The invention relates to a nose cone for a munition, more specifically related to the arrangement of electronic components in the nose cone of a signal-emitting projectile, such as a missile or torpedo.

Within the field of steerable, rather than “dumb” munitions a projectile may comprise a number of sections containing various component parts to allow the munition to perform various actions required for its operation. These sections typically comprise a means of propulsion, in order to propel the projectile through the air or water, a warhead or body section, containing the main charge or other output payload and a guidance section, which may include communications for external command input. Though not a requirement, the guidance portion is often located in the nose of the projectile. Given the traditional proportions of even large projectiles, the fitting of electronics into the nose can often be difficult, due to a number of factors, all of which must be considered during the projectiles design.

A projectiles construction has to accommodate the electronics used for systems such as guidance, the power source for the components, such as the electronic e.g. battery, the payload of explosives to be used, including any initiating means, fuel and signalling equipment, whether for the emission of sonar/radar or the actual control of the projectile in motion. The design constraints may be further complicated by the requirement for undertaking maintenance, wherein engineers may be required to change components, update software or replace items in their respective areas throughout the projectile. This can often result in additional time and expense of removing component parts to get to other underlying components, as well as the dealing with difficult to manage sections of equipment, increasing the potential for human error.

The construction of a nose cone section, wherein the nose cone section comprises the guidance components for guided projectiles often requires a signal modification means, such as a transducer, a receive and transmit means as well as a method of interpreting the signals to control the rest of the projectile in order to adjust course, in the example of guidable projectiles. The projectile or nose cone section may also include a means of receiving signals from the launching platform in the field of steerable munitions. These components are often interconnected within the projectile by a large number of Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) to process or pass the information via a series of interconnecting wires. This leads to a huge difficulty when preforming maintenance, replacing components, managing the heat produced by the various electronic devices and manufacture of the nose cone itself.

According to a first aspect of this invention there is provided a nose cone assembly for a munition, comprising a transducer array operably linked to a transmission assembly, wherein the transducer array is operably connected to a transducer housing, said transducer housing comprising a first and second surface, wherein said transmission assembly is reversibly operably connected to the second surface of said transducer housing,

said transmission assembly comprising a control board and a plurality of electronic circuit boards, wherein at least one electronic circuit board is a transceiver circuit board,

said electronic circuit boards being reversibly connected to the control board and being arranged along their longest dimension, at an axis substantially perpendicular to the control board and further arranged such that the electronic circuit boards extend radially inwardly to a substantially rotational centre of the control board.

In one arrangement the nose cone cover may comprise a cupola or frustroconical recess to allow the insertion of a transducer housing and transmission assembly. The transducer housing may comprise a transducer array, which comprises at least one transducer; preferably there is a plurality of transducers. The transducer array is responsible for the transduction between an electro-magnetic or acoustic signals, such as, for example a radar or a sonar signal to an electronic signal. In a preferred arrangement there may be a plurality of transducers each requiring electrical connection to the transmission assembly via conductors, such as, for example via through-hole conductors to the second surface.

The transducer array may be mounted the first surface of the transducer housing, and encapsulated by a protective cover.

The second surface of the transducer housing may have a number of electrical connection points to permit transfer of electronic signals between the transducer array and the electronic circuit boards (ecb) of the transmission assembly.

In a preferred arrangement the transmission assembly may be reversibly attached to the second surface of the transducer housing, such as for example, utilising a co-operative push-fit connection between each of the electronic circuit boards of the transmission assembly and the second surface of the transducer housing. The use of individual push-fit connectors allows removal of individual boards, for maintenance or repair, without removing all of the electronic circuit boards.

The electronic circuit boards may also be reversibly attached to the control board of the transmission assembly by further push-fit connectors. The control board, which may itself be a further electronic circuit board, may be used to manage the outputs and inputs to the electronic circuit boards, such as for example the transmissions between the nose cone assembly and the remainder of the munitions components where applicable.

The use of reversible connectors, such as push-fit connectors means between the ecb's and the control board and the transducer housing removes the need for fixed connection means such as wire or solder, which have to be physically broken and detached to permit replacement or testing.

The electronic circuit boards have a longest dimension, and are arranged along their longest dimension at an axis substantially perpendicular to the control board, and the electronic circuit boards are further arranged such that they extend radially inwardly to a substantially rotational centre of the control board This arrangement permits 360 degree access to any of the electronic circuit boards of the transmission assembly, which may facilitate examination in the event of failure, and allows a single electronic circuit board replacement without the need to remove any adjacent or indeed all electronic circuit boards or a multitude of functioning parts to reach a specific electronic circuit board.

In a further arrangement there may be a support hub, located at the substantially rotational centre of the control board. The support hub may provide support to both the electronic circuit boards and therefore the transmission assembly. The support hub may be of any cross section shape of material, preferably the support hub is rigid, and may comprise at least one void, such as, for example a cavity, hollow tube, or a plurality of vent apertures, throughout its length. The at least one void may allow the transfer of heat away from all electronic components such as the electronic control boards in order to assist cooling within the nose cone assembly systems by allowing the passing of a cooling fluid, preferably air. The support hub may also allow electronic connection to the edges of the electronic circuit boards.

In a further arrangement a first support ring may be located around the circumference of the electronic circuit boards. The first support ring may be positioned on the outer edges of the electronic circuit boards and affixed to the outside edges. In a preferred arrangement, the first support ring may be mounted on the control board by at least one support spoke. The support spokes may be interspersed between and orientated in a similar fashion to the electronic circuit boards. The support spokes may be constructed from a rigid material, such as for example polymers, metals, composites, and may provide support for the transmission assembly.

In a further arrangement the transducer housing may comprise a sub-frame, mounted on the second surface of the transducer housing. The sub-frame may comprise at least one support leg and a second support ring. The second support ring may receive the transmission assembly and provide the function of guiding the transmission assembly into engagement with the second surface of the transducer housing. The second support ring may protect the transmission assembly from damage caused by adverse knocks. In a preferred arrangement, during assembly, the second support ring may engage with the first support ring. This may be achieved utilising a mechanical fixing method, such as, for example, a bolt and nut arrangement, however it is more preferable that it is achieved utilising a co-operative a lug and void arrangement, where the first support ring sits inside the second support ring. The co-located first and second support rings may then be mechanically secured together.

The use of modular construction for the nose cone assembly allows the quick and simple detachment, test and reassembly of the separate component parts of the nose cone. In an example arrangement the transmission assembly may be detached from the second surface of the transducer housing and removed from the nose cone, after which individual electronic circuit boards may be unplugged and exchanged by use of the push-fit connections with the control board. After re-fitting the transmission assembly may be returned to the nose cone assembly to be reengaged with the second surface. This arrangement reduces the time, cost and complexity associated with more complex arrangements of component parts, allowing the nose cone to be returned to the munition quickly and the munitions “down-time” being significantly reduced, as well as the associated financial cost.

Whilst the invention has been described above, it extends to any inventive combination of the features set out above, or in the following description, drawings or claims.

