WO2009098180A1

WO2009098180A1 - Method for guiding a torpedo attack

Info

Publication number: WO2009098180A1
Application number: PCT/EP2009/051145
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gerrit Plümecke
Original assignee: Atlas Elektronik Gmbh
Priority date: 2008-02-07
Filing date: 2009-02-02
Publication date: 2009-08-13
Also published as: DE102008007851B3

Abstract

A method is provided for guiding a torpedo attack initiated from a platform, in particular a submarine boat, said attack comprising a group of multiple torpedoes (11) aimed at a target complex, each of said torpedoes carrying a torpedo sonar (13), wherein directionally-selective target noises received by the torpedo sonars (13) are sent to the control center (15) and represented there as spectra, and wherein battle targets are assigned to the individual torpedoes (11) by the control center (15). In order to provide the operator with an easy-to-follow and trackable overview of the battle situation with regard to the individual targets acquired by the torpedoes (11) so that he can monitor and correct individual assignments for each torpedo (11), an arbitrary target noise out of all the target noises received in a directionally-selective manner by the torpedo sonar (13) of the torpedo (11) is selected for target assignment, and the spectrum of the selected target noise is represented as a torpedo spectrogram in a color characteristic for the torpedo (11). The torpedo spectra of all torpedoes (11) are represented in a common spectrogram which is continuously updated.

Description

METHOD FOR LEADING A TORPEDO ATTACK

The invention relates to a method for conducting a torpedo attack launched from a platform, in particular from a submarine, according to the preamble of claim 1.

In a known torpedo guidance method of this type (EP 0 115 044 B1), a target complex is targeted with a platform sonar installed on the platform, and the positions of the torpedo starting at the target complex, together with the bearing line to the target complex, are continuously displayed in a combat position display. The single-target bearings of the torpedo-ons of the torpedoes approaching the target complex are represented as bearing beams emanating from the current torpedo position. Signals from target bearings of a torpedo-sonar are compared with the signals of the boron-sonar or a torpedo-sonar of another torpedo, and if coincident, a signal tag is displayed in association with at least one of the bearing beams. This gives the operator valuable insight into the structure of the target complex and the positions of the torpedoes in the battlefield display, so that he can make decisions for the design of the torpedo attack easier. In order to prevent two or more torpedoes from starting at the same destination, signals received from target locations of two torpedo-onsignals are compared with one another at the central station. For the comparison, the signals can be processed in a variety of ways and represented, for example, as spectra or partial spectra of the signals or as demodulated partial spectra. In the battle position display, if a match of the signals is detected, the target mark is displayed at the intersection of the two outgoing beams emanating from the positions of the torpedoes. Thus, the battle position indicator allows a decision as to which of the two torpedoes should attack the target and which is excluded from the attack. The decision is made by the operator in the control center, who activates the torpedo by releasing the self-steering for attack.

The invention is based on the object in a torpedo attack with a large number of torpedoes, which are fired at a targeted target complex, to continuously give the operator an easily manageable and traceable overview of the individual objectives covered by the torpedo so that the operator can assign a single target for each Monitor the torpedo and, if necessary, correct it by manual intervention.

The object is achieved by the features in claim 1.

The method according to the invention has the advantage of providing the operator with an aid for controlling the fired torpedoes in a torpedo attack on a target complex with a cluster of torpedoes and each of the torpedoes having its own target within the target complex assign. With the usual battle situation representation is by the continuous display of the current positions of the torpedoes along with the torpedo-onarial target sightings, the battlefield at launch of a torpedo salvo very confusing. By dispensing with such a representation and by the introduction according to the invention of a continuous, colored reproduction of the selected target noises as so-called torpedo spectra over the time of the torpedo attack in a so-called waterfall representation, it is easily recognizable to the operator which spectrums differ significantly and thus unambiguous assignments Torpedoes each consist of a target of the target complex. Forming in the common spectrogram of all torpedo spectra, also called sum sonograms, mixed colors that deviate from the colors assigned to the torpedoes, this shows that two or more torpedoes are connected to the same individual target and the operator now has to take corrective action. Due to the shortly before the actual attack phase, the so-called homing, vornehmbaren pairings of one torpedo each with a goal and the ability to quickly correct a false pairing optimal combat use is guaranteed with an optimum use of the available combat power. Compared to known methods, the efficiency of the use of weapons is significantly increased and the tactical binding of the platform significantly shortened in time, so that the next attack can be prepared by this already. All torpedoes can be monitored and guided from a single control panel.

Advantageous embodiments of the method according to the invention with advantageous developments and embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the other claims. In accordance with an advantageous embodiment of the method, all torpedo spectra are subjected to a cross-correlation and an autocorrelation, and in each case the correlation maximum is determined and displayed. The correlation maximum as a measure for the existing match of the torpedo spectra will result in the measure "1" for the autocorrelation.With matching target noise, the correlation maximum of the cross correlation will be close to "1" and close to "0" if the match is low or not Correlation function and the display of the correlation maximum, the operator can easily distinguish whether a target is assigned to only one torpedo or two or more torpedoes start the same target.The operator can intervene and release the self-steering of both torpedoes, if the torpedoes have understood different goals, or at Conceiving the same objective, one Torpedo on the target and assign the other Torpedo another destination.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, for each torpedo in an analysis image of the torpedo determined target bearings are displayed as the bearing angle φ associated symbols and displayed the symbol for the destination assigned targeting in the color characteristic of the torpedo. By representing the target bearings of each torpedo sonar in the analysis image, the operator obtains useful auxiliary information on the target complex geometry despite the occurrence of significant position deviations from the suspected torpedo runways in the course of their approach to the target complex. Due to the colors of the symbols, which are identical to the torpedo spectra the assigned targeting is clarified which of the target bearings of the torpedo son represents the goal assigned to the torpedo, thus representing the target contact of the torpedo, and which torpedo spectrum in the sum spectrogram or sum sonogram belongs to the target contact of the respective torpedo.

The invention is described in more detail below with reference to an embodiment illustrated in the drawing. Each show in a schematic representation

1 shows a scenario of a target complex directed torpedo attack with a torpedo well in plan view,

2 shows a block diagram of a control unit installed on a platform, connected to the torpedoes of the torpedo cluster via data lines,

3 on a screen in the center shown analysis images with target bearings of the torpedoes,

4 each a sum spectrogram of

Torpedo spectra for two different scenarios.

FIG. 1 schematically shows a scenario of a torpedo attack with a cluster of four torpedoes 11 on a target complex consisting of six individual targets 12 at a time before the torpedoes 11 are released on self-steering with so-called homing in plan view shown. For the purpose of distinction, the torpedoes 11 are designated by the letters A, B, C and D and the targets by Z1, Z2, Z3, Z4, Z5 and Z6. The four torpedoes 11 have been launched at a great distance from the target complex of a platform, such as a submarine, towards the target complex. The target complex had previously been passively sighted by a Bordsonar installed on the platform, with the bearing capturing the acoustic focus of the target complex. All torpedoes 11 are equipped with a torpedo sonar 13, which receive directionally selective target noise in a known manner and the receiving direction of the target noise as a bearing angle φ, measured against the torpedo axis, deliver. The torpedo sonar 13 is connected via a data line 14, preferably a glass fiber, to a central station 15 installed on the platform. From the center 15 of the torpedo attack is controlled and monitored. As is not further illustrated in the block diagram of FIG. 2, an operator has the option of influencing the steering of the torpedoes 11 by means of steering signals transmitted via the data line 14 and switching the torpedoes 11 to self-steering after destination assignment, after which the torpedoes with the aid of their torpedo sonar 13 autonomously start the assigned destination.

The torpedo-sonars 13 form directional characteristics under predetermined receiving directions, so-called preformed beams, and are able to simultaneously grasp and aim several targets within reach of the torpedo sonar 13. If these targets lie in different beams of the torpedo-sonar 13, then they can be separated from one another directionally and a destination direction, the so-called bearing angle φ, can be assigned to each target. In the in Fig. 1 illustrated scenario, in which the target complex consisting of six targets 12 is detected by the torpedo nacelles 13 of the four torpedoes 11, the torpedo sonar 13 of the torpedo A, the targets Zl to Z4 under four different bearing angles φ, the torpedo B, the targets Z2, Z3, Z4 and Z5 under four different bearing angles φ, the torpedo C, the targets Z3, Z4 and Z5 under two different bearing angles φ and the torpedo D, the targets Z5 and Z6 at two different bearing angles φ. The target bearings are shown in Fig. 1 by DF beams. The bearing angles of the torpedo sonar 13 of the torpedo C are represented as representative of the bearing angles φ of the torpedo-sonar. Thus, the target Z3 is aimed at the bearing angle -φc3, the target Z4 at the bearing angle -φ _C 4, and the target Z5 at the bearing angle + φ _C s. Correspondingly, the bearing angles φ of the torpedo-sonar 13 of torpedo A would carry the indices A1 to A4, of torpedo B the indices B2 to B5 and of torpedo D the indices D5 and D6. The target bearings of the torpedo-sonars 13 are transmitted via the data lines 14 to the "target bearings" block 16 in the central station 15. In the block 16, the target bearings are graphically processed into an analysis image for the torpedo 11. These analysis images of the torpedoes 11 are shown in FIG 1 is shown by way of example in Fig. 1. The analysis images are presented on a screen 20 to the operator.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the target bearings of the torpedo-sonars 13 for each torpedo A to D are shown in association with the bearing angle φ with a circle symbol. For example, the torpedo sonar 13 of the torpedo A aims at targets the bearing angle φ of -20 °, -12.5 °, 0 ° and + 12.5 ° and the torpedo sonar 13 of the torpedo D at the bearing angles φ of -7.5 ° and + 10 °.

Based on the analysis images, the operator assigns each torpedo 11 one of the six targeted targets 12. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the operator has assigned to the torpedo A the target Z.sub.l targeted at .phi. = -20.degree., The torpedo B the target Z.sub.4 targeted at .phi. = -12.5.degree., The torpedo C the target under .phi. = - 21.5 ° targeted Z4 and the torpedo D assigned under φ = -1.5 ° target Z5 assigned. Each assigned target 12 receives a changed symbol in the analysis image by the assignment, in the example of FIG. 3 a square. At the same time each torpedo 11 is assigned a characteristic color. So the torpedo A the color "green", the torpedo B the color "red", the torpedo C the color "yellow" and the torpedo D the color "blue". The square symbol representing the assigned target is assigned the color associated with the respective torpedo 11. This is symbolically indicated in Fig. 3 with the color information "GREEN", "RED", "YELLOW", "BLUE".

If the torpedo-sonars 13 of the torpedoes 11 are connected to the selected targets 12, then the target noises perceived by the connected targets 12 are transmitted via the data lines 14 to the central station 15. In block 17 "target noise processing", the target noises of the individual torpedo sonars 13 are pre-processed and demodulated, and in the "DEMON analysis" block the spectra of the demodulated target noises are formed. For this purpose, the envelope or envelope of the target noise delivered by the torpedo-sonar 13 is examined with regard to its frequency content and the frequency spectrum is calculated. An example of a DEMON analysis circuit can be found in EP 0 213 541 B1. Each spectrum is superimposed on the color characteristic of the torpedo 11 and the colored spectrum is output as a torpedo spectrum. All torpedo spectra are combined into a summation spectrogram or sum sonogram, in which the different colored spectral lines of all torpedo spectra are contained. Assuming that the targets 11 of a target complex have distinguishable target noise frequencies, which is usually the case for ship consoles composed of different types of ships, and the torpedoes 11 are each assigned only one target 12, the coloration makes the various torpedo spectra clearly distinguishable from one another. The summation spectrogram calculated in successive time points is visualized in chronological succession on the screen 20 in a so-called waterfall representation, wherein the sum spectra calculated over a certain period of time at successive times are simultaneously visible on the screen 20. In the case of the waterfall representation, the operator immediately recognizes, on the basis of this type of representation of the target noise spectra, whether optimum guidance of the torpedoes has been carried out or not.

FIG. 4 shows in simplified form a summation spectrogram of the four torpedo spectra at a specific point in time, with only the spectral lines of the fundamental frequencies of the torpedo spectra being shown for the sake of clarity. In the summation spectrogram shown in FIG. 4 b, the colors of all four torpedoes 11 are represented and belong to different frequencies. So the torpedo A (GREEN) is on a target with the fundamental frequency fi, the torpedo B (RED) is switched to a target with the frequency f ₃ , the torpedo C (YELLOW) to a target with the fundamental frequency f ₄ and the torpedo D (BLUE) to a target with the fundamental frequency f ₅ . By contrast, in the summation spectrogram in Fig. 4a it can be seen that the colors "red" and "yellow" of the torpedoes B and C are not contained in the spectrogram, but a spectral line of the color "ORANGE" occurs at a fundamental frequency f ₄ in that the two torpedoes B and C are probably connected to the same target at the fundamental frequency f ₄ .

To facilitate target separation for the operator, each torpedo spectrum is correlated with itself and with the remaining torpedo spectra at block 19 "Correlation." The autocorrelation maxima and cross correlation maxima are determined and displayed on the screen in association with the respective torpedo 11 in the analysis image, such as this is schematized in Fig. 3. In the case of the torpedo A, the torpedo spectrum (green) is correlated with itself, the autocorrelation function always giving the measure "1". The autocorrelation maximum is shown in the analysis image of the torpedo A in the corresponding size in association with the target symbol in the color "green" at the bearing angle φ Since these torpedo spectra do not match the torpedo spectra of torpedo A, the measure of the cross-correlation function will be close to "0", in any event being significantly less than the autocorrelation function of the torpedo spectrum of torpedo A. This three cross-correlation maxima are in the analysis image of the torpedo A respectively with a size corresponding to their size each represented in the color on the bearing angle φ, which corresponds to the color of each used for cross-correlation torpedo spectrum of the other torpedo. Thus, in the analysis image of the torpedo A, the three cross-correlation functions are displayed in the size of the respectively determined correlation maximum in the colors "red", "yellow" and "blue" on the symbol for the target "GREEN".

In the same way, the torpedo spectra of the torpedoes B, C and D are correlated with themselves and with the other torpedo spectra and the correlation maxima are displayed in the same way. In the cross-correlation of the torpedo spectrum of the torpedo B (ROT) with the torpedo spectrum of the torpedo C (YELLOW) results in a

Cross correlation function, whose correlation maximum is only slightly smaller than "1", since the two torpedo spectra largely coincide The cross correlation maximum is about the same size as the autocorrelation maximum and is shown in the analysis image of the torpedo B in the color of the torpedo C, ie "yellow". In the same way results in the correlation of the torpedo spectrum of the torpedo C (YELLOW) with the torpedo spectrum of the torpedo B (RED)

Cross correlation maximum, which is close to "1" and thus in the analysis image of the torpedo C is shown in about the same size as the autocorrelation maximum of the torpedo spectrum of the torpedo C. The cross correlation maximum is shown in the color "red" of the torpedo B. Based on the representation of the correlation maxima in the analysis image of the torpedo B, the operator recognizes that the torpedo C (YELLOW) is connected to the same destination as the torpedo B (RED). Similarly, in the analysis image of the torpedo C is easy to see that the torpedo C (YELLOW) the same goal As in the representation of the correlation maxima, the cross-correlation maxima of the cross-correlation function of the torpedo spectra of torpedoes C and B appear in the color "red." As can be seen from Fig. 4a, in this constellation the assignment is missing of targets 12 and torpedoes 11 in the sum spectrogram spectral lines with the color "red" and "yellow", and at a frequency f ₄ occurs a spectral line with a mixed color here "orange" on. The operator also recognizes in the summing spectrogram that the two torpedoes B (RED) and C (YELLOW) are assigned to the same target.

The operator now has to take corrective action and assign one of the torpedoes B or C a different target. For example, the torpedo B is now assigned the target detected at the bearing angle φ = -30 °. In the analysis image of the torpedo B, the symbol entered under this bearing angle is now converted from a circle into a quadrilateral and displayed in "RED." The sum spectrogram in FIG. 4a thus changes in the manner illustrated in FIG Summing Spectrogram illustrates that each torpedo 11 now has its own destination assigned to it, and the torpedo B and Torpedo C torpedo spectra cross-correlation function would give a cross-correlation maximum close to "0" because the target noise is no longer consistent. Referring to the scenario illustrated in FIG. 1, the summation spectrogram shown in simplified form in FIG. 4b would correspond to a combat situation in which the target Z1 is the torpedo A, the target Z3 the torpedo B, the target Z4 the torpedo C and the target the torpedo D. Assigned to Z5. The goals Z2 and Z6 are not combated for lack of further torpedoes 11.

Claims

ATLASELEKTRONIKG mb HBremenPATENTANSPRÜCHE

1. A method of routing a torpedo attack launched from a platform, in particular a submarine, comprising a cluster of a plurality of torpedoes (11) running to a target complex, each of which is connected via a data line (14) to a center (FIG. 15) connected torpedo-sonar (13), in which of the torpedo-sonar (13) directionally received target noise to the center (15) transmitted and displayed there as spectra and from the control center (15) the individual torpedoes individual targets (12) from the target complex to combat be assigned, characterized in that for the assignment of a target (12) to a torpedo (11) of one of the total of the torpedo (13) of the torpedo (11) directionally selectively received target noise selected arbitrarily and the spectrum of the selected target noise in one for the Torpedo (11) characteristic color is represented as a torpedo spectrum and that the torpedo spectra of all torpedoes (11) i n be presented in a common spectrogram, which is continuously updated.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the continuously updated spectrogram is added to the respective previously shown spectrograms.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, characterized in that all torpedo spectra are subjected to a cross-correlation with each other and in each case the correlation maximum is determined and displayed.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that all torpedo spectra are subjected to an autocorrelation and the autocorrelation maxima are determined and displayed for comparison with the cross-correlation maxima.

5. The method according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that for each torpedo (11) in an analysis image of the torpedo sonar (13) certain target bearings as the bearing angle (φ) associated symbols are displayed, and that the symbol assigned to the target Target bearing is shown in the characteristic of the torpedo (11) color.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that the representation of the autocorrelation maxima and the Kreuzkorrelationsmaxima in the analysis images of the torpedoes (11) is made.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that the representation of the auto and Kreuzkorrelationsmaxima is made in a size corresponding to the size of each maximum size.

8. The method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the representation of Autocorrelationsmaxima is made in the characteristic of the torpedoes colors.

9. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the representation of the Kreuzkorrelationsmaxima in an analysis image of a torpedo (11) is made in each case in the color, the color of each used for cross-correlation torpedo spectrum of another torpedo

(11) corresponds.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the spectrum of the envelope of the target noise is calculated as spectra of the target noise.