DE102017002446A1 - Method for protecting a missile - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention is based on a method for protecting a missile (2) during its flight towards a target (4). Effective protection can be achieved when the missile (2) monitors its surroundings (44, 46) to see if a signature (48, 68) of a missile (6) has been launched to combat the missile (2) , and depending on a recognition result, a defensive measure (64) starts.

Description

The invention relates to a method for protecting a missile during its flight towards a target.

Long-range missiles are generally used to combat ships or building installations on land, for example cruise missiles with a range of 100 km and above. They are launched from a ship or land based launch facility and fly a long distance towards their destination. If possible, the target flown by the missile attempts to fight the missile and launches one or more missiles or shoot missiles at the approaching missile.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an efficient method for protecting a missile.

This object is achieved by a method of the type mentioned, in which according to the invention the missile monitors its surroundings to determine whether a signature of a combat missile is to be recognized, which was launched to combat the missile, and depending on a recognition result, a defense measure starts.

The invention is based on the consideration that a missile for fighting a ship or a building complex in its so-called Endgame, ie in the last part of his flight, in which he is closer than a predetermined distance to his destination away, performs an automated fallback flight, for example an erratic flight, so that it is hit harder by a missile launched from the target or approaching missiles. Also, a drop of decoys can be made, for example, the launch of so-called flares. However, such a method has disadvantages if the missile was not discovered at the time of these measures. By avoiding maneuvers, he loses time or the target gets more time for their own control measures, or the missile is recognized by the defensive measures in the first place, so that they have a negative effect on his coverage.

These disadvantages can be circumvented if own defensive actions are made dependent on the recognition of a signature of a combat missile. If such a signature is detected, it can be assumed that the missile is being fought. Evasive maneuvers can be started and / or decoys can be shot down. A loss of time or an unfavorable discovery can be avoided in this way.

The missile may be a anti-ship missile to combat a sea target. In general, a cruise missile is possible with a range of over 100 km, for example, to combat a bunker. The missile launches a defensive measure depending on its recognition result. A defensive measure is expediently an externally visible change in behavior of the missile, for example an evasive maneuver, ie a deviation from the flight trajectory towards the target, the alignment of a radar antenna on the missile, the ejection, in particular firing, a decoy and the like. It is advantageous if no defensive measure takes place before recognition of a signature of a combat missile.

In the simplest case, the missile launches the defense measure immediately after the detection of the control measure or the signature. Depending on the situation, however, it is advantageous if, in particular immediately after detection, a defense mode is initially started, which prepares the defense measure. The defense mode can be executed by a work routine whose start is triggered by recognition of the signature. A defense mode is expediently a working mode of a control unit of the missile and includes measures that need not be visible from the outside, but may initially only contain missile-internal processes. Defense-relevant data can be loaded into the control unit within the missile, a search optics can be aligned with the signature, and / or one or more objects can be specifically optically examined. In defense mode, a start time for the defense measure is determined. This is expediently dependent on the recognition result and current sensor data, such as the distance of the combat missile from the missile.

A combat missile may be a missile with a rocket engine or a missile without its own propulsion. The signature of the combat missile is expediently formed by radiation emanating from combustion gases which has been produced by the rocket engine or the launch. A signature may also be an outline of the anti-aircraft missile itself or a gun that launches or fires the anti-aircraft missile.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the missile remains in the absence of recognition of the signature in his marching mode, in which he on the target, for example, the sea target, zufliegen. One Loss of time or unfavorable discovery can be avoided in this mode. The march mode is a flight mode or control mode of the missile, in which the missile is guided to the destination as if there were no combat.

After a recognition of the signature, the missile advantageously changes from the marching mode into one of a plurality of defense modes, wherein the selection of the defense mode advantageously takes place as a function of the recognition result. The selection of the defense mode is expediently carried out depending on the type of a recognized combat missile. Depending on whether the missile is attacked by projectiles or one or more missiles, for example, the corresponding defense mode is selected and the associated control routines are carried out. A defensive mode may also include switching an active radar from an interval mode to a sustained mode, whereby the target and, in particular, the anti-aircraft missile can be more accurately detected. The concomitant disadvantage of easy discoverability of the missile is only slightly relevant in combat already begun.

If a signature has been recognized and assigned to a combat missile, the missile can change from a marching mode to a defense mode. In this defense-relevant data are expediently loaded in a control unit of the missile. Conveniently, these data contain a reaction time at which a defensive measure is started. The reaction time may be dependent on the type of combat missile. For example, projectiles projectile the missile, so this evades expediently faster than when a missile approaches the missile. Since projectiles are usually only launched when the missile is in projectile range, the time that the projectiles fly from the gun to the missile remains as an escape time. At a distance of 3,000 m and a bullet speed of 1,000 m / s, this would be 3 sec. Until this time, the missile should control an evasive movement. In the case of an oncoming guided missile, however, it should be avoided as late as possible so that a collision is avoided, and then expediently with the greatest possible steering deflection.

Advantageously, the position and distance of the target to the missile is detected. This allows the defensive action to be controlled using the position and distance of the target. Thus, it may be advantageous to increase the airspeed as a function of the distance to the destination in order, for example, to reach the destination as quickly as possible in order to get ahead of a fight.

For approaching the target of the missile expediently comprises a viewfinder, for example in a seeker head of the missile, with a search optics and a detector, expediently a matrix detector for imaging recordings of the target. For the recognition of a signature of a combat missile, however, it may be advantageous to use a second viewfinder with a second search optics of the missile. As a result, this can be equipped with features that simplify signature recognition compared with the first search optics. For example, the two search optics are equipped with different visual field sizes. As a result, for example, the target can be targeted at a great distance by the higher-resolution viewfinder, so that the target can be sufficiently monitored from a long distance to a signature. If the missile comes closer to the target, it may be that the target appears filling the picture in the higher-resolution viewfinder and thus can be approached or monitored more difficult. Now, the approach and / or monitoring can be continued by the lower-resolution viewfinder, so that the missile can be reliably directed to the destination.

Another possibility is that the missile is approached with the higher-resolution viewfinder and the lower-resolution viewfinder is used to monitor the surrounding space on the signature. This allows a very large field of view to be monitored for the signature. If, for example, the anti-aircraft missile is not fired from the target but rather from another ship of a convoy or even from land, this will most likely be avoided by the higher-resolution viewfinder. However, the search optics with the larger field of view can detect this. The signature can be recognized and the defense measure can be initiated.

It is particularly advantageous if one of the two search optics is pivotable. It can be targeted to the location of the signature, so that the signature can be examined in detail and in this way, for example, a type of anti-aircraft missile can be determined.

Depending on the distance of the target, it may be advantageous if the search optics with the larger field of view size is swiveled back and forth after a signature has been detected between the target and the signature. For example, if it is clear that the signature is at a long distance, and there is a risk of allowing a second anti-aircraft missile from the target, both the first signature and the target may continue to be monitored, so that a safer defense of the target can be achieved.

If suspicious radiation is detected, it must be checked to see if it is a signature of a control missile. One possibility of the investigation is the investigation of the frequency spectrum of the signature. The frequency spectrum of a rocket engine or a firing flash is usually significantly different from usually spectrally continuously occurring ambient radiation. Another possibility is the investigation of a temporal change of the signature, for example in position, size and / or shape. While a luminescent portion of a rocket engine jet becomes longer after a launch, moves locally, and is more or less constant in magnitude thereafter for an extended period of time, a launcher of a missile is much shorter and visible in a different form. In this way, on the one hand, suspicious radiation can be recognized as the signature of a combat missile and, on the other hand, a distinction can be made between different types of missile. From a temporal course of the brightness of the signature, the size and / or shape or local position can be deduced, for example, on the type of anti-aircraft missile.

Further, it is advantageous if a flight status of the combat missile is determined from one or more of the aforementioned variables, that is, whether the missile has been launched upwards or has already been fired at the missile, or has already turned off after a vertical takeoff on the missile. Also, the sequence of several flashes not only indicates that ballistic projectiles were shot down, but also the type or type of projectiles can be determined from the flash frequency. Also, the evolution of the brightness and / or shape of a plume, and more particularly its direction, can provide valuable data for determining the type of combat missile. The flight speed of the combat missile, in particular in a flight upwards, as well as a start acceleration may be characteristic of a type of combat missile.

The control unit or a memory of the missile connected thereto can comprise data on a plurality of signature categories, with which detected signature characteristics can be compared. The signature can be classified into one of several signature categories, to which in turn a combat missile type is assigned. In this way it can be concluded from the signature on the combat missile type.

For an effective defense, it is advantageous if the signature is assigned to one of a plurality of signature categories and flight data assigned to this category are loaded into a control unit which controls the flight of the missile. In this way, an explicit defense measure can be specifically tailored to the counter-attacking missile and thus act effectively. Upon recognition of the signature and its assignment to a signature category, corresponding assigned defense algorithms can be loaded into the flight control and a change of the defense mode can take place, for example, from a general defense mode in which the missile type is determined to a type-related defense mode. This does not mean that the missile immediately controls a defensive action, as he probably initially continues to fly unchanged. Depending on the advantageous defense time, the appropriate defense measure is started at a suitable point. For example, the combat missile's flight capability data associated with the combat missile type is loaded into the controller and used to control the missile's flight trajectory:

Furthermore, it is advantageous if a meeting time of the missile with the combat missile is determined from the signature. The meeting time provides a good time base for calculating a suitable defense time to start an explicit defense maneuver or a defense measure. The meeting time can be determined from the type of combat missile, the distance to the combat missile and its own airspeed. The velocity of the anti-aircraft missile and its future trajectory can be deduced from the known type of anti-aircraft missile, as these are usually pre-determined in trajectory and velocity.

Depending on the timing of the fight, little time can be left to initiate defensive measures. It is therefore advantageous if a combat missile is detected as early as possible. This can be accomplished by determining the location of the signature within an image of a ship and determining a type of combat missile. If, for example, it is known at which point of the ship various guns or launching devices for combat missiles are located, it can already be deduced from the location of the signature on the ship which type of combat missile is being started.

A combat missile can be detected even earlier, if a movement detected at the target and from the type and / or location of Motion is detected an imminent threat by a combat missile. If, for example, the search optics can dissolve a gun at a sea target or at another ship and it can be recognized that this gun is moving, for example, aligning it with the missile, then it can be expected that a combat missile will be started shortly. The outline of the gun can be used as a signature, from which also on the type of the not yet launched combat missile can be concluded.

A defensive measure may be controlling an evasion flight of the missile. Also advantageous is the launch of at least one decoy. This is conveniently launched forward because a combat missile usually approaches from the front. The decoy can be a smoke grenade. This obscures the view of the missile, making it more difficult for the missile to hit the missile. In addition, the missile can leave its previous trajectory and hereby unknowingly start an evasive maneuver.

Also advantageous is the firing of a decoy as a defense measure, such as a grenade, which is conveniently launched on the trajectory of the missile forward. Due to the bright light of the anti-aircraft missile can be dazzled or deceived in terms of its destination, so that there is a possibility that the missile unrecognized starts an evasive maneuver.

The invention is also directed to a missile having a seeker head comprising an imaging detector and search optics. In order to achieve an effective defense of the missile, it is proposed that the missile according to the invention comprises a control unit which is prepared to recognize a signature of a combat missile and to control a defensive measure depending on a recognition result.

The imaging detector may be a matrix detector. It is expediently sensitive in the infrared or in the visual spectral range. The search optics is expediently pivotable, so that even with a small field of view connected with high resolution, a large examination area for recognizing a control missile in the environment can be reached. For good orientation in the environment, it is advantageous if the missile has a passive radar with a radar receiver. Surrounding ships or other vehicles can be detected by actively radiated or reflected radar radiation.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the seeker head comprises a second search optics, wherein the two search optics have different visual field sizes. Also useful is a different spatial resolution of the two viewfinders, each comprising a search optics and the associated detector. As a rule, the viewfinder with the smaller field of view size will have the higher spatial resolution.

Very good monitoring of a large solid angle range can be achieved if the second search optics images several spatial sectors with an edge length of at least 3 ° each onto a single detector element. Each detector element is thus assigned to this sector, so that with relatively few detector elements, a very large solid angle range can be scanned with very high sensitivity. If a suspected signature is detected in a sector, then the first search optics can be directed to this sector to image this sector or a part thereof. The signature can be monitored in shape, size, timing and other parameters so that a type of anti-aircraft missile can be determined from the signature. Equivalent to a single detector element, a plurality of detector elements can be understood, which are sensitive in different spectral ranges. In this way, a spectral examination of the signature can be made.

The description given herein of advantageous embodiments of the invention includes numerous features, some of which are set forth in several of the appended claims. However, the features may conveniently be considered individually and grouped together into meaningful further combinations, in particular when reclaiming claims, so that a single feature of a dependent claim can be combined with a single, several or all features of another dependent claim. In addition, these features can be combined individually and in any suitable combination both with the method according to the invention and with the device according to the invention according to the independent claims. Thus, process features can also be formulated formally as properties of the corresponding device unit and functional device features also as corresponding process features.

The above-described characteristics, features and advantages of this invention and the The manner in which these are achieved will become clearer and more clearly understood in connection with the following description of the exemplary embodiments, which are explained in more detail in connection with the drawings. The embodiments serve to illustrate the invention and do not limit the invention to the combination of features specified therein, not even with respect to functional features. In addition, suitable features of each embodiment may also be explicitly considered isolated, removed from one embodiment, incorporated into another embodiment to complement it, and / or combined with any of the claims.

• 1 einen Seezielflugkörper bei einem Anflug auf ein Schiff,
• 2 der Seezielflugkörper in einer schematischen Ansicht von oben,
• 3 ein zeitliches Schema eines Anflugs des Seezielflugkörpers auf ein Seeziel,
• 4 ein zeitliches Schema eines Anflugs, bei dem die Signatur eines Bekämpfungsflugkörpers erkannt wird, der auf den Seezielflugkörper zufliegt und
• 5 ein militärisches Schiff mit mehreren Ausrüstungen zum Abschuss von Bekämpfungsflugkörpern zum Bekämpfen eines anfliegenden Seezielflugkörpers.

Show it:

• 1 a sea-going missile approaching a ship,
• 2 the anti-ship missile in a schematic view from above,
• 3 a temporal scheme of approach of the anti-ship missile to a sea target,
• 4 a temporal scheme of an approach, in which the signature of a combat missile is detected, which is incident on the anti-ship missile and
• 5 a military vessel with multiple anti-aircraft missile launching equipment to combat an approaching anti-ship missile.

1 shows a missile 2 in the form of a sea-going missile approaching a target 4 that in this embodiment a sea target 4 in the form of a military ship that is used to combat the missile 2 is prepared. For this purpose, the ship has launched a combat missile 6a, which is an anti-aircraft missile. This flies towards the anti-body missile 2 contrary to a meeting point 8th on which the anti-ship missile 2 and the combat missile 6a in continuous trajectories 10, 12 encounter.

In addition, the sea target has 4 from a gun 14 one or more projectiles towards the anti-ship missile 2 fired. This or these other control missiles 6b meet the anti-ship missile 2 also, if this on a continuous trajectory 10 continue towards the ship or sea target 4 flies. In the following, a distinction is made between the two different combat missiles 6a, 6b. If the reference numeral 6 is mentioned without reference letters, then both are combat missiles 6a . 6b meant.

The anti-ship missile 2 is in 2 shown in more detail in a schematic representation. It is an unmanned aerial vehicle with an engine 16 which can be a rocket engine or an air-breathing turbine engine. Is the anti-ship missile 2 a cruise missile with a range of over 100 km, so is the engine 16 a turbine engine. Next contains the anti-ship missile 2 an active part 18 with an explosive device for detonation on or within the sea target 4 , About the steering wing 20 is the anti-ship missile 2 despite its high weight of more than 500 kg at a speed of, for example, 1,000 km / h very agile steerable.

The control of the flight is by a control unit 22 controlled, which evaluates signals for this purpose from a front seeker. The seeker is with two viewfinders 24 . 26 fitted. The seeker 24 has a swiveling search optics 28 whose field of view or field of view 30 two-dimensional each over more than ± 90 ° in both dimensions is pivotable, as indicated by the two arrows in 2 is indicated. As a result, the entire front half space through the pivoting field of view 30 be recorded. The seeker 26 is with a rigid search optics 32 equipped in several sectors 34 is divided. The totality of the sectors 34 forms a field of view 36, which also covers the entire front half space in front of the anti-body missile body 2 and beyond also a viewing area sideways a little way to the rear, as in 2 through the dashed lines of the visual field 36 is indicated.

While the viewfinder 24 an imaging seeker 24 is whose search optics 28 is imaged onto a matrix detector 38 is the viewfinder 26 no imaging detector whose search optics 32 each sector 34 on only a single detector element of a radiation spectrum. Because every sector 34 has an edge length of at least 3 ° in both dimensions, the signals from the detector elements can be used only as a direction, without using image-processed methods to be able to conclude from which object the light signals were emitted. However, the viewfinder is 26 through the relatively large sectors 34 very bright, so that even weak signals can be clearly distinguished from the background noise. Depending on the number of monitored spectra or frequency bands is per sector 34 a signal for only one frequency band or for a plurality of frequency bands each generates a signal, so that the sectors 34 each deliver a spectrally resolved monitoring result. The seeker 26 is an IR viewfinder whose detector elements are sensitive in one or more different infrared spectral regions. The seeker 24 is sensitive in the visual spectral range.

3 shows a temporal scheme of an approach of the anti-ship missile 2 to the sea target 4. It is in this embodiment differing from the example 2 assumed that even the viewfinder 26 is an imaging viewfinder, but with a rigid and larger field of view 36 as the visual field 30 of the first viewfinder. The field of vision 30 the optics 28 can be swiveled or not.

The approach of the anti-ship missile 2 on the sea target 4 happens during the entire flight in a marching mode 40 or normal flight mode, for a normal approach to the sea target 4 without fighting the anti-ship missile 2 through the sea target 4 was programmed. At time t ₃ , the anti-ship missile hits 2 the sea target 4 and detonate as indicated by the left rectangle in 3 is hinted at that for the detonation 42 stands. During the first part of the approach - the launch of the anti-ship missile 2 is in 3 not shown - is the anti-ship missile 2 still so far from the lake 4 removed that neither of the two viewfinders 24 . 26 the sea target 4 as such, whether due to lack of resolution or because of the sea target 4 for the sea-going missile flying close above the water surface 2 still below the horizon. The anti-ship missile 2 flies purely coordinate controlled in the direction of the sea target 4.

During the entire flight, the environment of the anti-ship missile becomes 2 , at least the front half-space, through the viewfinder 26 with the big field of vision 36 to an optical signature that could indicate a combat missile 6 examined. This monitoring 44 takes place during the entire flight and regardless of a detection of the sea target 4 Instead, since a combat of the anti-body missile 2 could also take place from another side, for example from another ship, or land-based.

At time t ₁ has the viewfinder 24 with the smaller field of view 30 , however, with a higher image resolution than the viewfinder 26 equipped, the sea target 4 so far detected that an image processing of the control unit 22 the sea target 4 recognized as such. The optics 28 stays on the sea target 4 directed and the signals of the viewfinder 24 are also for monitoring 46 based on a suspicious signature and additionally for a flight control of the anti-ship missile 2 used for sea target 4. The activity of the higher-resolution viewfinder 24 to monitor the sea target 4 is in 3 indicated schematically by the vertically hatched area ratio.

In this embodiment, the approaching sea-going missile becomes 2 from the sea target 4 not recognized or the sea target 4 reacts for other reasons not with a fight of the anti-ship missile 2 , From other side of the anti-ship missile 2 is not attacked. The monitors 44 . 46 the two viewfinders 24 . 26 remains inconclusive to that extent. The anti-ship missile 2 is getting closer and closer to the sea target 4 at. At a visual field size of, for example, longitudinal 3.8 °, the sea target becomes 4 with an exemplary extent of 150 m, the visual field 30 from a distance of just over 2,000 m in the longitudinal direction completely fill. Complete monitoring of the sea target 4 over its entire length is from this time with the viewfinder 24 not possible anymore. This is in 3 represented by the time t ₂ . Therefore, the monitoring 46 and flight control through the viewfinder 24 set and only the monitoring 44 and flight control based on the image data from the low-resolution viewfinder 26 with the wider field of vision 36 continued as in 3 is indicated. The seeker 26 also takes over the last leg of the flight control of the anti-ship missile 2 to the sea target 4 ,

In the absence of combat flies so the anti-ship missile 2 in its normal flight mode or march mode 40 to the lake destination 4 so that this approach takes place without delay by defensive measures. A defense measure, such as an evasion flight on an avoidance trajectory or the launching of a decoy, is dispensed with in this respect, although the anti-aircraft missile 2 is set up for such an evasion or defense flight or the launching of a decoy. However, this happens only as a function of the monitoring result or result of a recognition of a signature. Since no signature was recognized, the recognition result is such that a defense measure is prevented.

Another time chart of an approach of the anti-ship missile 2 on the sea target 4 is in 4 shown. The approach 40 first, how to 3 explains, with the monitors 44, 46 through both viewfinders 24 . 26 done, the sea target 4 So already in reconnaissance range. The viewfinder 24 . 26 be designed, how to 2 described. To combat the anti-ship missile 2 starts the sea target 4 but a combat missile 6a , which rises first and then turns off in the direction of the anti-ship missile 2, as in 1 is shown, or already by a mobile launch platform on the anti-ship missile 2 is directed and then already aligned to the anti-ship missile 2 starts. The start of the combat missile 6a is with a strong signature 48 connected. This signature 48 is clearly visible both in the visual spectral range and in the infrared spectral range and is detected by at least one of the two viewfinders 24 . 26 detected.

In this very simple embodiment, the signature .48 can be detected by both viewers 24, 26. Because the seeker 26 is directed to the entire front half-space and recognizes the signature 48 by its high sensitivity and for example by a spectral evaluation, in the infrared spectral range, since the signature 48 in the infrared spectral range is very noticeable and clearly stands out from the background with respect to all infrared radiation. Since the combat missile 6a from the sea target 4 starts and also the high-resolution viewfinder 24 on the sea target 4 directed, can also be the viewfinder 24 the signature 48 recognize and evaluate, for example, in terms of the temporal evolution of size and shape. The recognition of the signature 48 by the anti-ship missile 2 takes place at time t ₁ . Until that time, the anti-ship missile is located 2 in the marching mode 50, in which he remains without detection of a signature or a combat missile 6. With the detection of the combat missile 6 or the signature 48 the marching mode ends 50 and start a defense mode 52 in which the anti-ship missile 2 Go through defensive routines. From the upper bar you can see that the normal approach 40 continues unchanged, the anti-ship missile 2 So the recognition of the signature 48 or the combat missile 6a can not be viewed from the outside. He flies unchanged, as in marching mode 50 on the sea target 4 to.

A more complex control situation is given when the combat missile 6a not from the sea target 4 but from another ship or even from land. In this case, the signature becomes 48 usually not from the viewfinder 24 with the smaller field of view 30 recognized, because the signature 48 out of sight 30 lies. The signature 48 but is from the viewfinder 26 with the wider field of vision 36 discovered. From the detection can be seen in which sector 34 the signature 48 is located. The seeker 24 will now be in the direction of this sector 34 pivoted. The signature 48 comes hereby in the field of vision 30 of the viewfinder 24 to lie so that the anti-ship missile 2 the signature 48 now also from data of the viewfinder 24 examine, for example by means of image processing algorithms. This somewhat more complex example is in 4 shown. After recognizing the signature 48 or the combat missile 6a at time t ₁ becomes the viewfinder 24 pivoted to the appropriate sector and the signature 48 appears in the field of view 30 of the viewfinder 24 , This panning is in 4 indicated by a shift of the vertical hatching upwards. Hatched areas above the solid line indicate an orientation of the viewfinder 24 on the combat missile 6a or its signature 48 hatched areas below the solid line indicate an orientation of the viewfinder 24 on the sea target 4 out. First is the viewfinder 24 directed to the sea target. Shortly after the time t ₁ is the viewfinder 24 swung and is no longer on the sea target 4 but on the signature 48 aligned.

The defense mode 52 is, for example, a general defense mode 52 because it is not yet known what type it is in the combat missile 6a is. To determine this, the anti-ship missile goes through 2 or its control unit 22, for example, three steps, the 4 represented by three boxes. First of all, an investigation is made 54 the signature 48 , The investigation can be made with regard to the spectral distribution of the signature 48 , the shape, size and evolution of these parameters over time. Other examination parameters described below can also be used.

The examination data is then categorized 56 fed, wherein the steps 54 and 56 may also overlap each other. The examination data are compared with stored data and then classified into one of several categories, so that finally the signature 48 is categorized, ie one of several categories is assigned. Each category is assigned at least one type of combat missile 6, so that the signature 48 now assigned to this type.

In the third step of defensive concretization 58 data are sent to the combat missile type in the control unit 22 loaded, and one or more defensive measures are planned. For this purpose, for example, defensive measures deposited for the combat missile type are selected as a function of the distance of the anti-ship missile 2 to the sea target 4 , the flight stage of the anti-aircraft missile 6, technical characteristics of the anti-aircraft missile 6 and / or the distance of the anti-aircraft missile 6 to the anti-ship missile 2 or the distance of the anti-ship missile 2 to a calculated meeting point 8th , Also, a reaction time can be determined at which an explicit defense measure is started. This time is the time t ₃ in 4 ,

After this defense concretization 58 the anti-ship missile changes 2 or its control unit 22 in a type-based defense mode 60 That is, in terms of the type of the combat missile compared to the general defense mode 52 is concretized. Also in this type-related defense mode 60 remains the anti-ship missile 2 in his normal flight 40 So it will be no defensive trajectory flown or decoys shot down.

Regardless of the change of modes, the investigation 54 , the categorization 56 and the defensive concretization 58 the high-resolution viewfinder changes 24 his position several times. This is in 4 indicated by changing the vertically hatched areas. He focuses alternately on the sea target 4 and on the signature 48 to both the signature 48 visually examine, as well as the sea target 4 continue to monitor, because even from this another combat missile 6 could be started. In this case, several combat missiles 6 would have to be fought off at the same time. In the example off 4 if this is not the case, so that only the combat missile 6a in the form of the anti-aircraft missile by the anti-ship missile 2 to ward off.

The more the combat missile 6a the anti-ship missile 2 approaching or closer the anti-ship missile 2 the meeting point 8th The more important it becomes, the exact position of the combat missile 6a relative to the anti-ship missile 2 to investigate. Because the viewfinder 24 the combat missile 6a follows to capture its flight and position as accurately as possible, is the percentage of the viewfinder's orientation 24 on the combat missile 6a with shrinking distance of the two missiles each other more and more directed to the combat missile 6a, as in 4 is shown. Alternatively or additionally, it is possible the distance of the two missiles 2 . 4 to each other and their relative speed with an active radar of the anti-ship missile 2 capture.

Shortly before reaching the meeting point 8th coming from the control unit 22 continuously based on the data of the viewfinder 24 and / or radars is corrected, the anti-body missile 2 or the control unit changes 22 into an active defense mode 62. In the active defense mode 62 One or more explicit defenses take place, such as leaving the march trajectory 10 by controlling a repulse trajectory and / or firing one or more decoys. This is the normal flight 40 interrupted and it becomes a defense flight 64 carried out. For example - as in 1 shown - the meeting point 8th in particular by a maximum flight deflection reverses, so that the anti-ship missile the combat missile 6a evades shortly before the collision. The active defense 66 takes place as long as the fight was recognized by a combat missile 6 as present. In the embodiment of 4 has, for example, the combat missile 6a the anti-ship missile 2 missed and the distance between the two is so large that the combat missile 6a the anti-ship missile 2 before its impact in Seeziel 4 can not catch up. The combat is recognized as terminated and the anti-body missile 2 or the control unit 22 returns to marching mode 50 to get to the sea target as soon as possible 4 to reach. Alternatively, it is possible to control an escape mode in which the anti-ship missile 2 is brought to maximum speed to get to the sea target as fast as possible 4 to get. It is also possible to initiate such an escape or acceleration mode before, to the distance to the sea target 4 to reduce as quickly as possible.

The activities of a defense mode 52 . 60 as the investigation of the signature 48 . 68 their categorization and the concretization of a defense, the defensive measures are preparatory acts. A defensive measure in itself is an action with which the fight alone or in conjunction with other actions is specifically fended off, such as a defense flight and the firing of decoys. A common defense mode 52 can be independent of the recognition result of the signature 48 . 68 to be started. A concrete, type-related defense mode 60 and also an active defense mode 62 are started depending on the recognition result, in particular depending on the detected type of the combat missile 6, from a plurality of modes resulting from the different types.

In the embodiment of 1 It can be seen that not only the combat missile 6a on the anti-ship missile 2 but also missile missile 6b in the form of projectiles from the gun 14 , The anti-ship missile reacts to such combat missiles 6b 2 earlier than on powered or steerable combat missiles 6a , This is in 1 shown by after the defense flight 64 again a straight trajectory 10 according to the march mode 50 or escape mode is taken. This is due to the fact that the gun 14 only then begins to combat when the anti-body missile 2 is in combat range. Until then, the anti-ship missile will fly 2 straight on. Then, when the muzzle flash is recognized as a signature and assigned to the gun 14, the anti-ship missile responds 2 as after detection of the missile 6a, since then only a few seconds remain for an evasive maneuver. It becomes an active defense mode again 62 controlled, this time on the other type of combat missile 6b It is, for example, an erratic defense flight 64 executed or short lateral "jumps" as indicated by the dashed line in 1 is indicated. This attempts to avoid the projectiles.

In order to perform an efficient defense measure, it is necessary to recognize the type of the combat missile 6. The launching of a decoy forward, such as a smoke grenade or a stun grenade, is essentially ineffective in combat by projectiles. In contrast, in the case of a steerable combat missile 6a, fog or glare fog may act, so that the anti-ship missile 2 just before the meeting point 8th an evasive maneuver can fly, that of the combat missile 6a not or too late is discovered, so that the two missiles 2 . 6a miss, or a distance of encounter is so great that a detonation of the combat missile 6a the anti-ship missile 2 not significantly damaged. The recognition is done by evaluating the signature 48 , There are several possibilities for this. The signature 48 can be examined for their frequency spectrum, a temporal change, size, shape and / or a temporal course of these parameters. In the example off 1 it is clear that the signature 48 from a rocket engine is clearly different from a firing bolt, so a signature 68 a gun 14 , Such a difference affects not only the shape and size, but also a spectral distribution of radiation and above all a temporal course. While the signature 48 with the flight of the combat missile 6a The signature 68 emanates from a gun only briefly and stationary, but repeated as a rule, as a plurality of projectiles in a row on the anti-ship missile 2 be shot down. Hence, such a signature 68 easy to recognize as a Geschosssaturatur.

Another way to examine signatures 48 . 68 is based on the presentation 5 explained. 5 shows a military ship 70 with several firing units. For example, an antiaircraft gun 72 , a rocket launcher 74 for anti-ship missiles, a multiple starter 76 for anti-aircraft missiles, a medium caliber gun 78 For example, for the caliber 30 mm, and / or a large-caliber 80, such as a 100 -mm gun, available. All these units are firmly attached to the military ship 70 built and thus clearly determined by their position. Is now recognized, at which place the signature 48 . 68 at the military ship 70 occurs, it can be concluded from this location on the type of Abschusseinheit. The location parameter relative to, for example, a reference point of the military ship 70 is thus a parameter with which alone the type of combat missile 6 can be determined. Of course, this parameter can of course be combined with one or more of the aforementioned parameters in order to arrive at a particularly reliable result of the type recognition.

Another helpful parameter for type determination is a movement of a launching unit. For example, the medium-caliber contactor 78 rotated in the direction of the anti-ship missile 2, this may be due to the viewfinder 24 already recognized as such. Since the location of the moving launch unit on the military ship 70 provides a clear indication of the type of the combat missile 6, it can be classified prior to its launch. A reaction or a type-related defense measure can be started very quickly.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

2

anti-ship missiles

4

sea target

6a

Combat missiles

6b

Combat missiles

8th

meeting point

10

trajectory

12

trajectory

14

gun

16

engine

18

active part

20

steering wings

22

control unit

24

viewfinder

26

viewfinder

28

search optics

30

Facial field

32

search optics

34

sector

36

Facial field

38

matrix detector

40

Marsch mode

42

blast

44

monitoring

46

monitoring

48

signature

50

Marsch mode

52

Defense mode

54

examination

56

Categorization

58

Defense concretization

60

Type related defense mode

62

active defense mode

64

Defense flight

66

fend off

68

signature

70

Military ship

72

Antiaircraft gun

74

rocket launcher

76

Multiple Starter

78

Medium-caliber gun

80

Large-caliber gun

Claims (15)

Method for protecting a missile (2) during its flight towards a target (4), in which the missile (2) monitors its surroundings (44, 46) to determine whether a signature (48, 68) of a missile (6) can be seen, which was started to combat the missile (2), and depending on a recognition result, a defensive measure (64) starts. Method according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the missile (2) in the absence of recognition of the signature (48, 68) remains in its marching mode (50), in which he flies to the target (4), and only in the case of recognition of the signature (48 , 68) changes to one of a plurality of defense modes (52, 60, 62), wherein the selection of the defense mode (52, 60, 62) is made as a function of the recognition result. Method according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the missile (2) in the case of recognition of the signature (48, 68) in a defense mode (58) changes, are loaded in the defense-relevant data in a control unit (22) of the missile (2), and one Reaction time (t ₃ ) at which a defense measure (64) is started. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the position and distance of the target (4) to the missile (2) is detected and the defense measure is controlled using the position and distance of the target (4). Method according to Claim 4 , characterized in that the airspeed is increased in dependence on the distance to the target (4). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the missile (2) has two different search optics (28, 32) with two different visual field sizes and the target (4) first by the search optics (28) with the smaller field of view (30) and controlled with image data obtained therefrom and then targeted by the search optics (32) with the larger field of view (36) and controlled with image data obtained therefrom. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the missile (2) has two different search optics (28, 32) with two different visual field sizes and the signature is recognized by the search optics (32) with the larger visual field size and the search optics (28) is pivoted with the smaller field of view size in the direction of the signature (48, 68). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the signature (48, 68) is examined for its frequency spectrum, a temporal change, size, shape and / or time course of its brightness and from a type of the combat missile (6) is determined. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the signature (48, 68) is assigned to one of a plurality of signature categories and flight data associated with this category are loaded into a control unit (22) which controls the flight of the missile (2). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that from the signature (48, 68) a meeting time (8) with the combat missile (6) is determined Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the location of the signature (48, 68) within an image of a ship (70) is determined and from a type of the combat missile (6) is determined. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a movement is detected on a ship (70) and from the nature and / or the location of the movement an imminent threat by a combat missile (6) is detected. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the defense measure (64) includes the launching of at least one decoy, wherein the decoy is a fog grenade or a grenade, which is launched forward, the missile (2) then from its trajectory ( 10) deviates to fly past the combat missile (6a). A missile (2) with a seeker head comprising an imaging detector (38), a search optics (28) and a control unit (22) which is prepared to recognize a signature (48, 68) of a combat missile (6) and to control a defensive measure (64) in dependence on a recognition result. Missile (2) after Claim 14 , characterized in that the seeker head comprises a second search optics (32) and the two search optics (28, 32) have different visual field sizes.

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