System for defense against threats

Abstract

A protection and defence system for an infrastructure against a threat approaching the infrastructure, comprising at least one effector. When a threat is determined, the at least one effector dispenses a non-lethal countermeasure which damages the threat and thus causes its crash. Vision and target tracker, such as at least a camera and tracker, and at least one directing/actuating drive are allocated to the effector or effectors. The effector and the vision and target tracker thereof are supported by a modular platform which can be fixedly installed to/on various infrastructures, can be removed therefrom and be used in a mobile mode. In addition, the platforms comprise a sensor that detects the spatial position of the effectors.

Claims

1. A system for the protection of an infrastructure and for preventing a threat approaching the infrastructure, the system comprising: at least one effector; and a command center having a fire control for the at least one effector, wherein upon detection of a threat, the at least one effector dispenses a non-lethal countermeasure that damages the threat and/or causes the threat to crash, and wherein the at least one effector includes non-lethal projectiles therein and the non-lethal countermeasure is a firing of the non-lethal projectiles, and wherein the non-lethal projectiles are plastic projectiles.

2. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of the at least one effector.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein a visual and target tracker and at least one directing and/or actuating drive is assigned to the at least one effector.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein at least one modular platform for receiving the at least one effector or a plurality of the at least one effector is included, and wherein the at least one modular platform is also used for receiving the visual and target tracker.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein a monitoring sensor system having at least one sensor is included.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system is adapted to be installed in/on various infrastructures and removed therefrom and adapted to be used in a mobile mode.

7. A system for the protection of an infrastructure and for preventing a threat approaching the infrastructure, the system comprising: at least one effector; and a command center having a fire control for the at least one effector, wherein upon detection of a threat, the at least one effector dispenses a non-lethal countermeasure that damages the threat and/or causes the threat to crash, wherein the at least one effector includes non-lethal projectiles therein and the non-lethal countermeasure is a firing of the non-lethal projectiles, wherein a visual and target tracker and at least one directing and/or actuating drive is assigned to the at least one effector, wherein at least one modular platform for receiving the at least one effector or a plurality of the at least one effector is included, and wherein the at least one modular platform is also used for receiving the visual and target tracker, and wherein the at least one modular platform has a sensor, which detects a spatial position of the at least one effector or the plurality of the at least one effector.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the non-lethal projectiles have a kinetic energy E0.1 J/mm.sup.2 upon reaching a maximum firing distance.

9. A system for the protection of an infrastructure and for preventing a threat approaching the infrastructure, the system comprising: at least one effector; and a command center having a fire control for the at least one effector, wherein upon detection of a threat, the at least one effector dispenses a non-lethal countermeasure that damages the threat and/or causes the threat to crash, wherein the at least one effector includes non-lethal projectiles therein and the non-lethal countermeasure is a firing of the non-lethal projectiles, and wherein the at least one effector is a multi-barrel weapon with a high firing rate.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein non-lethal projectiles that do not hit the threat reach a maximum flight time to break down the kinetic energy to E0.1 J/mm.sup.2.

11. The system according to claim 1, wherein the non-lethal projectiles are plastic bullets or plastic missiles.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

(1) The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawing which is given by way of illustration only, and thus, is not limitive of the present invention, and wherein the sole figure illustrates an example embodiment, showing a cross-sectional view of an adjustment fitting with a sealing of the eccentric receiving space.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(2) The sole figure shows a schematic or outline of an assembly of a protective and defense system 1 according to the invention. Several effectors, here six, are labeled with 2.sub.1-n. In each case at least one camera and one tracker 3 (3.sub.1-n) are assigned to the effectors 2 for tracking the respective effector 2. For the sake of clarity, the camera and the tracker herein are shown as one unit (=effector sensor system 3) and form a functional unit. However, a functional and spatial separation of the effector sensor system 3 is also possible.

(3) The effectors 2 can be aligned by azimuth and elevation by means of separate directing/actuating drives 4 (4.sub.1-n). The effectors 2, effector sensor system 3 and directing/actuating drives 4 are preferably each installed on a platform (not shown in detail). They are also electrically connected to a central command center 10 with a fire control. This command center 10 may be located inside or outside of an area 100 to be protected and/or a protective shell (not shown in detail). Preferred is a wired connection, such as a cable connection between the command center 10 and the effectors 2 and their accessories. This can be designed with individual lines and/or bus systems. The effectors 2 with accessories in turn can be attached to or incorporated inside and/or outside of the monitored area 100, for example, of a building, park, etc. Furthermore, at least a monitoring sensor system 11 having at least one sensor 12 is provided, which allows for monitoring of the protected region 100 and the detection of a (the) threat within the protective shell. The protective shell can be identical to, but also greater than, the area to be protected 100. The setup of the sensor or sensors 12 for detecting the threat is then done in such a way that said sensor (s) cover (s) the detection and defense shell (protective shell) around the infrastructure or area to be protected 100 for purposes of monitoring. The effectors 2 are set up such that they can fully sweep the area to be protected 100, at least at its outer limits, with their countermeasure. Two multi-barrel weapons are provided here as effectors 2. These in turn can fire plastic projectiles.

(4) For example, the monitoring electronics 11 (12) detects and tracks at least one approaching, in particular light, missile, for example, a remote controlled drone (not shown in detail). This information is forwarded to the command center 10. There, the threat is checked to see whether a countermeasure is necessary. The test can be performed by an operator and/or automatically, e.g., by measuring the speed at which the threat approaches or recedes.

(5) To introduce the countermeasure, the command center 10 determines, for example, from the spatial position of the effectors 2, which of the effectors 2.sub.1-n is in a promising position for combatting the approaching threat or threats. The selection can also be made by the operator. The selected effectors 2 are then quickly aligned to the threat (s) by elevation and/or azimuth, by means of their own directing system 4. The fire control system determines the necessary control signals for the alignment and transmits these to the directing/actuating drives 4. Alternatively, the data of the effector sensor system 3 and/or a manual control for the alignment of the selected effectors 2 can be used.

(6) Permission to fire is usually given by an operator. Alternatively, permission can be provided automatically.

(7) The projectiles (not shown in detail) are discharged from the selected and activated effectors 2 in the direction of the threat or threats when these have reached the area to be protected. The plurality of simultaneously fired projectiles acts on the two-dimensional threat (s) and brings about a destruction of the threat (s). The non-lethal projectiles that do not strike the threat or target deplete their energy over the extent of the remaining flight time, and fall to the ground like a hailstone.

(8) For the system 1 to be non-lethal, the mass of the projectile must be considered. To this end, reference is made to the book Wundballistik von Kurzwaffengeschossen (Wound Ballistics of Handgun Bullets) (ISBN 978-3-662-10980-9), pages 262 et seq. This book takes a closer look at the depth of penetration and the penetration capability of bullets. The theoretical relationship between the kinetic energy, the impact velocity of the hailstones and the hail diameter has already been studied. The value of E=0.1 J/mm.sup.2 corresponds to a hailstone of 38.5 mm in diameter.

(9) The required as well as ideal mass of the projectile is determined depending on the caliber. It is based on the relationship between the projectile mass and the kinetic energy, which is reflected in the following formula:

(10) $E^{}=\frac{m}{2}\frac{v^2}{A}.fwdarw.v^2=\frac{2A{E}^{}}{m},$
wherein

(11) E is the average kinetic energy, m is the mass and A represents the caliber of the projectile and v is the steady rate of fall.

(12) This formula can be equated to the formula of the steady rate of fall:

(13) $v^2=\frac{2A{E}^{}}{m}=\frac{2mg}{P_{\mathrm{Luft}}A{C}_w}.fwdarw.m^2=\frac{A^2{E}^{}{P}_{\mathrm{Luft}}{C}_w}{g},$

(14) wherein

(15) C.sub.w is the drag coefficient of the projectile in the air, and P.sub.Luft is the air pressure.

(16) With the aid of a software program (e.g., PRODAS from the company Arrow Tech), the mass of the non-lethal projectile can be determined from these values. For this purpose, data or various tables for different calibers are stored in a computer, for example, for a 9 mm parabellum. Furthermore, C.sub.w values are stored in the ultrasound, and the volume sizes for projectiles.

(17) Depending on the value of the selected average kinetic energy, e.g., E=0.01 J/mm.sup.2, the mass of the projectile can then be determined. The software can also identify the length of the gun barrel, the necessary gas pressure and the desired muzzle velocity. At least these values can be estimated.

(18) The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are to be included within the scope of the following claims.