] While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments,
it will be appreciated that many variations, modifications and other applications
of the invention may be made.
1. A simulator (10) for simulating the firing of a weapon at one of a plurality of targets
(12), each target (12) having a respective shape, characterized in that it comprises:
a) a housing substantially identical in size and shape to at least a discrete portion
of the weapon;
b) a sensor (20), operationally connected to said housing, for acquiring a plurality
of images (26) of at least one of the targets (12); and
c) an image processor (22) for detecting and analyzing changes among said images (26)
and for initiating control signals (17) based on said analysis.
2. A simulator (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises
:
d) for each target (12), an infra-red lamp (13) that is alternatively:
i) activated by one of said control signals (17) to flash at a unique, respective
frequency and
ii) deactivated by another of said control signals; and
e) a mechanism (15) for transmitting said control signals (17) to said lamps (13).
3. A simulator (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that said mechanism (15) is
wireless.
4. A simulator (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that said mechanism is wired.
5. A simulator (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that said sensor (20) includes
a CCD television camera.
6. A simulator (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that said sensor (20) includes
part of a guidance system of an electro-optically guided missile.
7. A simulator (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that said image processor
(22) includes a look-up table (24) that includes data about shapes of respective said
targets (12), said image processor (22) being operative to calculate an accuracy of
an aim at the target (12) whereat the firing of the weapon is simulated.
8. A simulator (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises
:
d) at each target (12), a pyrotechnic charge (19) that is detonatable by a respective
said control signal (17).
9. A simulator (10) according to claim 8, characterized in said image processor (22)
includes a look-up table (24) that includes data about shapes of respective said targets
(12), said image processor (22) being operative to calculate an accuracy of an aim
at the target (12) whereat the firing of the weapon is simulated.
10. A simulator (10) according to claim 9, characterized in that said pyrotechnic charge
(19) is differentially detonatable in accordance with said accuracy of aim calculation.
11. A method of simulating the firing of a weapon at one of a plurality of targets (12),
characterized in that it comprises the steps of:
a) providing:
(i) a weapon simulator (10) including a housing substantially identical in size and
shape to at least a discrete portion of the weapon ;
(ii) a sensor (20), operationally connected to said housing, for acquiring a plurality
of images (26) of the target (12);
(iii) an image processor (22) for detecting and analyzing changes among said images
(26) and for initiating control signals (17) based on said analysis;
(iv) for each target (12), an infra-red lamp (13) that is alternatively:
(A) activated by one of said control signals (17) to flash at a unique, respective
frequency and
(B) deactivated by another of said control signals (17); and
(v) a mechanism (15) for transmitting said control signals (17) to said lamps (13);
b) aiming said housing at one of the targets(12);
c) activating all said infra-red lamps (13);
d) acquiring a plurality of images (26), at predetermined time intervals, of the target
(12) whereat said housing is aimed ;
e) passing said images (26) to said image processor (22);
f) calculating a flash frequency of the lamp (13) on the target (12) whereat said
housing is aimed, by comparing successive said images (26); and
g) identifying the target (12) whereat said housing is aimed, by comparing said calculated
flash frequency with a look-up table (23) of said respective frequencies.
12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that it further comprises the step
of:
h) visually simulating a hit.
13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that said simulating is effected
by steps including:
i) providing, at each target (12), a pyrotechnic charge (19); and
ii) detonating said charge (19) at the target (12) whereat said housing is aimed.
14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that said charge (19) is detonated
differentially.
15. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that it further comprises the step
of:
h) determining an accuracy of said aim.
16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that determining of said accuracy
is effected by steps including :
i) providing a look-up (24) table that includes data about shapes of the targets (12);
and
ii) comparing said images (26) of the target (12) with said shape data.
17. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that said determining of said accuracy
is effected by steps including calculating a trajectory from said housing to the target
(12) whereat said housing is aimed.