EP2573500A1 - Missile training unit - Google Patents

Abstract

The training unit has a training flight body (1) forming an unmanned missile, and a configuration unit (2) connected to the missile of the flight body that includes an error storage unit (13). The configuration unit is formed in such a manner that simulated error data and/or error image are provided in the storage unit. A flight body-hardware remains unchanged, and the missile is presented as simulated error that is stored in the storage unit. The flight body includes data storage, and training mission software is provided in a data storage unit.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates to a missile training unit according to the preamble of patent claim 1. In particular, the invention relates to a missile training unit with a training missile forming unmanned missile and connectable to the missile configuration device for the training missile, the training missile has at least one fault memory. Furthermore, in particular, the invention relates to such a missile training unit with a weapon control computer having a carrier aircraft, to which the training missile can be coupled.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Missile training units are needed and used to train the operation, handling and maintenance of a missile by the personnel involved in the mission of the missile. In order to be effective, such training must be oriented as closely as possible to the respective real deployment situation. The ideal training from the point of view of learning efficiency would of course be the training on a sharp missile, which corresponds to 100% to a mission missile. However, this type of training is prohibited for safety reasons. It is therefore necessary to use special training missiles for training purposes, which have hitherto often been adapted to specific training tasks. However, such an adaptation of the missile to training tasks inevitably entails that such a missile clearly differs from a "real" missile.

STATE OF THE ART

From the DE 10 2008 054 264 A1 is a multi-functional service and test facility for unmanned missiles is known, which has a connectable to a missile service device, which in turn is connectable to an external computer. Test and service software are stored in a memory of the external computer and run on this external computer. The test and service software running on this external computer is able to simulate the occurrence of errors in the training missile without actually causing the missile any errors. This simulation takes place exclusively outside the missile in the external computer connected to the service device. The behavior of missile missiles and their associated missile test procedures can be limited with a simulation of the fault in the test software itself.

From the DE 10 2009 040 304 A1 a device for controlling functional tests and / or service procedures for aircraft deductible unmanned missiles is known. Even with this device no realistic training for dealing with faulty missiles can be performed.

From the DE 10 2009 022 007 B4 and the DE 10 2004 042 990 B4 Further missile testing devices are known.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

Object of the present invention is therefore to provide a generic missile training unit, with the different training tasks in conjunction with unmanned missiles can be trained as realistic as possible.

This object is achieved by a missile training unit having the features of patent claim 1.

This missile training unit is provided with a training missile forming unmanned missile and connectable to the missile configuration device for the training missile, the training missile has at least one fault memory. The missile training unit according to the invention is characterized in that the configuration device is designed such that simulated fault data and / or simulated fault images can be inserted into the at least one fault memory.

ADVANTAGES

It is thus possible to load certain simulated fault data and / or simulated fault images into these training memory missiles so that it is not necessary to generate actual errors in the training hardware of the training missile, as has heretofore been the case , The missile hardware can thus be left unchanged in the training missile of the missile training unit according to the invention and next to the real mission missile. Only the simulated error data reproducing the result of a hypothetical "true" error are loaded into the error memory. The entrusted with the training task people thus have a missile in front of him, who presents the trainees outwardly as if he was faulty. The staff is then able to train certain tasks and actions to identify and correct the - simulated - error as quickly as possible.

Further preferred and advantageous design features of the missile training unit according to the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

A particularly preferred development is characterized in that the training missile has a data memory and that the configuration device is designed so that a training mission software can be loaded into the data memory with it. The use of training mission software makes it possible, for example, to train the effects of erroneous mission planning and the detection and correction of mission planning errors.

The training mission software preferably contains a check program which, when starting the training mission software, checks on the basis of the hardware present in the missile whether the missile is a training missile. This will prevent inadvertent loading of training mission software into a rogue mission vehicle, potentially triggering safety-related actions.

• alle pyrotechnischen Bauteile eines Serienflugkörpers sind deaktiviert oder nicht vorhanden;
• die Triebwerks-Startvorrichtung des Serienflugkörpers ist deaktiviert oder nicht vorhanden; und
• die autonome Stromversorgung des Serienflugkörpers ist deaktiviert oder nicht vorhanden.

It is particularly preferred if the training missile differs from a sharp series missile by at least the following hardware features:

• all pyrotechnic components of a series missile are deactivated or missing;
• the engine starting device of the series missile is deactivated or not present; and
• the autonomous power supply of the series missile is deactivated or not available.

These minor distinctions of a training missile from a sharp series missile ensure that, on the one hand, the training missile is as close as realistic as possible to a series missile, but on the other hand, the potentially hazardous parts of a series missile are not included in the training missile.

This can be achieved particularly simply by virtue of the fact that the training missile is a series-produced missile which has been disarmed in accordance with the abovementioned hardware features.

A likewise particularly advantageous variant of the missile training unit according to the invention additionally comprises a training aircraft having a weapon control computer to which the training missile can be coupled. This missile training unit is characterized in that the training missile coupled in the state coupled to the carrier aircraft, an identification signal to the weapon control computer of the carrier aircraft, which identifies the missile as a training missile, and that the weapon control computer is designed so that a drop of the training missile prevented even then if an operational release signal (emergency emergency signal: emergency jettison) is generated during the execution of a training flight.

These measures ensure that, in the case of a trained by flying personnel training on a carrier aircraft coupled training missile during a training flight is reliably prevented when triggering the release sequence by the responsible operator in the carrier aircraft, the training missile mechanically inadvertently disconnected from the training aircraft and thus is dropped.

Preferred embodiments of the invention with additional design details and other advantages are described and explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung einer vereinfachten Variante einer erfindungsgemäßen Flugkörper-Trainingseinheit.

It shows:

Fig. 1

a schematic representation of a simplified variant of a missile training unit according to the invention.

PRESENTATION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In Fig. 1 is shown schematically a simplest version of a missile training unit according to the invention. The dashed line symbolizes an unmanned training missile 1, which is provided on its upper side with a Umbilical Strecker 10 for electrical connection to a carrier aircraft and further comprising a Test and Load Panel (TLP) 11 with a TLP connector 12, to which in the application example shown a configuration device 2 for the training missile 1 is connected for data exchange.

The training missile 1 is equipped with a central weapon computer 14 (Central Weapon Computer CWC) and with a power supply unit 16 (PS1). The power supply unit 16 is supplied via the umbilical plug 10 and / or the TLP plug 12 with electrical energy from the outside and in turn supplies the central weapon computer 14 with electrical energy. The central weapon computer 14 is connected to both the umbilical connector 10 and the TLP connector 12 by data lines.

The central weapon computer 14 is associated with a fault memory 13. By means of the configuration device 2 simulated error data and simulated error images can be imported into the error memory 13 and stored there.

Are in a training operation of the missile 1 either by means of a provided in a carrier aircraft weapon control computer, which is connected to the Umbilical connector 10, or by means of a to the TLP connector 12th connected external service and testing device 3, the in Fig. 1 is shown symbolically and the alternative to the configuration device 2 is connected to the TLP connector, carried out for training purposes tests or operating operations, the missile will respond as if the simulated and stored in the error memory 13 errors actually exist, so that the operator team their skills in terms can train on detecting and fixing simulated errors. Of course, the configuration device 2 may also be provided in the service and test device 3.

In the Fig. 1 The missile training unit shown by way of example is based on a so-called ground trainer of a missile (Ground Trainer Missile GTM or Fuel Training Missile FTM), which is usually provided without the power supply (PS1) and without the central weapons computer (CWC) to the ground personnel with respect to the purely mechanical Handling a missile to train. This concerns the transport of the GTM missile receiving container, the unpacking and packing of the missile from the container or in the container, the cultivation and dismantling of the Finns, the transport of the missile and the cultivation of the missile on the pylon of a carrier aircraft and the dismantling of the Missile of it.

To create the training missile 1 for the missile training unit according to the invention, such a ground training device GTM with the central weapon computer 14 and the power supply unit 16 and the corresponding wiring for making the electrical connections between these two units with each other and between them and the Umbilical connector 10 and the TLP connector 12 equipped. In addition, the central weapon computer 14 is recorded with adapted software, the training mission software as a complete interaction of this training missile 1 via Umbilical interface 10 with a carrier aircraft and the TLP interface 12 with the configuration device and provided for ground operation external service - and Aircraft Weapon Readiness Set (AWRS) allowed, as for example from the DE 10 2009 040 304 A1 known is. The training mission software uses operational mission software software objects such that the training missile at the umbilical interface 10 and at the TLP interface 12 behaves essentially like an operational serial missile.

It is advantageous in this exemplary training missile that existing and only training the handling of a missile ground training devices GTM can be upgraded to low acquisition and low follow-up costs by series parts from the production of operational missile to the intelligent training missile 1. With this intelligent training missile 1 (Captive Air Trainer Missile CATM) not only the handling of the missile on the ground trainable, but it can also perform operating and test procedures on the missile, including troubleshooting, the import of mission plans and the handling be trained with the external service and testing device AWRS.

With this described training missile 1, it is possible for the ground crew and the flying personnel to train the carrier aircraft with the training missile mounted on the carrier aircraft, the interaction between the carrier aircraft and the training missile when switching on, run-up and release of the missile.

To simulate errors, a simulated error message can be programmed into the memory 13 of the central weapon computer 14 by means of the configuration device via the TLP connector. In this case, for example, a faulty module and the time of the occurrence of the error and the appearance of the error (error image type) are recorded in the memory 13 of the central weapon computer 14. These data are then interpreted by the training mission software when training is performed, and corresponding error signals are output to the carrier aircraft via the umbilical interface 10 during training or to the service and testing device AWRS via the TLP interface 12. The training staff can then Train the handling of this error and its detection on the basis of the corresponding output, for example a display in the cockpit of the carrier aircraft or an indicator on the screen of the service and test device.

• Eine vorhandene Einrichtung zum Schärfen und Zünden der im Flugkörper vorhandenen Wirkladung wird ausgebaut und kann bei Bedarf durch eine funktionslose Ersatzmasse ersetzt werden.
• Sämtliche pyrotechnischen Elemente des Flugkörpers werden entfernt oder deaktiviert.
• Die im Flugkörper vorhandene autonome Stromversorgung (Thermalbatterie) wird ausgebaut und durch eine funktionslose Ersatzmasse ersetzt.
• Auslösemechanismen für eventuell vorhandene ausfahrbare Tragflächen werden entfernt oder deaktiviert.
• Sämtliche Zünder und Wirksysteme des Flugkörpers werden durch Auftrennen entsprechender elektrischer Verbindungsleitungen deaktiviert, so dass ein Ausbau dieser Wirksysteme nicht erforderlich ist.
• Schließlich wird der zentrale Waffencomputer 14 noch mit einer Trainings-Missionssoftware anstelle einer operationellen Missionssoftware bespielt.

Another way to create a training missile is to disarm an operational serial missile to a training missile. For this, at least the following changes to the missile must be made:

• An existing device for sharpening and detonating the existing in the missile active charge is removed and can be replaced if necessary by a non-functional substitute mass.
• All pyrotechnic elements of the missile are removed or deactivated.
• The existing in the missile autonomous power supply (thermal battery) is removed and replaced by a non-functional replacement mass.
• Triggering mechanisms for any extendable wings are removed or deactivated.
• All detonators and active systems of the missile are deactivated by separating corresponding electrical connection lines, so that an expansion of these systems is not required.
• Finally, the central weapon computer 14 is still recorded with a training mission software instead of an operational mission software.

In the manner described above, it is possible to disarm an operational missile with minimal intervention to a training missile suitable for use in a missile training unit according to the present invention.

For the training of the on-board personnel of the carrier aircraft with the missile in flight, a separate fault memory may be provided in addition to the memory 13, in which simulated fault patterns can be recorded and assigned to the central weapon computer, in which possibly during the Training flights occurring real flaws are detected in the missile. In this way, it is possible to distinguish between simulated errors and possibly occurring real errors, so that a quick and easy repair of a defective training missile after performing a training mission is possible.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Trainingsflugkörper

2

Konfigurationseinrichtung

3

Service- und Testgerät

10

Umbilical-Stecker

11

Test- und Programmiereinheit (TLP)

12

TLP-Stecker

13

Fehlerspeicher

14

Waffencomputer

16

Stromversorgungseinheit

They denote:

1

Training Missile

2

configuration device

3

Service and test device

10

Umbilical connectors

11

Test and Programming Unit (TLP)

12

TLP connector

13

error memory

14

Force computer

16

Power supply unit

Claims (6)

A missile training unit comprising an unmanned missile forming a training missile (1) and a configuration device (2) connectable to the missile for the training missile (1), the missile (1) having at least one fault memory (13);
characterized,
in that the configuration device (2) is designed in such a way that simulated error data and / or simulated error images can be imported into the at least one error memory (13),
wherein the missile hardware remains unchanged and the missile reacts as if the simulated and in the error memory (13) stored errors actually exist. A missile training unit according to claim 1,
characterized,
in that the training missile (1) has a data memory and in that the configuration device (2) is designed so that a training mission software can be inserted into the data memory with it. A missile training unit according to claim 2,
characterized,
that the training mission software includes a test program that, when starting the training mission software, checks whether the missile is a training missile based on the hardware provided in the missile. Missile training unit according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that the training missile (1) differs from a sharp series missile by at least the following hardware features: - all pyrotechnic components of a series missile are deactivated or absent; the engine starting device of the series missile is deactivated or not present; and - The autonomous power supply of the series missile is deactivated or not available. A missile training unit according to claim 4,
characterized,
that the training missile is in accordance with the hardware characteristics abgerüsteter according to claim 4 series missile. Missile training unit according to one of the preceding claims with a carrier aircraft having a weapon control computer, to which the training missile can be coupled,
characterized,
that the training missile in the coupled state to the carrier aircraft passes an identification signal to the weapon control computer of the carrier aircraft, which identifies the missile as a training missile, and
that the weapon control computer is arranged so that a dropping of the training missile is prevented even if an operational off signal is generated when performing a training flight.

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