Method and defence system for combating threats

Abstract

It is proposed to make a threat (2) better visible for a defensive measure (3). In this context, the threat (2) should be imaged more intensely for the defensive measure (3). For the purposes of more effective imaging, provision is made for the threat (2) to emit a stronger IR signature and thus be able to stand out sufficiently against the background for the defensive measure (3). The stronger IR signature is caused by heating a surface (9) of the threat (2), which is realized by a laser weapons system (7). The defensive measure (3) can better detect this heating and has an IR seeker head to this end.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Procedures and defense systems for combating threats

[0003] The invention relates to a method for defending against targets or threats, in particular against moving or stationary objects. These include missiles such as guided missiles, rockets, grenades, helicopters, aircraft, and vehicles. The method is specifically aimed at the detection and destruction of threats. The invention also relates to a defense system comprising at least one laser system and IR sensor-based defense devices such as missiles, guided munitions, UAVs, etc.

[0004] To protect against threats, objects to be protected can be camouflaged with pyrotechnic flares, while the object being protected can, for example, be moved out of the danger zone. Devices and methods such as those known from DE 102005020 159 B4 or DE 10 2005035251 A1 have proven effective. DE 10 2011 009 154 A1 places the camouflage smoke directly in front of the attacker, as close as possible to the seeker head.

[0005] German patent DE 10 20 1 120 929 A1 discloses an active deception method for intelligent, radar-guided threats. This active deception is achieved using an antenna array mounted on or beneath the surface of a munition. Through appropriate signal processing and geometry, both the directionality and the transmitted radar signal are manipulated. This allows significant signatures of various targets to be superimposed onto the reflected signal, thereby diverting the threat from the intended target.

[0006] Another countermeasure involves the use of jamming devices. German patent DE 10 2013 014 192 A1 uses a laser unit with a modulation code to transmit modulated measurement radiation to the aircraft. This disrupts the target acquisition of the searchlight. Furthermore, the measurement radiation reflected by the aircraft is detected, correlated with the modulation code, and the distance to the aircraft is determined from this correlation. To shield against interference, German patent DE 10 20 1 104 021 A1 proposes incorporating a shielding unit with a shielding element that partially surrounds the optical joint.

[0007] A method for intercepting a missile using defensive radiation, in which the missile is recognized and classified as such, is described in DE 0201 1 009459 A1. The intercept strategy is determined based on the angle of incidence between the radiation direction and the missile's flight path. The underlying principle is to deposit as much radiation energy as possible in selected, functionally sensitive missile components to ensure their destruction. Therefore, it is crucial to target the selected missile component at the correct angle of incidence. The associated technical effort is considerable.

[0008] For the self-defense of an aircraft against a missile with an IR seeker head, the use of a laser source for a DIRCM laser weapon system is also proposed, as outlined in DE 10 2006 047 845 A1. DE 197 24 080 A1 also envisions destroying a missile with an infrared seeker head using a directed laser beam of high-intensity radiation. This requires lasers or laser weapons with high power or radiation.

[0009] A missile defense system is described in WO 2005 / 056384 A1. Given the disadvantage that false targets typically land as flares on the ground, and that this type of countermeasure is expensive and not always effective, this document proposes, as a countermeasure against an IR threat, creating a heat source or signature that is brighter, stronger, and larger, or has a higher radiation intensity, than the aircraft's hottest heat source. This creates an attractive heat source or target for a missile. This brighter, stronger, and larger heat source is then in the aircraft's trail.

[0010] The invention aims to demonstrate a method that efficiently enables the simple detection of a threat and ensures its safe destruction.

[0011] The problem is solved by the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are contained in the dependent claims.

[0012] The invention is based on the idea of ​​making a target or threat more visible for defensive purposes. US Patent 5,050,476 A deals with a missile system that includes a laser for thermally marking a target, creating a hot spot on the target. A heat-seeking missile then detects the heated spot on the target. The laser power for the various seekers in the missile depends on the time the laser is activated. This is an offensive measure; its use for defense against the threat or target is not addressed here.

[0013] According to the invention, the target or threat is to be imaged more intensely for the purpose of defense. It is irrelevant whether the threat or target itself is equipped with an IR seeker head or not.

[0014] For more effective imaging, the target / threat itself emits a stronger IR signature, thus standing out sufficiently from the background for the defensive measure to be detected by an IR sensor. This allows the target / threat to be more easily detected by the defensive measure, meaning it can be successfully countered. This method utilizes the property that metals, steel, plastics, and other materials (e.g., concrete) absorb laser radiation and consequently heat up.

[0015] To implement this idea, a laser beam is used to heat the surface of the target / threat. This heating creates a larger heated (red) spot on the target's / threat's surface. This intensified electro-optical image of the target / threat can then be more easily detected by a missile equipped with an IR seeker as a defensive measure.

[0016] The stronger radiation is thus caused by heating a surface of the target / threat, which is preferably achieved by a laser weapon system that delivers the necessary laser radiation. The defensive measure can then detect this heating more effectively, as the heated area stands out more clearly from the background.

[0017] The activation of the laser weapon system against the threat, or the emission of a time-limited laser beam at the threat, occurs after a potential threat has been detected by a detection device.

[0018] If the target / threat is, for example, a missile without a seeker head, the nose (O-give, hood) of the missile is preferentially heated. If the threat is a missile with a seeker head, the seeker head itself is preferentially heated. Furthermore, the fuselage, wings, and tail assembly can also be heated, individually or in combination.

[0019] If the missile (with or without a seeker head) has a plastic casing, destroying this casing may be sufficient. This can impair the missile's flight characteristics, causing it to miss the target. The missile is thus rendered unusable.

[0020] According to the invention, a laser weapon system and a threat defense system are functionally combined. The primary function of the laser weapon system is not to destroy the threat itself. The emitted laser power can therefore be lower than that of a laser weapon. Furthermore, this laser weapon system increases the accuracy of the threat defense. Thus, the deployment of only one defensive measure is sufficient to repel the threat. In addition, the application of laser weapon systems is expanded. The threat defense is supported by the laser weapon system.

[0021] Laser weapon systems are already known in practice. For example, DE 10 2012 50 074 B3 describes a laser weapon system comprising a beam direction unit, at least one laser generation unit, at least one output stage element, and one beam optics element. Another laser weapon system is also disclosed in WO 2012 / 062399 A1.

[0022] To carry out the procedure, at least one detection device for locating a threat, a laser weapon system (preferably a high-power laser weapon system), and a countermeasure (defensive means), such as a missile, a flying object with an IR seeker, or an IR drone, etc., are required. The use of an illumination laser within the defense system can also be included. A target acquisition system is also advantageous. After the threat has been heated at least at one of its sensitive structural components, the countermeasure or defensive measure can be triggered and deployed against the threat.

[0023] In the case of multiple threats, at least one additional laser weapon system can be deployed. Having more than one laser weapon system offers the advantage of being able to target only one threat at a time, thus increasing the window of opportunity for threat destruction, as the heating of sensitive structural components occurs more rapidly. The laser beams are preferentially superimposed on the target. It is proposed that a threat or target be made more visible for defensive purposes. In this context, the threat or target should be imaged more intensely for the defensive measure. For more effective imaging, it is envisaged that the threat or target emits a stronger IR signature, allowing it to stand out sufficiently from the background for the defensive measure to be effective. The stronger IR signature is generated by heating a surface of the threat or target itself, which is achieved by a laser weapon system.The defensive measure can detect this heating better and therefore features an IR search head.

[0024] In principle, the method can be applied to all possible targets and threats that include a material capable of absorbing laser radiation and thus heating up. The method is applicable to all missiles and is not limited to threatening IR or RF missiles. Furthermore, the method can also be used for other targets / threats, including both moving and stationary ones.

[0025] The invention will be explained in more detail using an exemplary embodiment with a drawing.

[0026] It shows the only figure in block diagram representation of a defense system 10 for threat defense. In the present embodiment, the threat 2 is an incoming missile. For threat defense, the present embodiment provides a missile 3 with an IR seeker head, which can be launched from a weapon (launching device) not shown in detail.

[0027] The defense system 10 comprises at least one detection device 4, which can be a radar or an electro-optical system. A laser 6 can be integrated into the defense system 10 as an illumination laser. A laser weapon system 7 is characterized by a laser weapon system that is intended to better characterize (identify) the threat 2 according to the invention. The laser weapon system 7 is a high-power laser. A fire control system for the defense system 10 is not shown in detail, as it is known. Incoming signals, data, etc., e.g., from the detection device 4, etc., are processed via this fire control system and output as signals or data to the actuators integrated into the defense system 10, e.g., a weapon not shown in detail, the laser 6, or the laser weapon system 7, etc.

[0028] The laser weapon system 7 consists of at least one laser unit, a laser (high-power laser), such as a single-resonator oscillator or master oscillator power amplifier (MOPA), and associated optics (not shown in detail). Using the detection device 4, a space to be monitored around a protected object 11 (stationary, mobile, or moving) is regularly scanned and monitored for incoming missiles 2.

[0029] Upon detection of the threat, the fire control system can initiate the deployment of the countermeasure and launch missile 3 against missile 2 in the usual manner. The necessary launching device (not shown in detail) can also be located remotely from object 11, but should be functionally connected to the fire control system of defense system 10.

[0030] At the time of threat 2 detection, a target tracking system (not shown in detail) may also lock onto it.

[0031] To ensure that a single shot destroys missile 2, missile 3 must be facing a clearly identifiable target (missile 2). This missile 2 should stand out more clearly from the background. This improved visibility can be achieved by at least localized heating of the target. In practice, a temperature difference of approximately 2°C has proven sufficient. In an ambient temperature of 15°C, heating to 17°C would be sufficient and achievable.

[0032] Once the detection device 4 has detected the incoming missile 2, the illumination laser 6 may lock onto the missile 2 and focus its laser beam 6.1 onto it. This fixed point 8 on the missile 2 is preferably located in the visible area of ​​the missile 2 (generally the missile nose). The fixed point 8 can be located on sensitive structural parts of the missile 2, preferably on the nose (ogive, canopy), tail assembly, etc. The fixed point 8 can be used by the laser weapon system 7 to align its laser beam 7.1 onto the missile 2.

[0033] Using the laser beam 7.1, the missile 2 is heated on its surface 9, preferably in the area of ​​the nose (ogive, hood). This causes the missile 2 to become warmer at this point, creating a clearly recognizable spot on the missile 2 for the IR seeker of the missile 3. The missile 3 can then accurately destroy the missile 2.

[0034] The procedure can also be applied to stationary threats / targets.

Claims

1. A method for defence from a threat comprising: - detecting the threat by at least one detection device; - switching at least one laser weapon system onto the threat; - emitting a laser beam of a laser system onto the threat; - striking the laser beam on a surface of the threat; - heating, via the laser beam, the surface of the threat at least in a punctiform manner, wherein the threat is imaged more intensely such that the threat emits a stronger IR signature and stands out against a background sufficient for a defensive measure; - deploying the defensive measure from at least one launcher after the threat has been heated, - detecting the heating by an IR seeker of the defensive measure; - switching an illumination laser onto the threat; - fixing a laser beam of the illumination laser to the threat so that a fixed point is located in the visible range of a missile, and - aligning the laser weapon system with the fixed point.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heating on the surface takes place in such a way, that the heating takes place in the front region of the threat.

3. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the heating on the surface takes place in such a way, that the heating takes place in a region of a tip, ogive, or hood of the threat.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heating on the surface takes place in such a way, that furthermore a  fuselage, wings, and also tail unit of the threat are adapted to be heated, individually or in combination.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterised in that the laser beam is emitted onto the threat for a limited period of time.

6. The method according to claim 1, characterised in that a temperature difference from the background can be realised by the punctual heating at the threat, a temperature difference of 2° C being sufficient.

7. A defence system configured to execute a method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the system comprising: at least one detection device for detecting the tread; at least one laser weapon system for emitting a laser beam and for heating a surface of the threat; and at least one weapon for discharging a defensive measure against the threat, wherein a laser is incorporated for the illumination.

8. The defence system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the threat is stationary or moving.

9. The defence system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the defensive measure is a rocket having an IR seeker or wherein the defensive measure is a IR drone.

10. The defence system according to claim 7, characterised in, that the laser weapon system is a high power laser weapon system.

11. The defence system according to claim 7, characterised in, that the defence system comprises a fire control.

12. The defence system according to claim 7, characterised in, that the detection device is a radar or an electro-optical system.

13. An object comprising a defence system as claimed in claim 7.

14. The object as claimed in claim 13, wherein the object is stationary or moving.

Images