WO2025191234A1

WO2025191234A1 - Modular effector system

Info

Publication number: WO2025191234A1
Application number: PCT/GB2025/050379
Authority: WO
Inventors: Murray Thomson
Original assignee: BAE Systems PLC
Current assignee: BAE Systems PLC
Priority date: 2024-03-12
Filing date: 2025-02-27
Publication date: 2025-09-18
Anticipated expiration: 2026-09-12

Abstract

Disclosed is a kit of parts configured to form an effector. The kit comprises a modular kinetic/non-kinetic effect component that is connectable to at least one further modular component to configure the effector for use in one of a plurality of different use cases. Also disclosed are a modular effector system and a method of forming an effector.

Description

MODULAR EFFECTOR SYSTEM

FIELD

The present invention relates to a modular effector system, including an effector formed of modular components and a kit of parts for forming an effector.

BACKGROUND

Effectors comprise entities that aim to modify properties or behaviours of a target. Conventionally, an effector is built in a manufacturing plant to a single specific design. Thus, a specific type of effector will normally be built from specialpurpose components that have been designed and created for use in that type of effector only.

This means that effectors conventionally require considerable development time and costs due to their individual designs. Further, reliance on effector-specific components means that maintenance and repair can be problematic if a suitable replacement component is not readily available.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention are intended to address at least one of the above technical problems. Embodiments can provide a modular effector system formed of a kit of parts that may provide a user with different types of effectors having a range of capabilities which may be tailored to a range of use cases as required. Embodiments may use a common hull interface and modular architecture and can leverage companies’ internal development programmes or existing proprietary capabilities. According to embodiments an effector can be formed of a plurality of modules/modular components. Each of the modular components can be independently manufactured, modified, replaced and/or exchanged with other modular components, or between different effectors. According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kit of parts configured to form an effector, the kit comprising: a modular kinetic/non-kinetic effect component, wherein the modular kinetic/non-kinetic effect component is connectable (in use) to at least one further modular component to configure the effector for use in one of a plurality of different use cases.

The plurality of different use cases may comprise a plurality of different effector/weapon use cases. For example, the plurality of different use cases may comprise a depth charge use case, a buoyancy charge use case or an underwater strike effector use case.

The modular kinetic/non-kinetic effect component may comprise a blast warhead and the at least one further modular component may comprise a depth fuze to configure the effector as a depth charge. The at least one further modular component may further comprise a tether and release component.

The modular kinetic/non-kinetic effect component may comprise a blast warhead and the at least one further modular component may comprise a depth fuze and a buoyancy component to configure the effector as a buoyancy charge. The at least one further modular component may further comprise a tether and release component.

The modular kinetic/non-kinetic effect component may comprise a blast or shaped warhead and the at least one further modular component may comprise a blast warhead, a depth fuze, a power component and a propulsion component to configure the effector as an underwater strike effector.

The at least one further modular component may comprise at least one further kinetic/non-kinetic effect component, e.g. warhead.

The at least one further modular component may comprise a guidance component and a homing component. The kit may comprise a plurality of modular components comprising the modular kinetic/non-kinetic effect component and the at least one further modular component. The kinetic/non-kinetic effect component may comprise a warhead. The kit may further comprise a fuze for the warhead.

The at least one further modular component may be selected from a set comprising: a tether component, a guidance component, a propulsion component, a power component, a buoyancy component and a homing component.

The kit/effector may further comprise a plurality of connectors, each of the plurality of connectors configured to connect one of the plurality of modular components to at least one other of the plurality of modular components. Each of the plurality of connectors may comprise a connecting arrangement configured to physically connect the one of the plurality of modular components to the other of the plurality of modular components. The connecting arrangement may comprise at least one band (e.g. two semi-circular bands, which may be connectable together using fixing means, such as bolts) having a first connecting feature configured to cooperate with a corresponding first connecting feature of the one of the plurality of modular components, and a second connecting feature configured to cooperate with a corresponding second connecting feature of the other of the plurality of modular components. The first connecting feature of the band may comprise a first angled surface, and the second connecting feature of the band may comprises a mirror-image second angled surface.

Each of the plurality of connectors may comprise a communications arrangement configured to provide communication (e.g. of electronic signals, such as control signals) between at least some of the plurality of modular components.

The modular kinetic/non-kinetic effect component may be connectable to at least one further modular component by means of a modular outer shell. For example, the modular kinetic/non-kinetic effect component may comprise, or be housed in, a modular outer shell connectable to the at least one further modular component to form the effector. The at least one further modular component may comprise, or be housed in, a further modular outer shell.

The effector may comprise an underwater/marine effector. In alternative embodiments the effector may comprise a land-based or airborne effector.

According to an alternative aspect of the present invention there is provided a modular effector system comprising: a modular kinetic/non-kinetic effect component, and at least one further modular component, wherein the modular kinetic/non-kinetic effect component is connectable to the at the least one further modular component to form an effector.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided an effector comprising a modular kinetic/non-kinetic effect component, wherein the modular kinetic/non-kinetic effect component is connectable (in use) to at least one further modular component to configure the effector for use in one of a plurality of different use cases.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided an effector formed from a kit of parts as defined herein, such that the effector is an assembled kit of parts.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of forming an effector from a kit of parts, the method comprising: selecting at least one modular component from a plurality of modular components to configure the effector for use in one of a plurality of different use cases. The method may further comprise connecting a plurality of the selected modular components.

It will be appreciated that features described in relation to one aspect of the present invention can be incorporated into other aspects of the present invention. For example, an apparatus of the invention can incorporate any of the features described in this disclosure with reference to a method, and vice versa. Moreover, additional embodiments and aspects will be apparent from the following description, drawings, and claims. As can be appreciated from the foregoing and following description, each and every feature described herein, and each and every combination of two or more of such features, and each and every combination of one or more values defining a range, are included within the present disclosure provided that the features included in such a combination are not mutually inconsistent. In addition, any feature or combination of features or any value(s) defining a range may be specifically excluded from any embodiment of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the figures, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a kit of modular components that can be selected and used to form effectors according to various embodiments;

Figure 1A is a partial sectional diagram of an example connecting arrangement for the modular components;

Figures 2A - 2C schematically illustrate combinations of the modular components being used to form various depth charge effectors;

Figures 3A - 3C schematically illustrate combinations of the modular components being used to form various buoyancy charge effectors, and Figures 4A - 4C schematically illustrate combinations of the modular components being used to form various underwater strike effectors.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an example kit 100 of modular components that can be selected and used to form various types of effectors according to embodiments. It will be understood that the modular components and their arrangement as illustrated is merely schematic. Thus, the specific shapes, order/position, etc, of the modular components are for illustrative purposes only. In practice, only a subset of the modular components shown in Figure 1 will normally be selected and used to form a particular type of effector, examples of which will be described below.

The kit 100 of modular components comprises a kinetic/non-kinetic effect component 102. Practical embodiments will normally include at least this modular component. Examples of components that provide a kinetic effect include warheads or bombs. Examples of components that provide a non-kinetic effect include components for electronic warfare effects or acoustic/non-acoustic countermeasures. Specific embodiments can include at least one further modular component selected from the kit 100, which may include one or more of the following: at least one further kinetic/non-kinetic effect component 102A; a fuze component 104; a tether component 106; a guidance component 108; a propulsion component 110; a power component 112; a byouancy component 114, and a homing component 116.

Typically, to form a specific type of effector a user will first select one or more modular component from the kit 100. The selection of the modular component(s) will depend on the type of effector required, i.e. the intended use case/application. The user may be provided with a (digital or physical) handbook or the like that contains information about the modular components. In particular, information regarding which component(s) should be selected for forming effectors that are specially intended for use in a plurality of different use cases/scenarios can be provided. For example, a list of combinations of components that can be selected and used to configure effectors according to a plurality of “preset” configurations (e.g. depth charges, buoyancy charges, etc) suitable for different use cases may be provided.

The user may be an equipment manufacturer, or may be a different type of user at a location where effectors are not conventionally built, e.g. in the field or onboard a vehicle/vessel. In cases where more than one component is selected, the selected modular components can be connected together before deployment.

The modular components of the kit 100 (typically at least the kinetic/non- kinetic effect component 102) will be configured to be connectable to at least one other modular component. A modular component may either include/be formed with a connector, or it may be configured to cooperate with/receive a connector (not shown). Thus, the connector may be formed on, or attached to, a modular component, or it may be a separate component that is attached to the modular components in use. The connector may comprise a connecting arrangement configured to physically connect one modular component to another modular component. For example, the connecting arrangement may comprise a ring, or bands, of rigid material, such as metal, that, in use, is connected at/near ends of a pair modular components to form a waterproof seal that also connects the components together. Permanent or releasable fixing means, e.g. bolts or welding, etc, may be used in conjunction with the connecting arrangement.

Figure 1A is a partial sectional diagram of an example connecting arrangement 150. The connecting arrangement includes a connecting band 151 having first connecting feature 151 A configured to cooperate with a corresponding first connecting feature 152A of a first modular component 154A, and a second connecting feature 151 B configured to cooperate with a corresponding second connecting feature 152B of a second modular component 154B. The first and second modular components may comprise any of the ones shown in Figure 1 . Embodiments may comprise a pair of opposing semi-circular bands 151 that can be fixed together using securing bolts (not shown). In the example of Figure 1 A the first connecting feature of the band comprises a first angled surface 151 A, and the second connecting feature of the band comprises a mirror-image second angled surface 151 B so that when the band is tightened down over the corresponding angled surfaces 152A, 152B of the first 154A and second 154B modular components during a connecting operation/assembly, the modular components are pulled together, as shown by the arrows in the Figure, until vertical surfaces of the connecting features abut. Embodiments may further comprise a sealing gasket arrangement (not shown). It will be understood that the connecting arrangement 150 is merely an example and many variations are possible.

Optionally, the connector may include a communication arrangement configured to provide communication (e.g. of electronic signals, such as control signals) between at least some of the plurality of modular components. The communication arrangement may comprise, for example, one or more channel for wires (which may pass through a particular component and/or connect to a suitable device, e.g. circuit, located in it), a plug/socket arrangement, wireless transmitter/receiver components, etc. Examples of suitable wired arrangements include acoustic communications, optical communications and fibre optic guidewire. The signals transferred using the communication arrangement may be transferred using any suitable data format, protocol, etc. The signals may control at least one of the modular components, e.g. actuate an electro-mechanical or electronic part or function, such as a detonator, tether release, and so on. The signals may originate remotely, e.g. from a controller onboard a vessel, or internally from one or more processor on the effector, e.g. a timer signal. Status signals, images, etc, may also be transferred to/from the effector from/to one or more remote processor.

The external shape of the modular components can vary but may be designed to provide a smooth/uninterrupted surface when connected together. For example, connected modular components may have a generally cylindrical or streamlined shape. The modular components may be at least partly shaped to be identical or similar to sections of existing effectors, such as torpedoes. Such shapes can allow them to be conveniently stored and/or used in connection with existing equipment, e.g. launchers. In some embodiments the outer surface of modular components may be generally cylindrical and have an external diameter of around 324 mm (or other dimensions) to match that of a Sting Ray torpedo. In some cases the modular components may be reconfigured versions of existing components, e.g. redesigned to include/cooperate with a connector. In alternative embodiments the modular components may be housed in outer shells that can be connected together to form the effector. Such modular shells may, for example, also be used to result in a minimum length for all effectors, provide standardised front and/or back ends, etc.

Figures 2A - 2C schematically illustrate combinations of modular components forming various types of effectors configured to be used as depth charges. In the Figures it will be understood that light/unshaded/unlabelled components are not included in the effectors but are shown for comparison purposes only.

Figure 2A shows a first example depth charge effector 202A that comprises two modular components, namely a blast warhead 102 and a depth fuze component 104 for detonating the warhead in use. This type of effector is particularly well suited to Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) engagements close-in, in shallow waters, against small targets and/or where a scaled effect is desired.

Figure 2B shows a scaled depth charge effector 202B that comprises three modular components, namely a first blast warhead 102, a second blast warhead 102B and a depth fuze component 104 for detonating the warheads in use. This type of effector is also suited to ASW engagements as above, but where a larger effect is desired, e.g. either more lethal against small targets or a scaled effect against larger targets.

Figure 2C shows a guided depth charge effector 202C including a blast warhead with depth fuze and augmented with a homing section and control surfaces for basic guidance. The effector 202C comprises four modular components, namely a blast warhead 102, a depth fuze component 104 for the warhead, as well as a guidance component 108 and a homing component 116 for basic guidance. The guidance component 108 may be based on any suitable active, passive or preset, etc, guidance technology, including electric control surface actuation. The homing component 116 may be based on any suitable proportional navigation, radar, active/semi-active, retransmission or Artificial Intelligence-based, etc, homing technology, including basic active sonar. This type of effector is suited to ASW engagements in deeper water, where the ability for the munition to sense a target and steer onto it may be desirable. The scaled 202B and guided 202C variants may be combined as required by selecting the appropriate combination of modular components.

Figures 3A - 3C schematically illustrate combinations of modular components forming various types of effectors configured to be used as buoyancy charges.

Figure 3A shows a first example buoyancy charge effector 302A that comprises modular components including a blast warhead 102 and a depth fuze component 104 for detonating the warhead in use, as well as a buoyancy component 114. The effector may optionally further include a tether and release component/section 106. The buoyancy component may comprise a hollow section. The tether and release component may be based on any suitable fully/semi-automated anchor and release technology. This type of effector is particularly well suited to ASW and Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW) engagements where bottom attack is desirable, against small targets and/or where a scaled effect is desired.

Figure 3B shows a scaled buoyancy charge effector 302B that comprises modular components including first 102 and second 102A blast warheads and a depth fuze component 104 for the warheads, as well as a buoyancy component 114. The effector may optionally further include a tether and release component/section 106. This type of effector is particularly well suited to ASW and ASuW bottom-attack engagements as above, but where a larger effect is desired - either more lethal against small targets or a scaled effect against larger targets.

Figure 3C shows a guided buoyancy charge effector 302C that comprises modular components including a blast warhead 102 and a depth fuze component 104 for the warhead, as well as a buoyancy component 114, and also a guidance component 108 and a homing component 116 for basic guidance. The effector may optionally further include a tether and release component/section 106. This type of effector is particularly well suited to ASW and ASuW bottom-attack engagements in deeper water, where the ability for the munition to sense a target and steer onto it may be desirable. The scaled 302B and guided 302C variants may be combined as required by selecting the appropriate combination of modular components.

Figures 4A - 4C schematically illustrate combinations of modular components forming various types of effectors configured to be used for underwater strikes.

Figure 4A shows a first example underwater strike effector 402A that comprises modular components including a warhead 102 (which may be a blast or shaped charge warhead) and a contact/proximity fuze component 104 for detonating the warhead in use, as well as a power component 112 and a propulsion component 110. The power component may be based on any suitable technology, e.g. electric motor, and can be used to power/drive at least the propulsion component. The propulsion component may be based on any suitable propulsion technology, e.g. propellers. This type of effector is particularly well suited to straight-running short range underwater strike engagements.

Figure 4B shows a scaled underwater strike effector 402B that comprises modular components including first 102 and second 102A warheads (which may be blast or shaped charge warheads) and a contact/proximity fuze component 104 for the warheads, as well as a power component 112 and a propulsion component 110. This type of effector is particularly well suited to straight-running short range underwater strike engagements where a larger effect is desired.

Figure 4C shows a guided underwater strike effector 402C that comprises modular components including a warhead 102 (which may be a blast or shaped charge warhead) and a contact/proximity fuze component 104 for the warhead, as well as a power component 112 and a propulsion component 110, and also a guidance component 108 and a homing component 116 for basic guidance. This type of effector is particularly well suited to short range underwater strike engagements where the ability for the munition to sense a target and steer onto it may be desirable. The scaled 402B and guided 402C variants may be combined as required by selecting the appropriate combination of modular components.

Although the embodiments described above relate to marine/underwater effectors, it will be understood that alternatives can provide effectors useable on land or in air/space.

Terms such as ‘component’, ‘module’, ‘processor’ or ‘unit’ used herein may include, but are not limited to, a hardware device, such as circuitry in the form of discrete or integrated components, general processing units (GPUs), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), which performs certain tasks or provides the associated functionality. In some embodiments, the described elements may be configured to reside on a tangible, persistent, addressable storage medium and may be configured to execute on one or more processors. These functional elements may in some embodiments include, by way of example, components, such as software components, object-oriented software components, class components and task components, processes, functions, attributes, procedures, subroutines, segments of program code, drivers, firmware, microcode, circuitry, data, databases, data structures, tables, arrays, and variables. Although the example embodiments have been described with reference to the components, modules and units discussed herein, such functional elements may be combined into fewer elements or separated into additional elements. Where, in the foregoing description, integers or elements are mentioned that have known, obvious, or foreseeable equivalents, then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth. Reference should be made to the claims for determining the true scope of the present disclosure, which should be construed so as to encompass any such equivalents. It will also be appreciated by the reader that integers or features of the disclosure that are described as optional do not limit the scope of the independent claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that such optional integers or features, while of possible benefit in some embodiments of the disclosure, may not be desirable, and can therefore be absent, in other embodiments.

Claims

1 . A kit of parts configured to form an effector, the kit comprising: a modular kinetic/non-kinetic effect component, wherein the modular kinetic/non-kinetic effect component is connectable to at least one further modular component to configure the effector for use in one of a plurality of different use cases.

2. A kit according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of different use cases comprises a plurality of different effector use cases, including a depth charge use case, a buoyancy charge use case and an underwater strike effector use case.

3. A kit according to claim 2, wherein: the modular kinetic/non-kinetic effect component comprises a blast warhead and the kit further comprises the at least one further modular component comprising a depth fuze, to configure the effector for the depth charge use case, or the modular kinetic/non-kinetic effect component comprises a blast warhead and the kit further comprises the at least one further modular component comprising a depth fuze and a buoyancy component, to configure the effector for the buoyancy charge use case, or the modular kinetic/non-kinetic effect component comprises a blast or shaped warhead and the kit further comprises the at least one further modular component comprising a depth fuze, a power component and a propulsion component, to configure the effector for the underwater strike effector use case.

4. A kit according to claim 3, wherein the kit further comprises the at least one further modular component comprising a tether and release component, and/or the at least one further modular component further comprises at least one further kinetic/non-kinetic effect component, and/or the at least one further modular component further comprises a guidance component and a homing component.

5. A kit according to claim 1 , further comprising a fuze component for the kinetic/non-kinetic effect component, wherein the at least one further modular component is selected from a set comprising: a tether component, a guidance component, a propulsion component, a power component, a buoyancy component and a homing component.

6. A kit according to any preceding claim further comprising a plurality of connectors, each of the plurality of connectors configured to connect one of a plurality of the modular components to at least one other of the plurality of modular components.

7. A kit according to claim 6, wherein each of the plurality of connectors comprises a connecting arrangement configured to physically connect the one of the plurality of modular components to the other of the plurality of modular components, and a communications arrangement configured to provide communication between at least some of the plurality of modular components.

8. A kit according to claim 7, wherein the connecting arrangement comprises at least one band having a first connecting feature configured to cooperate with a corresponding first connecting feature of the one of the plurality of modular components, and a second connecting feature configured to cooperate with a corresponding second connecting feature of the other of the plurality of modular components.

9. A kit according to claim 8, wherein the first connecting feature of the band comprises a first angled surface, and the second connecting feature of the band comprises a mirror-image second angled surface.

10. A kit according to claim 1 , wherein the modular kinetic/non-kinetic effect component is connectable to the at least one further modular component by means of a modular outer shell.

11. An effector formed from a kit of parts according to any preceding claim.

12. An effector according to claim 11 , wherein the effector comprises an underwater/marine effector.

13. A method of forming an effector from a kit of parts according to any of claims 1 to 10, the method comprising: selecting at least one modular component from a plurality of modular components to configure the effector for use in one of a plurality of different use cases.

14. A method according to claim 13, further comprising connecting a plurality of the selected modular components.

15. An effector comprising a modular kinetic/non-kinetic effect component, wherein the modular kinetic/non-kinetic effect component is connectable to at least one further modular component to configure the effector for use in one of a plurality of different use cases.

16. A modular effector system comprising: a modular kinetic/non-kinetic effect component, and at least one further modular component, wherein the modular kinetic/non-kinetic effect component is connectable to the at the least one further modular component to form an effector.