Pointing and Stabilization of Weapon Platforms

Pointing and stabilization of weapon systems can be degraded due to interaction of burst mode firing recoil with structural flexure response effecting aimpoint dispersion. Application of active control systems to suppress disturbance induced vibration excitation of the weapon LOS pointing response is currently limited by system architectures. The application of solid state, surface mounted, high strain actuation and distributed strain sensing (i.e. smart structure technology) is considered for improving weapon system LOS stabilization. Unlike many other application areas for smart structure technology, weapon platforms have severe limits in the type and location of sensors and actuators. A testbed system model provides the basis for analysis of alternative control architectures.