May 26, 2026

US12638280 - Weaponized unmanned vehicles, weapons release systems, and low-cost munitions for remotely engaging one or more targets

Unmanned systems, and primarily vehicles, and in most embodiments unmanned aerial systems (UAS), as well as novel guided and unguided munitions are presented herein. to the two combine to present unmanned weaponized systems that not only carry weapons functionality, but allow for advanced observation and reconnaissance. These unmanned systems are largely directed toward military applications where the weaponized unmanned system may be forward deployed to allow human warfighters to remain at long range distances from the potential targets, and to provide surveillance, target identification and tracking, general reconnaissance information, and the like, while also providing weaponized attack capabilities. The unmanned systems may, in some embodiments, include advanced command and control capabilities for communication between the system and the remote, rear-positioned warfighter, and between separate elements of the unmanned system. Many embodiments also include weapons systems, munitions, or rounds with guidance and real-time maneuverability capabilities as well.

Assignee: Orbital Reseach Inc
Inventors: Frederick J Lisy, Scott Suren, Emanuel Surunis, Edward J Rapp, Douglas Russell, Nevo Ziv, Michael Thompson, Anthony Opperman
Filing date: 2025-09-23

unmannedweaponsmunitionsmilitaryaerial

The patent describes a weaponized unmanned aerial system (UAS) capable of deploying unguided munitions that feature a modular airframe, advanced sensor suite, and two-way communication with the UAS. This system allows for remote engagement of targets while providing reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities, ensuring that certain conditions must be met before the munition can be armed and released.

Claim 1

1 . An unguided round or munition releasable or deployable from an uncrewed aerial system (UAS), the round or munition comprising: a modular airframe comprising at least a forebody and an aftbody adapted to be attachable to and detachable from each other, the forebody comprising a warhead or payload volume; a sensor suite adapted to measure vehicle state data of the round or munition in flight; at least one electronic component adapted to provide two-way communication between the round or munition and UAS to which the round or munition is mounted, and also adapted to receive one or more signals from the sensor suite; at least two aftbody tailfins adapted to control spin of the airframe in flight, the tailfins being slanted with respect to the aftbody of the round or munition; a modular warhead or payload adapted to be inserted into the forebody, or being the forebody; and a fuze adapted to arm and enable the warhead or payload to detonate, wherein the electronic component communicates with the host UAS to determine arming and release of the round or munition, and further activates the fuze based on flight data from the sensor suite, and wherein at least three conditions precedent must be met and as measured by the sensor suite and/or communicated to the electronic component before the fuze can be armed. a modular airframe comprising at least a forebody and an aftbody adapted to be attachable to and detachable from each other, the forebody comprising a warhead or payload volume; a sensor suite adapted to measure vehicle state data of the round or munition in flight; at least one electronic component adapted to provide two-way communication between the round or munition and UAS to which the round or munition is mounted, and also adapted to receive one or more signals from the sensor suite; at least two aftbody tailfins adapted to control spin of the airframe in flight, the tailfins being slanted with respect to the aftbody of the round or munition; a modular warhead or payload adapted to be inserted into the forebody, or being the forebody; and a fuze adapted to arm and enable the warhead or payload to detonate, wherein the electronic component communicates with the host UAS to determine arming and release of the round or munition, and further activates the fuze based on flight data from the sensor suite, and wherein at least three conditions precedent must be met and as measured by the sensor suite and/or communicated to the electronic component before the fuze can be armed.

Google Patents

https://patents.google.com/patent/US12638280

USPTO PDF

https://image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/12638280