EP3486404A2 - Mobile optical long range detection and monitoring system and method for mobile optical long range detection and monitoring - Google Patents

Abstract

A mobile optical wide area reconnaissance and observation system (MOWABS) comprises a container (16), a communication subsystem (50) disposed in the container (16), an interface device (70) located in the container (16) communicating with the communication subsystem (50 ) is in communicative connection via a wired data network connection (E), a sensor device (63) attached to the outside of the container (16), which is in communicative communication with the interface device (70) via a wired data network connection (E), and at least one infrared sensor, a VIS camera and a laser rangefinder, and a power supply device (20) having a power source (23) and which is adapted to the sensor device with multispectral sensor (63), the communication subsystem (50) and the interface device with electrical energy supply.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to mobile long-range reconnaissance and observation systems (MOWABS), especially for use in tactical air defense systems, and to methods for mobile long-range optical reconnaissance and observation.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

Air defense systems, LVS, provide near and far range protection against threats from the air. WMSs provide in-patient protection as well as highly mobile escort protection as well as immediate fire preparedness as one of several elements of integrated air defense. WMSs often use a unified system architecture to connect sensors and effectors, which also ensures safe detection and combat of current tactical ballistic missile (TBM) and air-borne (ABT) threats, as well as small and micro targets.

One component of a powerful system architecture of an avalanche transceiver are long-range reconnaissance and observation systems (MOWABS), which are optical sensors such as CCD image sensors as day vision devices and forward-looking multispectral infrared or Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) cameras are used as night vision devices to enable the detection, classification and identification of potential avalanche transceivers.

A MOWABS is instructed by the command post on a known to the system flying object and provides online image and / or online video data of the pursued flying object in real time or near real-time to the command post. According to predetermined criteria for targeting, target classification, target identification, risk assessment and the rules of engagement can be based on the optical data collected by the MOWABS manual release of a target control in semi-automatic or manual combat mode or a manual blocking in fully automatic combat mode.

There is a need for ways to augment the coverage of an avalanche beacon so that efficiencies of interceptor missiles used by the avalanche beacon may be more efficiently utilized. One approach may be to connect the MOWABS of a WMS to the command post via remote communication means to effectively increase the overall classification reach of the WMS against the classification range of the sensors in the MOWABS by the communication range of the remote communication means employed.

The publication WO 2016/174466 A2 discloses a deployable mobile surveillance unit with monitoring modules housed in a container. The document F / No-IV-21011/06/016-PROV-I, " QRs and Trial Directive of Long Range Reconnaissance and Observation Systerms (LORROS) ", Bharat Sarkar, Government of India (http://mha1.nic.in/QRs/SurveillanceEquipment/QRsTrial(LORROS) 20032017.PDF ) discloses qualitative requirements for an optical wide-area reconnaissance and observation system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One of the objects of the invention is to effectively increase the overall classification range of an air defense system within integrated air defense and thereby optimize the effectiveness of interceptor missiles deployed by the air defense system.

These and other objects are achieved by a mobile optical wide area reconnaissance and observation system (MOWABS) having the features of claim 1, a motor vehicle or a motor vehicle trailer having the features of claim 10, an air defense system (LVS) with the Features of claim 11, as well as a method for mobile optical long-range education and observation with the features of claim 12 solved.

According to a first aspect of the invention, a MOWABS, in particular for use in a system architecture of a tactical air defense system as an integrated air defense element, comprises a container, a communication subsystem located in the container, an interface device located in the container and connected to the communication subsystem via a wired The data network connection is in communicative connection, a sensor device mounted on the outside of the container in communicative communication with the interface device via a wired data network connection and one or more infrared sensors (for example infrared sensors in the near infrared range, in the short wavelength infrared range, in the medium wavelength infrared range or in the long wavelength infrared range), a VIS Sensor (visible light) and a laser range finder, and a power supply device, which has an energy source and which is adapted to supply the sensor device and the communication subsystem with electrical energy.

According to a second aspect of the invention, a motor vehicle or a motor vehicle trailer comprises a MOWABS mounted on the bed of the motor vehicle or the motor vehicle trailer according to the first aspect of the invention.

According to a third aspect of the invention, an air defense system comprises a command post, a radar device, an anti-body device, and a MOWABS according to the first aspect of the invention in communication with the command post.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, a method for long-range mobile optical reconnaissance and observation, in particular for assisting the detection, classification and identification of target objects in a command post of a tactical air defense system as an integrated air defense element, comprises the steps of placing a communication subsystem in a container , arranging one An interface device in communicative communication with the communication subsystem via a wired data network connection, in the container, mounting a sensor device in communicative communication with the interface device via a wired data network connection, and at least one infrared sensor, a VIS camera, and an optional laser range finder on the outside of the container, mounting an antenna device communicatively coupled to the communication subsystem via a wired data network connection, on the outside of the container, and supplying the sensor device, the communication subsystem and the antenna device with electrical energy from a power source of a power supply device.

An essential idea of the invention is to combine powerful sensor technology of a long range mobile optical reconnaissance and observation system with a high performance radio communication subsystem to integrate the long range mobile optical reconnaissance and observation system into a tactical radio communication network of an air defense system.

A particular advantage in the solutions according to the invention is that the spatial separation of the sensor system from the command post and the missile launching device of the air defense system, a passive "Silent Engagement Mode" is enabled by the various configurations of the mobile optical wide-area reconnaissance and observation system is flexibly adjustable. This enables effective target verification and targeting in an air defense system as well as an optimization of the defense potential of, for example, a laser weapon system for defense against missiles such as micro drones.

By mounting the essential components of the mobile optical wide-area reconnaissance and observation system in or on a container and connecting it to a command post by radio communication, the distance from the observer in the command post to a destination can be increased so that the range of one deployed by an air defense system Interceptor can be exploited more efficiently. By using a relay station, such as a boot device between the Command Post and the Mobile Optical Range Recognition and Observation System can also improve the overall classification range and overall identification range.

Advantageous embodiments and further developments will become apparent from the other dependent claims and from the description with reference to the figures.

According to some embodiments of the MOWABS according to the invention, the MOWABS may further comprise an antenna device mounted externally on the container, which is in communicative communication with the communication subsystem via a data network connection.

According to some embodiments of the MOWABS according to the invention, the MOWABS may further comprise an air conditioning system mounted on the outside of the container, which is designed to air-condition the container.

According to some further embodiments of the MOWABS according to the invention, the MOWABS can furthermore have a navigation device attached to the sensor device, which is in communicative communication with the interface device via a wired data network connection.

According to some further embodiments of the MOWABS according to the invention, the MOWABS can furthermore have a sensor lifting device attached to the outside of the container, which carries the sensor device and which is in communicative communication with the interface device via a wired data network connection.

According to some further embodiments of the MOWABS according to the invention and the method according to the invention, the communication subsystem can have a communication and routing computer, an IT security controller with a time synchronization unit and an administrator console.

According to some further embodiments of the MOWABS according to the invention and the method according to the invention, the antenna device may comprise an antenna radio, at least one radio antenna, such as a sector, Radio or rod antenna, and an antenna device operator panel.

According to some further embodiments of the MOWABS according to the invention and the method according to the invention, the energy supply device may have a power supply management component and a power supply device operating panel. In this case, in some embodiments, the energy source may comprise a low-vibration fuel cell with a non-interruptible battery connected thereto.

According to some further embodiments of the MOWABS according to the invention, the MOWABS may further comprise an adapter device mounted on the underside of the container, via which the container can be mounted on a motor vehicle or a motor vehicle trailer.

According to some embodiments of the method according to the invention, the method may further comprise the step of mounting the container on a motor vehicle or a motor vehicle trailer by means of an adapter device mounted on the underside of the container.

The above embodiments and developments can, if appropriate, combine with each other as desired. Further possible refinements, developments and implementations of the invention also include combinations, not explicitly mentioned, of features of the invention described above or below with regard to the exemplary embodiments. In particular, the person skilled in the art will also add individual aspects as improvements or additions to the respective basic form of the present invention.

BRIEF CONTENT OF THE FIGURES

• Fig. 1 ein schematisches Blockschaubild eines mobilen optischen Weitbereichsaufklärungs- und -beobachtungssystems gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung;
• Fig. 2 ein schematisches Blockschaubild eines mobilen optischen Weitbereichsaufklärungs- und -beobachtungssystems gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform der Erfindung;
• Fig. 3 eine beispielhafte Illustration eines Luftverteidigungssystems, in welchem ein mobiles optisches Weitbereichsaufklärungs- und -beobachtungssystem gemäß einer der Fig. 1 und 2 eingesetzt werden kann; und
• Fig. 4 ein Flussdiagramm eines Verfahrens zur Steuerung eines mobilen optischen Weitbereichsaufklärungs- und -beobachtungssystems gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform der Erfindung.

The present invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the exemplary embodiments given in the schematic figures. It shows:

• Fig. 1 12 is a schematic block diagram of a wide-area mobile optical reconnaissance and observation system according to an embodiment of the invention;
• Fig. 2 12 is a schematic block diagram of a wide-area mobile optical reconnaissance and observation system according to another embodiment of the invention;
• Fig. 3 an exemplary illustration of an air defense system in which a mobile optical wide-area reconnaissance and observation system according to one of Fig. 1 and 2 can be used; and
• Fig. 4 a flowchart of a method for controlling a mobile optical wide area reconnaissance and observation system according to another embodiment of the invention.

The accompanying figures are intended to convey a further understanding of the embodiments of the invention. They illustrate embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain principles and concepts of the invention. Other embodiments and many of the stated advantages will become apparent with reference to the drawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily shown to scale to each other. Directional terminology such as "top", "bottom", "left", "right", "over", "under", "horizontal", "vertical", "front", "rear" and the like are merely to be explained Purposes are not intended to limit the general public to specific embodiments as shown in the figures.

In the figures of the drawing are the same, functionally identical and same-acting elements, features and components - unless otherwise stated - each provided with the same reference numerals.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Fig. 1 FIG. 12 shows a schematic block diagram of a mobile optical wide area reconnaissance and observation system 10. The mobile optical wide area reconnaissance and observation system (MOWABS) 10 initially has a container 16. The container 16 allows the installation or cultivation of components of the MOWABS 10 in the interior or on the outer sides. The container 16 may be, for example, a cuboid hollow structure of steel or other suitable material. In the interior of the container 16 can be sufficient space for the various communication components and a workplace for the management of the networks and domains and a workstation for the operation of the various components of the MOWABS 10.

The container 16 may have suitable locking mechanisms, for example, those that meet the DIN standard 18251 for externally mounted stowage devices. Furthermore, the container 16 can accommodate a cable drum 13 in a special storage device, can be rolled up on the Ethernet cable for direct connection to the command post. The container 16 may also accommodate personal equipment of operators and operators, grounding devices and lightning protection devices in an outdoor area. The container 16 may accommodate suitable fire protection measures such as smoke detectors or fire extinguishers in the interior. In addition, the interior of the container 16 can be protected from dew or condensation by desiccant.

The MOWABS 10 generally comprises a communication subsystem 50 disposed in the container 16, an interface device 70 disposed in the container 16, a sensor device 63 mounted externally on the container 16 in a sensor system 60, an antenna device 40 externally attached to the container 16, and a power supply device 20. Further, the MOWABS 10 may include an air conditioner 30 mounted externally to the container 16 and having an operating panel 31 adapted to air condition the container 16. In addition, the MOWABS 10 may have a navigation device 14 attached to the outside of the container 16 on the sensor device.

The container 16 may be mounted on a motor vehicle or a motor vehicle trailer via an adapter device 17 mounted on the underside of the container 16.

The communication subsystem 50 may include a communication and routing computer 51, an IT security controller 52 with a time synchronization unit, and an administrator console. In this case, a non-hardened variant of a communication subsystem 50 can be selected, since it is located inside the container 16. The communication subsystem 50 provides a transparent, IP-based network in which domains of different security levels are integrated. The communication and routing computer 51 may include application software for NAT routing, VoIP telecommunications system, network management, status monitoring, and have remote maintenance access. Furthermore, a switch with electrical and optical connections can be provided, which enables a connection of all the domain components. Additionally, the communication subsystem 50 may include a key device, an analog telephone adapter, and a voltage and power distribution unit.

The communication subsystem 50 includes a radio that can establish point-to-point as well as point-to-multipoint connections, supports OFDM high-speed wireless data transmission, supports militarily relevant frequency bands, has low latency for bandwidth-intensive real-time applications, and provides advanced automatic interference suppression Transmitter power control and adaptive modulation, together with radio antennas (sector, radio or rod antenna) can be operated, has an antenna alignment unit and has a low weight and a small size for direct mounting on an antenna mast.

The radio of the communication subsystem 50 may be mounted, for example, on an antenna mast of the antenna device 40 together with a radio antenna 43 included in the antenna device 40. The radio antenna (sector antenna, directional antenna) can be electrically aligned in the azimuth angle and in the elevation angle by means of the antenna device operating panel 41 of the antenna device 40. Antenna device 40 communicates with communication subsystem 50 via a discrete data bus line.

The antenna device 40 may include an antenna radio 42, at least one radio antenna 43, and an antenna device operation panel 41. Several sector antennas or directional antennas are preferably used when several command posts need to be supplied in parallel in real time with image / video data, for example over a wide area radio network. Radio antennas 43 can be mounted together with the radio of the communication subsystem 50 to a pipe mast at least 10 meters high with associated erecting unit. The erecting unit can lift or tilt the antenna mast in the operating position (perpendicular to the container) or in the transport position (horizontally to the container). In the Operating position of the antenna mast can be leveled accordingly. A telescopic function of the antenna mast allows continuous adjustment of the mast height. A mobile control panel in the interior of the container 16 can be used to operate the antenna mast on which additional operating information of the antenna device 40 can be displayed. The antenna mast can be operated with electrical energy, so that no hydraulics or pneumatics is necessary. The antenna radio 42 and the radio antenna 43 may be mounted on the outside of the container 16 mounted on the antenna mast system at the top.

The power supply device 20 has an energy source 23 and is designed to supply the sensor device 63, the communication subsystem 50 and the antenna device 40 with electrical energy. For this purpose, the energy supply system 20 can have a low-vibration fuel cell with a non-interruptible battery connected thereto as the energy source 23, which feeds the electrical energy into a power network P of the MOWABS 10. From the power grid, the respective other components of the MOWABS can be supplied with energy.

The power supply device 20 additionally has a power supply management component 22 and a power supply device operating panel 21. The power supply management component 22 enables the manual and automatic control of the power supply, the air conditioning via the air conditioning system 30, the interface device 70, the antenna mast, the communication subsystem 50 and the lighting of the container 16. Thus, the power supply management component 22 serves as a container control device. The power management component 22 maintains an Ethernet connection to the communication and routing computer 51 of the communications subsystem 50 and interface device 70 to enable remote maintenance, remote configuration, and data transfer. In this case, the data communication may preferably be packet-based, for example in a time division multiplex transmission method (TDMA) or a code division multiplex method (CDMA). The power management component 22 may ensure that the interior of the container 16 is sufficiently conditioned by the air conditioning system 30 before the installed electrical components are activated to provide operational environmental conditions.

The power supply via the energy source 23 can preferably be ensured by a low-vibration fuel cell, a distributor unit and an accumulator. The components are connected by a damping system to the container 16 in order to avoid the transmission of vibrations to the container 16 and thus to the multispectral sensors. The fuel cell can be operated with methanol, is acoustically imperceptible from a distance of about seven meters, produces hardly detectable emissions and requires little maintenance. The power source 23 allows autonomous operation for at least 32 hours without intervention by an operator and can be supplied externally with voltages as an alternative to its own power supply. The change from the own fuel cell voltage to an external power supply and vice versa is possible without interruption. In this case, an automatic change takes place in the case of voltage loss of the current source or a manual change using the power supply device operating panel 21. Further, the power source 23 can supply auxiliary voltage via an auxiliary voltage terminal 11 to the outside and has an emergency stop switch to which the energy source 23 can be disabled in an emergency when the switch is pressed. For example, the emergency stop button may be a red button.

The air conditioner 30 with the control panel 31 maintains temperature and humidity in the container interior in the permissible range for the operation of the electrical components. The air conditioning system 30 also provides fresh air via a dust / NBC filter in the interior of the container 16. The air conditioning 30 provides the heat output from the interior of the container 16 to the outside and is connected by a damping system with the container 16.

The interface device 70 may include a local display 71 for an operator. In addition to the possibility of switching between local and remote operation of the components of the MOWABS 10, the interface device 70 allows an orderly deactivation of all components. In a removable and USB or SATA readable memory (eg a flash SSD) of the interface device 70, various operating parameters can be stored with time stamps such as operating hours, sensor status, error codes, error images, malfunction log files, test results, videos, snapshots, configuration data, Forecasting data as well as different versions of the operating software.

The interface device 70 may further include a power distribution unit that may distribute the available power to the elements of the sensor system 60. The interface device 70 may further serve as a central distribution point for data from and for the sensor system 60 and may be in communicative communication with other components of the MOWAB 10 via a wired data network connection E for this purpose. The wired data network connection E can be, for example, an Ethernet connection, which is communicated via a central data bus D within the MOWABS 10 between the respective nodes.

The navigation device 14 may include, for example, an inertial measurement unit (IMU) that may include linear, inertial, sensor-grade accelerometers, and sensor-grade angular velocity meters. The navigation device 14 may also process satellite signals of a global positioning system such as GPS, Galileo or GLONASS. An antenna of the global positioning system can be installed together with the navigation device 14 in a head load frame which is mounted on the sensor lifting device 66, so that a good visibility of the navigation satellites is ensured.

The sensor lifting device 66 is part of the sensor system 60 and carries the multispectral sensor device 63, which has one or more infrared sensors, a VIS sensor and a laser rangefinder and which has a damping device that constructively intercepts the transmission of vibrations to the sensor.

The sensor lifting device 66 communicates with the communication subsystem 50 via a wired data bus connection E. As in Fig. 1 As shown, the sensor system 60 may be fully integrated with the container 16 of the MOWABS 10.

In other variants (as in Fig. 2 shown by way of example), sensor systems 60 can additionally or alternatively be used as remote tripod devices outside of the container 16. In this case, a cable connection of up to 100 meters between the interface device 70 in the container 16 and the sensor system 60 can be set up to fluctuate the sensors To be able to operate with low vibration, for example, in strong winds or gusts or in achieving a more favorable camouflage of the sensor system 60 in the field. In the case of an externally mounted sensor system 60, a tripod 68, which carries the sensor device 63, is used instead of the sensor lifting device 66.

The sensor lifting device 66 is a spindle mast system and is mounted to the rear of the container 16 on the outside wall adjacent to the door. An operating panel 67 for this purpose is located in the interior of the container 16. By means of a built-in crank, a manual emergency operation can be established. The height is in the retracted state about 1.7 meters, in the extended state a maximum of 8 meters. The maximum head load of the sensor lifting device 66 may be about 250 kg. An energy and data distributor module 61, a sensor control device 62 connected thereto, the sensor device 63 and a navigation antenna 64 are received in a frame of the sensor lifting device 66 as a top load. This allows a flexible erection of all sensor components beyond the container roof, resulting in cover and camouflage possibilities for the container.

The sensor system 60 comprises a multi-spectral target detection and tracking sensor system designed as an open platform and a VIS camera, which may be a color or black-and-white camera, at least one infrared camera and an eye-safe laser rangefinder. The target detection and tracking sensor allows remote control of the sensors from the command post and installation on a tripod.

A stabilized pan and tilt unit 65 ("pan-and-tilt"), which is provided for the mechanical 2-axis stabilization in the sensor device 63, has, for example, a line of sight mobility of azimuth nx 360 ° and elevation of -120 ° to 90 ° , The pan and tilt unit 65 is an open platform for receiving payloads and is easy to assemble and disassemble. The pan and tilt unit 65 can consist of two components: a 2-axis gimbal block with electromechanical azimuth / elevation drives, sensors and brakes and an electronic module with power supply, axis control and communication interfaces.

The infrared cameras can each work in different infrared ranges from about 0.78 to 1.4 (NIR) or 1.4 to 3 μm (SWIR) or 3 to 8 μm (MWIR) or 8 to 15 μm (LWIR) and are specially designed for Large ranges in day / night operation can also be used in unfavorable weather conditions. An infrared camera can be hardened accordingly ("ruggedized"). The VIS camera can be designed especially for long ranges in daylight and / or twilight at a spectral sensitivity of 400 to 760 nm. The VIS camera can use a CCD image processing chip and have a focal length of 50 to 1550 mm. The laser range finder is adapted to the line of sight of the VIS camera and can be operated at a wavelength of, for example, 1.535 μm, such as an erbium fiber laser.

The sensor control unit 62 serves for the higher-level control of the at least one infrared camera, the VIS camera and the laser rangefinder and can have a video or infrared tracking function. In this case, an electronic image stabilization, a user-controlled image fusion of the infrared and VIS sensors and optionally further image manipulation in the sensor control device 62 can be performed. The power and data distribution module 61 may provide a data interface (eg, Ethernet) to the interface device 70 for communicating with it via a wired data network connection E. The power and data distribution module 61 also provides the power distribution of the power supply device 20 to the sensors in the sensor system 60.

The MOWABS 10 can in principle be used in at least five different configurations. First, the MOWABS can be connected by means of the communication subsystem 50 via a radio link RF directly or via a relay station such as an air defense body launching device 3 at a large distance to a command post 1. The communication can be encrypted. About the Sensorhubvorrichtung 66, the sensor can be raised to a corresponding detection height on the container 16 and for example over tension cables are braced to ensure the most stable line of sight on the destination and to allow the container 16 cover and camouflage protection, even under adverse weather conditions such as strong wind or gusts, which can subject the container 16 due to the large side surface fluctuations.

In case of too strong wind or gusts, a remote tripod configuration 68 may be favored, with the sensor not mounted on the sensor lift 66, but on the tripod 68 to suppress variations and vibrations. The interface device 70 is still located in the interior of the container 16 and is connected via a wired connection (power and data network connection such as Ethernet) to the power and data distribution module 61 of the sensor system 60. The MOWABS 10 is connected by means of the communication subsystem 50 by radio communication to the command post 1 as in the above-mentioned configuration. The communication between command post 1 and communication subsystem 50 can be encrypted, while that between the sensor system 60 and container 16 is unencrypted.

Furthermore, it is also possible in a third configuration that the sensor system of the sensor system 60 are also connected directly to the command post 1 and thereby may possibly communicate unencrypted. However, this configuration will mainly be used for near field ground monitoring of the environment of the command post 1. The sensor system of the sensor system 60 is positioned quasi-stationary and is therefore not exposed to appreciable vibrations and fluctuations due to wind or gusts.

In a fourth configuration, the communication subsystem 50 may be directly connected by cable to a communications subsystem of a launcher or radar. In this case, the MOWABS 10 itself does not transmit data directly, but only indirectly the communication subsystem of the starting device or of the radar device, to which the communication subsystem 50 is connected by cable. Finally, in a fifth configuration, as in the third configuration, the sensor system 60 can be wired to a component of the air defense system, but not directly to the command post 1 but, for example, to a launch device or radar, which in turn, as in the fourth configuration, acts as a relay station.

When MOWABS 10 is activated, initialization and test phases are initially run through in which various tests of the communication and test phases Functionality of the components of the MOWABS 10 are checked. Only then can be switched to the standby mode in which the fire chief in the command post receives control of the MOWABS 10 and control elements in the command post, the components of the MOWABS 10 can control remotely. Thus, the fire manager can influence the online image / video (eg zoom function, video tracking, snapshot, orientation of the sensor system, sensor selection and fusion, etc.) according to his wishes by appropriate user functions. The fire pilot can then choose from the functions of a manual target assignment and a system target assignment in which the local line of sight angles are calculated by the operator or automatically by the system. In both cases, you can then switch to the target detection mode. The object detection receives the control over the relevant image parameters of the sensor system of the sensor system 60 and attempts to detect objects in the respective scene located in the target. The detected objects are marked in generated still images and in the video image data stream. The target tracker of the sensor control unit 62 is set to the object closest to the line of sight direction in the scene.

In target tracking, the sensor controller 62 tracks the assigned target and automatically replicates the line of sight in azimuth and elevation so that the target is held in the image center. The tracked object is automatically and periodically measured by the laser range finder of the sensor device 63 in its distance. The measured local target line angles and the measured local distance are converted into earth-solid coordinates and enriched accordingly with other target attributes transmitted to the command post as a 3D target track, if the distance measurement is disabled, 2D target tracks are transmitted as earth-fixed angle information to the command post. The fire controller may perform target correction functions during the target tracking by manually assigning another object as a target in the transmitted real-time video, canceling the target tracking, or realigning the line-of-sight to a new object in the transmitted real-time video for the purpose of target change.

When a MOWABS 10 is deployed in an air defense system, a passive engagement mode (Silent Engagement Mode) can be activated by the MOWABS 10 detecting and tracking a target without an air defense system radar transmitting. When a visual classification of the target is made by the operator at the command post and identifies the target as "hostile" has been activated, the radar device can be activated just before the calculated launch of an interceptor missile and be instructed by the MOWABS 10 on the target. Only then does the radar turn on the target and the combat phase is initiated. As a result, there is the advantage that as long as possible by means of a passive phase of the radar device as long as possible a target recognizes only later that it has been detected by an air defense system. Electronic defenses of the target are made more difficult. An electronic reconnaissance of the air defense system is also hampered by this visual target detection, classification and identification by the MOWABS 10.

The MOWABS 10 can be tested or reconfigured via remote maintenance, for example with the aid of a portable maintenance aid 15, which can be connected to the MOWABS 10 via a wired connection E and which enables the offline transmission of the data stored in the removable memory. In a self-destruct mode of MOWABS 10, in an emergency, the removable memory of interface device 70 may be completely erased, including all still images, video image data streams, and data that may be related to resource planning and mission management.

Fig. 3 shows a simplified block diagram of a tactical air defense system with a command post 1, a radar device 2, and an anti-aircraft body device 3. The command post 1, the radar 2 and the anti-aircraft body 3 may be in communication with each other, for example via wireless connections or wired network connections such as Ethernet. In communication with the command post 1 is still a MOWABS 10, for example via a radio link RF. In this case, a direct radio link RF between the command post 1 and the MOWABS 10 exist. Alternatively, a relay station, such as the anti-aircraft body launcher 3, may serve as an agent for the radio link RF of the command post 1 with the MOWABS 10.

The MOWABS 10 can have the components as they are associated with the Fig. 1 and 2 have been explained. In particular, the antenna device 40 may be responsible for a radio antenna for maintaining the radio link RF with the command post 10. The over the Radio communication RF exchanged information from and to the command post 10 may be communicated from the antenna device 40 to and from the sensor system 60 of the MOWABS 10.

The MOWABS 10 can be mounted on the loading surface of a motor vehicle (not explicitly shown), such as a truck or a motor vehicle trailer, via the adapter device 17 mounted on the underside of the container 16. As a result, the MOWABS 10 can be relocated relative to the command post 1 and, for example, can be brought closer to potential flight destinations along a preferred monitoring direction. The motor vehicle (or the motor vehicle trailer) may have a mobile platform, which ensures a secure mechanical connection of the vehicle with the container 16 via the adapter device 17. The adapter device 17 may be formed so that the door of the container 16 can be opened and closed without resistance at the rear end of the vehicle. The adapter device 17 may include a staircase, ladder, or other suitable container access that may be folded and locked during re-location of the container 16.

The MOWABS 10 may be fixed to the motor vehicle (or vehicle trailer) using suitable locking means, such as ISO 1161: 2016 twistlocks. If the Twistlocks are not used, they can be plugged in, so that a flat cargo area is guaranteed on the motor vehicle. Optionally, a mechanical level 12 may be provided on the container 16 and / or motor vehicle (or motor vehicle trailer) providing visual information to the operator about the current incline of the motor vehicle (or motor vehicle trailer).

The motor vehicle (or the motor vehicle trailer) may have a welded steel construction with corrosion protection as the vehicle frame and optionally a grounding device.

Fig. 4 FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of a method M for controlling a mobile optical wide area reconnaissance and observation system (MOWABS), such as MOWABS 10 as described in connection with FIGS Fig. 1 and 2 illustrated and explained. The method M can, for example, in a tactical Air defense system can be used, which has a MOWABS 10 as an element.

In a first stage M1, the method M initially comprises arranging a communication subsystem in a container. In a subsequent stage M2 of the method M, an interface device, which is in communicative communication with the communication subsystem via a wired data network connection, is arranged in the container. The method M comprises, in a third stage M3, mounting a sensor device which is in communicative communication with the interface device via a wired data network connection and has an infrared sensor, a VIS camera and a laser rangefinder on the outside of the container. In a stage M4 of the method M, an antenna device, which communicatively communicates with the communication subsystem via a data bus connection, is mounted on the outside of the container. Finally, in stage M6 of the method, the sensor device, the communication subsystem and the antenna device are supplied with electrical energy from an energy source of a power supply device.

The communication subsystem may include a communication and routing computer, an IT security controller with a time synchronization unit, and an administrator console. The antenna device may include an antenna radio, at least one radio antenna, and an antenna device operation panel. The power supply device may include a power management component and a power utility control panel. In this case, the energy source can have a fuel cell with a non-interruptible battery connected thereto.

In an optional step M6 of the method, the container may be mounted on a motor vehicle or on a motor vehicle trailer by means of an adapter device mounted on the underside of the container.

In the foregoing detailed description, various features have been summarized to improve the stringency of the illustration in one or more examples. It should be understood, however, that the above description is merely illustrative and not restrictive in nature. you serves to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents of the various features and embodiments. Many other examples will be immediately and immediately apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, given the skill of the art in light of the above description.

The exemplary embodiments have been selected and described in order to represent the principles underlying the invention and their possible applications in practice in the best possible way. As a result, those skilled in the art can optimally modify and utilize the invention and its various embodiments with respect to the intended use. In the claims as well as the description, the terms "including" and "having" are used as neutral language terms for the corresponding terms "comprising". Furthermore, a use of the terms "a", "an" and "an" a plurality of features and components described in such a way should not be excluded in principle.

Claims (16)

A mobile wide area optical information and observation system (MOWABS, 10), comprising: a container (16); a communication subsystem (50) disposed in the container (16); an interface device (70) disposed in the container (16) in communicative communication with the communication subsystem (50) via a wired data network connection (E); a sensor device (63) mounted on the outside of the container (16), which communicates with the interface device (70) via a wired data network connection (E) and has at least one infrared sensor, a VIS sensor and a laser rangefinder; and a power supply device (20) having a power source (23) and adapted to supply electrical power to the sensor device (63), the communication subsystem (50), and other loads. MOWABS (10) according to claim 1, further comprising: an antenna device (40) mounted on the outside of the container (16), which is in communicative communication with the communication subsystem (50) via a wired data network connection (E). MOWABS (10) according to claim 1, further comprising: an air conditioner (30) mounted on the exterior of the container (16) and adapted to condition the container (16). MOWABS (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: a navigation device (14) mounted on the outside of the container (16), which is in communicative communication with the interface device (70) via a wired data network connection (E). MOWABS (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: a Sensorhubvorrichtung (68) mounted on the outside of the container (16) which carries the sensor device (63) and which is in communicative communication with the interface device (70) via a wired data network connection (E). The MOWABS (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the communication subsystem (50) comprises a communication and routing computer (51), an IT security controller (52) with a time synchronization unit, and an administrator console. The MOWABS (10) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the antenna device (40) comprises an antenna radio (42), at least one radio antenna, which may be a sector or radio relay antenna or a rod antenna (43), and an antenna device control panel (43). 41). The MOWABS (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the power supply means (20) comprises a power supply management component (22) and a power supply operation panel (21), and wherein the power source (23) comprises a fuel cell having a non-interruptible battery connected thereto. MOWABS (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising: a mounted on the underside of the container (16) adapter device (17), via which the container (16) on a motor vehicle or a motor vehicle trailer is mountable. Motor vehicle or motor vehicle trailer with a mounted on the bed of the motor vehicle or the motor vehicle trailer MOWABS (10) according to claim 9. Tactical air defense system with: a command post (1); a radar device (2); an anti-aircraft body launcher (3); and a MOWABS (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, which communicates with the command post (1) in communication. Method (M) for long-range mobile optical reconnaissance and observation, comprising the steps of: Arranging (M1) a communication subsystem (50) in a container (16); Arranging (M2) an interface device (70) in communicative communication with the communication subsystem (50) via a wired data network connection (E) in the container (16); Mounting (M3) a sensor device (63) which is in communicative communication with the interface device (70) via a wired data network connection (E) and has an infrared sensor, a video camera or VIS sensor and a laser rangefinder outside of the container (16) ; Mounting (M4) an antenna device (40) in communicative communication with the communication subsystem (50) via a radio link (E), on the outside of the container (16); and Supplying (M5) the sensor device (63), the communication subsystem (50) and the antenna device (40) with electrical energy from a power source (23) of a power supply device (20). Method (M) according to claim 12, wherein the communication subsystem (50) comprises a communication and routing computer (51), an IT security controller (52) with a time synchronization unit and an administrator console. The method (M) according to any one of claims 12 to 13, wherein said antenna means (40) comprises an antenna radio (42), at least one radio antenna (43) and an antenna device operation panel (41). The method (M) according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the power supply means (20) comprises a power supply management component (22) and a power supply device operation panel (21), and wherein the Power source (23) comprises a fuel cell with a non-interruptible battery connected thereto. Method (M) according to one of claims 12 to 15, further comprising the step of mounting (M6) the container (16) on a motor vehicle or a motor vehicle trailer by means of an adapter device (17) mounted on the underside of the container (16).

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