Reusable aircraft device for defending against single or multiple flying objects in a spatially and / or temporally coordinated unit

Abstract

Reusable flying device (100) for autonomous defense against a large number of flying objects in a spatially and / or temporally coordinated network, comprising: Landing gear (150, 180); at least one means of a multitude of means of defense (170), wherein the at least one means of defense (170) is configured to: Acting, in a frontal view, within an angle α upwards towards a single target; and Acting, in a side view, within an angle β towards on top of the single target; and a control unit (160) configured to: Detecting one flying object from a multitude of flying objects as the single target; and Defending against the single target with at least one means of defense (170).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to reusable aircraft for defending against individual or multiple aircraft in a spatially and / or temporally coordinated group, as well as to methods for controlling the reusable aircraft to carry out autonomous or at least partially autonomous missions. In particular, the present invention relates to a reusable aircraft with a plurality of means for fully autonomously defending against a plurality of drones over time. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Remotely controlled and / or autonomously flying unmanned objects, such as drones, pose an increasing threat on the battlefield. Depending on the number and use of drones, suitable means of countering them may not be available. For example, a defense using a large number of drones can overload existing defense capacity through the concentrated use of a large number of drones at one location (saturation) and / or through the continuous use of individual drones at that location (fatigue).

[0003] The costs of protecting against a threat across a larger area and / or repelling an attack by individual drones, or even a coordinated group (swarm) of drones in one location, can quickly exceed the available resources of the defender, while the costs of a single drone are comparatively low and even borne by the attacking party. A threat can, for example, be an attacking and / or reconnaissance aircraft.

[0004] The costs of current defenses, such as guided missiles, can often exceed the costs of at least partially commercially available drones by several times. Inexpensive countermeasures, such as tube weapons, have the disadvantage of short range and the required line of sight to the target for the duration of the engagement. Longer ranges mean fewer aircraft are needed to defend a defined area. Drone attacks can therefore quickly result in economic losses for a defender due to the cost-effectiveness of asymmetric defense.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide means and methods to counter a saturation / fatigue and / or single attack by, for example, drones in an efficient, in particular economically proportionate, manner.

[0006] US 2022 / 0324572 A1 discloses techniques and systems for the deployment of hover and / or ammunition from an airborne small tactical unmanned aircraft system.

[0007] US 2020 / 0041234 A1 discloses an air system for tracking a detected obstacle. The air system may include a plurality of aircraft, an aircraft storage system for accommodating the plurality of aircraft, and an aircraft controller in communication with a tracking system and the plurality of aircraft. In operation, one or more of the plurality of aircraft may engage a detected threat.

[0008] DE 10 2017 002 156 A1 discloses an unmanned aircraft for combating threat missiles in airspace. The aircraft can be moved through the airspace largely autonomously after target assignment by an operator. The aircraft has a kinematically suitable support structure with propulsion means for generating lateral acceleration in three degrees of freedom for controllable movement of the aircraft through the airspace. A combat device carried on board can be positioned and aligned to disable threat missiles and remove them from a section of airspace.

[0009] US 2022 / 0340275 A1 discloses an armed unmanned aerial vehicle, a control system, and methods of using the same. The aerial vehicle includes an elongated body, a pair of opposed side rotor arm assemblies extending from the sides of the body, a tail rotor arm assembly extending from a rear end of the body, a weapon system including at least one firearm connected to the body, and a flight and targeting controller operatively connected to the side rotor arm assemblies and the tail rotor arm assembly. The controller is configured to: determine, based on received targeting information, at least a pitch angle and a yaw angle required to strike a target with the weapon system; and, based on at least the determined pitch angle and yaw angle, selectively control operation of each rotor arm assembly for targeting the weapon system.

[0010] CN 1 11 123 983 B discloses a control system for the interception and acquisition of nets by unmanned aerial vehicles. The system comprises a target search and tracking module, an interception control module, and a net-firing fire control module. The net interception control system can be carried on an unmanned aerial vehicle, steers autonomously, approaches a target, and fires a net bomb after the target aircraft is located, and tows the target aircraft back to a base after it is acquired.

[0011] CN 102700713 A discloses an unmanned aerial vehicle with a payload body comprising a body, wings, and tail surfaces, with electronic devices, a flight control system, a rocket launch control device, and an engine mounted on the body. The body consists of a composite launcher on which payloads are mounted, and the payloads.

[0012] DE 10 2015 003 323 A1 discloses a device for capturing a flying unmanned aircraft. The device is maneuverable such that it captures the aircraft with the capture device attached to the device and lands it in a controlled manner together with the captured aircraft, or it releases the capture device together with the captured aircraft in a controlled manner.

[0013] DE 10 2019 114 000 A1 discloses a system for capturing drones, in particular small or micro drones. The system comprises at least one capturing device, wherein the capturing device comprises a plurality of capturing means. The plurality of capturing means can be arranged or suspended below the system so that a drone to be captured can become entangled in the capturing means. The capturing device is designed to transport a drone below the center of gravity of the system after capturing.

[0014] RU 2 669 904 C1 discloses an unmanned aerial vehicle for intercepting and engaging aerial targets. The unmanned aerial vehicle includes a gun complex arranged along an axis passing through the center of gravity of the aircraft to enable stable movement during guidance and firing.

[0015] V. Rostopchin, “Drones and Air Defense - Problems and Possible Solutions,” 2019, https: / / www.researchgate.net / publication / 331772628_Udarnye _bespilotnye_letatelnye_apparaty_i_protivovozdusnaa_oborona_-problemy_i_perspektivy_protivostoania, examines the use of drones and evaluates modern countermeasures and countermeasures, such as the use of a cartridge inserted into a projectile, with the time of detonation of the cartridge programmed to coincide with the projectile's completion. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0016] According to the invention, the above object is achieved by a flying device having the features of patent claim 1, a method having the features of patent claim 8, a launching device having the features of patent claim 9, and a storage medium having the features of patent claim 10.

[0017] According to one aspect of the invention, a reusable flying device for autonomously defending against a plurality of flying objects in a spatially and / or temporally coordinated group comprises means for landing; at least one means of a plurality of defense means, wherein the at least one defense means is configured to: act, in a front view, within an angle α upwards on a single target; and act, in a side view, within an angle β upwards on the single target; and a control unit configured to: detect one flying object of the plurality of flying objects as the single target; and defend against the single target with the at least one means.

[0018] The reusable aircraft enables fully autonomous protection and defense functions without human interaction. This reusability enables a significant cost reduction in drone protection and defense. This reusability allows the aircraft to be equipped with significantly more powerful sensors and / or components to enhance its capabilities, while the cost of the aircraft remains comparable to the cost of the potentially defended drones. The defending aircraft can be significantly more expensive than an attacking drone, but the weapon, as the only consumable part, is significantly cheaper than the attacking drone.

[0019] According to a further development, a reusable aircraft comprises a control unit configured to track the target in order to act on the target with one or more of the plurality of defense means, at least partially in a direction perpendicular to a direction of flight of the reusable aircraft and / or in a direction opposite to the direction of flight of the reusable aircraft. This allows different types of ammunition to be used according to the advantages of the respective ammunition type.

[0020] According to one development, a reusable aircraft comprises a control unit configured to receive information about an area of ​​operation before and / or after launch of the reusable aircraft. This enables autonomous deployment and / or a change of a mission.

[0021] According to one embodiment, a reusable aircraft comprises a control unit configured to control a propulsion system of the reusable aircraft in an operational area based on information received about the operational area. This enables autonomous deployment in the operational area.

[0022] According to one embodiment, a reusable aircraft comprises a control unit configured to control the reusable aircraft in an operational area to place the reusable aircraft into a waiting state and / or hovering state. A deployment duration and / or range can thereby be increased.

[0023] According to one embodiment, a reusable aircraft comprises a control unit configured to control the reusable aircraft to a landing point; and to land the reusable aircraft using the landing means at the landing point. This enables landing in a safe area for retrieval of the reusable aircraft.

[0024] According to a further development, a reusable flight device comprises landing rods and / or a parachute. This reduces the likelihood of damage to the reusable flight device and increases the possibility of reuse.

[0025] According to one aspect of the invention, a method for controlling a reusable aircraft comprises autonomously detecting one of a plurality of aircraft as a target; and autonomously defeating the target with at least one of one or a plurality of defeat means.

[0026] One aspect of the invention relates to a launching device for launching the reusable aircraft.

[0027] One aspect of the invention relates to a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions stored thereon that, when executed by one or more processors of a system, cause the reusable aircraft to perform the method for controlling the reusable aircraft.

[0028] Further advantageous embodiments and developments emerge from the description with reference to the figures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] In the following, the invention is explained with reference to the figures of the drawings. Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a front view (') and a side view ('') of a reusable flying device for autonomously or at least partially autonomously defending against a plurality of flying objects at a location and / or a plurality of flying objects over a period of time at the location and / or in an area of ​​a mission. Fig. 2 illustrates an exemplary mission of a reusable aircraft for autonomously or at least partially autonomously intercepting a plurality of aircraft at a location and / or a plurality of aircraft over a period of time at the location and / or in an area of ​​the exemplary mission.

[0030] The accompanying figures are intended to provide a further understanding of embodiments of the invention. They illustrate embodiments and, in conjunction with the description, serve to explain principles and concepts of the invention. Other embodiments and many of the noted advantages will be apparent upon review of the drawings. Elements of the drawings are not necessarily shown to scale. Directional terminology such as "top," "bottom," "left," "right," "above," "below," "horizontal," "vertical," "front," "rear," and similar terms are used for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit generality to specific embodiments shown in the figures.

[0031] In the figures of the drawing, identical, functionally identical and acting elements, features and components are provided with the same reference symbols, unless otherwise stated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0032] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a front view (') and a side view ('') of a reusable aircraft 100 for autonomously or at least partially autonomously defending against a plurality of aircraft at a location and / or a plurality of aircraft over a period of time at the location and / or in an area of ​​a mission.

[0033] The reusable aircraft 100 includes a fuselage 110, a tail unit 120, a wing 130, and an engine 140.

[0034] The fuselage 110 of the reusable aircraft 100 may include a control unit 160 configured to control the reusable aircraft 100, as described below with reference to Fig. 2 by way of example. The control unit 160 can alternatively or at least partially be arranged in or on a wing 130 of the reusable aircraft 100.

[0035] The control unit 160 may include one or more processors and / or be wirelessly connected to one or more of a plurality of processors, for example, via a cellular and / or satellite-based wireless communication interface (not shown). The wireless communication interface may be configured to communicate with a higher-level or lower-level command system, such as a fire control center and / or a radar system and / or an operator, for example, via a tablet computer and / or a general mobile device.

[0036] The control unit 160 may include one or more sensors and / or be coupled to one or more of a plurality of sensors. For example, the control unit 160 may be coupled to one or more of a radar antenna, an infrared sensor, a low-light amplifier, etc., e.g., via a wireless communication interface.

[0037] The reusable aircraft 100 may comprise one or more of the above-mentioned sensors, for example, to detect and / or track one or more flying objects. In particular, the reusable aircraft 100 may be configured to perform a mission autonomously, for example, so that wireless communication with external sensors or control units is not absolutely necessary to successfully complete a mission.

[0038] The control unit 160 may comprise a non-volatile storage medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the reusable aircraft 100 to perform a mission autonomously or at least partially autonomously. In particular, the non-volatile storage medium may comprise program code that enables detecting and / or tracking a flying object as a target based at least in part on the data acquired by the one or more sensors. The detecting and / or tracking may further be based on data that can be obtained via an interface for wireless communication with external sensors or control units.

[0039] The fuselage 110 of the reusable aircraft 100 can comprise one or more means for repelling one or more flying objects. For example, the means or plurality of repelling means 170 can comprise one or more of a generator for generating an electromagnetic pulse and / or scatter fibers and / or shotgun munitions and / or submunitions. The plurality of repelling means 170 can be used to engage a single flying object multiple times and with different means. Depending on the type of target, the reusable aircraft 100 can be equipped with different classes of repelling agents. However, one class of repelling agents can be used multiple times.

[0040] The plurality of defense means 170 may alternatively or at least partially be arranged in or on a wing 130 of the reusable aircraft 100. In particular, the plurality of defense means 170 may be configured such that an ejection of one of the means upwards (z-direction in Fig. 1), for example, to repel flying objects above the reusable aircraft 100. Ejection in a different direction is also possible, as described below with reference to specific repelling means 170. An ejection direction can be any linear combination of the x, y, and z directions.

[0041] The deflection means(s) 170 may be configured to act upwards within an angle α in a frontal view. The angle α may be symmetrical in the z-direction—or in another direction with an upward z-component—with 0°≤α≤180°, preferably 45°≤α≤135°, more preferably 60°≤α≤120°.

[0042] The deflection means(s) 170 can be configured to act upwards within an angle β in a side view. The angle β can be symmetrical in the z-direction—or in another direction with an upward z-component—with 0°≤β≤180°, preferably 45°≤β≤135°, more preferably 60°≤β≤120°. The angles α and β can be identical or different.

[0043] A generator for generating an electromagnetic pulse may include a battery. The battery may be replaceable. The battery may be a rechargeable battery.

[0044] Scatter fibers for entangling a propeller of a flying object can be made of at least one of glass, Kevlar, or aramid. In particular, the scatter fibers can be configured to float in the air. For example, the diameter of the scatter fibers can range between 0.1 and 1 mm. The length of the scatter fibers can range between 2 and 20 m.

[0045] Shotgun ammunition can be detonated individually or simultaneously, multiple times. The shotgun ammunition can be any commercially available shotgun ammunition. For example, it can be shotgun ammunition.

[0046] A submunition can be multi-stage to allow the reusable aircraft 100 to maintain a safe distance from the active charge after ejecting the submunition's active charge until the active charge is detonated. The active charge of the submunition can be ejected by means of a pyrotechnic charge or by means of mechanically stored energy, e.g., by a spring. Ejection backwards, or at least partially backwards, relative to the direction of flight of the reusable aircraft 100 allows the reusable aircraft 100 to increase a safe distance from the active charge. An increased safe distance, in turn, enables a wider beam and / or a greater speed and range of the splinters and / or fragments of the active charge.

[0047] A directed effect of the submunition within a specific angle of effect also allows for the use of lower amounts of energy per submunition compared to a non-directed effect with a larger angle of effect, while maintaining a consistent energy-to-area ratio. A danger zone can be reduced through the targeted effect, both for kinetic and electromagnetic munitions.

[0048] Multistage submunitions can also provide defense against larger and / or more robust flying objects. For example, it is possible to defend against flying objects that are protected against shotgun pellets.

[0049] The reusable flying device 100 may further comprise means for landing, such as a plurality of landing rods 150 and / or one or more parachutes 180. The means for landing may be arranged in a fuselage 110 of the reusable flying device 100 in a first, closed state. The means for landing may alternatively be arranged at least partially in or on a wing 130 of the reusable flying device 100. In particular, the plurality of landing rods 150 may be arranged at least partially on the wing 130 to increase stability during landing. In the first state, the plurality of landing rods may be arranged on the fuselage 110 and / or on the wing 130 of the reusable flying device 100, for example, by means of a magnet.

[0050] The plurality of landing rods 150 can be resiliently attached to the reusable flying device 100 in a second state to enable the reusable flying device 100 to land smoothly, particularly in combination with the one or more parachutes 180 in the second, opened state (not shown). Compared to an unloaded state, a landing rod in a loaded state can form an angle γ, with 5° ≤ γ ≤ 20°.

[0051] The plurality of landing rods 150 can be foldable. After landing, the plurality of landing rods 150 can be moved from the second to the first state, for example, to prepare the reusable flying device 100 for a new deployment. Landing can also be accomplished using a safety net, a safety cable, and / or an air cushion, for example, if the reusable flying device 100 does not include any means for landing. A safety net, a safety cable, and / or an air cushion can also be combined with at least one means for landing the reusable flying device 100.

[0052] The tail unit 120 of the reusable aircraft 100 can be arranged on the fuselage 110 and / or the wing 130 of the reusable aircraft 100. The tail unit 120 can comprise a plurality of tail units. For example, the tail unit can be arranged on a front and / or rear wing of the reusable aircraft 100. The wing 130 can comprise a plurality of wings. The tail unit 120 and the wing 130 can be at least partially foldable and / or inflatable.

[0053] A tank and / or an energy storage device can be arranged entirely or at least partially in the fuselage 110. The tail unit 120 and / or the wing 130 can be configured to accommodate a fuel to supply the propulsion of the reusable aircraft 100 with fuel. In a plan view (from above in the -z direction), the reusable aircraft 100 can have the shape of a triangle, and in a front view (from the front in the -x direction), the reusable aircraft 100 can have the shape of a trapezoid to increase the volume for the fuel. The shape and / or a surface of the reusable aircraft 100 can be configured to have a low radar cross-section.

[0054] The propulsion system 140 can be electric or a liquid-propellant engine. The propulsion system 140 can enable launch without a launcher, improving reusability. The fuel volume can enable the reusable aircraft 100 to operate in a target area for a period of time ranging from 0 to 24 hours, for example, between 6 and 24 hours, preferably 12 to 24 hours, and more preferably 18 to 24 hours. The deployment area of ​​the reusable aircraft 100 can be up to 1200 km from the launch point, while the reusable aircraft 100 is capable of returning to the launch point. A different landing point is also possible.

[0055] The reusable flying device 100 can be modularly constructed to facilitate transport and / or launch in a launch device. A launch device can comprise a plurality of reusable flying devices 100. In the launch device, the plurality of reusable flying devices 100 can be arranged one above the other, for example, on a launch pad. An arrangement in a battery is also possible, for example, when a foldable wing 130 is used. A battery can be a cuboid with n × m reusable flying devices 100. The launch device can be configured for transport using a commercially available transport vehicle.

[0056] Fig. 2 illustrates an exemplary mission 200 of a reusable aircraft 100 for autonomously or at least partially autonomously intercepting a plurality of aircraft at a location and / or a plurality of aircraft over a period of time at the location and / or in an area of ​​the exemplary mission 200.

[0057] In the Fig. 2, the plurality of flying objects is schematically represented as a plurality of velocity vectors v1t until vnt represented by a magnitude and a direction (the superscript stands for "target"). In the exemplary mission 200, the reusable aircraft 100 follows a trajectory 210. The trajectory 210 extends from a takeoff point to a landing point, e.g., in coordinate system 230. The takeoff and landing points may be substantially identical.

[0058] The reusable aircraft 100 may be configured to communicate wirelessly, for example, with a cellular network 220 or with a satellite- and / or drone-based communication system. A landing point may be communicated to the reusable aircraft 100 at launch or at another time during the exemplary mission 200, for example, when the reusable aircraft 100 is at point 211 of the trajectory 210.

[0059] For illustration, the reusable flight device 100 has a velocity vector at point 211 of the trajectory 210 v0i with a magnitude and a direction (the superscript stands for "interceptor"). The control unit 160 of the reusable aircraft 100 can be configured to switch the drive 140 on and / or off while the reusable aircraft 100 is on the trajectory 210, for example, when the reusable aircraft 100 enters or exits a waiting state and / or hover state. This can increase the range and / or operational duration of the reusable aircraft 100.

[0060] As in the Fig. 2 with reference to point 211 of the trajectory 210, the reusable flying device 100 can be a flying object at point 211 v1t autonomously detect, autonomously register as a target, and autonomously track as a target. After detecting the flying object v1t the control unit 160 can autonomously determine one or more means by which the flying object v1t To increase the effectiveness of a means of defense, the control unit 160 can cause the reusable flying device 100 to fly an arc 212, so that with one of the specific means in a specific direction towards the flying object v1t can be used to ward off this.

[0061] For example, the flying object can be shot from below and / or from the front and / or from the side and / or from the back v1t For example, from below, simply (see 213) with shotgun pellets, for example, on the flying object v1t Alternatively or additionally, after a bow 214, a flying object can be shot from the front vj−1t be used, for example with shot, to create a kinetic effect of the shot due to a relative orientation of the reusable flying device 100 and the flying object vj−1t After an optional arc 216, it is also possible to fire several times (cf. 217) with, for example, shot at a flying object vjt A shot from below (see 219), for example, with shot, can also be combined with a shot from behind (see 219), for example, with a multi-stage submunition. A shot from behind (see 218), for example, with a multi-stage submunition, can also be carried out alone, without the use of additional defensive means.

[0062] In the foregoing detailed description, various features have been combined into one or more examples for clarity of illustration. It should be understood, however, that the above description is merely illustrative and not restrictive in nature. It is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents of the various features and embodiments. Many other examples will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art based on their skill in the art in light of the above description.

[0063] The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best illustrate the principles underlying the invention and their possible practical applications. This will enable those skilled in the art to optimally modify and utilize the invention and its various embodiments with respect to the intended purpose. In the claims and the description, the terms "including" and "having" are used as neutral language terms for the corresponding term "comprising." Furthermore, the use of the terms "a," "an," and "an" is not intended to exclude a plurality of such described features and components. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 100 reusable flying devices 110 fuselage 120 tail unit 130 wing 140 drive 150 landing staffs 160 control unit 170 Variety of means of defense (from one or more flying objects) 180 parachute 200 missions (of a reusable flight device) 210 Trajectory (of the reusable flight device during the mission) 220 cellular network (for wireless communication with the reusable aircraft) 211 point on the trajectory 212 sheets 213 Defense (simple, from below) 214 sheets 215 Defense (simple, from the front) 216 sheets 217 Defense (multiple, from below) 218 Defense (multi-level, from behind) 219 Defense (simple, from below) 230 Coordinate system 230 with start and optional landing point

Claims

[1] Reusable flying device (100) for the autonomous defense of a plurality of flying objects in a spatially and / or temporally coordinated group, comprising: Means of landing (150, 180); at least one means of a plurality of means for defending (170), wherein the at least one means for defending (170) is configured to: Act, in a frontal view, within an angle α upwards on a single target; and Act, in a side view, within an angle β to on top of the single target; and a control unit (160) configured to: detecting one of the plurality of flying objects as the single target; and Defending the individual target with at least one means of defense (170). [2] The reusable aircraft (100) of claim 1, wherein the at least one means for repelling (170) comprises shotgun munitions, the shotgun munitions being configured to act on the single target multiple times simultaneously. [3] Reusable flying device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the control unit (160) is further configured to: Obtaining information about an operational area before launching the reusable aircraft (100) and / or after launching the reusable aircraft (100). [4] Reusable flying device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit (160) is further configured to: Controlling a drive of the reusable aircraft (100) in an operational area based on received information about the operational area. [5] Reusable flying device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control unit (160) is further configured to: Controlling the reusable flying device (100) in an operational area to place the reusable flying device (100) in a waiting state and / or hover state. [6] Reusable flying device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control unit (160) is further configured to: Controlling the reusable flying device (100) to a landing point; and Landing the reusable flying device (100) with the means for landing (150, 180) at the landing point. [7] Reusable flying device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the means for landing comprise landing rods (130) and / or a parachute (180). [8] A method of controlling a reusable aircraft (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the method comprising: autonomously detecting one of the plurality of flying objects as a target; and autonomous defense of the target with at least one means of defense (170). [9] Launching device for launching the reusable flying device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7. [10] A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions stored thereon which, when executed by one or more processors of a system, cause the reusable aircraft (100) of any one of claims 1 to 7 to perform the method of claim 8.

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