Method for protecting an installation to be protected

Abstract

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Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] TITLE: Method for protecting an installation to be protected

[0003] The present invention relates to a method for protecting an installation to be protected.

[0004] The present invention falls within the field of protection against munitions (shells, bombs, missiles) guided by a designation laser.

[0005] Conventional approaches to protection consist of detecting that one is the subject of a designation, then initiating a countermeasure which may consist of a maneuver / evasion, smoke penalizing the guidance of the munition on the laser task or interceptor fire seeking to impact the incident munition.

[0006] These approaches have their limitations, including:

[0007] - maneuvers, dodges: are only effective to the extent that the target has a mobility dynamic superior to the adversary's ability to repoint / follow the target or to the maneuverability of the munition. In the case of static targets or moving targets with high inertia (surface building), this countermeasure is not applicable.

[0008] - the use of smoke bombs degrades the perception of the laser task by the guided munition, but the effectiveness is not guaranteed and it depends heavily on uncontrollable environmental conditions (wind, turbulence, rain, etc.).

[0009] - Interception of incident munitions by cannon fire, an interceptor missile, or a directed energy weapon requires heavy and expensive equipment for the target. The interception success rate only becomes acceptable at the cost of a large volume of munitions or very expensive guidance performance to be effective. This approach is therefore reserved for high-value targets with low (or no) mobility.

[0010] There is therefore a need for a means of effectively protecting an installation to be protected regardless of the nature of the installation to be protected.

[0011] For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a method for protecting an installation to be protected, the method being implemented by a protection system comprising at least one entity comprising a laser emission device, the method comprising the steps of: obtaining information relating to the detection of a laser spot on, or in the vicinity of, the installation to be protected, the laser spot coming from a designation laser guiding a projectile, the information comprising the position of the laser spot, a spectral characteristic relating to the laser spot and a time code relating to the laser spot, moving the or an entity of the protection system so that the laser emission device of the entity is in the vicinity of the detected laser spot, emission, by the laser emission device,of a laser beam reproducing the spectral characteristic and the time code of the detected laser task so as to form a guidance task near the detected laser task, the emitted laser beam having a power such that the intensity of the guidance task is greater than the intensity of the detected laser task, and progressive shifting of the entity comprising the laser emission device so as to guide the projectile away from the installation to be protected.,

[0012] According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the method comprises one or more of the following characteristics, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations:

[0013] - the installation to be protected is a vehicle and the or each entity is an accompanying vehicle;

[0014] - the or each entity is a drone, such as a land, air or naval drone;

[0015] - the number of entities is greater than or equal to two;

[0016] - the or each entity of the protection system comprises at least one laser alert detector, the step of obtaining information having been carried out by the or one laser alert detector of the protection system;

[0017] - the laser warning detector performing the information obtaining step belongs to the same entity as the laser emission device emitting the laser beam forming the guidance task;

[0018] - the obtaining step comprises: positioning the protection system near the installation to be protected so that the installation to be protected and its surroundings are in the field of vision of the laser warning detector or are in the overall field of vision of all the laser warning detectors, and the detection, by the or one of the laser warning detectors, of a laser task on, or near, the installation to be protected, the detection comprising the determination of the information relating to the detected laser task as a function of the backscattering of the laser beam at the origin of the laser task on said warning detector;

[0019] - upon detection, the laser originating the laser task is identified as a designation laser based on the information determined for the laser task;

[0020] - the obtaining step includes the movement of the entity(ies) of the protection system following a movement of the installation to be protected, so as to maintain the installation to be protected and its surroundings in the field of vision of the laser warning detector or in the overall field of vision of all the laser warning detectors.

[0021] The invention also relates to a system for protecting an installation to be protected, the protection system comprising at least one entity comprising a laser emission device, the protection system being capable of implementing the steps of a protection method as described previously.

[0022] The invention will appear more clearly on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the drawings in which:

[0023] - Figure 1 is a schematic view of an example of several installations to be protected in a monitored area and of a system for protecting these installations, the protection system comprising an entity comprising a laser warning detector and a laser emission device mounted on the entity, the laser warning detector being used to detect a laser task on the installation to be protected,

[0024] - Figure 2 is a schematic view of an example of an installation to be protected and of a protection system for the installation to be protected, the protection system comprising two entities each comprising a laser warning detector, one of the laser warning detectors being used to detect a laser task on the installation to be protected,

[0025] - figure 3 is a schematic view of an example illustrating the homing of a laser task detected by an entity of a protection system,

[0026] - figure 4 is a schematic view of an example illustrating the emission, by the laser emission device of the entity having joined the detected laser task, of a laser beam reproducing the spectral characteristic and the time code of the detected laser task to form a guidance task, and

[0027] - figure 5 is a schematic view of an example illustrating the distance of the entity comprising the laser emission device so as to guide the projectile away from the installation to be protected.

[0028] An installation to be protected 10 and a system 12 for protecting the installation to be protected 10 are illustrated in the examples of figures 1 to 5.

[0029] The installation to be protected 10 is a static or mobile installation.

[0030] The installation to be protected 10 is, for example, a vehicle (naval, land or air), a platform, a building, or even a tactical deployment. The term "installation" therefore designates in the broad sense an element to be protected. In the examples of figures 1 to 5, the installation to be protected 10 is a vehicle (battle tank).

[0031] The protection system 12 is suitable for protecting the installation to be protected 10 from projectile fire (shell, bomb, missile) guided by a designation laser. In the example illustrated by figure 1, the protection system 12 is suitable for protecting a monitored area comprising several installations to be protected 10.

[0032] The protection system 12 comprises one or more entities 14.

[0033] Preferably, the or each entity 14 is mobile so as to follow any movements of the installation to be protected 10. Alternatively, in the case where the installation to be protected 10 is fixed, the or each entity 14 may be static.

[0034] Preferably, the or each entity 14 is a drone. Thus, this allows the entities 14 to easily move in the environment.

[0035] The or each drone is, for example, an air, land (solves the energy problems of air drones) or naval drone.

[0036] Alternatively, the installation to be protected 10 is a vehicle and the or each entity 14 is an accompanying vehicle. For example, the installation to be protected 10 is a naval vessel, and the entities 14 are a fleet of ships surrounding the naval vessel.

[0037] In the example illustrated by figures 1 and 3 to 5, the protection system 12 comprises a single entity 14.

[0038] In a variant, the protection system 12 comprises a number of entities 14 greater than or equal to two. This makes it easier to monitor the entire installation to be protected 10. In particular, in the example illustrated by FIG. 2, the protection system 12 comprises two entities 14, each protecting different portions of the installation to be protected 10. The entities 14 are then, for example, positioned on either side of the installation to be protected 10 so as to cover different parts of the installation to be protected 10.

[0039] The or each entity 14 comprises a laser emitting device 15 mounted on said entity 14. Preferably, the or each entity 14 also comprises a laser warning detector 16 (LWD).

[0040] The laser emission device 15 is, for example, a laser beacon carried by the entity 14 (beacon of a drone).

[0041] By way of example, the or each laser alert detector 16 comprises a sensor capable of receiving a laser flux arriving at the detector, and a processing unit capable of detecting a laser task T as a function of the laser flux collected by the sensor.

[0042] Preferably, the or each laser warning detector 16 has a field of view greater than 80°, preferably greater than or equal to 90°. This allows the laser warning detectors 16 to monitor a wide area.

[0043] Alternatively, at least one laser warning detector 16 has a field of vision of less than 80°, but all of the laser warning detectors have an overall field of vision of greater than 80°, preferably greater than or equal to 90°. Preferably, the or each laser warning detector 16 is capable of detecting laser tasks T whose wavelength is at least one of the following wavelengths: 0.8 pm, 1.06 pm and 1.5 pm. The spectral range of the sensor of each laser warning detector 16 is therefore compatible with the preceding wavelengths.

[0044] Advantageously, the or each laser alert detector 16 is capable of detecting at least the wavelength 1.06 pm (typical wavelength of a designation laser).

[0045] An example of a method for protecting an installation to be protected 10, by the protection system 12 previously described, will now be described.

[0046] The protection method comprises a step 100 of obtaining, by the protection system 12, information relating to the detection of a laser task T on, or in the vicinity of, the installation to be protected 10. The term “proximity” is understood to mean in the environment of the installation to be protected 10. The laser task is, for example, 1 meter from the installation to be protected 10.

[0047] The laser spot T originates from a designation laser guiding a projectile. The information includes the position of the laser spot T, a spectral characteristic relating to the laser spot T and a time code relating to the laser spot T. The spectral characteristic includes information relating to the wavelength of the laser beam at the origin of the laser spot T. The time code includes information relating to the time sequence of the pulses of the laser beam at the origin of the laser spot T.

[0048] In an exemplary embodiment, when the or each entity 14 of the protection system 12 comprises at least one laser alert detector 16, the step 100 of obtaining information is carried out by the or one laser alert detector 16 of the protection system 12.

[0049] In one example, the obtaining step 100 first comprises positioning the protection system 12 near the installation to be protected 10, so that the installation to be protected 10 and its surroundings are in the field of vision of the laser warning detector 16 or are in the overall field of vision of all the laser warning detectors 16.

[0050] The surroundings of the facility to be protected 10 are the immediate environment of the facility to be protected 10, i.e. a few meters around the facility to be protected 10, typically 5 meters, or even 10 meters. More generally, the surroundings of the facility to be protected are an area where the impact of a munition would be likely to cause damage to the facility to be protected 10.

[0051] The overall field of vision is the sum of the fields of vision of all the laser warning detectors 16. When the or each entity 14 is mobile, the positioning step 100 is carried out directly by the entities 14.

[0052] Otherwise, the protection system 12 has for example been previously positioned according to the installation to be protected 10.

[0053] In this example, the obtaining step 100 then comprises the detection, by the or one of the laser alert detectors 16, of a laser task T on, or in the vicinity of, the installation to be protected 10.

[0054] In particular, the detection is carried out following the reception of the backscattering of the laser beam at the origin of the laser task T on said laser alert detector 16.

[0055] Figures 1 and 2 are examples illustrating the implementation of detection by a laser detector carried by an entity 14 of a protection system 12.

[0056] In an exemplary implementation, the detection comprises: determining a position for the laser task T, a spectral characteristic relating to the laser task T and a time code relating to the laser task T, as a function of the backscattering of the laser beam at the origin of the laser task T on said laser warning detector 16. As indicated previously, the spectral characteristic comprises information relating to the wavelength of the laser beam at the origin of the laser task T. The time code comprises information relating to the time sequence of the pulses of the laser beam at the origin of the laser task T. identifying the nature of the laser at the origin of the laser task T as a function of the spectral characteristic, the time code and a database associating predefined spectral characteristics and time codes with natures of lasers (for example, designation, telemetry or beam-rider).For example, this makes it possible to determine whether the detected laser task T comes from a designation laser or comes from a laser performing telemetry (in this case the laser warning detector(s) 16 are, for example, capable of detecting several spectral bands, typically at least 1.06 pm, and for example also 0.8 pm or 1.5 pm).

[0057] Thus, the laser originating laser task T is identified as a designation laser based on the information determined for laser task T.

[0058] For example, an alert is then generated, by said laser alert detector 16, when a laser task T has been detected. The alert is in particular intended to inform an operator to initiate protective actions.

[0059] Preferably, the obtaining step 100 comprises the movement of the entity(ies) 14 of the protection system 12 following a movement of the installation to be protected 10, so as to maintain the installation to be protected 10 and its surroundings in the field of vision of the laser warning detector 16 or in the overall field of vision of all the laser warning detectors 16.

[0060] Preferably, the laser warning detector 16 carrying out the obtaining step 100 belongs to the same entity 14 as the laser emission device 15 emitting the laser beam forming the guidance task TG.

[0061] Alternatively, the laser warning detector 16 performing the obtaining step 100 belongs to a different entity 14 and sends the information (via a communication channel) to the entity 14 emitting the laser beam forming the guidance task TG.

[0062] Alternatively, the information was obtained by a means separate from the protection system 12, for example, by a laser warning detector 16 positioned on the installation to be protected 10 (direct DAL). The information is then communicated to the protection system 12 via a communication channel.

[0063] The protection method comprises a step 200 of moving the entity or entities 14 of the protection system 12 so that the laser emission device 15 of the entity 14 is close to the detected laser task T (typically less than one meter).

[0064] Figure 3 illustrates an example of homing of the laser task T detected by an entity 14.

[0065] The protection method comprises a step 300 of emitting, by said laser emitting device 15, a laser beam reproducing the spectral characteristic and the time code of the detected laser task T so as to form a guidance task TG on, or in the vicinity of, the detected laser task T. The emitted laser beam is therefore spectrally identical (same wavelength) and temporally identical (same time sequence) to the designation laser beam.

[0066] The emitted laser beam has a power such that the intensity of the TG guidance spot is greater than the intensity of the detected T laser spot, which allows the projectile to be guided towards the TG guidance spot rather than towards the spot coming from the designation laser.

[0067] Figure 4 illustrates an example of emission of a laser beam forming a guidance task TG offset from the laser task T of the designation laser.

[0068] The protection method comprises a step 400 of progressively shifting the entity 14 comprising the laser emission device 15 so as to guide the projectile away from the installation to be protected 10.

[0069] For example, entity 14 shifts every second by a predetermined distance (a few meters per second for example). Preferably, just before the arrival of the projectile, entity 14 performs a maneuver / dodge so as not to be destroyed by the projectile. Alternatively, entity 14 is destroyed by the projectile.

[0070] Thus, the system 12 and the protection method make it possible to protect, via a decoy, an installation to be protected 10 targeted by a designation laser.

[0071] Indeed, the protection consists of a seduction countermeasure causing the laser task T detected to rally to an entity 14 of a protection system 12. The entity 14 activates a laser emission device 15 (carried beacon), copying the spectral characteristic and the time code of the designation laser and having a more attractive emission than the original task. The entity 14 then gradually shifts to guide the munition away from the initial target in a diversion zone where the impact of the incident munition will cause little damage. This therefore makes it possible to prevent the success of a laser-guided munition shot, that is to say to prevent the rallying and the impact of the munition on the supposed laser designation task on the target.

[0072] Detection can be made by the target itself or by another friendly element near the target or by the entity 14 emitting the laser emission.

[0073] The invention provides protection that does not impact the architecture of the elements to be protected. The protection provided can be for the benefit of a target that can be a single element (vehicle), a set of distributed elements (tactical group) or a command / logistics zone in mobile or fixed format. The protection does not require the movement of the target.

[0074] Those skilled in the art will understand that the described embodiments can be combined with each other provided that they are technically compatible.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A method for protecting an installation to be protected (10), the method being implemented by a protection system (12) comprising at least one entity (14) comprising a laser emission device (15), the method comprising the steps of: obtaining information relating to the detection of a laser task (T) on, or in the vicinity of, the installation to be protected (10), the laser task (T) coming from a designation laser guiding a projectile, the information comprising the position of the laser task (T), a spectral characteristic relating to the laser task (T) and a time code relating to the laser task (T), moving the or an entity (14) of the protection system (12) so that the laser emission device (15) of the entity (14) is in the vicinity of the detected laser task (T), emission, by the laser emission device (15),of a laser beam reproducing the spectral characteristic and the time code of the detected laser task (T) so as to form a guidance task (TG) in the vicinity of the detected laser task (T), the emitted laser beam having a power such that the intensity of the guidance task (TG) is greater than the intensity of the detected laser task (T), and progressive shifting of the entity (14) comprising the laser emission device (15) so as to guide the projectile away from the installation to be protected (10)., 2. Method according to claim 1, in which the installation to be protected (10) is a vehicle and the or each entity (14) is an accompanying vehicle.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the or each entity (14) is a drone, such as a land, air or naval drone.

4. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the number of entities (14) is greater than or equal to two.

5. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in which the or each entity (14) of the protection system (12) comprises at least one laser alert detector (16), the step of obtaining information having been carried out by the or one laser alert detector (16) of the protection system (12).

6. Method according to claim 5, wherein the laser warning detector (16) performing the step of obtaining information belongs to the same entity (14) as the laser emitting device (15) emitting the laser beam forming the guidance task (TG).

7. Method according to claim 5 or 6, in which the obtaining step comprises: positioning the protection system (12) near the installation to be protected (10) so that the installation to be protected (10) and its surroundings are in the field of vision of the laser warning detector (16) or are in the overall field of vision of all the laser warning detectors, and detecting, by the or one of the laser warning detectors (16), a laser task (T) on, or near, the installation to be protected (10), the detection comprising determining the information relating to the detected laser task (T) as a function of the backscattering of the laser beam at the origin of the laser task (T) on said laser warning detector (16).

8. Method according to claim 7, wherein upon detection, the laser at the origin of the laser task (T) is identified as being a designation laser based on the information determined for the laser task (T).

9. Method according to claim 7 or 8, in which the obtaining step comprises moving the entity(ies) (14) of the protection system (12) following a movement of the installation to be protected (10), so as to maintain the installation to be protected (10) and its surroundings in the field of vision of the laser warning detector (16) or in the overall field of vision of all the laser warning detectors.

10. System (12) for protecting an installation to be protected (10), the protection system (12) comprising at least one entity (14) comprising a laser emission device (15), the protection system (12) being capable of implementing the steps of a protection method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.