System and method for onboard detection of ballistic threats to aircraft

Abstract

A bi-static continuous wave radar system and related methods for detecting incoming threats from ballistic projectiles includes a remote source of RF illumination, and a local receiver installed in one or more target aircraft. A first receiving channel acquires direct path illumination from the source and provides a reference signal, and a second receiving channel acquires a scatter signal reflected by a projectile. A processor coupled to each receiver corrects scatter signal Doppler offset induced by relative source motion, isolates narrowband Doppler signals to derive signatures characteristic of the projectile, and by executing appropriate algorithms, compares the derived signatures to modeled signatures stored in memory. If the comparison yields a substantial similarity, the processor outputs a warning signal sufficient to initiate defensive countermeasures.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates generally to airborne threat monitoring systems, and more specifically to systems employing bi-static continuous wave radar to enable an aircraft to sense incoming ballistic threats and initiate responsive countermeasures.

[0003] 2. Related Art

[0004] The evolving face of global terrorism has crystallized the threat that inexpensive and readily available shoulder-fired missiles can be directed against civilian aircraft. The FBI estimates that since 1989, more than 50,000 shoulder-fired missiles, or MANPADS (man-portable air-defense systems), have been sold to third-world countries, and that from 1978-1998, 29 civilian planes have been shot down by shoulder-fired missiles. More recently, the war in Iraq has provided a proving ground for this tactic, where terrorist militia have struck at least twelve aircraft with shoulder-fired missiles in a three-month time period from October 2003 to January...

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