Airspace protection system against the flying objects

Abstract

Airspace protection system against flying objects, consisting of an optoelectronic multi-module air surveillance station with a circular spatial all-round view, wherein the optoelectronic multi-module air surveillance station consists of optoelectronic modules arranged to provide an overview of the airspace in the upper hemisphere, a tower, wherein the optoelectronic multi-module air surveillance station is installed on a platform attached to the tower, which is supported on the ground, a computer a control panel with autonomous power supply, a system control unit, a control panel for subsonic carriers of pesticides, a set of subsonic carriers of the control agents and a control station of the system operation with an automated system operator workstation, where The passive and active optoelectronic multi-module air surveillance station offers a circular spatial surveillance area with linear resolution across a spectrum of electromagnetic waves and has its own computer. a correctable subsonic delivery system for pest control agents with controlled tail fins, a set of pest control elements in the nose section, an onboard control system with information storage and a radio channel, The subsonic transducer is housed in an airtight long-term storage container - a container equipped with its own control system, programming device, power supply, high-pressure air reservoir and an integrated pneumatic catapult.

Description

[0001] The airspace protection system against unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), as an invention, is situated in the field of air defense systems and specifically in the segment of defense systems against UAVs. The decisive factor here is ensuring the safety of people, stadiums and major events, strategic infrastructure and facilities, transport, airports, ports and railway stations, as well as industrial and energy production sites through the innovative airspace protection system against the threat of unmanned aerial vehicles [1; 2].

[0002] The object of the invention is to provide a system for protection against flying objects that pose a threat in controlled airspace.

[0003] The problem is solved by the features of claim 1.

[0004] The subclaims represent advantageous designs.

[0005] It is known, a UAV combat complex

[11] comprising a movable turret on the base chassis, a panoramic sighting and targeting system with optical, radar and acoustic sensors, rocket launchers, artillery system, grenade launchers, detachable UAV containers and multifunctional robotic ground platforms, as well as a suppression station on the said turret for radio-technical suppression of the enemy UAV.

[0006] The main shortcomings of this UAV combat system are: • high technical and operational complexity; • Inability to counteract the use of UAV groups; • Inability to cover a large area; • Inability to work in fully automatic mode for a long time.

[0007] It is known, a rocket [6] which has a fuselage built around the engine, a folding tail fin and wing, a braking parachute, an optical sensor in the nose and a combat unit with a catapult net and launches from a ground-based launch pad.

[0008] The shortcomings of this missile combat complex are: • high technical complexity of the rocket; • Limited applicability, as it is only applicable to slow and non-maneuverable UAVs; • Low efficiency due to the lack of selectivity of the missile target guidance method in a complex target jamming environment.

[0009] It is known, The unmanned defense control system [5] implements a modular control structure for the means of destruction, enabling modernization at the level of one control channel without affecting the others. In this case, each channel is represented as a peripheral complex with its own sensors and means of destruction, and control is exercised from a single control center of the defense system.

[0010] The main disadvantages of such a system are: • low operational reliability of the system, because a failure of the control center leads to the failure of the entire defense system; • a disproportionately large amount of equipment is required to ensure the measured level of reliability of said defense system; • The control system has limits to the expansion of control modules and channels due to the inevitable growth in the amount of information that needs to be processed in a single control center; • Due to the constant expansion of the nomenclature and characteristics of aerial objects, the UAV identification database requires continuous updating and correction of the data; • Inability to implement an effective countermeasure against the use of the UAV group (swarm).

[0011] It is known, a protection system against UAVs [4] that captures the UAVs with a net to prevent the intercepted UAV from falling on people.

[0012] The main disadvantages of this system are: • technical impossibility of deployment against groups of UAVs; • only possible against small UAVs; • Only effective against slow, hovering and non-maneuverable UAVs.

[0013] It is known, A destructive device [3] in the form of a projectile for intercepting a small unmanned aerial vehicle, consisting of a fuselage containing a propellant charge, a detonator, and a nose section connected to the fuselage. The nose section contains several strands of threads. It is assumed that firing the strands towards a small UAV should cause it to lose its ability to continue flying by blocking the propeller, altering the outer contours of the fuselage, and deteriorating the aerodynamic properties of the UAV.

[0014] The disadvantages of this destructive agent are: • only usable against small, slow-flying and non-maneuvering UAVs; • not usable against groups of actively maneuvering UAVs; • low efficiency against UAVs, which requires a high consumption of the aforementioned projectiles to capture the UAV.

[0015] It is known, an antenna system [7] according to utility model DE 20 2017 102 612 U1.

[0016] This publication concerns an antenna system with constructive protective and shielding measures for antenna structures. It describes structural measures for reducing reflections and minimizing the effects of solar radiation on antenna surfaces. The principles covered in this publication relate to the geometric and material design of antenna and protective elements.

[0017] The publication does not disclose an optoelectronic multi-module station for airspace surveillance or a stationary protection system within the meaning of the features of the present application.

[0018] In particular, there is no evidence whatsoever of synchronous multi-module data acquisition, internal high-performance data processing, or automated decision-making for target assessment and target control.

[0019] The teaching of the utility model specification [7] thus relates to a different technical purpose and is not functionally related to the claimed combination of features.

[0020] It is known, A radar system [8] according to patent DE 39 11 373 C2, which is designed as a phased-array radar system with self-adjusting functions for beam shaping and antenna array calibration. The publication describes a radar-based system for detecting objects in the airspace. Radar systems are based on a different physical operating principle than optoelectronic systems and exhibit the inherent limitations discussed in the application, particularly with regard to resolution, object classification, and the detection of small, signatureless flying objects. The patent [8] contains no reference to the use of optoelectronic sensors or to a stationary optoelectronic multi-module station for generating three-dimensional airspace situational awareness.

[0021] A combination or functional substitution of the described radar system by an optoelectronic multi-module station in the sense of the claimed features cannot be inferred from the patent specification [8].

[0022] It is known, Systems [9, 10] according to US 2020 / 0108925 A1 and US 2020 / 0108924 A1, each employing an intercepting unmanned aerial vehicle as the weapon delivery system. The documents describe mobile defense systems in which a UAV is used to intercept a target at close range. The systems are based on designed for flexible, mission-dependent interception.

[0023] The documents do not reveal a stationary, ground-based protection station with a central optoelectronic multi-module station for continuous three-dimensional airspace situational awareness, nor an internal, highly parallel data processing system as described in the application.

[0024] Likewise, there is no evidence whatsoever of a standby architecture designed for continuous operation, nor of the complete exclusion of a human operator from the operational control loop, as provided for by the claimed combination of features.

[0025] The essence of the invention is the system for protection against flying objects, comprising an optoelectronic multi-module air surveillance station, a tower, a computer control panel with power supply, a system control unit, a control panel for the countermeasures, a set of countermeasures and a control station for operating the system with an automated workstation for the system operator.

[0026] The stated technical result is achieved by: 1. The optoelectronic multi-module air surveillance station is passive / active and offers a circular spatial 360° view with high linear resolution, detecting and recording all relevant aircraft across a wide spectrum of electromagnetic waves. The station's own computer automatically processes all information, selects and constructs the spatial flight paths of all detected and recorded aircraft. 2. The optoelectronic multi-module air surveillance station is mounted on a three-axis gyroscopically stabilized platform, which is attached to the tower at the required height. The tower is fixed in a vertical position relative to the ground using tension cables. This ensures high accuracy in maintaining the angular position of the aforementioned optoelectronic multi-module air surveillance station and, consequently, high accuracy in determining the coordinates of detected aircraft. 3. A computer control panel with an autonomous power supply is mounted on the aforementioned tower to ensure the autonomy and reliability of the optoelectronic multi-module air surveillance station and to reduce the amount of data transmitted, as flight path data is selectively forwarded. The tower is equipped with a receiving and transmitting radio station and an antenna for correcting the flight paths of the aircraft carrying the countermeasures. This enables, among other things, the complete automation of the highly probable successful engagement of relevant aircraft, regardless of their flight direction, coordinates, and flight parameters. 4. The delivery system for the interceptor missiles is a correctable subsonic missile with controlled tail fins, a set of interceptor elements in the nose section, an onboard control system with data storage, and a radio channel. This allows the coordinates of the firing point of the interceptor elements and their orientation angles relative to the target aircraft to be recorded in the onboard data storage during the launch of the delivery system, thus preventing spontaneous and / or hostile diversion of the delivery system in a complex, including electromagnetically disrupted, target environment.

[0027] This will result in a simplification of the design, a reduction in the mass and cost of the carrier of the countermeasures, while maximizing the probability of successfully engaging the target aircraft in controlled airspace. 5. The pesticide carrier is housed in an airtight long-term storage container equipped with its own control system, programming device, power supply, high-pressure air tank, and integrated pneumatic catapult. This ensures high reliability in the storage of the pesticide carrier, full automation of technical condition monitoring, data exchange with the computer of the optoelectronic multi-module air monitoring station, launch preparation, and direct launch of the pesticide carrier. 6. The aforementioned containers are grouped into container squadrons of any number and positioned stationary in the required direction in the airspace. Each individual container is connected to the container squadron's data bus, which in turn is connected to the control panel of the carrier of the control system, or, if applicable, to a distributed control system of the carriers, or to a control panel network. This allows for the automated monitoring of the availability, usability, and operational readiness of each individual carrier of the control system, and, if necessary, the firing of a specific carrier of the control system or a salvo of all available carriers of the control system from the container squadron.

[0028] The list of illustrations: Fig. 1: Composition of the airspace protection system against the flying objects; Fig. 2: the device for detecting flying objects; Fig. 3: the carrier of the pesticides; Fig. 4: Operational mode of the airspace protection system against the flying objects. To clarify the terms used:

[0029] The system is a totality of devices and complexes that are combined on the basis of functional relationships to form a self-sufficient, individual whole for the purpose of carrying out at least one task or a group of tasks.

[0030] The anti-aircraft protection system is a system for monitoring the designated airspace and combating aircraft within that designated airspace.

[0031] Airspace surveillance is the detection and recording of the coordinates and flight paths of flying objects in a defined airspace.

[0032] Combating flying objects is the infliction of damage to a flying object or its displacement into a state where its further flight becomes impossible.

[0033] The airspace protection system against the flying objects includes an optoelectronic multi-module station for airspace surveillance 1 ( Fig. 1), which is installed on tower 2. Tower 2 is supported on the ground by support 3 and is vertically secured by tension cables 4. The tension cables 4 are attached to blocks 5, which are mounted on the ground surface. Data from the optoelectronic multi-module airspace surveillance station 1, the electrical power supply, and the control signals are transmitted via cable 7 through the computer switchboard with autonomous power supply 6. Direct control of the function of the protection system against aircraft is carried out by the control unit of the system 9 via communication channels 8, 10, and 14 ( Fig. 1) The carriers of the control agents are located in a separate area 11. The carriers of the control agents are placed in containers, which are packed together in the stave 13. Each stave is connected to a carrier control panel via the data bus 12. The overall management of the aforementioned system is carried out by the system operator via an automated workstation 15. The optoelectronic multi-module airspace monitoring station 1 ( Fig. 1) consists of a set of optoelectronic modules 16 ( Fig. 2), which are arranged to provide an overview of the airspace in the upper hemisphere. The optoelectronic modules 16 are covered by a transparent hood 18 for protection against external influences. The tower 2, tension cables 4 and the optoelectronic multi-module sighting station 1 ( Fig. 1) are subjected to significant dynamic wind loads. These loads lead to complex torsional and bending vibrations of the tower, which can negatively affect the accuracy of the multi-modular optoelectronic viewing station. To compensate for these dynamic loads, a set of optoelectronic modules is mounted on a three-axis gyroscopically stabilized platform in compartment 17 ( Fig. 2) installed. The receiving-transmitting radio station with antenna is installed in compartment 19, which is supported by a ring carrier 20. A receiving-transmitting radio station with antenna maintains radio communication with the delivery vehicle during flight. The delivery vehicle is a subsonic correction missile with a gunpowder propulsion system with nozzle 22 built into the casing 21 ( Fig. 3) The forward part of the fuselage has a head unit with the countermeasures 23 in the form of countermeasures, as well as an onboard control system with the information storage and the radio channel. Tail fins with fully rotatable aerodynamic surfaces 24 are mounted in the rear part of the fuselage 21. The cables for transmitting the control signals from the onboard control system to the specified aerodynamic surfaces and radio antennas are housed in fairings 26, which have a special aerodynamic shape and are provided with glowing infrared markings in the end section 25. The countermeasures are groups of countermeasures – kinetic projectiles of varying weight, size, and geometric shapes. When flying objects 27 ( Fig. 4) When an aircraft appears in controlled airspace, the optoelectronic multi-module air surveillance station 1 determines its coordinates and movement parameters. Its own computer calculates its current and predicted flight paths. The determined data is transmitted to the computer control center 6 with an autonomous power supply, where it is converted into a data packet using the required protocol and transmitted to the system control unit 9 via cable 32.

[0034] At the same time, a signal regarding the presence and technical condition of the pest control carriers 12 is received in the specified control unit of system 9 from the control panel of the pest control carriers 12 ( Fig. 3), which are located in the column 13. In the control unit of system 9, the hazard level of the flying object is assessed and an information message is generated, which is sent via cable 14 to the information output device of the automated workstation 15 of the system operator. At a high hazard level, the control unit of system 9 generates a packet of control signals for the control panel of the carrier of the countermeasures 12, which specifies the required flight path of the carrier, the coordinates of the detonation point of its head section 23 ( Fig. 3) and contains the orientation angles of the carrier in space. The control panel of the carrier of the repellents determines the stage and the carrier within the stage, and inputs the data via the data bus into the data memory of the onboard control system of the selected carrier of the repellents 12. The signals are forwarded to the gunpowder engine of the selected carrier of the repellents and to the pneumatic catapult of the container in which the specified carrier of the repellents is located. After the pneumatic catapult launches the selected carrier from the container, the carrier is further accelerated by the gunpowder engine to the required flight speed. The onboard control system maintains the specified carrier by deflecting the aerodynamic surfaces 24 ( Fig. 3) on the specified flight path 28 ( Fig.4) until its deployment at the point of detonation of the missile's nose cone. In the event of an unforeseen change in the flight path of a threat aircraft or a deviation of the missile from the designated flight path, the data in the data memory of the missile's onboard control system is automatically transmitted via radio channel to the optoelectronic multi-module airspace monitoring station 1 and corrected. Upon reaching the designated missile's detonation point, the missile's onboard control system detonates the corresponding explosive charge in the missile's nose cone and releases the missile elements in the direction of the target. The missile elements, moving along the flight path 30, engage the target aircraft, destroying its structure or rendering it unable to continue its flight.The system operator may only intervene to abort the launch of the interceptor. In the case of a group of three or more non-biological threat aircraft, if no time reserves are available, operator intervention is completely blocked, and the interception of the threat aircraft is carried out in a fully automated defense process. If a large number of threat aircraft are present in the monitored airspace, the system control unit 9 generates a signal for the deployment of a salvo of interceptor carriers. In this case, each released interceptor carrier flies along its predetermined flight path and attacks only its designated threat aircraft.The countermeasures and the technical parameters of the countermeasures carrier are designed to reliably intercept and combat all types of unmanned aerial vehicles and bionic aircraft that pose a threat to objects and people on the ground, as well as to aircraft in the air. The anti-aircraft protection system can effectively counter the threat posed by large groups (swarms exceeding 500) of simultaneously deployed hostile aircraft.

[0035] In this process, the supposed human uncertainty factor of the system operator, as a possible negative influence on the safety and efficiency of the airspace protection system against the flying objects, is virtually eliminated.

[0036] List of sources: 1. BBC. Threat to Heathrow Airport by police and military. - URL: https: / / www.bbc.com / news / uk-46804425 (Date: 19.01.2019). 2. BBC. Latvian drone, which had been refueled for days, is missing and restricting airspace. - URL: https: / / www.bbc.com / news / technology-52533227?intlink_from_url=https: / / www.bbc.com / news / topics / cljev44x051t / drones&link_location=live-report-story (Date: May 5, 2020). 3. Patent EP 3 109 586 A1 IPK F41H 13 / 00, F42B 1266. Projectile for intercepting a small drone / Stelte Norbert (DE); Diehl BGT Defence GmbH & Co. KG, No. 16001305.8; declared by Projectile for intercepting a small drone / Stelte Norbert (DE); Diehl BGT Defence GmbH & Co. 26.06.2015, 102015008294 (DE). 4. Patent EP 3 139 125 A1 IPK F41H 11 / 04. Defense scenarios and drone defense systems for defending against foreign drones / Brodersen Stephan (DE); MBDA Deutschland GmbH. - No. 16185266.0; declared. 03.09.2015, 102015011579 (DE). 5. Patent EP 3 499 175 A1 IPK F41H 11 / 02. Method for controlling a drone defense system / Selz Andre [etc.] (DE) ; DIEHL DEFENCE GMBH & CO. KG, No. 18212567.4 ; declared. 14.12.2017, 102017011592 (DE). 6. Patent WO 2019 / 048074 A1 IPK F41H 13 / 00, F41H 11 / 02, F42B 15 / 36. Missiles for drone combat / Freter Rene, Walzer Martin, Fisch Gerd (DE) ; DIEHL DEFENCE GMBH & CO. KG. - No. PCT / EP2018 / 000397 ; a declaration by DIEHL DEFENCE GMBH & CO. was filed on 09.09.2017, 10 2017 008 489.0 (DE). 7. Utility model DE 20 2017 102 612 U1. H01Q 15 / 14, F41H 3 / 00, Antenna system. Hoffmann Messtechnik GmbH, 69231 Rauenberg, DE. Filing date: 03.05.2017. Registration date: 21.06.2017. Publication date in the patent gazette: 27.07.2017. 8. Patent DE 39 11 373 C2. G01S 13 / 00 ff., G01S 7 / 00 ff., H01Q 1 / 00 ​​ff. Phase-controlled radar system with self-monitoring / self-calibration and interchangeable adjustable transmit / receive unit. General Electric Co., Bridgeport, Conn., US. Filing date: April 7, 1989. Publication date: November 6, 1997. Publication of patent grant: August 31, 2000. 9. United States Patent Application Publication US 2020 / 0108925 A1. F41H 11 / 02, F41A / B, G01S 13 / 86. Countermeasure Deployment System Facilitating Neutralization of Target Aerial Vehicles. Sarcos Corp., Salt Lake City, UT, US. Filed: Oct. 3, 2018. Publication Date: Apr. 9, 2020. 10. United States Patent Application Publication US 2020 / 0108924 A1. F41H 11 / 02, F41A / B, G01S 13 / 00 ff. Close Proximity Countermeasures for Neutralizing Target Aerial Vehicles. Sarcos Corp., Salt Lake City, UT, US. Filed: Oct. 3, 2018. Publication Date: Apr. 9, 2020. 11. Invention patent no. 2700107 Russian Federation, IPC F41H 11 / 02, G01S 13 / 86. Control complex with unmanned aerial vehicles / Shishkov SV [et al.] (RF); Khrulev AV Military Academy. - No. 2018137613; declared. 24.10.2018 (RU).

Claims

Airspace protection system against flying objects, comprising an optoelectronic multi-module air surveillance station with a circular spatial all-round view, wherein the optoelectronic multi-module air surveillance station consists of optoelectronic modules arranged to provide an overview of the airspace in the upper hemisphere, a tower, wherein the optoelectronic multi-module air surveillance station is installed on a platform attached to the tower, which is supported on the ground, a computer, a switchboard with autonomous power supply, a system control unit, a switchboard for subsonic delivery systems, a set of subsonic delivery systems, and a system operation control station with an automated system operator workstation.wherein the passive and active optoelectronic multi-module air surveillance station offers a circular spatial surveillance area with linear resolution in a spectrum of electromagnetic waves and has its own computer, a correctable subsonic carrier of control agents with controlled tail fins, a set of control elements in the head section, an on-board control system with information storage and has a radio channel, the subsonic carrier is housed in an airtight long-term storage container - a container equipped with its own control system, a programming device, a power supply, a high-pressure air tank and with an integrated pneumatic catapult. Airspace protection system against flying objects according to claim 1, characterized in that the optoelectronic multi-module station (1) has a spherical or semi-spherical arrangement of sensor modules (16) and is equipped as an autonomous computing unit with its own data processing. Airspace protection system against flying objects according to claim 1, characterized in that the optoelectronic multi-module station (1) is fixedly arranged on a three-axis gyroscopically stabilized platform (17), wherein the platform (17) is mounted on a tower (2) at a suitable height, which is firmly anchored in the ground and fixed by means of cable tensioners (4) in a substantially vertical orientation to the earth surface, whereby the tower (2) does not perform any position-changing movement during operation. Airspace protection system against flying objects according to claim 1, characterized in that the long-term storage container (11) for the carriers of the control agents (12) is designed for permanent standby operation without maintenance and without regular functional testing. Airspace protection system against flying objects according to claim 1, characterized in that several optoelectronic multi-module stations (1) and long-term storage containers (11) for carriers of countermeasures (12) are functionally coupled to each other via a data communication link and jointly carry out coordinated airspace monitoring, wherein the airspace monitoring is performed as an integrated function of a unified overall system. Airspace protection system against flying objects according to claim 1, characterized in that the containers (11) are assembled in a squadron (13) with any number of containers and are stationary and oriented in a desired airspace direction, wherein each container (11) is functionally coupled to a data bus (12) of the squadron (13), which in turn is connected to a carrier switchboard, and wherein the energy supply of the containers (11) is autonomous and comprises at least one energy storage device. Airspace protection system against flying objects according to claim 1, characterized in that operator intervention is provided exclusively for canceling an automated launch of carriers of the control agents (12), wherein in the event of a group occurrence of three or more non-biological flying objects in a time-critical operating state without available time reserves, the operator intervention is completely deactivated and the system operates exclusively in an autonomous operating mode.

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