Burst height compensation

DETAILED DESCRIPTION It is an object of the present invention to increase the predictable effectiveness of the reentry body upon the intended target.
Another object of the present invention is to compensate for errors generated in the weapon delivery system.
Another object of the present invention is to reduce the downrange position error at fuzing to increase the effectiveness of the missile upon the target.
These and other objects are provided by an approach which detects position deviation from the nominal trajectory by in-flight measurements and changes the fuzing location to compensate for the error in trajectory.
According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the compensation process for the error in reentry body trajectory is initiated at reentry.
Beginning at reentry, the actual path length of the reentry body is measured based on measured longitudinal acceleration and preset predicted trajectory parameters.
When the reentry body reaches a predetermined altitude as measured by an onboard radar, the measured path length from reentry to the predetermined altitude is compared with the predicted nominal path length from reentry to the predetermined altitude to determine the actual trajectory of the reentry body.
Based on this actual trajectory, the actual path length from reentry to the optimum fuzing location is calculated.
When the measured path length to fuzing equals the calculated path length to fuzing, the fuze signal is sent to the fire set.
Other objects, advantages, and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: