Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
  • G09B—EDUCATIONAL OR DEMONSTRATION APPLIANCES; APPLIANCES FOR TEACHING, OR COMMUNICATING WITH, THE BLIND, DEAF OR MUTE; MODELS; PLANETARIA; GLOBES; MAPS; DIAGRAMS
  • G09B9/00—Simulators for teaching or training purposes
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F41—WEAPONS
  • F41G—WEAPON SIGHTS; AIMING
  • F41G3/00—Aiming or laying means
  • F41G3/26—Teaching or practice apparatus for gun-aiming or gun-laying
  • F41G3/2616—Teaching or practice apparatus for gun-aiming or gun-laying using a light emitting device
  • F41G3/2622—Teaching or practice apparatus for gun-aiming or gun-laying using a light emitting device for simulating the firing of a gun or the trajectory of a projectile
  • F41G3/2644—Displaying the trajectory or the impact point of a simulated projectile in the gunner's sight

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a method for simulating firing with a simulation weapon towards a target, during a combat training simulation.
• the target is beyond the direct view of the shooter or beyond the maximum distance allowed by the laser technology used to perform this simulation shots.
• the present invention finds a particularly advantageous, but not exclusive, application in the field of simulation for the technical and tactical training of crews, in the context of field exercises in regiment or combat training center.
• the invention also relates to a processing unit comprising means capable of implementing the simulation method of the invention.
• the firing simulator includes an optical box equipped with a low-power, non-dangerous laser transceiver associated with the aiming system of the combat weapon.
• the simulator emits a first target presence search laser beam. As soon as the simulator receives from a target a presence message in response to the search laser beam, it measures the distance separating it from the target. Then, it emits a second laser beam to simulate a fictitious shot in the direction of said target.
• This type of simulation is well suited for direct-to-sight combat in training centers.
• This direct view corresponds to the maximum impact distance allowed by laser technology to simulate shooting. This maximum distance is approximately four kilometers. Simulated fire will not be detected by any target beyond this maximum distance; which does not correspond to reality, especially when the simulated projectile has a range of several kilometers greater than this maximum distance.
• the invention is precisely intended to meet this need while overcoming the disadvantages of the techniques described above.
• the invention proposes a method of simulation of shots implemented by a processing unit of a shooting simulator mounted on a real weapon.
• a combat training supervisory entity is provided with means to detect and identify all targets in the combat simulation area.
• the operation of the simulation method of the invention is as follows: a) firstly, the firing simulator transmits to the supervising entity information relating to its position and to the direction of aiming of the weapon;
• the supervising entity identifies the target (s) located in the viewfinder field of the firing simulator, visible or not to the shooter, up to the maximum distance commitment of the weapon to simulate;
• the supervising entity then transmits to the firing simulator information on each of the identified targets.
• This information relates in particular to the identification of the target (type, number of participants, etc.), its geographical location, its position in site, azimuth and altitude, its distance from the shooter and possibly its speed;
• the shooting simulator extracts from a database of images a specific map of the firing zone where the targets identified by the supervision entity are located;
• the firing simulator enriches the extracted map by positioning virtual objects representing the identified targets, this enriched map is then displayed on the firer's viewfinder.
• the firing simulator then creates a succession of shot images representing the displacement of the simulated projectile on a fictitious trajectory calculated with respect to the type of projectile and the distance separating the selected target from those identified. These images are successively displayed on the viewfinder of the shooter.
• mapping is used in the present application to designate a digital field file.
• the invention also makes it possible to compare the position of said target relative to the position of a fictitious projectile fired against it, and having followed a theoretical trajectory, when the time elapsed since the departure of said projectile corresponds to that which would have been necessary to a real projectile to reach the target in question, and to transmit this result to the target and possibly to the supervision unit.
• the shooting simulator is thus able to deduce from the trajectory calculated, if the firing of the projectile results in an impact on the selected target.
• the invention makes it possible to simulate, with precision and in near real time, both shots beyond the direct view of the shooter and shots whose point of impact of the projectile is at a horizontal distance and / or vertical to the ground greater than that allowed by the technology used to simulate firing.
• the direction and position of the target, as well as the position of the fictitious projectile on its simulated trajectory reactualized in real time, are known at all times and up to the impact.
• the subject of the invention is a method for simulating the firing of a projectile with a simulation weapon as part of a combat training, in which:
• a target is designated up to the maximum range in distance and altitude of the projectile, in the direction of pointing of the weapon and beyond the direct view of the shooter or beyond the maximum distance allowed by the technology used to perform this simulation of shots,
• a fictitious initial firing trajectory of a behavior corresponding to the law of flight (for example, ballistics) of the simulated projectile is produced in real time to reach said designated target, said trajectory being elaborated as a function of a range at altitude and distance from said projectile,
• the destroyed character of the target is deduced from the developed trajectory by comparing the point of impact of the simulated projectile with respect to the position of the designated target.
• the fictitious trajectory is elaborated over a period corresponding to the time required for a real projectile to reach the designated target, said trajectory being elaborated using predefined guiding / piloting laws depending on: - the position, orientation and pointing direction of the weapon,
• projectile launch images are displayed sequentially on the shooter's bezel according to a predefined order representing the unfolding of the projectile, during firing.
• the generation of the projectile simulation image comprises the following steps:
• a perimeter centered on the position of the projectile is extracted from the cartography, the dimensions of this perimeter being predefined,
• the designation of a target comprises the following steps:
• a target identification request is prepared for a training supervision unit, said request comprising data relating to the position of the weapon, to the pointing direction of said weapon as well as to the maximum range in distance and altitude of the projectile to be simulated,
• a specific cartography are the identified targets
• the specific cartography is enriched by incorporating therein virtual objects at the positions of the identified targets, said virtual objects being a graphical representation of said targets,
• the specific enriched cartography is visualized on the shooter's telescope.
• the cartography comprises reliefs
• an obstacle detection filter is applied to said cartography;
• a characterization filter is applied to the detected obstacles situated along the initial trajectory in order to determine their attributes of width, height and depth so as to delimit the contours;
• the initial trajectory is modified according to a result of a comparison between the range in altitude and in distance of the simulated projectile and the attributes of the obstacles detected.
• the designated target is considered destroyed.
• the subject of the invention is a unit for processing a weapon-mounted gun simulator, the processing unit comprising:
• said supervision unit being intended to supply said processing unit with geographic information on all the targets identified as being located beyond the direct view the shooter and beyond the maximum distance allowed by the technology used to perform the simulation of shots, this information being provided in response to an identification request issued by the processing unit to the supervision unit, means for selecting a target from those identified and executing the shot simulation method of the invention.
• Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a shooting simulation weapon provided with improved means of an embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 2 shows an illustration of means implementing the shot simulation method beyond the direct view, according to one embodiment of the invention.
• FIGS. 3a to 3f illustrate images visualized by the shooter representing a displacement of the simulated projectile on a calculated theoretical trajectory, according to one embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 1 schematically represents, in one embodiment of the invention, a shooting simulator 10 mounted on a weapon 11.
• This shooting simulator 10 is used for technical and tactical training of crews in regimental field exercises or in combat training centers.
• This simulator 10 is made in such a way that it respects the ergonomics and the performances, used in the same way as those of a weapon, preferably, real.
• This simulator is interoperable with tanks, helicopters, small arms and missiles.
• the weapon 11 on which the simulator 10 is mounted comprises a projectile launching tube 12, which may be for example a missile as well as a rocket, on a real target.
• Target can be a land vehicle, for example a tank, a flying object, for example a helicopter or a pedestrian actor, for example an infantryman. We will speak in the description, simply of target.
• the simulation of the projectile is performed using laser technology.
• the simulator 10 comprises a laser emitter (not shown), for example a laser diode, to produce low power laser pulses in the form of a light beam with a given repetition frequency of a few kHz.
• the maximum impact distance generally observed with this technology is approximately four kilometers.
• This type of laser technology used in the simulator 10 is in itself well known to those skilled in the art and does not require a more detailed description.
• optical box 13 placed in front of the bezel 14 of the shooter.
• This optical box 13 comprises various elements whose function is to present to the observation of the shooter, in the telescope 13, a field of view comprising the field of shots, with or without a target and a reticle 15 embodying the axis of view of the weapon 1 1.
• This type of optical box 13 is also well known to those skilled in the art and does not require a detailed description.
• the weapon 1 1 comprises a position sensor 21 placed, at least in part, inside the projectile launch tube 12.
• the sensor used is preferably a sensor with six degrees of freedom, along three axes and three angles.
• This sensor may be, for example, an electromagnetic system which has the advantage of being stable and presenting no drift over time.
• This electromagnetic sensor comprises, in particular, a receiver positioned in the launch tube and associated with a transmitter located outside the launch tube and representing a predefined fixed reference.
• the sensor 21 may also be a gyrometric sensor, which has the advantage of being precise and insensitive to surrounding electromagnetic waves. Other types of position sensors may also be considered.
• This position sensor 21 provides, to a processing unit 17 of the firing simulator 10, information on the movements that are printed to the weapon 11 during operations.
• the processing unit 17 analyzes the received information in order to deduce the position of the shooter in the virtual space and to take it into account in the trajectory calculations of the simulated projectile.
• the weapon 11 may also include a deviation detector (not shown), also connected to the processing unit 17, to correct the calculation of the point of impact according to the devers.
• a deviation detector (not shown), also connected to the processing unit 17, to correct the calculation of the point of impact according to the devers.
• the weapon 11 may also include an anemometer (not shown) located in front of the tube 12 in the direction of the target. This anemometer sensitive to the force and the orientation of the wind, provides the processing unit 17 with information enabling it to take into account the transverse wind in the trajectory calculations.
• anemometer located in front of the tube 12 in the direction of the target. This anemometer sensitive to the force and the orientation of the wind, provides the processing unit 17 with information enabling it to take into account the transverse wind in the trajectory calculations.
• the processing unit 17 is a calculator of the simulator 10. It is connected to a supervision unit 18.
• the supervision unit 18 is the central management computer for combat training.
• the processing unit 17 communicates with the supervision unit 18 via a radio link 19.
• the radio link 19 may be a radio network produced according to the GSM, PCS, DCS, UMTS or any other existing or future private or proprietary standards.
• This radio link 19 may also be a wireless local area network made using Bluetooth access technology (registered trademark of Bluetooth® SIG, Inc.), Wi-Fi TM or Wimax TM.
• the processing unit 17 can communicate with the supervision unit 18 via a wire link.
• the supervision unit 18 comprises means for receiving, in near real-time, from the set of targets, located in the training zone, signalings comprising their geographical coordinates (obtained by means of a GPS receiver or other techniques ), the type of target, such as a vehicle, tank, helicopter or infantryman, the participant code assigned to it etc.
• the firing simulator 10 communicates with other firing simulators and targets via this radio link.
• the processing unit 17 comprises, inter alia, a microprocessor 23, a memory 24 of firing simulation program and a data memory 25 interconnected by a communication bus 26.
• actions are provided to devices or programs, that is to say that these actions are performed by a microprocessor of this apparatus or the apparatus comprising the program, said microprocessor being then controlled by instruction codes recorded in a program. memory of the device.
• instruction codes make it possible to implement the means of the apparatus and thus to carry out the action undertaken.
• the shooting program memory 24 is divided into several zones, each zone corresponding to a function or an operating mode of the simulation program of the invention.
• This program memory 24 includes instruction codes to simulate:
• FIG. 2 shows an illustration of means embodying an embodiment of the method of the invention.
• FIG. 2 shows a preliminary step in which the processing unit 17 generates a target identification request located beyond the shooter's direct view and beyond the maximum distance allowed by the laser technology.
• This identification request includes data relating in particular to the position of the weapon 1 1, to the pointing direction of said weapon, to the participant's code of the shooter as well as to the maximum distance and altitude range of the projectile. simulate.
• the distance range corresponds at the horizontal distance between the shooter and the point of impact of the projectile.
• the range at altitude is the vertical distance from the ground between the shooter and the point of impact of the projectile.
• the preparation of this request can be carried out automatically by the processing unit, in particular in the case where it receives temporary identification information from other simulators.
• a zone 30 of the program memory 24 comprises, for this purpose, instruction codes for receiving data relating to temporary identification information on, for example, targets located beyond the direct view of the shooter, in from other firing simulators via link 19.
• This elaborate request is then transmitted by the instruction codes of the zone 31 to the supervision unit 18.
• the processing unit 17 receives from the radio link 19, in a step 51, geographic information on a set of targets identified as being located in the pointing direction of the weapon 11 and up to at the limit of the distance range and altitude of the projectile to be simulated.
• This step 51 is executed by instruction codes of a zone 32 of the program memory 24.
• This information concerning the identification of the targets includes the type of target, the participating code of said target, its geographical location, its position in site, azimuth and altitude, its distance from the shooter, its speed, direction of movement, etc. ..
• a zone 33 comprises instruction codes for taking from a geographic database, from the geographic coordinates of the identified targets, a specific map of the training zone where said targets are located.
• This field database is provided in a preferred example by the French National Geographical Institute (IGN). We know that others Types of image bases can be used depending on the location of the simulation to be performed.
• the field database is the data store.
• an overall map of the training area is pre-recorded.
• a zone 34 comprises instruction codes for enriching the specific cartography extracted by positioning there virtual objects, taken from the data memory 25, intended to represent said targets. These virtual objects correspond to the type of identified targets.
• a zone 35 includes instruction codes for transmitting to the optical housing 13 enriched cartography to be displayed on the bezel 14 of the shooter.
• the processing unit 17 selects one of the targets identified by the validation, by the shooter, of a designation of said target.
• This step 52 is executed by a zone 36 comprising instruction codes for receiving a request to select one of the identified targets.
• This selection request is received by the processing unit 17 as a result of a validation of a designation by the shooter.
• This designation can be made using a graphical interface of the simulator comprising various descriptive titles whose provisions guide the firer in entering and validating the designation of a target.
• the entry and validation of the designation of a target can be made by clicking, for example, on an icon of the virtual object, representing said designated target 22, displayed on an input interface of the simulator 10.
• a zone 37 is executed.
• This zone 37 includes instruction codes to develop an initial fictitious trajectory of a behavior according to the law of flight (for example ballistic) of the simulated projectile, as soon as the shooter starts a handle 16 shots. This activation, by pressure or by triggering, automatically triggers the firing of the simulator 10.
• the fictitious firing trajectory is calculated according to the data provided by the sensors of the weapon 1 1, such as the position sensor 21, the detector of devers and the anemometer, information relating to the type of weapon, the information on the designated target and possibly to information relating to climatic conditions and sunshine.
• the information relating to the type of weapon 1 1 is in particular the guiding / driving laws, kinematic parameters and a specific reticle 15 recorded in the data memory 25.
• the zone 36 instruction codes update the fictitious fire trajectory with each change in weapon 1 1 sensor data, weather and sunshine information, and designated target information.
• the instruction codes of the zone 35 in fact analyze the data received from the weapon 11 and the radio link 19 so as to deduce the effects on the simulated trajectory of the projectile.
• the processing unit 17 applies to said mapping an obstacle detection filter.
• This filter can use the grayscale variation method of the map to detect obstacles present. This type of filter is known to those skilled in the art.
• the processing unit 17 applies a characterization filter of the detected obstacles in order to delimit their contours. This characterization is done using a few simple attributes such as width, height and depth. Several obstacle characterization filters are known from the skilled person. An example of an obstacle characterization method is based on successive projections of the obstacle in planes. The results of these treatments are merged so as to separate the obstacles from each other and to extract their limits.
• the processing unit 17 determines the attributes of the obstacles located along the fictitious trajectory. It then compares the maximum range and altitude range of the simulated projectile to the attributes of said obstacles. The result of this comparison is used to adjust the initial fictitious trajectory. For example, some missiles have considerable range and altitude range and speed often greater than Mach 1 and even Mach 2. In this case, when the "height" attribute of the obstacle on the initial trajectory is less than the altitude range of the simulated projectile, the processing unit 17 modifies the initial trajectory in a new trajectory passing above said obstacle.
• the processing unit 17 modifies the initial trajectory in a new trajectory which results in an impact on said obstacle.
• the duration of the fictitious trajectory corresponds to the time elapsed between the launch of the projectile and its date of impact on the target 22. This duration is determined so that it coincides with the time required for a real projectile to reach the target in question.
• the processing unit 17 produces sound effects that are taken from the data memory. These sound effects are intended to reproduce the starting sound of the projectile.
• a zone 38 is executed.
• This zone 38 includes instruction codes for taking data from the memory 25, a succession of images 27 for launching the simulated projectile. These images are transmitted sequentially to the optical box 13, in a predefined order representing the unfolding of the projectile, to be displayed on the bezel 14 of the shooter.
• Figure 3a shows an example of a first launch image 27.
• This first launch image 27 representing smoke, for the purpose of obscuring the sniper rifle 14 by the smoke, is displayed on the optical box 13.
• a second launch image 27 representing the misalignment of the line of sight at The start of the projectile is also taken and displayed on the optical housing 13.
• a third launch image 27 representing the shedding of the projectile is taken and displayed on the optical housing.
• the instruction codes of the zone 38 are also able to generate, at regular intervals, a simulation image 28 of the projectile along the fictitious trajectory of shots.
• These simulation images 28 are perimeters extracted from the global mapping images of the training zone recorded in the data memory. This perimeter is an area of the cartography centered on the position of the projectile. The dimensions of this perimeter are defined with respect to the field of view of the sniper's bezel.
• the processing unit 17 inserts the reticle 15.
• the instruction codes of the zone 38 successively display the image 28 generated on the optical box 13. At each update of the fictitious trajectory, the instruction codes of the zone 38 deduce the effects on the images 28 displayed.
• FIGS. 3b to 3f show some examples of images 28 generated by the processing unit 17. These figures show a representation of the simulation of the displacement of the projectile fired by the weapon 11 on the target 22 located behind an obstacle which is here a mountain 37 of a training ground.
• the projectile is materialized, on the images 28 generated, by the reticle 15.
• the image 28 of FIG. 3b, displayed on the sniper's bezel 14, shows the projectile fired in the direction of the mountain. Target 22 behind the mountain is not yet visible.
• the image 28 of FIG. 3c, displayed on the sniper's telescope 14, shows that the projectile is close to the summit of the mountain 37.
• the image 28 of FIG. 3d, displayed on the sniper's telescope 14, shows that the projectile managed to the other slope of the mountain 37.
• the target 22 is inserted in the image 28, taken from the map, at a position corresponding to its geographical coordinates. The projectile is close to the point of impact.
• This zone 39 includes instruction codes to deduce from the fictitious trajectory, possibly updated, whether the simulated projectile results in an impact on the target 22.
• the processing unit 17 If the processing unit 17 considers that the shot is missed, it generates an image 28, illustrated in Figure 3e, and displays said image on the bezel 14 of the shooter.
• This image is a virtual image of an explosion at the point of impact, when the projectile carries a destructive charge, such as a missile or a rocket. This explosion is accompanied by sound effects reproducing the sound of the explosion.
• the processing unit 17 deduces from the fictitious trajectory that the simulated shot reaches the target 22, the target 22 is considered destroyed.
• the processing unit 17 displays the image 28 of Figure 3f on the bezel 14 of the shooter.
• This image is a virtual image of an explosion at the location of the target 22. This explosion is accompanied by sound effects reproducing the sound of an explosion.
• the processing unit 17 then transmits to the supervision unit 18 a signaling intended to inform it of the destroyed nature of said target.
• This signaling can also be transmitted to said target where in this case a visual or audible alarm of said target is activated.
• the succession of display of the launch images 27 taken and the generated simulation images 28 as well as the sound effects make it possible to faithfully observe the course of the actual shot sequence of a projectile, such as a missile, during the simulation. shooting beyond the shooter's direct view or beyond the maximum distance allowed by laser technology.
• the data memory 25 comprises a first database 40, for example structured in a table.
• a first database 40 for example structured in a table.
• each line of the table corresponds to the type of projectile to be simulated
• each column of the table corresponds to information on this projectile. So in this base of data 40 are notably recorded:
• the data memory 25 has a second database
• each line of the table corresponds to a target identified in the training zone in the direction of pointing of the weapon 1 1
• each column of the table corresponds to information recorded on this target.
• the identified targets, their types, their geographical coordinates, their positions in elevation and azimuth, their distances relative to the weapon 11, and the speed and direction of the target are recorded. moving said targets.
• the processing unit 17 updates the database 41.
• memories and databases are only an illustration of implementation of components and data recording. In practice, these memories are unified or distributed according to size constraints of the database and / or speed of the desired processing.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
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• Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Educational Administration (AREA)
• Educational Technology (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Radar, Positioning & Navigation (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Aiming, Guidance, Guns With A Light Source, Armor, Camouflage, And Targets (AREA)

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• 2010
  • 2010-11-26 FR FR1059780A patent/FR2968113B1/fr active Active
• 2011
  • 2011-11-02 EP EP11776469.6A patent/EP2643830A2/de not_active Ceased
  • 2011-11-02 WO PCT/EP2011/069259 patent/WO2012069294A2/fr not_active Ceased

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