Back to the main page

Mailing List Logs for ShadowRN

Message no. 1
From: Tzeentch tzeentch666@*********.net
Subject: Science: Real-world "smartgun adapters"
Date: Tue, 16 Nov 1999 19:25:40 -0800
Sorry to interrupt the threads on buttering cats and stuff but thought
people might be interested in this ;)

Adding some more articles to my site and thought these might interest
people. :) Getting pretty close to what's portrayed in the games. The future
is now! :)

SYSTEM ONE
----------------------------------
CDC Lightweight Video Sight (LVS)
_Description_
The Computing Devices Canada (CDC) Lightweight Video Sight (LVS) is a
compact, video-based, full solution day/night fire control sighting system.
It was developed utilising patented CDC video sighting technology
specifically for direct fire crew-served weapon systems. One typical
application is for the Striker/CG40 40 mm automatic grenade launcher.
Incorporating a highly accurate laser rangefinder, GEN III I2 night
vision and a ballistic computer, the LVS provides precise ballistic
solutions for a variety of pre-programmed ammunition types. The LVS uses
inputs from automatic sensors as well as direct data entry from the gunner.
The LVS utilises a graphical user interface allowing features such as visual
marking of the limits of fire, predesignated targets, visual status display
and built-in testing. There is an RS-170 output which can be connected to an
integrated display on the weapon or to a remotely-viewed display. With the
day/night capability, the ×9 magnification for the integral display and an
azimuth read-out, the LVS forms a surveillance and target acquisition device
which can be integrated with other digital systems.
The LVS computer allows easy boresighting and rapid maintenance. These
capabilities are presented in a series of programs activated by the gunner,
commander and/or a maintainer.
To use the LVS, the sequence commences with the gunner lasing a target.
The computer calculates the required azimuth and elevation offset, moving
the aiming reticle accordingly. The gunner then returns the aiming reticle
onto the target and fires. From lasing to firing can take less than 2
seconds.
Power is provided by a standard NATO battery with a duration of at least
8 hours, or from a vehicle power supply.

SYSTEM TWO
----------------------------------

CLASS Computerised Laser Sight System
_Description_
The AN/PSG-501 CLASS Computerised Laser Sight System, is a full solution
fire-control system, which provides direct fire weapons with a significantly
improved hit capability and a greatly increased effective range. Designed
specifically to enhance the performance of direct fire weapons
cost-effectively, CLASS is interchangeable between weapon systems and has
been successfully used on the 12.7 mm/0.50 M2 heavy machine gun, 84 mm Carl
Gustaf RCL, 106 mm RCL rifle, 25 mm M242 cannon, 30 mm ASP-30 combat support
weapon, 40 mm MK 19 grenade launcher and the 155 mm M198 howitzer operating
in the direct fire role.
The three CLASS modules have been integrated into a single system that
is rugged, lightweight and easy to operate. The modules consist of a laser
rangefinder, an electro-optic module and a ballistic computer. The laser
rangefinder is eye safe and yields a precise, instantaneous target range up
to 4,000 m with an accuracy of ±5 m. The electro-optic module provides ×5
magnification by both day and night, and is available with Generation II,
II+ or III image intensification tubes. The ballistic computer includes both
a cant and pitch sensor and an automatic crossing speed rate sensor.
The ballistic computer receives data inputs on the target range and
speed, the ballistic characteristics of the ammunition selected and the
meteorological conditions. From these inputs it computes the correct
elevation and azimuth of the weapon and, via the beam-steering assembly,
drives the Risley counter-rotating prisms until the target image has shifted
to the correct position. The gunner then keeps the sight reticle directly on
to the centre of the target, for both moving and stationary targets, and
engages.
CLASS has been designed for ease of operation. The key gunner actions
are target acquisition, ammunition selection, range determination via the
laser rangefinder, repositioning of the sight reticle once the ballistic
solution has been computed and finally the firing of the weapon. All this is
accomplished in less than 2 seconds for stationary targets and less than 6
seconds for moving targets. Because CLASS operation is instinctive, training
time is reduced to a minimum and gunners master its use very quickly.
Live firing has been conducted in North America, Europe, the Middle East
and Asia with various weapon systems for both army and navy requirements. By
significantly increasing the probability of a first round hit over extended
ranges, CLASS not only enhances weapon system performance, but can also
provide a very cost-effective method of upgrading in-service weapon systems
to meet changing operational requirements.
The system can be configured for remote viewing by incorporating an
Active Matrix Liquid Crystal display (AMLCD) which is interfaced to CLASS by
a removeable high-resolution colour charge coupled device unit. In addition,
full remote control of the CLASS system can be achieved from a PC-based
control unit.


Specifications
Dimensions: 280 × 180 × 90 mm
Weight: 5 kg
Laser type: pulsed Erbium Glass
Laser range: to 4,000 m
Range resolution: ±5 m
Electro-optical module display: sight reticle and 5-character 16 segment LED
display
Magnification: ×5
Field of view: 8º
Night vision: generation II, II+ and III image intensification
Automatic aimpoint offset: target image shifts to correct aiming point
Automatic target crossing speed calculation: angular rate sensor
Ballistic computer process inputs: ammunition types and characteristics,
target range, target speed, weapon cant and pitch, meteorological conditions
Fire-control solution: full ballistic solution
Aimpoint accuracy: ±0.1 mil
Ammunition memory: data stored for 10 types specified by user

Full articles and pics will be on my site sometime tonight along with other
groovy cyberpunk science goodness. Check it out and lemme know what you
think.

Ken
http://members.xoom.com/_XOOM/fedemp1cop

Further Reading

If you enjoyed reading about Science: Real-world "smartgun adapters", you may also be interested in:

Disclaimer

These messages were posted a long time ago on a mailing list far, far away. The copyright to their contents probably lies with the original authors of the individual messages, but since they were published in an electronic forum that anyone could subscribe to, and the logs were available to subscribers and most likely non-subscribers as well, it's felt that re-publishing them here is a kind of public service.