(19)
(11) EP 0 821 215 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
07.11.2001 Bulletin 2001/45

(43) Date of publication A2:
28.01.1998 Bulletin 1998/05

(21) Application number: 97112868.1

(22) Date of filing: 25.07.1997
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: F42B 12/36, F42B 12/60
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

(30) Priority: 25.07.1996 US 687877

(71) Applicant: TRW INC.
Redondo Beach, CA 90278 (US)

(72) Inventors:
  • Smith, David P.
    Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 (US)
  • Lin, Jane M.
    Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275 (US)

(74) Representative: Schmidt, Steffen J., Dipl.-Ing. 
Wuesthoff & Wuesthoff, Patent- und Rechtsanwälte, Schweigerstrasse 2
81541 München
81541 München (DE)

   


(54) Countermeasure apparatus for deploying interceptor elements from a spin stabilized rocket


(57) There is provided a countermeasure defense system against hostile missiles directed against tanks and other military vehicles in battle zone that reduces the hazard to friendly military personnel in the zone that is produced at lower cost and whose mission is less complicated to implement by employing non-explosive intercepting ("NEI") elements 14 deployed by the spin stabilized rocket 10. The NEI are carried in a payload section 17 and contained by a slidable sleeve assembly 16 which is retracted by a drive mechanism 21 after a predetermined time delay programmed into the trigger release assembly 46 at the time of launch. The drive mechanism includes a drive rod 26 that is releasably held by a release mechanism 46 that actuates the compressed coiled spring unit 30 that urges the sleeve assembly 16 to move forward with the sleeve member 22 exposing the contents of the payload section to the centrifugal force of the spin stabilized rocket propelling the NEI elements out from the rocket at constant angular velocity creating an intercepter cloud of elements.






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