Unmanned range-programmable airburst weapon system for automated tracking and prosecution of close-in targets

Abstract

An unmanned range-programmable airburst weapon system provides automated tracking and prosecution of soft targets such as UAVs at close ranges. A range-programmable gun that fires airburst rounds and a seeker that images the target within a FOV are mounted on a gimbaled turret. A tracking controller is responsive to a target cue to point the seeker to acquire the target and to subsequent tracking commands from the seeker to maintain the target in the seeker's FOV. A fire controller is responsive to tracking commands and range-to-target measurements to compute a ballistic firing solution to range program an airburst round and to point and fire the gun so that the round explodes in mid-air at a predicted target position.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]This invention relates to weapon systems for prosecuting “soft” targets at close range, and more particularly to an unmanned range-programmable airburst weapon system for automated tracking and prosecution of soft targets at close ranges.[0003]2. Description of the Related Art[0004]Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) or “drones” have become important assets for the U.S. military, Homeland Security and law enforcement. UAVs are stealthy, inexpensive and do not expose a pilot to enemy fire. UAVs can be used to provide reconnaissance or to provide first-strike capability on a target.[0005]However, these same UAVs constitute a new and developing threat to U.S. military, law enforcement and civilian targets. An enemy could use a UAV to perform reconnaissance on a target or could load the UAV with explosives for a direct attack.[0006]Existing unmanned air defense systems are configured to detect, track and defeat “hard” targets s...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides an unmanned range-programmable airburst weapon system for automated tracking and prosecution of soft targets such as UAVs at close ranges. The system includes a gun and a seeker mounted on a gimbaled turret. The seeker comprises collection optics and an IR sensor mounted for imaging the target within a field-of-view (FOV) and a tracking processor to generate tracking commands. A range finder generates range-to-target measurements. A tracking controller is responsive to the target cue to point the seeker to acquire the target and to subsequent tracking commands to maintain the target in the IR sensor's FOV. A fire controller is responsive to tracking commands and range-to-target measurements to compute a ballistic firing solution to range program an airburst round and to point and fire the gun so that the round explodes in mid-air at a predicted target position at or near the target. In different embodiments, the finding system may generate and prioritize target cues for multiple targets. The seeker may comprise an RF sensor and a semi-active laser (SAL) sensor for all-weather imaging and cooperative targeting. The shooting solution is subject to constraints on its ballistic solution and the type of airburst rounds it can fire based on defined "safety areas". The fire controller may select the round with the highest lethality level allowed by the safety area. These features and advantages provide an effective and reliable system for automated target tracking and prosecution.

Problems solved by technology

However, these same UAVs constitute a new and developing threat to U.S. military, law enforcement and civilian targets.

These hard targets are fast moving, fly at traditionally high altitudes and require considerable fire power to defeat.

These unmanned air defense systems would not be effective against the threat from a “soft” target such as the UAV, nor would they be affordable.

The existing Ku / Ka band radar systems would not be effective to detect and track small (e.g. <5 meters), low flying (e.g. <10 meters), relatively slow moving (e.g. <40 mph), close range (e.g. <1,000 meters) targets such as UAVs.

Furthermore, the existing radar and weapon systems are far too expensive to completely deploy against a UAV threat or other “soft” targets such as manned ultralight aircraft, light boats or human targets in defilade (e.g. moving within cover).

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