RU2361235C1 - Method of detecting and tracking low-flying targets - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: physics; measurement.

SUBSTANCE: invention can be used when designing air defence systems for detecting low-flying targets. The method can be effectively used in combat with military, drone helicopters, meant for destroying antiaircraft guided missile systems themselves.

EFFECT: provision for secret operation of radar stations, cutting on the number of radar stations and antiaircraft guided missile systems for detecting and tracking low-flying targets in the entire area of responsibility of antiaircraft guided missile systems through installation of self-contained optoelectronic systems on high ground, coasts and river beds, in ravines, which hinder detection of low-flying targets using a radar station and an onboard optoelectronic system.

3 dwg, 1 tbl

Description

Technical field

The invention relates to automation and computer technology and can be used to build systems and complexes of air defense of the tactical command link, namely to detect low-flying targets, which, disguised in the folds of the terrain, are designed to destroy the main armaments of air defense: mobile radar stations, mobile points control and mobile launchers.

State of the art

Known anti-aircraft missile system of tactical command (military), containing a mobile radar station, on-board electronic computer (Automated workstation of the air traffic control operator, patent of JSC NPP Rubin RU No. 22199586 C2, dated 20.12.03, MKI7 G06F 19/00 // G06F 165: 00, G08G 5/00, authors: O.L.Parkhomenko, A.D. Vasiliev, etc.).

The disadvantage of using the known complex (analogue) is to detect and track the target only with the help of radar stations operating in the active mode of signal emission, which leads to the detection of radar stations by the enemy and their destruction. This in turn leads to the loss of combat effectiveness of the anti-aircraft missile system or its destruction with the help of anti-radar missiles.

To increase the survivability of anti-aircraft missile systems, the operation of radar stations to detect targets at the maximum ranges of stations with their subsequent silence is necessary. But at the same time, the target will be lost to defeat its anti-aircraft missile system. The most difficult to detect targets include low-flying targets. In addition, low-flying targets designed to destroy anti-aircraft missile systems are, as a rule, unmanned combat helicopters. Unmanned combat helicopters are characterized by small size (not more than 2 m), low flight altitude (up to 0.5 m), variations in flight speed (from hovering up to 400 km / h), the use of small folds of terrain, riverbeds and streams, buildings and trees for secretive (from the radar beam) approaching a close distance to the anti-aircraft missile system (Tabachuk IS, Tashkeev L.L. Threats from extremely low altitudes. Magazine "Aerospace Defense" No. 1, 2007, p. .50-57). In fact, the location of such targets by ground-based radar stations, even in the active mode of constant radiation, is not successful.

A known method for detecting and tracking low-flying targets, in which the radar stations are located on the corresponding unmanned helicopters, which raise the position of the anti-aircraft missile system to a height of up to one kilometer, process on-board electronic computers radar signals from radar stations detect a low-flying target, azimuthal angles, distances to low-flying targets and elevation angles are calculated on board electronic computers (Tab Achuk I.S., Tashkeev L.L. Threats from Extremely Low Heights (Aerospace Defense, No. 1, pp. 50-57, 2007). The advantage of the method can be attributed to the confident detection of moving low-flying targets such as aircraft. Unmanned combat helicopters can hang at one point and change the direction of flight by 180 °. When using this method, the target will be detected only during its movement. The disadvantage is the active radiation mode of the signal from radar stations located on the corresponding unmanned helicopters and, as a result, their detection at long distances and destruction with the help of anti-radar missiles.

The closest in technical essence to the claimed, proposed invention (prototype) is a method for detecting and tracking low-flying targets, in which an anti-aircraft missile system on a land vehicle is installed in the air defense responsibility zone, radar signals from the radar are processed on an on-board electronic computer the stations detect a low-flying target at the border of the air defense responsibility zone, count on board In an electronic computer, azimuthal angles, distances to a low-flying target and elevation angles transmit this information to an on-board optoelectronic system mounted on an anti-aircraft missile system, thereby targeting an on-board optoelectronic system to a low-flying target, turn off a radar station, process video signals low-flying targets coming from the on-board optoelectronic system (Information system "Missile Technology": Anti-aircraft missile system "Avenger", Vasilin N.Ya., Gurevich A.L. Anti-aircraft missile systems. - Mn .: OOO "Potpourri", 2002 - 464 p.).

Modern short-range anti-aircraft missile systems, for example: Avenger of the American company Boeing Aerospace Company, Crotale NG of the French company Thales Air Defense, Pansyr-S1 (the customer of the development of the complex is the United Arab Emirates), development Instrument Design Bureau "Tula, - are designed to detect, track and destroy air targets, including low-flying targets, in the area of responsibility of the military air defense.

To successfully solve this problem by detecting targets at the extreme ranges of the radar stations and then keeping silent, the latest anti-aircraft missile systems are equipped with optoelectronic systems that without radiation from radio waves (like locators), in passive mode, in all weather conditions, at night and during the day, they allow, within line of sight, having received information about the target (azimuthal angles, distances to low-flying targets and elevation angles) from radar stations, to detect and track low-flying targets from redelnyh distances to the minimum distances to the launcher.

A distinctive feature of short-range anti-aircraft missile systems is the compact arrangement of the optoelectronic system, a radar station for viewing and target designation with a phased antenna array, on-board electronic computers, a launcher on a single land vehicle (automobile chassis). The complexes are equipped with communication equipment providing reception of information about target designation and display of the air situation coming from higher command posts of air defense.

Optoelectronic systems (using the Avenger anti-aircraft missile system as an example) consist of several devices: a CAI-562 optical range sight from CAI, a Magnavox AN / VLR-1 (or IR-18) thermal imager, and a laser rangefinder.

Thus, in the latest anti-aircraft missile systems there is an optical-electronic system that is rigidly connected (installed) with the launcher of the anti-aircraft missile system. Optoelectronic systems of foreign manufacturers have high characteristics in range, sensitivity and cannot be repeated by Russian manufacturers due to technological lag in this area.

The disadvantage of this method of detecting and tracking low-flying targets is that with a complex terrain microrelief for detecting and tracking a low-flying target, hiding from radar stations in the folds of the terrain and changing its direction of movement (unmanned combat helicopters) when radiation is detected from a radar station, a very large the number of optoelectronic systems or the equal number of anti-aircraft missile systems to provide control over all areas of the surface STI land, out of direct sight of electro-optical systems located at every anti-aircraft missiles. Such a design decision to deploy an optoelectronic system was obviously made by analogy with the placement of a radar station directly on a mobile land vehicle together with a launcher to ensure autonomous combat effectiveness of one anti-aircraft missile system. It should be noted that the cost of a radar station is 5-10 times higher than the cost of an optoelectronic system. The cost of the anti-aircraft missile system itself is 100-1000 times higher than the cost of the optoelectronic system.

Therefore, the technical solution for using optoelectronic systems installed on anti-aircraft missile systems to provide control over all parts of the earth’s surface that are closed from the direct visibility of these optoelectronic systems is clearly not effective.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The proposed method for detecting and tracking low-flying targets makes it possible to detect and track low-flying targets behind all the irregularities of the earth's surface, including engineering structures and vegetation (trees), while the detection is carried out by a minimum number of optoelectronic systems installed on anti-aircraft missile systems. The method allows to detect targets at distant approaches to the standing point of even one anti-aircraft missile system using its radar station, put the station into silent mode and then detect and track a low-flying target in the entire area of responsibility of the anti-aircraft missile system. This increases the reliability and secrecy of air defense.

In the known method for detecting and tracking low-flying targets, an anti-aircraft missile system on a land vehicle is installed in the air defense responsibility zone, radar signals from the radar station are processed on the on-board electronic computer, a low-flying target is detected at the border of the air defense responsibility zone, and they are counted on the airborne electronic computer azimuthal angles, distances to low-flying targets and elevation angles, Pass the information on the optoelectronic system installed on anti-aircraft missile system, thereby orient optoelectronic system for low-flying target, disable radar, low-flying targets processed video signals coming from the on-board opto-electronic system.

The aim of this invention is to solve a new scientific and technical problem, namely the detection and tracking of a low-flying target at distant approaches to the position of the anti-aircraft missile system, ensuring the secrecy of the radar stations, reducing the number of radar stations and anti-aircraft missile systems for detecting and tracking a low-flying target in the entire area of responsibility of anti-aircraft missile systems, for which (m≥1) remote optoelectronic systems are installed on hills, banks and in rivers, in ravines that prevent the detection of a low-flying target using a radar station and an on-board optoelectronic system, calculate on the on-board electronic computer the directions of the possible appearance of a low-flying target for each remote optoelectronic system, aim the remote optoelectronic systems at the calculated directions of occurrence low-flying targets, process video signals of low-flying targets on electronic computers of remote optoelectronic systems, transmit azimuth angles, distances to a low-flying target and elevation angles from m optoelectronic systems to an on-board electronic computer of an anti-aircraft missile system, thereby detecting and accompanying a low-flying target within the entire area of responsibility of the air defense.

A method for detecting and tracking low-flying targets can be implemented so that an anti-aircraft missile system on a land vehicle is installed in the air defense responsibility zone, (m≥1) remote optoelectronic systems are installed on hills, banks and in river beds, in ravines, that impede the detection of a low-flying target using a radar station and an on-board optoelectronic system, are processed on an on-board electronic computer of an anti-aircraft missile system of a radar The signals received from the radar station detect a low-flying target at the border of the air defense responsibility zone, calculate azimuthal angles, distances to a low-flying target and elevation angles on an on-board electronic computer, transmit this information to an on-board optoelectronic system mounted on an anti-aircraft missile complex, thereby aiming the on-board optoelectronic system at a low-flying target, turn off the radar station, process the low-flying video signals targets coming from the on-board optoelectronic system calculate the directions of the possible appearance of a low-flying target on an on-board electronic computer for each remote optoelectronic system, aim the remote optoelectronic systems at the calculated directions of the appearance of a low-flying target, process the video signals of the low-flying target on electronic computers remote optoelectronic systems transmit azimuthal angles, distances to low-flying targets and elevation angles from m optoelectronic systems anti-aircraft missile system electronic on-board computer, thereby detecting and tracking a low-flying target within the entire air defense responsibility zone.

The task of detecting and tracking low-flying targets was solved without the use of a large number of anti-aircraft missile systems, which include on-board optoelectronic systems, since the dangerous flight paths of low-flying targets are blocked for detection not by whole sets of anti-aircraft missile systems, but by their components - remote optoelectronic systems. In addition, remote optoelectronic systems are remote from the systems and are close to possible, convenient for realizing a low-flying target hidden from the locators, to a defense object or anti-aircraft missile system, therefore, the requirements for the target detection range and the resolution of remote optoelectronic systems, its sensitivity can be reduced in comparison with similar characteristics of onboard foreign optoelectronic systems installed on foreign anti-aircraft missile systems.

A significant drawback in the use of the design (line-up) of modern anti-aircraft missile systems has been eliminated, causing difficulties in their use for combating low-flying targets, consisting in the inability to separate the optoelectronic systems from the systems and bringing them closer to dangerous (invisible locator) areas remote from the systems terrain, which can be used by low-flying aircraft to break through the air defense of the tactical command link.

To detect and track low-flying targets, it is proposed to use, in addition to optoelectronic systems located (fixed) on anti-aircraft missile systems, remote (additional) optoelectronic systems that must be mobile, mobile and autonomous both in energy supply and processing information about goals. These optoelectronic systems should be used primarily to solve the assigned tactical and technical combat mission.

List of drawings

Figure 1 depicts (conditionally) a diagram of the air defense system of the object, designated: anti-aircraft missile system 1, remote optoelectronic system 2, low-flying target 3 (unmanned combat helicopter).

Figure 2 shows the (conditionally) anti-aircraft missile system 1, designated: land vehicle 4, launcher 5, radar station 6, on-board optoelectronic system 7, on-board satellite navigation system 8, on-board electronic computer 9.

Figure 3 shows a diagram of a remote optoelectronic system 7, marked: satellite navigation system 10, drive 11, optical range 12, thermal imager 13, laser range finder 14, electronic computer 15, radio modem 16, stand-alone power supply unit 17, radio station 18 .

An example embodiment of the invention

A method for detecting and tracking low-flying targets is implemented as follows. Let’s explain the operations: “... an anti-aircraft missile system on a land vehicle is installed in the air defense responsibility zone, (m≥1) remote optoelectronic systems are installed on hills, banks and in river beds, in ravines that prevent the detection of a low-flying target by radar stations and on-board optoelectronic systems. " The calculation (crew) of the military anti-aircraft missile system 1, or the military unit (platoon, company) of anti-aircraft missile systems 1, receives a combat mission for the defense of the object and a digital map of the area (conditionally shown in figure 1). Employees of the headquarters indicate on this map the coordinates of the standing point of the anti-aircraft missile system 1, the boundaries of the defense object, the coordinates of the installation points of the remote optoelectronic systems 2, the invisibility zone of the terrain sections of the radar station 6 and the onboard optoelectronic system 7 (from the military anti-aircraft missile system complex 1, see figure 2), the boundary of the zone of responsibility of the anti-aircraft missile complex 1. The coordinates of the installation points of the remote optoelectronic systems 2 are determined in such a way as to make the zones invisible terrain stations by radar station 6 and on-board optoelectronic system 7. Based on this, the calculation of the anti-aircraft missile system 1 receives the required number of remote optoelectronic systems 2. The anti-aircraft missile system 1 is transported to the defense object by transport helicopter or aircraft (over long distances ) or reaches it on its own using a land vehicle 4. On a digital map of the area loaded into the on-board electronic computer 9, and using the on-board system In the morning navigation 8 there is a standing point at which the calculation deploys the anti-aircraft missile system 1 and checks the operation of the launcher 5, the radar station 6, the on-board optoelectronic system 7. At this time, the remote optoelectronic systems 2 (in Fig. 1 three pieces) are delivered by vehicle or on their own to the areas of the installation points, the coordinates of which are recorded in advance in the memory of electronic computers 15 remote optical-electronic systems 2. The autonomous unit is switched on power supply 17 and the installation coordinates of each remote optoelectronic system 2 are determined automatically using a satellite navigation system 10. Personnel must visually check the visibility range of the remote optoelectronic system 2 with the zone indicated on the paper printout of the digital map and adjust the position of the optoelectronic installation point system 2. These coordinates are determined by the satellite navigation system 10, are recorded in an electronic computer 15, which (at the command of the staff) through the radio mode 16, the radio station 18 transmits them to the onboard electronic computer 9 anti-aircraft missile complex 1. Thus, the coordinates are specified setpoints optoelectronic systems 2 (in this example m = 3).

During the installation of optoelectronic systems 2, the anti-aircraft missile system 1 uses a radar station 6, the on-board optoelectronic system 7 and scans the space of the area of responsibility, detection and tracking of air targets in accordance with a known method.

Let’s explain the operations: “... they process radar signals coming from a radar station on an on-board electronic computer of an anti-aircraft missile complex, detect a low-flying target at the border of the air defense responsibility zone, calculate azimuthal angles, distances to a low-flying target and elevation angles on an on-board electronic computer transmit this information to the on-board optoelectronic system installed on the anti-aircraft missile system, thereby aiming the on-board optoelectronic electronic system for a low-flying target ... ".

Suppose that after the installation of remote optoelectronic systems 2, the radar station 6 receives a radar signal about a low-flying target 3 (an unmanned combat helicopter in Fig. 1) or a superior air defense link transmits to the military unit information about the approach direction of the air attack weapon. The information enters the on-board electronic computer 9, which calculates the azimuthal angles, the distance to the low-flying target 3 and elevation angles. The processing results are transmitted to the actuators of the launcher 5, which occupies a position in space corresponding to the direction of the low-flying target 3 with the necessary lead. The on-board optoelectronic system 7, mounted on the launcher 5, also takes a direction to the low-flying target 3. Using the drive, the focal lengths of the optical range sight and thermal imager (not shown in Fig. 2) from the on-board optoelectronic system 7 are adjusted.

Let’s explain the operations: “... turn off the radar station, process the low-flying target video signals coming from the on-board optical-electronic system ...”

After capturing a low-flying target 3 at large distances (up to 30-50 km) in the radar station 6, the signal emission mode (active mode) is turned off to ensure the secrecy of the anti-aircraft missile system 1 from enemy radio reconnaissance equipment and anti-radar missiles with homing heads.

Maintenance of low-flying target 3 in this period of time is carried out only using the on-board optoelectronic system 7, which at large distances can only be successful if the altitude of low-flying target 3 is more than 100 m. Video, thermal images of low-flying target 3 are processed in the on-board electronic computer machine 9, reconciliation with images and characteristics of goals from the catalog of possible goals. At the same time, a request to the target by the “friend or foe” system is possible to clarify ownership.

Let us explain the operations: “... they calculate on the on-board electronic computer the directions of the possible occurrence of a low-flying target for each remote optoelectronic system, aim the remote optoelectronic systems at the calculated directions of the appearance of a low-flying target ...”.

The on-board electronic computer 9 calculates the flight path of the target and calculates the directions of the possible occurrence of a low-flying target 3 for each remote optoelectronic system 2. Next, information on directions (azimuthal angles) is transmitted to the radio station 18, radio modem 16 through the radio modem and radio station of the anti-aircraft missile complex 1 and an electronic computer 15, which through the drive 11 aims (deploys) an optical range sight 12 and a thermal imager 13 in the direction of the possible appearance of a low-flying target and 3. Using the drive 11, the focal lengths of the sight of the optical range 12 and the thermal imager 13 of the remote optoelectronic system 2 are adjusted to the estimated distances of the appearance of the low-flying target 3 (see Fig. 3).

Let’s explain the operations: “... they process video signals of a low-flying target on electronic computers of remote optoelectronic systems, transmit azimuthal angles, distances to a low-flying target and elevation angles from m optoelectronic systems to an on-board electronic computer of an anti-aircraft missile system ...”

In Fig. 1, a low-flying target 3 (an unmanned combat helicopter) tries along the bottom of the ravine, along the stream to reach the attack position of the anti-aircraft missile system 1 and hit it at close range with a rocket. At the bend of the stream is a remote optoelectronic system 2, aimed at the lower reaches of the stream. Depending on the time of day, it detects a low-flying target 3. In the dark, using optical sight 12 and a thermal imager 13, it detects a low-flying target 3. In the dark, video is processed, thermal images of a low-flying target 3 in an on-board electronic computer 15, and reconciled with the images and characteristics of the targets from the catalog of possible goals. The laser range finder 14 measures the distance to the low-flying target 3. Using drive 11, the sensors of the remote optoelectronic system 2 are rotated by the necessary angles to accompany the low-flying target 3. On the electronic computer 15, the characteristics of the low-flying target 3 are calculated: azimuthal angles, distance to the low-flying goals 3 and elevation, speed and acceleration. These characteristics are transmitted through the radio modem 16, the radio station 18 to the on-board electronic computer 9 of the anti-aircraft missile system 1, the calculation of which prepares for firing and destroys the low-flying target 3.

Thus, the method for detecting and tracking low-flying targets has three stages of implementation:

- the radar station 6 detects a low-flying target 3 on the border of the zone of responsibility of the air defense;

- the on-board optoelectronic system 7 accompanies the low-flying target 3 at distant approaches to the standing point of the anti-aircraft missile system 1;

- the on-board optoelectronic system 7 and remote optoelectronic systems 2 support the low-flying target 3 at the middle and near approaches to the standing point of the anti-aircraft missile system 1, including in the invisibility zones of the terrain for the radar station 6 and on-board optoelectronic system 7.

The low-flying target 3, shown in the right corner of figure 1, reaches a convenient position for firing at anti-aircraft missile system 1, circling the forest along its edge, and has many chances to complete the task. This indicates the need to develop a geo-informational approach to the determination and calculation of the boundaries of the invisibility zones of terrain areas by the radar station 6 and the on-board optoelectronic system 7 by using automated automated processing of current large-scale satellite images of the earth’s surface. These images contain up-to-date information on vegetation, buildings and terrain.

One of the most important conditions for the practical implementation of the method is the correct choice or design of a remote optoelectronic system 2, to which the following technical requirements can be presented:

- powered by an autonomous source (battery or gas generator) and, as a result, a limitation on energy consumption;

- small dimensions and weight to ensure convenient delivery to the installation point over rough terrain and to ensure stealth (camouflage on the ground);

- the range (detection and tracking) of a low-flying target is at least 5 km for an optical sight 12, a thermal imager 13, a laser rangefinder 14;

- viewing angle 20 of the horizon (G) not less than 180 °;

- viewing angle 20 vertically (B) at least 120 °;

- target tracking speed (V _c ) at least 60 deg / s;

- acceleration of tracking the target (a _c ) at least 100 deg / s ² ;

-the range of operating temperatures (Δt _p ) from -50 ° C to + 50 ° C;

- requirements for stabilization of the line of sight are not presented (static working position of the device).

In military aviation (airplanes, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles) practically and in most modern products they use the main components of optoelectronic systems 2 (optical range 12, thermal imager 13, laser rangefinder 14), which are characterized by the smallest dimensions, energy consumption, weight . The table shows the characteristics of aviation optoelectronic systems of Russian and foreign production. (Volkov V.G. Aviation night vision devices. Special equipment. No. 3, p. 2-20. No. 4, p. 2-12, 2006)

A comparison of the characteristics of aviation optical-electronic systems of domestic and foreign manufacturers shows the lag of domestic products in size, weight and other technical characteristics, which confirms the relevance of solving the problem of detecting and tracking low-flying targets in a systematic way. From the list of domestic products, in accordance with the advanced technical requirements, for the construction of remote optoelectronic systems 2 (as a basis), you can choose the product GOES520. The GOES520 product contains a gyrostabilized platform on which an optical range sight 12 and a thermal imager 13 are installed. Design modification of the product is required to exclude the platform, since remote optoelectronic systems 2 work only after installation on the ground, towers, roofs of buildings or tall trees, which eliminates gyrostabilization requirements. Thus, the weight of the optoelectronic system 2 can be reduced several times to the necessary values that ensure mobility requirements.

To move the optoelectronic systems 2 to the installation points, helicopters, motorcycles and other vehicles can be used.

Thus, the method for detecting and tracking low-flying targets can be practically implemented using existing domestic hardware and software or by using the available hardware, provided that their weight and size characteristics are reduced.

Industrial applicability

The proposed method for detecting and tracking low-flying targets at distant approaches to the position of the anti-aircraft missile system ensures the secrecy of the radar stations, reduces the number of radar stations and anti-aircraft missile systems for detecting and tracking a low-flying target in the entire area of responsibility of anti-aircraft missile systems by installing remote optical -electronic systems on hills, banks and in river beds, in ravines that impede the detection of low-flying targets using adiolokatsionnoy station and on-board opto-electronic system.

The method can be effectively applied to combat low-flying combat, unmanned helicopters designed to destroy the anti-aircraft missile systems themselves.

Claims (1)

A method for detecting and tracking low-flying targets, in which an anti-aircraft missile system on a land vehicle is installed in the air defense responsibility zone, radar signals from a radar station are processed on an on-board electronic computer, a low-flying target is found at the border of the air defense responsibility zone, they are counted on on-board electronic computer azimuthal angles, distances to low-flying targets and elevation angles, n This information is transmitted to the on-board optoelectronic system mounted on the anti-aircraft missile system, thereby aiming the on-board optoelectronic system at a low-flying target, the radar station is turned off, the video signals of the low-flying target coming from the on-board optoelectronic system are processed, characterized in that (m≥1) remote optoelectronic systems are installed on hills, banks and in river beds, in ravines that prevent the detection of a low-flying target using a radar station and board a new optical-electronic system, calculate the directions of the possible appearance of a low-flying target on an on-board electronic computer for each remote optical-electronic system, aim the remote optical-electronic systems at the calculated directions of the appearance of a low-flying target, process video signals of a low-flying target on electronic computers of the remote optical-electronic systems, transmit azimuthal angles, distances to low-flying targets and elevation angles from m optoelectronic systems to on-board electrical hydrochloric computing machine anti-aircraft missile complex, thereby detecting and tracking low-flying goal in the entire area of responsibility of air defense.

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