DE102018113614A1 - Aircraft launcher with a tower and at least one search and / or follower radar - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a Flugabwehreffektor (1) with a tower (2), in particular a turret (2), and with at least one search and / or follower radar, wherein the tower (2) is rotatably arranged on a base (3) Flugabwehreffektor is thereby improved, at least the search radar by at least one AESA radar panel (6 to 11), in particular a plurality of AESA radar panels (6 to 11) is formed, wherein the at least one AESA radar panel (6 to 11) on a shell of the tower (2) is arranged.

Description

The invention relates to a Flugabwehreffektor with a tower and with a search and / or Folgeradar according to the features of the preamble of claim 1.

In order for a corresponding air raid observer, for example a gun, a missile launcher, a high-energy laser or the like, to be able to autonomously combat flight destinations, he must have an integrated homing and target sequence sensor system. In particular, the Flugabwehreffektor on a search radar.

In the prior art, various air defense systems are known in which the corresponding Flugabwehreffektoren are equipped with search and follower radar sensors. Especially in mobile systems is trying to accommodate the entire sensor technology on a tower of Flugabwehreffektors. As a rule, a classic radar with a rotating search antenna, with a hollow waveguide and with a radar transmitter and with a radar receiver in the tower or in the vehicle is used for the search radar. The search radar antenna has been arranged conceptually at the highest point of the tower and has a uniform performance in all azimuth directions.

These embodiments have the disadvantage that the search radar and the follower radar antenna must be moved. A combination of both types of radar is usually not possible. The Searchradarantenne performs a uniform page rotation and their search pattern can be adjusted only in the elevation direction. Due to the antenna principle, the search radar must be placed at the highest point of the tower and thus has a significant influence on the entire height of the Flugabwehreffektors.

The known Flugabwehreffektoren also have the disadvantage that air targets are detectable only up to a defined maximum in the elevation.

Air targets are usually detectable up to a range of 70 ° or 80 ° in the elevation. No airborne deflector offers an elevation range up to 90 °. As a result, there is no Aircraft Detector allowing hemisphere coverage. This has two reasons. On the one hand, a classic radar system with a rotating search radar antenna with hollow waveguide and transmitter / receiver does not allow detection in the range up to 90 ° elevation. On the other hand, conventional air targets always approach the object to be protected laterally and not directly from above. For example, this applies to fighter jets or cruise missiles.

Therefore, these air deflectors have the disadvantage that targets in the range 90 ° elevation can not be detected and therefore can not be combated by the Luftabwehreffektor. There is a risk that, for example, drones try to exploit this vulnerability and approach from above or used guided missiles with top attack function or so-called loitering ammunition. These are explosive bombs coming from a very high altitude carrier platform, i. be dropped off the range of the anti-aircraft system and then fall with parachutes and possibly a control exactly from above on the air defense system. It is now desirable to be able to recognize these goals by being able to combat them with a suitable flight deterrent.

Also known in the art are Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar panels, which are exposed above a vehicle to provide a 360 ° all-round view. These embodiments have the disadvantage that an additional radar structure is needed to cover the complete horizontal 360 ° field of view. Each of the AESA radar panels forms a radar system with active electronic beam steering. Each of the radar panels has many individual transmitter and receiver modules. The orientation and bundling of the antenna pattern for direction determination is carried out as in passive phased array systems by the phase shift between the individual modules on the antenna surface. Each module has its own power amplifier and in particular also its own high-frequency generator.

From the US 2012/0139786 A1 a mobile radar system is known, wherein the mobile radar system consists of a vehicle, wherein on the bed of the vehicle, an AESA radar system can be moved by means of a lifting mechanism in an extended and a retracted position while the vehicle is being moved. In the extended position, the AESA radar panels protrude significantly beyond the vehicle, allowing for all-round visibility. There are four AESA radar panels, with two seen laterally and one in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle at the front and one at the rear as seen in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

From the US 2012/0217301 A1 is a tank with an AESA radar sensor known. The AESA radar sensor is also located above the shell of the tank on a tower structure to obtain the 360 ° all-round view.

The invention has for its object to improve the generic type Luftabwehreffektor.

This object is now achieved by a Flugabwehreffektor with the features of claim 1. Accordingly, a solution according to the invention for a flight-deviation detector is then present if at least the search radar is formed by at least one AESA radar panel, in particular several AESA radar panels, wherein the at least one AESA radar panel is arranged on a shell of the tower. The shell preferably has corresponding receptacles in which the AESA radar panels are arranged. The shell is preferably formed by side walls in the front area, at the rear and on both sides. The shell preferably has a roof wall. The side walls and / or the roof wall preferably have receptacles in which the AESA radar panels are used.

The use of these AESA radar panels relates in particular to autonomous airborne deterrents. These include stationary or mobile turrets, stationary or mobile missile launcher, stationary or mobile high-energy laser effectors or combined airborne deterrent vector systems or Counter Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (C-UAV) systems.

Two AESA radar panels are preferably arranged on the front of the tower on one side of a weapon system, in particular a cradle and a weapon barrel, the weapon system being arranged between the two AESA radar panels. There are preferably two AESA search radars arranged on the gun front left and right of the cradle and the gun barrel. Thus, a target search and target tracking in the weft direction regardless of the pipe position or the position of the weapon system is always possible. By combining the two front radars, a higher range in the primary threat direction is achieved. These front radars preferably further enable a destination tracking function and a search function. A separate tracking radar is no longer necessary.

Preferably, an AESA search radar is arranged in each case on the lateral parts of the envelope. At least one AESA radar panel is preferably arranged on each side of the tower.

In order to obtain a complete all-round view, an AESA search radar is also preferably arranged on the rear wall of the gun.

In order to obtain a complete all-round view also upwards, an AESA search radar is preferably also arranged on the upper side of the turret. This AESA search radar is pointing upwards. This so-called zenith radar now recognizes a near-zenith threat, such as a drone or loitering ammunition. The zenith radar panel can be installed for zenith protection in addition to the existing panels at the front, rear and sides. In this way, a detection of air targets in the whole in the hemisphere namely by 360 ° in the azimuth and up to 90 ° in the elevation is possible.

In addition, if a zenith radar is installed in more than one air deflector in the same combat group, the effectors can also combat targets throughout the hemisphere by covering each other's dead zones. The flight deterrents are spaced apart in the combat composite so that the flight deterrents can counter each other threats in the dead zones at the zenith of the other deterrents.

• 1 in einer schematischen perspektivischen Darstellung von schräg vorne ein Luftabwehreffektor,
• 2 in einer schematischen perspektivischen Darstellung den Flugabwehreffektor von schräg hinten,
• 3 in einer schematischen Frontansicht den Flugabwehreffektor,
• 4 in einer schematischen seitlichen Darstellung den Flugabwehreffektor,
• 5 in einer weiteren seitlichen Darstellung den Flugabwehreffektor, sowie
• 6 in einer schematischen Rückansicht den Flugabwehreffektor.

There are now a variety of ways to design and train Flugabwehreffektoren. For this purpose, reference may first be made to the claims subordinate to claim 1. In the following, a preferred embodiment will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing and the associated description. In the drawing shows:

• 1 in a schematic perspective view obliquely from the front of a Luftabwehreffektor
• 2 in a schematic perspective view of the Flugabwehreffektor obliquely from behind,
• 3 in a schematic front view the Flugabwehreffektor,
• 4 in a schematic side view the Flugabwehreffektor,
• 5 in another side view the Flugabwehreffektor, as well
• 6 in a schematic rear view of the Flugabwehreffektor.

In the 1 to 6 is a flight checker 1 clearly visible. The flight checker 1 has a turret 2 on, with the turret 2 rotatable on a base 3 is arranged. At the turret 2 is a cradle pivoting 4 with a gun barrel 5 arranged. The turret 2 is relative to the base 3 pivotable about a vertical central axis. The cradle 4 with the gun barrel 5 is about a horizontal transverse axis relative to the turret 2 pivotable.

This flight checker 1 now has several AESA radar panels 6 to 11 on. At the front (cf. 3 ) are two radar panels 6 . 7 side of the cradle 4 arranged. The turret 2 has an upper area with an angle upwards Angled side walls and a lower portion with obliquely downwardly angled side walls. The AESA radar panels 6 to 10 are now here each in the upper part of the turret 2 arranged on the slightly upwardly angled side walls. The AESA radar panels are integrated into the shell of the turret. The turret 2 has unspecified recordings in which the radar panels 6 to 11 are used. The AESA radar panels 6 to 11 are formed here circular.

Because of the two radar panels 6 . 7 on the gun front left and right of the cradle 4 are located, a target search and target tracking and firing direction is independent of the position of the cradle 4 and the pipe position always possible. By combining the two front radars, ie the two radar panels 6 . 7 , a higher range in the primary threat direction is achieved. Preferably, these radar panels 6 . 7 adopted a destination sequence function. This makes it possible to dispense with a separate tracking radar.

To get a complete visibility, there are now three more radar panels 8th . 9 . 10 on the side walls and on the back wall of the gun turret 2 arranged. This arrangement allows an integrated search function, a higher range in threat direction without interference by the weapon or the cradle 4 and an omission of the tracking radar. The use of these AESA radar panels 6 to 11 concerns in particular autonomous deterrents. These include stationary or mobile turrets, stationary or mobile Missiles Launcher, stationary or mobile high-energy laser effectors or combined Flugabwehreffektorsysteme or C-UAV systems (Counter Unmanned Aerial Vehicle). By integrating the search function in the tower 2 or turret 2 is an autonomous target acquisition and tracking possible. Accuracy for target passing from search radar to follow-on radar is better, and reaction time is faster for combat.

In a preferred embodiment, an AESA search radar panel 11 on the autonomous turret 2 installed, which is directed vertically upwards. This at the top of the turret 2 arranged radar panel 11 now recognizes a near-zenith threat, such as drones or loitering ammunition. This radar panel 11 for the zenith protection is in addition to the other for the complete azimuth range responsible radar panels 6 to 10 This enables the detection of air targets throughout the hemisphere, ie in the range of 360 ° azimuth and up to 90 ° in elevation. If a zenith radar, ie the radar panel 11 more than an air deflector 1 In addition, the air sweepers can also combat targets throughout the hemisphere by allowing airborne deterrents to counter each other's dead zone threats at the zenith of the other airborne deterrents.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Flugabwehreffektor

2

Tower / turret

3

Base

4

cradle

5

barrel

6

AESA radar panel

7

AESA radar panel

8th

AESA radar panel

9

AESA radar panel

10

AESA radar panel

11

AESA radar panel / zenith radar

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US 2012/0139786 A1 [0009]
• US 2012/0217301 A1 [0010]

Claims (8)

Flugabwehreffektor (1) with a tower (2), in particular a turret (2), and with at least one search and / or follower radar, wherein the tower (2) is rotatably mounted on a base (3), characterized in that at least the search radar is formed by at least one AESA radar panel (6 to 11), in particular a plurality of AESA radar panels (6 to 11), wherein the at least one AESA radar panel (6 to 11) is arranged on a shell of the tower (2). Detour checker after Claim 1 , characterized in that on the tower (2) on a front side two AESA radar panels (6, 7) are arranged laterally of a weapon system, in particular a cradle (4) and a weapon barrel (5), wherein the weapon system between the two AESA Radarpanels (6, 7) is arranged. Detour checker after Claim 2 , characterized in that the two AESA radar panels (6, 7) on the front serve as a search radar and as a follower radar. Flugabwehreffektor according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the side of the tower (2) at least one AESA radar panel (8, 10) is arranged. Flugabwehreffektor according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the tower (2) on a rear side at least one AESA radar panel (9) is arranged. Flugabwehreffektor according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on an upper side of the tower (2), an AESA radar panel is arranged as Zenitradar (11). Flugabwehreffektor according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tower (2) has an upper portion with obliquely upwardly angled side walls and a lower portion with obliquely downwardly angled side walls, wherein the AESA radar panels (6 to 10) respectively in the upper Area of the tower (2) are arranged on the slightly upwardly angled side walls. Combat combination with a plurality of autonomous Flugabwehreffektoren (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of Flugabwehreffektoren (1) zenitradar (11) in the form of an AESA radar panel (11), wherein the Flugabwehreffektoren (1) are arranged at such a distance in that the anti-aircraft vectors (1) can combat each other threats in the dead zones at the zenith of the other anti-aircraft vectors (1).

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