Kenneth D Williamson

US Patent:

6453790, Sep 24, 2002

Filed:

Apr 12, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/832454

Inventors:

John L. Cesulka - Walton Beach FL
Kenneth J. Williamson - Crestview FL

Assignee:

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

International Classification:

B64D 104

US Classification:

89 111, 89 11, 102473, 102501, 102293, 102382

Abstract:

A system for communicating hardened, buried target arrival-related data from an airborne warhead device to a remote mission analysis location is disclosed. The communicated information especially relates to impact deceleration events encountered by a hardened target penetration warhead, events arising from the warhead impacting with the earth and then with one or more layers of hardening material such as concrete disposed in or adjacent a subterranean target. Verification of warhead detonation may also be included in the communicated data. The system includes ultra high radio frequency communication from the subterranean warhead to a repeater apparatus disposed at or above the point of warhead earth impact followed by conventional signal relaying of the collected warhead experience data from the repeater to a remote mission analysis facility. Utilization of the system to verify effective neutralization of targets, even targets remaining visually obscured throughout an identification, strike and reconnaissance sequence, is disclosed along with the capability of such a system to limit the need for dangerous subsequent strikes against the same target.