US4296894A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Drone-type missile
Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
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Filing: 1979-02-23
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Granted: 1981-10-27
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Expires: 1999-02-23
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to a drone-type missile for combatting ground targets from the ground, particularly for the use against targets which emit electromagnetic rays, such as radar stations; with built-in target-seeking head, guidance system, self-propulsion and take-off assist, preferably a booster rocket.
Inventors
- 👤 Werner Schnabele
- 👤 Jack Buckley
- 👤 Ulrich Rieger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 01:28
CPC Classifications
F; F42; F42B; F42B15/00; F42B15/10; F42B10/00; F42B10/02; F42B10/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
A drone missile system, comprising: a missile having a target-seeking head, a guidance system, a self-propulsion and take-off system, electronic means for storing individual mission data prior to the mission, a pair of wings, a tail assembly, and a propeller, said missile having a shape defining a longitudinal direction, said wings, as well as said tail assembly and said propeller being foldable in the longitudinal direction of the missile and automatically unfoldable transverse to the longitudinal direction of the missile, said wings and said propeller being automatically detachable in flight after launching, and a container for storing as well as transporting and launching the missile when the wings as well as said tail assembly and said propeller are folded in the longitudinal direction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
A drone missile system, comprising: a missile having a target-seeking head, a guidance system, a self-propulsion and take-off system, electronic means for storing individual mission data prior to the mission, a pair of wings, a tail assembly, and a propeller, said missile having a shape defining a longitudinal direction, said wings, as well as said tail assembly and said propeller being foldable in the longitudinal direction of the missile and automatically unfoldable transverse to the longitudinal direction of the missile, said wings and said propeller being automatically detachable in flight after launching, and a container for storing as well as transporting and launching the missile when the wings as well as said tail assembly and said propeller are folded in the longitudinal direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
129 words
A drone missile system, comprising: a missile having a target-seeking head, a guidance system, a self-propulsion and take-off system, electronic means for storing individual mission data prior to the mission, a pair of wings, a tail assembly, and a propeller, said missile having a shape defining a longitudinal direction, means for allowing folding of said wings as well as said tail assembly and said propeller in the longitudinal direction of the missile and for automatically unfolding them transverse to the longitudinal direction of the missile, means for automatically detaching said wings and said propeller in flight after launching, and a container for storing as well as transporting and launching the missile when the wings as well as said tail assembly and said propeller are folded in the longitudinal direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
129 words
A drone missile system, comprising: a missile having a target-seeking head, a guidance system, a self-propulsion and take-off system, electronic means for storing individual mission data prior to the mission, a pair of wings, a tail assembly, and a propeller, said missile having a shape defining a longitudinal direction, means for allowing folding of said wings as well as said tail assembly and said propeller in the longitudinal direction of the missile and for automatically unfolding them transverse to the longitudinal direction of the missile, means for automatically detaching said wings and said propeller in flight after launching, and a container for storing as well as transporting and launching the missile when the wings as well as said tail assembly and said propeller are folded in the longitudinal direction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
A missile system as in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said missile includes means for receiving a booster rocket and a warhead, wherein said container includes a cover located behind the missile through which said booster rocket and said warhead can be mounted on the missile.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A missile system as in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said container surrounds the missile with the wings as well as said tail assembly and said propeller being folded.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
A missile system as in claim 4 or claim 2, wherein said missile includes a piston engine for driving said propeller, said piston engine being startable within the container while uncoupled from the propeller, and electromagnetic couplings for automatically coupling said propeller to said piston engine.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A missile system as in claim 4 or claim 2, further comprising a programming device connectable to said electronic means for entering mission data into said electronic means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A missile system as in claim 6 or claim 2, wherein said programming device includes means for entering preprogrammed mission data.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
A missile system as in claim 6 or claim 2, wherein said programming means includes a data entry board for manually entering data.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-10-26 | 1985-04-27 | 1985-10-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-10-26 | 1989-04-27 | 1989-10-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-10-26 | 1993-04-27 | 1993-10-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |