Plug and Play for Architecture for Modular Weapons

ABSTRACT: Tactical weapons have followed an evolutionary pattern of progressive capability that allows them to be ever more lethal against specific targets, but the resulting systems are highly optimized,"stove-piped"solutions to a very specific set of requirements. Modern warfare departs from history, with its hallmark being the routine emergence of new and unanticipated threats. We often find ourselves countering these threats as best possible with exquisite weapons selected from a very limited menu of options, then revisiting the process of developing optimal new weapons that rapidly become outdated or obsolete. We believe there is a way to break this costly cycle adapting Plug and Play technology. We plan to adapt Space Plug and play Architecture (SPA) to provide a plug and play modular weapons architecture and initial prototype satisfying the goal of creating the ability to develop weapons components, guidance law software, high performance processors, target recognition and track agents, attitude and control modules, seekers and sensors that can be rapidly integrated from various sources in response to new and evolving user needs. Individual weapons, along with carriers and ground controllers will then be able to integrate within a collection of collaborating federated assets that can significantly increase system lethality. BENEFIT: The application of plug and play to the weapon domain opens the door to many applications. Of course the entire weapon community will greatly benefit from the standards and networks provided by WPA. Other obvious applications include remotely piloted vehicles, autonomous vehicles, and cruise missiles.