IL274046A - Perimeter active protection system - Google Patents

Description

a O C i E d H D v N e t S e h i v e F g o s f r D a i s n w 3 7 6 1 5 5 3 e e t S h . o N 1 C a H D v N O i E d i v F e t S e h e w g o s f r D a i s n 1 5 3 3 7 6 5 S h e e t N . 2 o O C i E a d H D v N e h i v e F e t S s f r D a i s n w g o 7 6 1 5 5 3 / 3 e e t S h o N . 3 O C i E a d H D v N e h i v e F e t S s f r D a i s n w g o 7 6 1 5 5 3 / 3 e t S h e o N . 4 a O C i E d H D v N e t S e h i v e F g o s f r D a i s n w / 3 7 6 1 5 5 3 e e t S h . o N 533765/15 -1- Perimeter Active Protection System Field of the Invention The field of the invention relates in general to systems for protecting vehicles or structures from incoming missiles and rockets. More specifically, the invention relates to perimeter active protection system. Background of the Invention Known in the art are variety of systems that are designed to intercept and destroy incoming missiles and rockets with a shotgun-like blast that ejects plurality of particles towards the incoming object with the intent of jeopardizing its structure integrity to the point of rendering it useless or impairing its functionality. For example, a known in the art by its commercial name "Trophy", is a military system for active protection for vehicles, such as light and heavy armored fighting vehicles and vehicles in general. Developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Israel Aircraft Industries' Elta Group, the system intercepts and destroys incoming missiles and rockets with the abovementioned shotgun-like blast, as to supplement the fighting vehicles' armor. Said systems of the prior art are designed to protect the vehicle that they are placed on, and as said systems are highly expensive, their deployment is limited to a select few only. Furthermore, as the system is deployed on vehicles that are already fitted with a variety of different other systems such as radar, electro-optics, communication, and weapon systems, the systems deployment on the vehicles poses a great engineering challenge, as well as a tactical handicap, as the systems activation in battle conditions is limited by the need to avoid damage to all other existing systems. 33765/15 -2- It is an object of the invention to provide a single system that can simultaneously protect a plurality of vehicles and structures in a given perimeter. It is another object of the invention to significantly reduce the costs involved in protecting a plurality of vehicles. It is still another object of the invention to enable a protection of vehicles and structures that could not otherwise be protected due to tactical and mechanical limitations as mentioned above. It is still another object of the invention to reduce the likelihood of collateral damage of charge activation to the carrying platform. It is still another object of the invention to increase the likelihood of a successful interception, relative to systems of the prior art, especially when a large number of missiles and rockets are fired to a designated spot or a perimeter, either simultaneously or consecutively. Summary of the Invention The invention relates to a system for protecting mobile or stationary objects from incoming missiles or rockets, which comprises: (A) an MPV which comprises: (a) a detection unit for detecting an incoming object; (b) a computing unit for: (i) receiving information relating to the detection of said incoming object, and location information from said plurality of assets (ii) calculating the trajectory of said incoming object, and (iii) analyzing said information to timely activate one or more of interceptor modules to at least damage said incoming object; and (B) one or more assets, each comprising a positioning unit and a communication unit that are used for determining and transmitting, respectively, position data of each of said assets to said MPV. 33765/15 -3- Brief Description of the Drawings In the drawings: - Fig. 1 shows in block diagram form the structure of a typical protection unit; - Fig. 2a shows how a central protection unit according to the invention may be used to protect plurality of assets in a perimeter; - Fig. 2b shows in block diagram form the structure of one embodiment of the system of the invention; - Fig. 3 shows another embodiment of the system of the invention; and - Figs. 4a, 4b, and 4c show respectively still another embodiment of the invention, where one or more of portable protection units are used. Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments As noted, active protection systems utilizing the concept embodied by the Trophy system and the like are designed to protect the vehicle that they are mounted on. The radar of said systems (may it be an RF, optical or the like) is designed to scan the theater in which it operates, as to detect an incoming object, that is likely to hit the vehicle the on which the radar and system are deployed. When the likelihood of hit is established, the system is operated as to intercept the incoming object as set forth. If, however, the system determines that said incoming object will not hit the vehicle or structure on which it is mounted, the system is not be activated, even when the inbound object will eventually hit another friendly asset. As will be shown, the present invention drastically increases the survivability of friendly assets in the battlefield, even when said assets are not equipped with a system-type as described above. 33765/15 -4- The present invention provides a method and system for protecting a perimeter which comprises plurality of objects, such as vehicles or structures, even when said objects are not fitted with all or any of the systems components, i.e., the radar or the interceptors. Fig. 1 shows a basic structure of a typical active protection system 10 (such as a Trophy-type system). The system comprises a detection unit 11 (such as electro-optic or RF radar), a computing unit 12, and one or more interception modules 13. Typically, the detection unit 11 continuously scans the perimeter around the vehicle. Said scan readings are analyzed by the computing unit 12, as to detect an incoming object that might pose a threat to the protected vehicle. Upon such detection, the computing unit 12 activates the one or more interceptor modules in a manner that will assure the highest chance of intercepting said incoming object. However, if the computing unit 12 determines that incoming object is not likely to hit the vehicle, it will avoid activation. Figs. 2a and 2b illustrate a deployment of the system of the present invention in battle conditions, according to a first embodiment. An active protection system 110 is mounted on a Main Protection Vehicle (MPV) 115. The structure of system 110 (shown in Fig. 2b) is in fact similar to the structure of the system 10 of Fig. 1. In addition, MPV 115 comprises a positioning unit (such as GPS) 121a that determines its own position. In addition, MPV 115 comprises a communication unit (receiver or transceiver) 123. In addition, each of the other friendly assets 125b-125e in the perimeter of the MPV 115 comprises its own positioning unit 131b – 131e, and its own communication unit 133b-133e, respectively. Each of the assets 125b-125e continuously transmits its own position via its own communication unit 133a-133d, respectively. Optionally, each of the assets might transmit an additional assets data such as a unique ID, 33765/15 -5- as well as its functionality, number of occupants, urgency and status of mission, acceleration readings, and any type of data that can be collected via sensors array, etc. The MPV 115 receives the transmitted locations, respectively from all of said assets 125, and optionally said assets data.

The received information is analyzed by the computing unit 112 (shown in Fig. 2b) at the MPV 115, to determine which of said assets can be protected by the MPV 115. This determination process is based on the capability of the MPV to protect each of said assets, by analyzing the MPV's interceptor range, terrain (for example, by analyzing known Digital Elevation Maps), etc. Moreover, the received assets data can be taken into account to establish priorities of protection for each of said assets 125. As the MPV's protected assets list is established, the MPV 115 may transmit its own list of protected assets (as well as any additional data related to said assets) to one or more of similar MPV's 115 in the battlefield. As other MPV's computing units 112 receive said list of protected assets (via their own communication unit 123), they can determine their own list of protected assets, respectively, taking into account their ability to protect assets in an optimal way. Furthermore, an MPV might take into account the amount of interceptor modules available to it, as well as any other relevant data. As an MPV 115 establishes its own list of protected assets in the perimeter, each and every inbound missile that poses a threat to said list of protected assets will be intercepted by said MPV by initiation of its one or more interception modules 113. In another embodiment, each of the various assets 125 might be equipped with its own interceptor modules 113b-113e, respectively, however without a detection unit (such as detection unit 111 of Fig. 2b), while in this case the MPV itself will be in charge of activating said interceptor modules 113 of each of the protected assets 125, accordingly. 33765/15 -6- It should be noted that the computing unit 112 of the MPV 115 may calculate a geographic location which is optimal for it to protect the assets existing in its own list. Once this geographic location is established, the MPV moves to this optimal calculated location. The MPV may further receive via its communication unit 123 a real time intelligence driven data by which it may position itself, or it may amend its assets list. In still another alternative, the one or more MPVs 115 positions, and their asset lists, respectively, may be transmitted to a command and control center (not shown) as to allow a commanding body to assign each of plurality of MPVs to secure a geographic perimeter, respectively, regardless of their own-calculated assets lists. In still another embodiment, the MPV 115 may be of robotic type. In such a case, the MPV may use robotic driving capabilities known in the art to position itself within a vehicle's column as to provide a perimeter protection to said moving column. In still another embodiment an MPV may be guided to a position either manually or robotically. On said MPV there are only interceptor modules 113 that are remotely activated by a remote detection unit 111 and a related computing unit 112 as to secure friendly assets in a perimeter. In still another embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the protection unit 110 is stationary. Said protection unit scans via its detection unit 111 (not shown) a given terrain as to detect inbound missiles 141 aimed at friendly assets 125. Said friendly assets may be moving vehicles or stationary structures. Stationary interceptors 113 may be positioned at plurality of predetermined geographical locations (such as next to a border 170) as to achieve in very inexpensive way a very large scale a perimeter protection of friendly assets. Interceptors 113 may be positioned in large clusters as 33765/15 -7- to defeat an attempt to pierce said perimeter protection (such as border 170) by firing a large number of missiles to an exact point as to exhaust the interceptors supply. In a preferred embodiment, large charges, for example, 25 Kg of composite B and 20 Kg of rigid fragments, such as metal balls, may be positioned in known positions, wherein said charges might be angled towards the direction from which the inbound missile is expected to come, and when the system activates them as to destroy inbound missiles that are shot from hostile locations, for example, across the border line 170. The exact coordinates of each of the charges interceptors (charges)113 might be verified manually, for example, by use of GPS or surveying equipment, wherein said coordinates are fed into the computing unit 112 (not shown) of protecting system 110 as to enable it to timely activate one or more of the interceptors 113 (i.e., to detonate the charges). In still another embodiment, the location of the assets 125 may be detected using a detection unit such as radar, camera, etc., while said assets location data is conveyed to the computing unit 112 (not shown) within the respective protecting unit 110. Said radar may be mounted on the MPV 115, or externally thereof. In still another embodiment shown in Figs 4a, 4b, and 4c, a crucial battle zone problem is solved. In numerous events, soldiers in close quarter combat end up barricading themselves in a building. In events graphically depicted in the movie "Black Hawk Down", insurgents used RPG7 shoulder-mounted rockets to attack barricaded soldiers as the soldiers were unable to evacuate said compound in which they are besieged. As to secure a perimeter against shoulder mounted rockets, a portable interception unit 180 is provided to defeat incoming missiles. As shown in Fig. 4c (showing the cross section of the portable interception unit 180), the charge within the interception unit 180 is comprised of rigid particles 33765/15 -8- 181 (such as ball bearings), high explosive 182, and a detonation circuit (not shown). Said charge is associated with a small short range detection unit 183 (such as optical, electromagnetic, RF radar, etc.), which may be housed within the casing of portable unit 180, or external thereof - as shown in Fig. 4b which shows a protection unit 110 which operates centrally to control one or more of units 180a-180d. Upon detection of an incoming missile by a detection unit 183, a blast sequence is initiated, ejecting the rigid particles towards the incoming missile to render it ineffective. As shown in Fig. 4b, a single protection unit 180 may control and activate a plurality of portable interceptors 180, via a physical line or wireless (using communication units 123). In the case where a plurality of portable interceptors are associated with a single protection unit 110 (as shown in Fig. 4b), the interceptors might be scattered at a distance from one another. As activation of charges must coincide with an exact location of a charge in relevance with an incoming missile trajectory, the portable interceptors 180, as well as the central unit 110 (when exists) are equipped with a positioning unit 121, enabling the computing unit 112 (whether existing within the portable unit 180 or the central unit 110) to timely activate the blast sequence by the interceptors. ‐ 9 ‐ 274046/2

Claims (7)

1. System for protecting mobile or stationary objects from incoming missiles or rockets, which comprises: A. a mobile protection vehicle which comprises: a. a detection unit for detecting an incoming object; b. a computing unit for: (a) receiving information relating to the detection of said incoming object, and location information from said plurality of assets (b) calculating the trajectory of said incoming object, and (c) analyzing said information to timely activate one or more of interceptor modules to at least damage said incoming object; B. one or more assets, each comprising a positioning unit and a communication unit that are used for determining and transmitting, respectively a position data of each of said assets to said mobile protection unit.

2. A vehicle-carried interception device for protecting mobile assets from incoming missiles, the vehicle-carried interception device comprising an autonomous positioning controller for self-positioning of said vehicle-carried interception device in relation to said assets and an expected threat the vehicular interception device further configured to track the locations of a plurality of said mobile assets as said assets move, to move to a position to defend said mobile assets against threats, said position being selected based on said tracking and to intercept an incoming missile threatening any one of said plurality of mobile assets. ‐ 10 ‐ 274046/2

3. The interception device of claim 2, configured to track the location of at least one asset and to intercept an incoming missile threatening said asset.

4. The interception device of claim 3, configured to intercept an incoming missile threatening any one of said plurality of assets.

5. The interception device of claim 2 or claim 3, comprising a detection unit configured to detect incoming threats and a plurality of reaction units configured to intercept said incoming threats, and a control unit configured to select a best located reaction unit to react to a given incoming threat.

6. The interception device of any one of claims 2 to 5, comprising a plurality of control units and a plurality of reaction units configured to intercept said incoming threats, said control units configured to communicate with each other to select a best located reaction unit to react to a given incoming threat.

7. The interception device of any one of claims 2 to 6, further comprising a radar unit configured to detect incoming threats, said radar unit associated with one of said control units. Geoffrey Melnick Patent Attorney G.E. Ehrlich (1995) Ltd. 11 Menachem Begin Road 5268104 Ramat Gan