Active protection method and system

Abstract

There is provided an active protection system and an active protection method preferably for airborne platforms. According to the embodiment of the invention, the active protection system is mounted onboard a platform for protecting the platform, and comprises a radar system configured for generating output data including threat output data corresponding to a velocity, a range, and an angle of the threat with respect to the platform in an airspace around the platform, the output data being useful for detecting, identifying and tracking of at least one threat approaching the platform; a countermeasure system capable of launching at least one non-fragmentation interceptor projectile in response to receiving a control command; and a control unit configured for receiving the output data from the radar system and for generating the control command and transmitting the control command to the at least one non-fragmentation interceptor projectile, thereby enabling countering the threat.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]This invention relates to an active protection method and system and more specifically to active protection method and system for providing protection from a threat, particularly for use with a mobile or aerial platform such as a helicopter, UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) or the like.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]A variety of methods are known relating to protecting a vehicle or the like from a destructive threat.[0003]For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,233,605 discloses a Doppler radar signature simulator decoy for protecting a helicopter under attack by hostile weapons which home in on a Doppler radar return signal from the helicopter rotors. The decoy returns a strong radar signal which duplicates a relatively weaker signal emitted from the helicopter rotors, leading hostile weapons to the decoy.[0004]U.S. Pat. No. 6,980,151 discloses a bi-static continuous wave radar system and related methods for detecting incoming threats from ballistic projectiles incl...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0034](c) based on at least the output data, generating the control command and transmitting the control command to the at least one non-fragmentation interceptor projectile,

[0035]According to an embodiment of the invention, the generating of radar output data is carried out based on measurements received from one or more sensor unit, located at selected locations onboard the platform. According to an embodiment of the invention, the method comprises tracking of the at least one projectile, and generating CM output data corresponding to a velocity, a range and an angle of the projectile with respect to the platform. According to an embodiment of the invention, the method comprises providing uplink communication with the projectile, thereby enabling guiding the projectile toward a predicted engagement point with the threat. According to an embodiment of the invention, the method comprises: calculating at least trajectory of the threat and the platform and determining an engagement point between the threat and the projectile; determining at least one suitable projectile to be launched, if at all; and repeating any one of operations (a) to (g) as many times as required. According to an embodiment of the invention, the method comprises tracking the at least one projectile, after it was launched, and performing the calculating operation and / or determining operation based on information corresponding to velocity, range and angle of the projectile with respect to the platform, measured after launch. According to an embodiment of the invention, in case the countermeasure system includes more than one battery of projectiles, each located at different locations onboard the platform, the method comprises selecting one from among the batteries, in accordance with a predefined criteria, for launching the projectile, and directing the command signal accordingly. According to an embodiment of the invention, the method comprises receiving platform trajectory data from platform instrumentation, and the calculation of the trajectory of the threat and the platform is carried out based on platform trajectory data received from the platform instrumentation. According to another embodiment of the invention, platform trajectory data is processed based on radar output data.

Problems solved by technology

The decoy returns a strong radar signal which duplicates a relatively weaker signal emitted from the helicopter rotors, leading hostile weapons to the decoy.

RPG's (Rocket Propelled Grenade) represent a serious threat to mobile land and aerial platforms.

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