GB2483933A

GB2483933A - Laser weapon mounted on aerial drone

Info

Publication number: GB2483933A
Application number: GB1016225.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Lawrence Delcassian
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-09-27
Filing date: 2010-09-27
Publication date: 2012-03-28
Anticipated expiration: 2030-09-27
Also published as: GB201016225D0; GB2483933B

Abstract

A laser weapon is mounted on an aerial drone 3 and is directed by remote control. Combatants may be targeted by live video feed through a focusing camera mounted on a moving gimbal 9. A laser weapon is mounted on a moving gimbal 8 and is synchronised with the focusing camera.

Description

Aerial Laser Platform.

This invention relates to the use of laser mounted weaponry fired from an aerial platform to defend territory and deny access by enemy combatants who have chosen to attack or to deny them the ability to gather intelligence.

It can have a demoralising effect upon an enemy, who are not just hiding from line of sight ground forces, hidden by distance, hidden within wave patterns at sea, or flying reconnaissance at thousands of feet above sea level. They will now have to consider being seen from the air, and when seen and identified as a threat, being attacked and immediately injured or killed by a laser or having their equipment damaged. It is also the case that this system in air to air use will deny an enemy combatant unhindered reconnaissance.

This aerial laser platform system is not an offensive unit; it requires an operator to have assessed that an attacker has made his intention known through his actions. Subsequently the system can be used to provide immediate defence to the lives of those under threat of attack and reconnaissance. Combatants will seek to stay away from the beam activity.

In such cases capturing of enemy combatants may be preferable for intelligence gathering purposes.

The system can be used for radar directional targeting of the aerial laser.

The invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig 1, Shows sea area coverage of laser defence.

Fig 2, Shows several beam spread patterns.

Fig 3, Shows singular beam from air laser platform.

Fig 4, Shows air to air and air to ground beam use from wing tip laser mounted gimbal and wing tip camera mounted gimbal.

As a shipping 10 defensive system the air platform laser drone 3 can be used to identify armed pirates 13 before there interception of shipping craft.

Over sea environments when aerial platform laser drone 3 reacquisition is hazardous, the aerial platform laser drone can ditch in the sea if unable to re-board the ship. It would then be recovered with its air buoyancy aides maintaining its flotation. A parachute and homing beacon are envisaged.

The loss of one aerial laser platform drone 3 compared to the release fee extracted by pirates for a hijacked ships safe return is small.

The aerial laser platform drone can also be utilised for the destruction of narcotics grown on ground plantations which present problems to ground forces when sent to destroy them. An aerial platform laser drone can be used to sweep past or circle the designated area and cut the organic growth in a designated area 4. The aerial destruction of organic growth would take place as the laser beam 7 continually impacted the growth material from several angles 2 as the aerial platform laser drone flew overhead. In the event of the shooting down of a aerial platform laser drone 3 an explosive device will be triggered to stop laser equipment falling into enemies hands This form of organic destruction would save ground forces from sniper ambush, ground offences, and concealed anti personnel mines which are often encountered in enemy territory during such operations. -4-.

During combat operations the same benefits to life saving of soldiers exist through the active management of the combat environment.

It is envisaged that a ground to ground based version could be utilised for perimeter protection.

Atmospheric conditions can affect the performance of laser systems, both by moisture in the air, traditionally around sea environments, and sand and dust conditions around dry arid environments. In the case of sea conditions the laser drone 3 would be operating from above directing its beam down 6,7 towards the attacker's craft 13 this would be the least affected area of beam scattering caused by sea wave spray.

The conditions over arid areas presents the aerial platform laser drone with similar beam scattering problems, in this embodiment of use the radiation beam signal would be impaired by sand and dust environments. However as in the case of the drone over a sea targets, the beam direction from above deployed to work in a conical flight pattern formation or simply as a singular pulse to target 5 will be less affected when dust particles are present in the air around the environment of the beams impact zone, due to particles gravitating downwards. Some beam efficiency may be lost dependant on conditions. In cases of precipitation the laser becomes subjected to beam diffusion due to water droplets in the atmosphere.

Aerial platform 3 use ensures the beam or beams energy terminating on contact to 13, 5, and 4 after a downward 2 direction energy pulse.

Defence from the beam or beams through reflecting the beam or beams that have been discharged 2 from the aerial platform laser drone 3 directed towards the ground 4, 5 or at sea 13 is not envisaged as a feasible option.

Claims

Claims 1. The aerial platform laser drone 3 laser can be reused several times in each aerial run. It represents a continually ready aerial platform laser drone 3 from which to engage an enemy. Achieving immediate impact onto a target 4,5,13 from an energy weapon. A platform 3 which needs no rearmament.
2. When the aerial platform laser drone is due to return to base for refuelling it can be replaced by another aerial platform laser drone 3 before leaving the relevant air space. Night vision equipment facilitates constant coverage over the designated area. Satellite navigation allows an area to be covered accurately 24 hours a day.Satellite navigational homing beacons and floating aids allow the drones recovery from land and sea environments.
3. The aerial platform laser drone system 3 operates by linking a focusing camera 9 mounted on its own gimbal to a laser 8 mounted on a second gimbal. The laser has its gimbal mechanically synch ronised to direct the laser 8 to follow the direction of the focusing camera 9. The two gimbals used to mount the separate units are of the same make and specifications and work in conjunction. Angular differences between the camera position 9 and the laser position 8 are computer compensated for, ensuring any beam hits its camera designated location 13, 5, 4 accurately.
4. Power requirement is created from several transformer units which build up electric power generated from air propeller movement or downward fan propulsion; this is in the form of an alternator constantly recharging the battery. This system may be sufficient to create on demand power without transformers, power requirements are determined by the laser power output. The laser power output is enhanced by the beam bouncing back and forth internally along one or more fibre optic cables until the designated beam 7 or several beams strength has been achieved. Once beam or beams strength is achieved the beam 7 or beams 2 leaves the aperture 8, 11 and are directed onto its target 5, 13 by the tracking gimbal which is following the camera targeting unit 9. 14, or the directions of ground radar. A further embodiment allows for the beam or beams to be randomly scattered within a designated area 4 using a distribution mirror connected to a motor.
5. Camera targeting is by a human operator focusing the camera 9, 14 where upon a beam 7 will strike the designated target if deployed.
6. The generation of the correct beam or beams intensity is achieved by use of reflective beam or beams management which is computer controlled.
7. It is envisaged that the system can continually cover an area 4 with multiple designations 2 of laser bursts or as a singular burst 1 or by sweeping the laser beam in random pattern movements.
8. In each case of multiple impacts a series of designated sweep patterns can be implemented via computer control. In this embodiment a computer would control any designated sweep pattern within the target area.
9. The beam is directed onto its target by the camera 9, 14. Once engaged it can be used to deny combatants access to designate areas 4. From the air and also from the ground. The immediate needs of the combatants will be to get out of line of sight; however -.9-.hiding under vegetation wilt not protect them from the effects of the laser which will penetrate foliage.
10. Using a fixed wing aircraft drone 3 or other air flying platforms (air drone). The aerial platform laser drone platform 3 is fitted with a focusing camera 9, 14 to identify and target threats for retaliatory action. This takes place as an immediate attack from above. In this embodiment a solid state laser is engaged, however other laser types are envisaged.
11. The capturing of several enemy combatants may require the use of more than one laser system fig 2. Ground forces can be protected as they engage the enemy in combatant areas.
12. Used as an air to air system fig 4 it will hinder the use by enemy combatants 12, through the deployment of the laser targeting a combatants visual capabilities.
13. The gimbal configuration is capable of deployment on the top of the air laser drone.
14. The gimbal configuration is capable of deployment at the two wing end location fig 4.
15. The area I platform 3 may have more than one laser fitted.
16. The aerial platform 3 may have more than one camera function fitted for use in daylight and night time.
I 7 Random ised laser beam pattern use is over a designated target. With the target area parameters being computer controlled.
18. Randomised laser option use employ a series of reflective mirrors to create a wall of light combatants are incapable of looking into.
19. Reflective mirror technology and laser beam management using fibre optic cables enhance laser beam effectiveness on the areal platform 3.
20. The laser platform 3 is not constrained to fixed wing aircraft use.
21. Laser power output is sufficient to complete the designated task, each task may have different laser power requirements.
22. The laser beam may also be used to highlight a target for attack from another source, as in the case of ground radar directing the aerial platform laser drone 3.