Patent classifications
F41G7/224
System and method for interception and countering unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVS)
Systems, devices, and methods for identifying a target aerial vehicle, deploying an interceptor aerial vehicle comprising at least one effector, maneuvering the interceptor aerial vehicle to a position to engage a target aerial vehicle, deploying the at least one effector to intercept the target aerial vehicle, and confirming that the target aerial vehicle has been intercepted.
GUIDED PROJECTILE AND COUNTERMEASURE SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR USE THEREWITH
A guided projectile including a projectile housing, a first sensor, and an air brake detachably coupled to the projectile housing. The air brake is deployable from a flight configuration to a braking configuration. A processor is configured to monitor, based on data received from the first sensor, a proximity of the at least one intercepting object relative to the guided projectile, wherein the guided projectile is configured to advance towards a target location on a first target trajectory. The processor is also configured to deploy the air brake to cause the guided projectile to veer from the first target trajectory to evade the at least one intercepting object, and detach the air brake from the guided projectile to enable the guided projectile to advance on a second target trajectory that is offset from the first target trajectory, wherein the first target trajectory and the second target trajectory have the same target location.
System and method for correcting for atmospheric jitter and high energy laser broadband interference using fast steering mirrors
A system includes a high energy laser (HEL) configured to transmit a HEL beam aimed at a first location on an airborne target. The system also includes a beacon illuminator laser (BIL) configured to transmit a BIL beam aimed at a second location on the target, wherein the second location is offset from the first location. The system also includes at least one fast steering mirror (FSM) configured to steer the BIL beam to be spatially and angularly offset from the HEL beam. The system also includes at least one Coudé path FSM configured to simultaneously receive both the HEL beam and the BIL beam and steer the HEL beam and the BIL beam to correct for atmospheric jitter of the HEL beam and the BIL beam while maintaining the offset of the BIL beam from the HEL beam.
Optronic system for a countermeasure unit and method to optically communicate
An optronic system (100) for a countermeasure unit (10) to optically communicate with another communication terminal is disclosed. The countermeasure unit (10) comprises a laser beam source (12) and a directing device (14) for a laser beam (15) of the laser beam source (12) and is configured to dazzle or to jam an object of threat (50). The optronic system (100) comprising: a detector (110), a modulation unit (120), and a control unit (130). The detector (110) is configured to detect an incoming communication in an incoming signal (25). The modulation unit (120) is configured to demodulate the incoming signal (25) or cause a modulation of an outgoing laser beam (15). The control unit (130) is configured, in response to the detected incoming communication, to control the modulation unit (120) to demodulate the incoming signal (25) or to modulate the outgoing laser beam (15) to enable an optical communication via the laser beam source (12) of the countermeasure unit (10).
Directed energy (DE) weapon and passive millimeter wave (PmmW) imager for target tracking
A DE energy weapon and tracking system includes a passive millimeter wave (PmmW) imaging receiver on a common gimbaled telescope to sense natural electromagnetic radiation from a mmW scene. The PmmW imaging receiver operates in a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum distinct from the IR bands associated with thermal blooming or the HEL laser. In the case of a HPM source, the reflected energy is either in a different RF band and/or of diminished amplitude such as to not interfere with operation of the PmmW imaging receiver. Although lower resolution than traditional optical imaging, PmmW imaging provides a viable alternative for target tracking when the DE weapon is actively prosecuting the target and provides additional tracking information when the DE weapon is not engaged.
Atmospheric jitter correction and target tracking using single imaging sensor in high-energy laser systems
A system includes a target illumination laser (TIL) configured to generate a TIL beam that illuminates a target and a beacon illumination laser (BIL) configured to generate a BIL beam that creates a spot on the target. The system also includes an imaging sensor configured to capture both (i) first images of the target containing reflected TIL energy from the TIL beam without reflected BIL energy from the BIL beam and (ii) second images of the target containing reflected TIL energy from the TIL beam and reflected BIL energy from the BIL beam. The system further includes at least one controller configured to perform target tracking using the first images and boresight error compensation using the second images.
Apparatus and method to improve a situational awareness of a pilot or driver
An apparatus to improve a situational awareness of a pilot or driver controlling a vehicle using a control appliance. The control appliance includes a display for depicting surroundings of the vehicle, and the vehicle includes a missile warner and a sensor for fine tracking (FTS) configured to provide high-resolution images for a tracking of an approaching missile detected by the missile warner. The apparatus also includes a control unit, configured to couple a directable line-of-sight of the FTS with the display, and to employ the high-resolution images of the FTS to improve the depiction of the surroundings of the vehicle on the display.
METHOD, COMPUTER PROGRAM AND WEAPONS SYSTEM FOR CALCULATING A BURSTING POINT OF A PROJECTILE
A method is provided for calculating the bursting point of at least one projectile fired at a target object, involving measuring the position of the projectile, estimating the position of the projectile, estimating the speed of the projectile, measuring the position of the target object, estimating the position of the target object, estimating the speed of the target object, calculating optimal bursting points for the projectile based on the estimated position of the projectile, the estimated speed of the projectile, the estimated position of the target object and the estimated speed of the target object, and communicating the bursting points for the projectile to the projectile. A computer program, a computer system, and a weapons system are also provided.
Device, System, and Method of Aircraft Protection and Countermeasures Against Missiles
A device (800) for protecting an aircraft against missiles, includes a Short-Wave InfraRed based (SWIR-based) Missile Tracking Unit, having a SWIR-based optical imager that associated with an optical SWIR band filter. The device (800) further includes a SWIR signals processor; it analyzes the captured SWIR optical signals; and it performs a SWIR-based missile acquisition process, which is also based on raw angular position data of a missile as received from a Missile Approach Warning System (MAWS); and it performs a SWIR-based missile tracking process, which continuously and dynamically determines a precise angular position of the missile based on the captured SWIR optical signals. The device (800) includes a laser-based missile-jamming unit, having an internal laser emitter; and optionally also being operably associated with an external high-power laser emitter; to disrupt the missile, or to disrupt a guiding station of the missile.
COUNTER DRONE SYSTEM
The system comprises a plurality of sensor systems, a counter drone, and a processor. A sensor system of the plurality of sensor systems comprises one or more sensors that are connected to a network. The counter drone is connected to the network. The processor is configured to receive an indication of a potential target from the plurality of sensor systems; generate a fused data set for the potential target, determine whether the potential target comprises the threat drone based at least in part on the fused data set; and in response to determining that the potential target comprises the threat drone, provide counter drone instructions to the counter drone.