Detection of Projectiles by Electric Field Measurements

A number of various physical mechanisms cause aircraft, missiles, and projectiles to he electrically charged during free flight. The electric charge is in the 10-6 C range for aircraft and in the 10-10 C range for projectiles. The electric field thus transported provides information by which measuring the position and velocity of a projectile is possible. A measuring device is described to determine the position of a projectile in free flight while it is passing a target plane. The electric field distribution is measured by means of three electrodes in the manner of metal plates which are positioned in the proximity of the trajectory of the projectile. A mathematical formula can be derived to describe the coherence between the values measured of the electric field strength and the coordinates of the projectile. This measuring device consists of the target plane, 1 × 1 m2 in size, and the electric device controlled by a microprocessor. The measuring system has been tested with projectiles of the 4-30 mm caliber range and at velocities within the 50-1100 m/s range. The accuracy of the coordinates measured was found to be ± 7.5 mm.