EP0892240A2 - Vorwärtsgefechtsflugkörperabwehrsystem - Google Patents

Vorwärtsgefechtsflugkörperabwehrsystem Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0892240A2
EP0892240A2 EP98110508A EP98110508A EP0892240A2 EP 0892240 A2 EP0892240 A2 EP 0892240A2 EP 98110508 A EP98110508 A EP 98110508A EP 98110508 A EP98110508 A EP 98110508A EP 0892240 A2 EP0892240 A2 EP 0892240A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
laser
defense system
recited
laser weapon
weapon systems
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP98110508A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Peter M. Livingston
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Northrop Grumman Space and Mission Systems Corp
Original Assignee
TRW Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by TRW Inc filed Critical TRW Inc
Publication of EP0892240A2 publication Critical patent/EP0892240A2/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F41—WEAPONS
    • F41H—ARMOUR; ARMOURED TURRETS; ARMOURED OR ARMED VEHICLES; MEANS OF ATTACK OR DEFENCE, e.g. CAMOUFLAGE, IN GENERAL
    • F41H13/00—Means of attack or defence not otherwise provided for
    • F41H13/0043—Directed energy weapons, i.e. devices that direct a beam of high energy content toward a target for incapacitating or destroying the target
    • F41H13/005—Directed energy weapons, i.e. devices that direct a beam of high energy content toward a target for incapacitating or destroying the target the high-energy beam being a laser beam
    • F41H13/0062—Directed energy weapons, i.e. devices that direct a beam of high energy content toward a target for incapacitating or destroying the target the high-energy beam being a laser beam causing structural damage to the target
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F41—WEAPONS
    • F41H—ARMOUR; ARMOURED TURRETS; ARMOURED OR ARMED VEHICLES; MEANS OF ATTACK OR DEFENCE, e.g. CAMOUFLAGE, IN GENERAL
    • F41H11/00—Defence installations; Defence devices
    • F41H11/02—Anti-aircraft or anti-guided missile or anti-torpedo defence installations or systems
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F41—WEAPONS
    • F41G—WEAPON SIGHTS; AIMING
    • F41G3/00—Aiming or laying means
    • F41G3/04—Aiming or laying means for dispersing fire from a battery ; for controlling spread of shots; for coordinating fire from spaced weapons
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F41—WEAPONS
    • F41G—WEAPON SIGHTS; AIMING
    • F41G5/00—Elevating or traversing control systems for guns
    • F41G5/08—Ground-based tracking-systems for aerial targets
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F41—WEAPONS
    • F41H—ARMOUR; ARMOURED TURRETS; ARMOURED OR ARMED VEHICLES; MEANS OF ATTACK OR DEFENCE, e.g. CAMOUFLAGE, IN GENERAL
    • F41H13/00—Means of attack or defence not otherwise provided for
    • F41H13/0043—Directed energy weapons, i.e. devices that direct a beam of high energy content toward a target for incapacitating or destroying the target
    • F41H13/005—Directed energy weapons, i.e. devices that direct a beam of high energy content toward a target for incapacitating or destroying the target the high-energy beam being a laser beam

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to laser weaponry and more particularly to laser weapons configured with overlapping fields of regard in order to improve the capabilities of laser weaponry.
  • Laser weaponry is generally known in the art.
  • An example of such weaponry is disclosed in U.S. patent no. 5, 198,607.
  • Laser tracking systems are also known, for example as disclosed in U.S. Patent Application, serial number 08/729,108, filed on October 11, 1996, and U.S. patent application 08/763,635, filed on December 4, 1996, both assigned to the same assignee as the present invention and hereby incorporated by reference.
  • Imaging type tracking systems normally utilize an electronic camera for detecting and tracking the position of a targeted moving object. While such imaging systems are effective in tracking moving targets, such imaging systems are known to have limitations when used in combination with high power laser weaponry. For example, in such systems the high power laser beam in known to interfere with the known the imaging system potentially causing loss of the tracking of the targeted object.
  • non-imaging type laser tracking systems are known to be used either as an independent device or as an adjunct to an imaging tracking system. An example of such a system is disclosed in copending U.S.
  • Such a system includes a laser for generating a single beam of laser energy and beam steering apparatus for steering the beam of laser energy to track a targeted moving object.
  • thermal blooming results in a change in the refractive index of the beam path as a result of heating the beam path temperature by the laser.
  • the change of the refractive index creates a lens effect that causes the radiation to pattern to expand.
  • thermal blooming causes the diameter of the laser beam to increase as it moves away from the laser source, thereby decreasing its effectiveness.
  • thermal blooming phenomenon reduce the effectiveness of laser weaponry and its ability to destroy a target but also makes the laser weapon vulnerable against attack since any targets aimed at the laser weaponry may not be destroyed until the target is close enough to the laser weaponry to cause damage.
  • the present invention relates to a defense system which includes a plurality of laser weapons.
  • the fields of regard of contiguous laser weapons are overlapped to create a battery or f orward en gagement mi s sile d e fense s ystem (FENSES).
  • the FENSES effectively increases the killing power of the laser weapon and thus reduces the kill time of individual laser weaponry.
  • Each laser weapon includes a command and control system that is integrated into a master control unit which can command the fire units of such laser weaponry to act individually or in groups or as a whole to increase the kill power of such laser weaponry.
  • By increasing the kill power of the laser weaponry the effects of thermal blooming are greatly reduced.
  • a f orward en gagement mi s sile d e fense s ystem in accordance with the present invention is generally illustrated in FIG. 1 and identified with reference numeral 20.
  • the FENSES 20 is adapted to be utilized virtually with any number of laser weapon systems 22, 24 and 26.
  • the laser weapon system 22, 24 and 26 are configured with overlapping fields of regard.
  • the laser weapons systems 22, 24 and 26 are physically positioned such that more than one laser weapon at a time may be directed at targets fired at individual laser weapons systems.
  • the vulnerability of individual laser weapons systems 22, 24 and 26 to attack is greatly decreased.
  • laser weapons are subject to what is known as thermal blooming.
  • the thermal blooming effect has been known to reduce the killing power of the laser weapons 22, 24 and 26 and allow the missiles to be destroyed close enough to the laser weapon system 22, 24 and 26 to cause damage.
  • the kill power of such laser weapons is increased thereby reducing, the vulnerability of each of the laser weapon systems 22, 24 and 26 to attack.
  • the kill power of the laser weapon is increased; (1) all targets have high slew rates when viewed from one or another of the lasers. High slew rates mean low thermal blooming.
  • two lasers may attack the same target at the same point on the target. If the laser spots are locked together on the target, the kill time is halved, whatever thermal blooming occurs.
  • the FENSES 20 in accordance with the present invention, also provides other advantages.
  • the laser weapon system, 22, 24 and 26 may either be operated autonomously or in selected groups depending on the battle conditions.
  • the laser weapon systems 22, 24 and 26 may be arranged and controlled to overwhelm an enemy battle line with large salvos at relatively high rates.
  • the laser weapon system 22, 24 and 26 under the control of the master control unit 28 can be used to shift the laser defense along the battle lines as required.
  • the FENSES 20 is adapted to be utilized with convention laser weapon systems 22, 24 and 26 as well as conventional radar 30.
  • a radar unit 30 is shown in communication with the master control unit 28.
  • individual radar units associated with one or more of the laser weapons 22, 24 and 26 are also contemplated.
  • Each of the laser weapon systems, 22, 24 and 26 are adapted to be in communication with the master control unit 28 by virtually any type of communication link, illustrated with the reference numerals 32, 34 and 36.
  • the communication links 32, 34 and 36 can be wired links or radio links.
  • each of the laser weapon system 22, 24 and 26 are integrated with the master control unit 28 to provide the capabilities of directing multiple laser weapons systems 22, 24 and 26 at individual hostile missiles or targets.
  • Enemy targets are adapted to be detected by conventional radar 30 with the radar data being communicated to the master control unit 28 by way of a conventional communication link 38.
  • the master control unit 38 determines the track of the missile in a conventional manner.
  • the master control unit 28 then communicates with the laser weapon system 22, 24 and 26 over the conventional communication links 32, 24 and 36 to assign one or more laser weapon systems 22, 24 and 26 to kill the detected missile.
  • the master control unit 28 can be used to direct individual or multiple laser system 22, 24 and 26 to kill a particular target depending on whether the individual laser weapon systems 22, 24 and 26 are being fired upon or whether it is desired to shift a laser defense along the battle line.
  • the laser weapon system 22, 24 and 26 operate autonomously.
  • the FENSES 20 allows multiple laser weapon systems 22, 24 and 26 to be directed to a single target whereas the weapons defense system disclosed in the '452 patent only allows one laser weapon system 22, 24 and 26 to engage a given target.
  • a flow diagram for the master control unit 28 is illustrated in FIG. 2.
  • the targets are sensed by the radar unit 30 in a conventional manner in step 40.
  • the track of the target is determined in step 42 in a conventional manner, for example as disclosed in U.S. patent no. 5,206,452, hereby incorporated by reference.
  • the master control unit 28 will direct one or more laser weapon systems 22, 24 and 26 to kill the target.
  • the master control unit 28 can direct multiple laser weapon systems, 22, 24 and 26 with overlapping fields of regard to kill the target, for example in step 44. As such, the vulnerability of the laser weapon systems 22, 24 and 26 to attack is greatly reduced.
  • the FENSES 20, depending on the track of the target can also direct single laser weapons at individual targets as illustrated in step 46 in similar manner as disclosed in U.S. patent no. 5,206,452 except that individual laser weapon system 22, 24 and 26 are not inhibited from firing at targets being engaged by other laser weapon systems 22, 24 and 26.
  • the laser weapon systems 22, 24 and 26, each include a laser weapon 48, a command and control system 50 and a pointer tracker 52.
  • the laser weapon systems 22, 24 and 26 may be formed from conventional laser weapons 48 and command and control systems 50, for example as disclosed in U.S. patent no. 4,647,759 hereby incorporated by reference.
  • the pointer tracker systems 52 utilized in each of the laser weapon systems 22, 24 and 26 may be known laser type non-imaging laser type systems for example, as disclosed in U.S. patent application 08/763,635, filed on December 4, 1996 and U.S. patent application 08/729,108, filed on October 11, 1996, both assigned to the same assignee of the present invention and hereby incorporated by reference.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Radar, Positioning & Navigation (AREA)
  • Remote Sensing (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
  • Aiming, Guidance, Guns With A Light Source, Armor, Camouflage, And Targets (AREA)
  • Lasers (AREA)
EP98110508A 1997-07-14 1998-06-09 Vorwärtsgefechtsflugkörperabwehrsystem Withdrawn EP0892240A2 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US89385597A 1997-07-14 1997-07-14
US893855 1997-07-14

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0892240A2 true EP0892240A2 (de) 1999-01-20

Family

ID=25402230

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP98110508A Withdrawn EP0892240A2 (de) 1997-07-14 1998-06-09 Vorwärtsgefechtsflugkörperabwehrsystem

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0892240A2 (de)
JP (1) JPH1183392A (de)
KR (1) KR19990013454A (de)
CA (1) CA2235205A1 (de)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2389889A (en) * 1998-02-06 2003-12-24 Lfk Gmbh Adaptive control of laser weapons
WO2012062399A1 (de) * 2010-11-12 2012-05-18 Rheinmetall Waffe Munition Gmbh Lasersystem, zur erzeugung von hohen bzw. kompakten leistungsdichten am objekt
EP2467673A4 (de) * 2008-12-22 2016-04-27 Rafael Advanced Defense Sys Kombination der leistung elektromagnetischer strahlen
US10883803B2 (en) 2017-06-02 2021-01-05 Bae Systems Plc Weapon system
US10883802B2 (en) 2017-06-02 2021-01-05 Bae Systems Plc Weapon system
EP4327418B1 (de) * 2021-04-22 2025-03-26 Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation Vorrichtung und verfahren zur reduzierung der thermischen überstrahlung in einem optischen untersystem eines hochenergielasers

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2019219143A (ja) * 2018-06-22 2019-12-26 株式会社Ｉｈｉエアロスペース 迎撃システムと観測装置

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4647759A (en) 1983-07-07 1987-03-03 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Air Force Fire control apparatus for a laser weapon
US5198607A (en) 1992-02-18 1993-03-30 Trw Inc. Laser anti-missle defense system
US5206452A (en) 1991-01-14 1993-04-27 British Aerospace Public Limited Company Distributed weapon launch system
EP0800095A2 (de) 1996-04-02 1997-10-08 Trw Inc. System und Verfahren zur Laserquerverfolgung
EP0836100A2 (de) 1996-10-11 1998-04-15 TRW Inc. Laserverfolgungsvorrichtung längs des Körpers (SABOT)

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5458041A (en) * 1994-08-02 1995-10-17 Northrop Grumman Corporation Air defense destruction missile weapon system
DE4444635C2 (de) * 1994-12-15 1996-10-31 Daimler Benz Aerospace Ag Einrichtung zur Selbstverteidigung gegen Flugkörper
JP2980169B2 (ja) * 1996-10-30 1999-11-22 日本電気株式会社 レーザ光リピータ装置

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4647759A (en) 1983-07-07 1987-03-03 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Air Force Fire control apparatus for a laser weapon
US5206452A (en) 1991-01-14 1993-04-27 British Aerospace Public Limited Company Distributed weapon launch system
US5198607A (en) 1992-02-18 1993-03-30 Trw Inc. Laser anti-missle defense system
EP0800095A2 (de) 1996-04-02 1997-10-08 Trw Inc. System und Verfahren zur Laserquerverfolgung
EP0836100A2 (de) 1996-10-11 1998-04-15 TRW Inc. Laserverfolgungsvorrichtung längs des Körpers (SABOT)

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2389889A (en) * 1998-02-06 2003-12-24 Lfk Gmbh Adaptive control of laser weapons
GB2389889B (en) * 1998-02-06 2004-04-28 Lfk Gmbh Method for adaptive beam control of medium-energy laser weapons
EP2467673A4 (de) * 2008-12-22 2016-04-27 Rafael Advanced Defense Sys Kombination der leistung elektromagnetischer strahlen
WO2012062399A1 (de) * 2010-11-12 2012-05-18 Rheinmetall Waffe Munition Gmbh Lasersystem, zur erzeugung von hohen bzw. kompakten leistungsdichten am objekt
RU2549742C2 (ru) * 2010-11-12 2015-04-27 Рейнметаль Ваффе Муницион Гмбх Лазерная система для получения высоких, соответственно компактных, плотностей мощности на объекте
US10883803B2 (en) 2017-06-02 2021-01-05 Bae Systems Plc Weapon system
US10883802B2 (en) 2017-06-02 2021-01-05 Bae Systems Plc Weapon system
EP4327418B1 (de) * 2021-04-22 2025-03-26 Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation Vorrichtung und verfahren zur reduzierung der thermischen überstrahlung in einem optischen untersystem eines hochenergielasers

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
KR19990013454A (ko) 1999-02-25
JPH1183392A (ja) 1999-03-26
CA2235205A1 (en) 1999-01-14

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US12222191B2 (en) Automated fire control device
RU2131577C1 (ru) Зенитный ракетно-пушечный комплекс
US20080291075A1 (en) Vehicle-network defensive aids suite
US5042743A (en) Apparatus and method for multiple target engagement
GB2296078A (en) Self defence system against missiles
CA2457669A1 (en) Autonomous weapon system
US20020149510A1 (en) Method and apparatus for the protection of mobile military facilities
US7174835B1 (en) Covert tracer round
GB1487656A (en) Method and system for combat against surface targets
EP0352037A3 (de) Waffensystem
CA2444464A1 (en) Method and aparatus for locating the trajectory of a projectile in motion
CA2478922A1 (en) Method for protecting an aircraft against a threat that utilizes an infrared sensor
KR20120104170A (ko) 멀티 무기시스템
US20090158954A1 (en) Self-Protection System for Combat Vehicles or Other Objects To Be Protected
JP7237604B2 (ja) 目標捕捉を妨害するシステムおよび方法
KR100301633B1 (ko) 화학 및 생물학 무기에 대항하는 단거리/중거리 레이저 방어 시스템
EP0892240A2 (de) Vorwärtsgefechtsflugkörperabwehrsystem
Oprean Artillery and drone action issues in the war in Ukraine
EP3538835B1 (de) Verfahren und abwehrsystem zur bekämpfung von bedrohungen
KR102134584B1 (ko) 차세대 함정용 함대공 유도탄 일렬 연속 사격 시스템
RU2213926C1 (ru) Способ наведения управляемой ракеты
US12398983B2 (en) Applications of ultra-short pulse laser systems
WO2023200422A1 (en) Hard-kill system against mini/micro unmanned aerial vehicles
RU2256871C1 (ru) Система наведения управляемых боеприпасов в места размещения оптико-электронных приборов
EP1196733A2 (de) Geschosslenkung mittels einer ringanordnung und optisch ausgelösten ablenkvorrichtungen

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Free format text: AL;LT;LV;MK;RO;SI

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN

18W Application withdrawn

Withdrawal date: 19991011