Method for testing an HPM weapon

Abstract

To test an HPM weapon (61) of a mobile weapon platform (60) in interaction with a mobile target platform (70), the following is proposed: • Attaching a weapon carrier data logger (10) to the mobile weapon platform (60) and connecting one of its communication interfaces to the HPM weapon (61), • Attachment of a target object data logger (20) with a field strength sensor (80) to the mobile target object platform (70), • During the test, in which the HPM weapon (61) of the mobile weapon platform (60) is fired at the target platform (70), • the following steps are carried out: • The weapon carrier data logger (10) records and stores data from the HPM weapon (61), its RTK-enabled GNSS module (12) and its 6DOF IMU module (13), each with a timestamp, • The target object data logger (20) records and stores data from its field strength sensor (80), its RTK-enabled GNSS module (22) and its 6DOF lMU module (23), each with a timestamp, • After testing, the data from the weapon carrier data logger (10) and the target object data logger (20) are combined in a time-synchronized manner using stored timestamps for further analysis.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for testing an HPM weapon.

[0002] The following are terms used in this application that contain English abbreviations: HPM (High Power Microwave) weapon: HPM weapons are technologies that utilize high-power microwave radiation to disrupt or destroy electronic systems. RTK (Real-Time Kinematic)-enabled GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) LoRa (Long Range Module): RTK is a technique for improving the accuracy of GNSS positioning data. It enables the acquisition of precise location data in real time by using correction data from a base station. LoRa is a wireless technology designed for transmitting data over long distances with low power consumption. 6DOF IMU (6 Degrees of Freedom Inertial Measurement Unit) module: A 6DOF IMU module measures motion in three dimensions (translation) as well as rotation around three axes. These modules provide precise motion data.

[0003] The threat posed by autonomous swarm technologies affects all branches of the armed forces and the capability domains of land, sea, and air. Critical infrastructure, military convoys, frigates, armored vehicles, and ultimately soldiers are all equally vulnerable. With relatively little effort, the opponent can achieve a comparatively dramatic effect. The only adequate means of countering autonomous swarm technologies without the risk of overburdening one's own defenses is the use of high-powered warfare (HPM) weapons. These weapons offer the following advantages: • Effective even against undetected, covert targets • True multi-hit capability through simultaneous action on all electronic targets, even with static effectors, in a moderate solid angle range • Effect through direct impact on electronics • Thanks to its wide beam angle and modularity, it can be easily scaled to provide 360-degree all-round protection and distance capability. • weather-independent.

[0004] To improve HPM weapons, new testing procedures must be developed.

[0005] The DE 10 2021 203 826 A1 shows an HPM detector.

[0006] DE 10 2005 049 539 B4 shows a variety of different mobile platforms that mount HPM weapons.

[0007] US 2012 / 0059554 A1 shows a mobile platform with an RTK-capable GNSS module and a 6DOF IMU module.

[0008] US patent 2010 / 0265135 A1 shows a GPS data logger with a GPS module. The GPS data logger records GPS data with a timestamp. This allows files, also with a timestamp, to be supplemented with time-synchronized GPS data.

[0009] The invention is based on the objective of creating a method for testing an HPM weapon.

[0010] This problem is solved according to the invention by the features of claim 1.

[0011] The advantages of the invention lie in the fact that a high-pressure weapon (HPM) mounted on a mobile weapon platform can be realistically tested while obtaining reproducible data. This is achieved through interaction with a mobile target platform. The underlying concept is to consider the various movements of a weapon platform relative to a target platform with regard to the effectiveness of different HPM pulses. In addition to the distance to the target, the respective position of both the weapon platform and the target platform should also be evaluable for testing purposes. The testing procedure uses a weapon carrier data logger with an RTK-capable GNSS LoRa module for high-precision positioning and a 6DOF IMU module for attitude determination. During testing, a communication interface is connected to the HPM weapon to record the parameters of the HPM pulses.The testing procedure further utilizes a target data logger with an RTK-enabled GNSS LoRa module for high-precision positioning and a 6DOF IMU module for attitude determination. During testing, a communication interface is connected to the field strength sensor to measure the field strength acting on the target platform. A base station includes an RTK-enabled GNSS LoRa module to transmit position correction data to the RTK-enabled GNSS LoRa modules of the weapon carrier data logger and the target data logger to obtain highly accurate position data. During testing, in which the mobile weapon platform's HPEM weapon is fired at the target platform, the following steps are performed: • The weapon carrier data logger records and stores data from the HPM weapon, its RTK-enabled GNSS module, and its 6DOF IMU module, each with a timestamp. • The target object data logger records and stores data from its field strength sensor, its RTK-enabled GNSS module, its 6DOF IMU module and the field strength sensor, each with a timestamp. • After testing, the data from the weapon carrier data logger and the target object data logger are merged in a time-synchronized manner using timestamps for further analysis.

[0012] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the method uses identical data loggers with communication interfaces. Furthermore, the method uses a separately provided field strength sensor. The underlying idea is to apply the modular principle in a cost-effective manner. This is achieved by configuring one of the data loggers as a weapon carrier data logger by connecting a communication interface to the HPM weapon. This is further achieved by configuring another data logger as a target object data logger by attaching the field strength sensor and connecting a communication interface to the field strength sensor.

[0013] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a camera is used to document the testing. The camera is arranged on the weapon platform. The behavior of the target platform under fire can best be captured visually from the weapon platform.

[0014] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. The drawings show, in each case, schematic diagrams of the following: Fig. 1 a test scenario; Fig. 2 a trial set; Fig. 3 An illustration of the data fusion of stored data from a weapon carrier data logger and a target object data logger.

[0015] Fig. Figure 1 illustrates a method for testing an HPM weapon 61 of a moving, mobile weapon platform 60 in interaction with a also moving mobile target platform 70.

[0016] A weapon carrier data logger 10 is attached to the mobile weapon platform 60. The weapon carrier data logger 10 comprises an RTK-capable GNSS-LoRa module 12, a 6DOF IMU module 13, and a communication interface with a connector socket 18, which is connected to the HPM weapon 61 via a cable.

[0017] A target object data logger 20 is attached to the mobile target platform 70. The target object data logger 20 comprises an RTK-enabled GNSS-LoRa module 22, a 6DOF IMU module 23, and a field strength sensor 80 with a connector plug that is connected to a connector socket 28 of a communication interface of the target object data logger 20.

[0018] A base station 30 with an RTK-capable GNSS-LoRa module (not shown) ensures highly accurate positioning of the RTK-capable GNSS-LoRa modules 12 and 22 of the weapon carrier data logger 10 and the target object data logger 20. All RTK-capable GNSS-LoRa modules 12 and 22 are in radio contact with satellites 50. The antennas of the RTK-capable GNSS-LoRa modules 12 and 22 are not shown in the simplified schematic diagrams.

[0019] During the test, in which the HPEM weapon 61 of the mobile weapon platform 60 is fired at the target platform 70, the following steps are carried out: • The weapon carrier data logger 10 records and stores data from the HPM weapon 61, its RTK-capable GNSS module 12 and its 6DOF IMU module 12, each with a timestamp, • The target object data logger 20 records and stores data from its field strength meter 80, its RTK-capable GNSS module 22, its 6DOF IMU module 23 of the target object platform 70 and data from the HPM sensor 80, each with a timestamp.

[0020] Fig. Figure 3 illustrates the procedure step in which, after testing, the data from the weapon carrier data logger 10 and the target object data logger 20 are merged synchronously using timestamps for further analysis. The data fused via timestamps result in datasets that are evaluated for testing purposes.

[0021] Fig. Figure 2 illustrates a test set for the testing procedure. The test set initially comprises identical data loggers 40 with an RTK-capable GNSS-LoRa module 42, a 6DOF IMU module 43, and connector sockets 47, 48, 49. The connector sockets 47, 48, 49 are each elements of communication interfaces of the data logger 40.

[0022] Furthermore, the test set includes a separately available field strength sensor 80 and a camera 90.

[0023] By connecting one of the communication interfaces of one of the data loggers 40 to the HPM weapon 61, the weapon carrier data logger 10 is obtained, which, as Fig. Figure 1 shows an RTK-capable GNSS LoRa module 12, a 6DOF IMU module 13 and connector sockets 17, 18 and 19.

[0024] By attaching the field strength sensor 80 to another data logger 40 and connecting one of its communication interfaces to the field strength sensor 80, the target object data logger 20 is obtained, which, as Fig. Figure 1 shows an RTK-capable GNSS LoRa module 22, a 6DOF IMU module 23 and connector sockets 27, 28 and 29.

[0025] In the exemplary test scenario, camera 90 is connected to a communication interface of the weapon data logger 10. Camera 90 serves to document the effect on the target platform 70.

[0026] The weapon carrier data logger 10 and the target object data logger 20 are independent devices with their own sensors for position and orientation determination, which can be attached to and detached from mobile platforms.

[0027] Each data logger 40 in the test set also includes a microcontroller or processor that controls the operation of the data logger, processes the data and controls the memory and communication interfaces, internal memory, batteries or rechargeable batteries for power supply and an EMP-protected housing, and firmware for controlling internal processes and software.

[0028] In contrast to the exemplary embodiment, the following modifications are also possible by way of example: • The in Fig. The test set shown is merely an example. It is not necessary to use identically configured data logger 40 units. Instead, pre-configured weapon carrier data logger 60 units and pre-configured target object data logger 70 units can be used. • Similarly, a test set could also include, for example, twenty Data Logger 40 units to equip, for instance, ten Mobile Weapon Platforms 60 and ten Mobile Target Data Loggers 70. For example, a drone HPM attack swarm and a drone target swarm could be tested. • Furthermore, the test set can also include a variety of different field strength sensors 80. • Other mobile platforms are also possible, such as ships (i.e., floating watercraft) or ground vehicles. • Regarding the kinematics of the weapon platforms 60 and target platforms 70, the following combinations are possible, for example: moving weapon platform and stationary target platform, stationary weapon platform and moving target platform, moving weapon platform and moving target platform. During this time, weapon platform 60 and / or target platform 70 can change their position and, for example, rotate around a vertical axis. 4. In addition to wired communication interfaces with plug sockets 17, 18, 19, 27, 28, 29, 47, 48, 49, wireless communication interfaces can also be used. Reference symbol list 10 weapon carrier data loggers 12 RTK-capable GNSS LoRa modules 13 6DOF IMU module 17 plug socket 18 plug sockets 19 plug socket 20 target object data loggers 22 RTK-capable GNSS LoRa module 23 6DOF IMU module 27 Plug socket 28 plug socket 29 Plug socket 30 base stations 40 data loggers 42 RTK-capable GNSS LoRa module 43 6DOF IMU module 47 Plug socket 48 plug sockets 49 Plug socket 50 satellites 60 weapon platforms 61 HPM weapon 70 Target Platform 80 field strength sensor 90 Camera

Claims

[1] Method for testing an HPM weapon (61) of a mobile weapon platform (60) in interaction with a mobile target platform (70), having the features: • the procedure uses a) a weapon carrier data logger (10) with an RTK-capable GNSS LoRa module (12), a 6DOF IMU module (13) and a communication interface that can be connected to the HPM weapon (61), b) a target object data logger (20) with an RTK-capable GNSS LoRa module (22), a 6DOF IMU module (23) and a field strength sensor (80), c) a base station (30) with an RTK-capable GNSS LoRa module, • The procedure includes the following steps: d) Attaching the weapon carrier data logger (10) to the mobile weapon platform (60) and connecting the communication interface to the HPM weapon (61), e) Attaching the target object data logger (20) with the field strength sensor (80) to the mobile target object platform (70), f) During the test, in which the HPM weapon (61) of the mobile weapon platform (60) is fired at the target platform (70), the following steps are carried out: g) the weapon carrier data logger (10) records and stores data from the HPM weapon (61), its RTK-capable GNSS module (12) and its 6DOF IMU module (13), each with a timestamp, h) the target object data logger (20) records and stores data from its field strength sensor (80), its RTK-enabled GNSS module (22) and its 6DOF IMU module (23), each with a timestamp, i) After testing, the data from the weapon carrier data logger (10) and the target object data logger (20) are combined in a time-synchronized manner using stored timestamps for further analysis. [2] Method according to claim 1, comprising the features: The method uses identically designed data loggers (40) with communication interfaces and a separately provided field strength sensor (80), comprising the following process steps: • Connection of one of the communication interfaces (47, 48, 49) of one of the data loggers (40) to the HPM weapon (61) while retaining the weapon carrier data logger (10), • Attaching the field strength sensor (80) to another of the data loggers (40) and connecting one of its communication interfaces to the field strength sensor (80) while retaining the target object data logger (20). [3] Method according to claim 2, wherein a camera (90) is used to document the testing, which is connected to a communication interface of the weapon carrier data logger (10).

Images