PROJECTILE SYSTEM WITH CAPTURE NET
A modular rocket system includes a guidance module defining a nose and including a guidance system for guiding said modular rocket system toward a target. A flight control module is removably attached to the guidance module and includes a plurality of airfoils that are controllable to control a direction of travel of the modular rocket system. A net module is removably attached to the flight control module and houses a net and a deployment mechanism. The deployment mechanism is configured to eject the net from the net module toward the target. A rocket module is removably attached to the net module, and includes a rocket motor configured to propel the modular rocket system.
1 . A modular rocket system, comprising:
a guidance module defining a nose, said guidance module including a guidance system for guiding said modular rocket system toward a target;
a flight control module removably attached to the guidance module, said flight control module including a plurality of airfoils, the airfoils controllable for controlling a direction of travel of the modular rocket system;
a net module removably attached to the flight control module, said net module housing a net and a deployment mechanism, said deployment mechanism configured to eject the net from the net module toward the target; and
a rocket module removably attached to the net module, said rocket module including a rocket motor configured to propel the modular rocket system.
2 . The modular rocket system of claim 1 , wherein the guidance system is a laser guidance system.
3 . The modular rocket system of claim 2 , wherein the laser guidance system is configured to follow an infrared laser designator beam.
4 . The modular rocket system of claim 2 , wherein the infrared laser designator beam has a wavelength of 1064 nanometers.
5 . The modular rocket system of claim 1 , wherein the guidance module further comprises a laser ranging module including a laser emitter and an optical sensor, the laser ranging module configured to activate the deployment mechanism when the modular rocket system is a predetermined distance from a target.
6 . The modular rocket system of claim 1 , wherein the deployment mechanism is selected from the group consisting of a charge of explosive material, a source of compressed gas, and a compressed spring mechanism.
7 . The modular rocket system of claim 1 , wherein the net includes a plurality of weights attached thereto.
8 . The modular rocket system of claim 7 , wherein the deployment mechanism is shaped to cause the plurality of weights to spread out when the net is ejected from the net module.
9 . The modular rocket system of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of weights are formed of a material selected from the group consisting of tungsten, steel, or lead.
10 . The modular rocket system of claim 1 , wherein the net is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of a material having a web-like structure and a mist net material.
11 . The modular rocket system of claim 10 , wherein the net is 5 to 20 feet in diameter.
12 . The modular rocket system of claim 11 , wherein the net is 10 feet in diameter.
13 . The modular rocket system of claim 1 , wherein the net module further comprises at least one parachute attached to the net.
14 . The modular rocket system of claim 1 , wherein the net module includes a beacon device for providing an indication of a location of the net module.
15 . The modular rocket system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a shell chasing removably attached to the rocket module, said shell chasing including a charge of explosive material for firing the modular rocket system from a launch platform.
16 . The modular rocket system of claim 15 , wherein the explosive material is configured to propel the modular rocket system a distance prior to the rocket motor being fired.
17 . The modular rocket system of claim 15 , wherein said shell casing is a 40 mm shell casing.
18 . The modular rocket system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a memory storing a program of instructions for execution by the guidance system.
19 . The modular rocket system of claim 1 , wherein the rocket module includes a plurality of vanes for providing stability during flight.
20 . The modular rocket system of claim 1 , wherein said rocket motor is powered by a rocket fuel material in a form selected from the group consisting of a solid, liquid, a gel, or any combination thereof.
21 . The modular rocket system of claim 1 , wherein said airfoils are movable between a retracted state wherein the airfoils are retracted within a housing of the flight control module and an extended state wherein the airfoils extend through openings within the housing of the flight control.
22 . The modular rocket system of claim 1 , wherein the modular rocket system is configured to be fired by a conventional rocket launch platform.