SIMULATOR AND METHOD FOR SIMULATING THE USE OF AN AIRCRAFT

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a simulator for simulating the deployment of a missile by an attacking system in a combat environment. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method and a computer program product for simulating the deployment of a missile by an attacking system in a combat environment.

[0002] The technical field of the present invention relates to the simulation of remotely controlled missiles in a real training environment of a combat terrain.

[0003] Methods used in the training of operators of remotely piloted missiles are based on a virtual simulation of target objects in a computer with an image-generating system, as well as on laser-based training in direct missile aiming. The virtual simulation takes place almost entirely in a simulated environment defined by the computer, specifically without direct reference to real-world target objects such as tanks or trucks. The laser-based simulation utilizes laser-sensitive instrumented target objects present in the operator's real-world terrain. These targets are acquired and tracked using an optical and / or electrical sight integrated into the operator's guidance system and can be tracked during the missile's flight phase.

[0004] Modern guidance systems are characterized by the fact that imaging data from the electronic target acquisition and tracking components integrated into the missile can be displayed to the operator in their viewfinder, at least during the missile's flight phase. Under certain conditions, the operator may even be able to intervene in the target tracking process or initiate an engagement without initial target contact, assigning the target only during the missile's flight phase.

[0005] However, these latter possibilities cannot be simulated in a real training environment using the known methods mentioned above.

[0006] For safety reasons, the laser-based simulation does not permit the actual launch of the missile, in which the imaging components could approach the real target at high speed and deliver suitable image sequences during flight. Furthermore, this would not be an economically viable solution, as such a missile would very likely be destroyed after a single use. Due to the required high speeds of over 500 km / h, the use of a reusable miniature drone is also not an option.

[0007] In contrast, virtual simulation lacks the connection to the real environment of the combat terrain. This connection can, in principle, be established through the continuous transmission of information about the position, speed, and type of target objects, as well as operator position and direction data. However, it must be considered that a training environment, such as a combat training center, can typically contain up to several hundred different potential targets or objects. A quasi-continuous transmission of all relevant target data and all potentially engaging systems would require extremely high bandwidth and would therefore significantly increase the costs of the combat training center and its training systems, especially the simulators.

[0008] On the other hand, the technical possibilities for determining the azimuth of the operator's sighting direction with milliradian accuracy are limited, especially in dynamic processes. Laser-based simulation can achieve accuracies down to the submilliradian range. However, this accuracy is limited to a separate, independent coordinate system.

[0009] This results in the following problems when coupling laser-based and virtual simulation.

[0010] Firstly, the coupling of the precise laser-based simulation component to a world coordinate system, which could be used by virtual simulation computers as a common reference system, is missing.

[0011] On the other hand, conventional direction-correcting components are inaccurate and, in some cases, susceptible to interference. The perceived direction of the virtual component can depend on the actual orientation of the sight by degrees, with a 1° deviation at a maximum range of, for example, 4,000 m already equating to 70 m to the left or right of the target. In comparison, the deviation for a laser simulator at 4,000 m is approximately 1 m.

[0012] Furthermore, when transitioning from laser-based to virtual simulation, jumps in the line of sight are to be expected, which actually make meaningful use in training very difficult in the conventional way.

[0013] As can be seen from the above, the simulation of a guidance process, in which the missile is initially launched in a general direction without reference to a target and then detects and tracks targets during the flight phase, can be represented reasonably well with existing technical means, since prior reference to the real environment is required and the technical deviations do not have such a significant impact.

[0014] The publication EP 1 167 913 A1 discloses a simulation of a firing operation in a field training system, comprising one or more monitor devices, at least one launch ramp, and at least one target. The launch ramp and the targets are configured to determine their location information and transmit it to at least one device in the system. Real-world images of the environment, transmitted by a camera device connected to the launch ramp, are displayed to at least the launch ramp operator for observation and selection of the target. In a simulation device of the system, a synthetic environment image is generated using landscape information stored in a memory within the simulation device and location information about the launch ramp and the target.The image displayed to the launcher user can be changed to a synthetic environment image when the launcher user fires a simulated projectile. The simulation device calculates the projectile's trajectory, and this trajectory is displayed as synthetic environment images on one or more monitors.

[0015] Against this background, one object of the present invention is to improve the simulation of the use of a missile in a combat area.

[0016] Accordingly, a device according to claim 1 is proposed.

[0017] Advantageously, the accuracy of the coded laser signal is used to provide the viewing device, and thus the current visual representation, particularly the current virtual visual representation, with the most precise data possible regarding the position of the targeted object. The communication effort, and therefore the amount of data to be transmitted, is advantageously very limited by using only the directed coded laser signal and its response signal from the specific target object. The viewing device is preferably configured to synchronize a virtual simulation of the target object with the laser-identified target based on the data received from the response signal.

[0018] The simulator can also be referred to as a simulation device, simulation apparatus, or missile simulator. The combat terrain can also be referred to as a combat training area or training ground. The storage device includes, in particular, RAM, ROM, and / or EEPROM memory. The terrain model is, in particular, a virtual three-dimensional model of the combat terrain. The respective target model is, in particular, a three-dimensional virtual model of the respective target object. The target object is, for example, a tank or a truck.

[0019] The transmitting unit includes, in particular, a laser-based component of the simulator or missile simulator. The target objects are preferably targets equipped for laser-based simulation.

[0020] The response signal is transmitted primarily via radio. In addition to location and type information of the specific target object, the response signal preferably includes further information helpful for spatial and temporal synchronization. The location information specifically includes a position in a predetermined coordinate system, such as the world coordinate system. The location information thus specifically includes the position of the specific target object. The type information specifically indicates the type of the specific target object, for example, the type of a particular tank.

[0021] The following example of a combat exercise can illustrate the functionality of the simulator in question. All systems participating in the combat exercise, in this case the attacking system and the target objects, have their own position in a common coordinate system via a tracking system, such as GPS. The simulator's transmitting unit, for example, the laser-based component of the missile simulator, transmits laser codes during target acquisition and tracking, especially before the simulated missile launch. These codes are detected and evaluated by the also instrumented targeted object or system. This data includes, in particular, information about the identity, such as an ID number, and the weapon type of the target-acquiring, attacking system.This data can be transmitted directly or, preferably, via data radio in a combat training center through a combat training center, which has information on the type and, preferably, the current position and movement vectors of all exercise participants.

[0022] Based on the position of the attacking system, which is determined by its ID number, and that of the targeted object, the combat training center has all the data to identify potential further targets along the reference line between the attacking system and the specific target object and to transmit their data, along with information about the targeted object, directly to the attacking system via data radio as the response signal.

[0023] This makes it clear that the amount of data to be transmitted is significantly reduced. Furthermore, the relationship between the relative laser-based coordinate system and a world coordinate system can be automatically established. Upon firing the missile, the sighting device can switch to a virtual display, whereby the virtual simulation can be synchronized with the laser-identified target based on the data transmitted in the response signal.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the viewing device is designed to output a real visual representation of the battlefield as well as a virtual visual representation of the battlefield.

[0025] This makes the vision device advantageously suitable for coupling live combat simulation and virtual combat simulation.

[0026] According to another embodiment, the vision device is designed to switch from the real vision display to the virtual vision display at the moment the missile is launched.

[0027] Since the missile is not actually launched in a combat simulation, the system switches from the real visual display to the virtual visual display via the vision device at the time the missile is launched.

[0028] According to another embodiment, the coded laser signal includes the identification of the attacking system and a type of ammunition of the missile of the attacking system.

[0029] According to another embodiment, the response signal includes the location information of the specific target object, the type information of the specific target object, and a motion vector of the specific target object.

[0030] According to another embodiment, the simulator includes an adjustment unit for setting an orientation of the attacking system depending on the location information of the response signal.

[0031] This allows the attacking system, especially the missile, to be aligned with the specific target. Consequently, the target is precisely in the missile's line of sight.

[0032] According to a further embodiment, the setting unit is designed to adjust the orientation of the attacking system depending on the location information of the response signal and a comparison of geometric three-dimensional data from the terrain model with information from at least one imaging device assigned to the attacking system.

[0033] According to another embodiment, the simulator includes at least one imaging device for capturing at least one image of the battlefield.

[0034] According to another embodiment, the at least one imaging device comprises a day vision camera, a thermal imaging camera and / or a laser scanner.

[0035] According to another embodiment, the simulator includes an image processing unit for detecting significant points of the specific target object in the image captured by the at least one imaging device.

[0036] According to another embodiment, the receiving unit is designed to receive the response signal directly from the specific target object.

[0037] In this embodiment, the response signal is transmitted, for example, via radio directly from the specific target object to the receiving unit and thus to the attacking system.

[0038] According to another embodiment, the receiving unit is configured to receive the response signal sent by the specified target object via a combat training center.

[0039] The combat training center possesses, in particular, information on the type, current position, and movement vectors of all systems participating in the combat exercise. The combat training center is preferably equipped to identify, based on the position of the attacking system and the targeted specific object, potential additional targets along the reference line between the attacking system and the targeted object, and to transmit their data, along with the information on the targeted object, to the attacking system via radio.

[0040] Preferably, additional information about potential target objects along the determined line of sight is sent to the attacking system and displayed there in the virtual simulation by the vision device.

[0041] According to another embodiment, the results of a virtual attack on the specific target object are transmitted back to the real target object via data radio.

[0042] The respective unit, for example, the deployment unit, can be implemented in hardware and / or software. In a hardware implementation, the unit can be a device or part of a device, for example, a computer or a microprocessor. In a software implementation, the unit can be a computer program product, a function, a routine, part of program code, or an executable object.

[0043] Furthermore, a method according to claim 13 is proposed.

[0044] The embodiments and features described for the proposed simulator apply accordingly to the proposed method.

[0045] Furthermore, a computer program product according to claim 14 is proposed.

[0046] A computer program product, such as a computer program tool, can be provided or delivered from a server on a network, for example, as a storage medium such as a memory card, USB stick, CD-ROM, DVD, or as a downloadable file. This can be done, for example, in a wireless communication network by transmitting the corresponding file containing the computer program product or tool.

[0047] Other possible implementations of the invention also include combinations of features or embodiments described previously or subsequently with regard to the exemplary embodiments, even if not explicitly mentioned. In such cases, the person skilled in the art will also add individual aspects as improvements or additions to the respective basic form of the invention.

[0048] Further advantageous embodiments and aspects of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims and the exemplary embodiments of the invention described below. The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to preferred embodiments and the accompanying figures. Fig. 1 shows a schematic block diagram of a first embodiment of a simulator for simulating the deployment of a missile by an attacking system in a combat area; Fig. 2 schematically shows a first example of a combat area with a simulator according to Fig. 1 ; Fig. 3 schematically shows an example of a transmission unit of the simulator according to Fig. 1 transmitted coded laser signal; Fig. 4 schematically shows an example of one transmitted from a receiving unit of the simulator to Fig. 1 received response signal to the coded laser signal; Fig. 5 shows a schematic block diagram of a second embodiment of a simulator for simulating the deployment of a missile by an attacking system in a combat area; Fig. 6 schematically shows a second example of a combat area with a simulator according to Fig. 1 or after Fig. 5 ; and Fig. 7 shows a schematic flowchart of an embodiment of a method for simulating the deployment of a missile of an attacking system in a combat area.

[0049] In the figures, identical or functionally equivalent elements have been given the same reference symbols, unless otherwise indicated.

[0050] In Fig. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a first embodiment of a simulator 10 ( Fig. 2 ) for the simulation of the deployment of a missile of an attacking system 20 in a battle area G.

[0051] The first embodiment of simulator 10 of the Fig. 1 will be with reference to the Fig. 2 - 5 This will be explained in more detail. The following will be shown Fig. 2 A first example of the battlefield G with the simulator 10 after Fig. 1 .

[0052] Simulator 10 is according to Fig. 2 coupled or connected to an attacking system 20. The attacking system 20 comprises a missile, preferably a guided missile, for example, for anti-tank or anti-aircraft defense. The combat area G contains, by way of example, three target objects 31-33. Without limiting generality, only three target objects 31-33 are depicted in the combat area G. The respective target object 31-33 could, for example, be an enemy tank, an enemy truck, a helicopter, or the like.

[0053] The simulator 10 of Fig. 1 comprises a storage device 11, a capture unit 12, a transmit unit 13, a receive unit 14, a provision unit 15 and a viewing device 16.

[0054] The storage device 11 is configured to store a terrain model GM of the combat terrain G, for example according to Fig. 2 , and to store a number of target object models Z1 - Z3 of the target objects 31 - 33. In particular, the respective target object model Z1 - Z3 is a three-dimensional virtual target object model, which can be stored as an electronic file in the storage device 11 and displayed as a virtual representation in the viewing device 16. The storage device 11 comprises, for example, a RAM memory, a ROM memory and / or an EEPROM memory.

[0055] Detection Unit 12 is specifically assigned to the attacking system 20 and is designed to detect and track a specific target object, for example, target object 31, or one of target objects 31-33 located in combat area G. For this purpose, Detection Unit 12 includes, in particular, a tracking unit (not shown).

[0056] The transmitting unit 13 is specifically assigned to the attacking system 20 and is configured to transmit a coded laser signal LS (see Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 ) to send to the specific target object 31. For this purpose, the transmitting unit 13 includes, in particular, a laser that can be aimed at the specific target object 31 and by means of which the coded laser signal LS is transmitted directly to the specific target object 31. The respective target object 31-33 is instrumented in such a way as to be able to detect and evaluate the coded laser beam.

[0057] Simulator 10 is specifically designed to simulate a combat exercise in the G combat training area. All systems participating in the combat exercise, with reference to Fig. 2 The attacking system 20 and the target objects 31 - 33 have their own location information or position in a common coordinate system, in particular by means of a tracking system, for example GPS.

[0058] The coded laser signal LS includes at least one identification ID of the attacking system 20. With reference to Fig. 3 The coded laser signal LS includes, in addition to the identification ID of the attacking system 20, information on the ammunition type MA of the missile of the attacking system 20.

[0059] The receiving unit 14 of the simulator 10 is specifically assigned to the attacking system 20 and is configured to receive a response signal AS sent by the specified target object 31 in response to the laser signal LS. In the example of the Fig. 2 The receiving unit 14 is configured to receive the response signal AS directly from the specified target object 31. Radio transmission is preferably used to transmit the response signal AS.

[0060] The response signal AS transmitted by the specific target object 31 includes at least location information OI (or position) of the specific target object 31 as well as type information TI of the specific target object 31. With reference to Fig. 4 The response signal AS includes, in addition to the location information OI and the type information TI of the specific target 31, a movement vector BV of the specific target 31. The location information OI includes, for example, GPS coordinates of the specific target 31, which is, for instance, an enemy tank. The type information TI of the specific target 31 identifies the type of the target 31, in this example, a specific tank type. The movement vector BV of the specific target 31 represents the movements and, preferably, the speeds of the specific target 31 within the combat terrain G.

[0061] The provisioning unit 15 of the simulator 10 is configured to provide a target object model Z1, stored in the storage device 11, for the specific target object 31, depending on at least the type information TI of the received response signal AS. In other words, the provisioning unit 15 uses the received type information TI of the response signal AS to load the target object model Z1, which is assigned to the specific target object 31 and stored in the storage device 11, from the storage device 11 by means of a request R and to make it available to the display device 16 for output.

[0062] The visual device 16 comprises, in particular, a number of screens and / or monitors and is configured to output a current visual representation of the combat terrain G using the terrain model GM, the provided target object model Z1, and the location information OI from the response signal AS. Specifically, the current visual representation output by the visual device 16 is a virtual three-dimensional representation of the combat terrain G with a three-dimensional virtual model of the specified target object 31 and the relevant location information or positions of at least the attacking system 20 and the specified target object 31, and preferably of the further target objects 32 and 33.

[0063] Preferably, the visual display 16 is configured to output both a real-world visual representation of the combat area G and a virtual visual representation of the combat area G. In particular, the visual display 16 switches from the real-world visual representation to the virtual visual representation at the moment of a virtual launch of the missile. One reason for this switching between real-world and virtual visual representations at the moment of launch is that in the actual combat exercise, the missile is not actually launched, but this launch is only simulated. All further data of the missile, especially after the missile has been launched, are simulated. In particular, a missile comprises a number of cameras, for example, a day-vision camera, a thermal imaging camera, and / or a laser scanner.The data from these cameras are displayed realistically by the sighting device 16 before firing, whereas after firing this data is simulated on the basis of the terrain model GM, the target object models Z1 - Z3, the coded laser signal LS and the response signal AS.

[0064] Fig. 5 shows a schematic block diagram of a second embodiment of a simulator 10 for simulating the deployment of a missile of an attacking system 20 in a battle area G.

[0065] The second embodiment of the Fig. 5 includes all features of the first embodiment of simulator 10 according to Fig. 1 Furthermore, the simulator includes 10 of the Fig. 5 An adjustment unit 17 for setting the orientation of the attacking system 20 depending on the location information OI of the response signal AS. In particular, the adjustment unit 17 can align the line of sight of the missile of the attacking system 20 with the specific target object 31 using the location information OI.

[0066] To align the attacking system 20 with the specific target object 31, the alignment unit 17 preferably uses, in addition to the location information (OI) of the response signal (AS), a comparison of geometric three-dimensional data from the terrain model (GM) with information from at least one imaging device assigned to the attacking system 20. As already explained above, the missile can include various imaging devices, such as a day-vision camera, a thermal imaging camera, and / or a laser scanner.

[0067] Furthermore, the simulator includes 10 of the Fig. 5 an image processing unit 18. The image processing unit 18 is preferably configured to detect significant points of the specified target object 31 in the image or sequence of images captured by the at least one imaging device.

[0068] In Fig. 6 A second example of a combat terrain G with a simulator 10 is shown schematically. The simulator 10 is, for example, according to Fig. 1 or according to Fig. 5 trained. In the example of the Fig. 6 A combat training center 40 is located within combat area G. Alternatively, the combat training center 40 can also be located outside combat area G. In the example of the Fig. 6 The response signal AS is not directly transmitted back to the attacking system 20 by the responding target object 31, which received and evaluated the coded laser signal LS from the attacking system 20. In the example of the Fig. 6 The response signal AS is transmitted via a first radio link to the combat training center 40. The combat training center 40 then transmits the response signal AS to the attacking system 20 via a second radio link.

[0069] Fig. 7 Figure 1 shows a schematic flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a method for simulating the deployment of a missile by an attacking system 20 in a combat area G. Examples of the combat area G are given in the Fig. 2 and 6 depicted.

[0070] The procedure of Fig. 7 includes the following steps 701 - 706: In step 701, a terrain model GM of the battlefield G and a number of target object models Z1 - Z3 of target objects 31 - 33 are stored in a storage device 11 (see Fig. 1 In step 702, a specific target object, for example target object 31 (see Fig. 2 ), which detects and tracks target objects 31-33 in the combat area G. In step 703, a coded laser signal LS is transmitted by a transmitter unit 13 assigned to the attacking system 20 (see Fig. 1 ) to the specific target object 31. The coded laser signal LS includes at least an identification ID of the attacking system 20. In step 704, a response signal AS, sent by the specific target object 31 in response to the laser signal LS, is received by a receiving unit 14 associated with the attacking system 20. The response signal AS includes at least a location information OI or position of the specific target object 31 and a type information TI of the specific target object 31. In step 705, a target object model Z1, stored in the storage device 11, is provided for the specific target object 31 depending on at least the type information TI of the received response signal AS.In step 706, an up-to-date visual representation of the battle terrain GM is provided to the user, for example a soldier in training, using the terrain model GM, the provided target object model Z1 and the location information OI of the response signal AS by means of a visual aid 16 assigned to the attacking system 20 (see . Fig. 1 ) output. The output includes, in particular, a visual and, additionally, an audio output.

[0071] Although the present invention has been described using exemplary embodiments, it can be modified in many ways. REFERENCE MARK LIST

[0072] 10 Simulator 20 Attacking System 31 - 33 Target Object 11 Storage Device 12 Acquisition Unit 13 Transmit Unit 14 Receiving Unit 15 Deployment Unit 16 Vision Device 17 Adjustment Unit 18 Image Processing Unit 31 - 33 Target Object 40 Combat Training Center 50 Location System 701 - 706 Procedure Steps AS Response signal BV Movement vector GG Battle terrain GM Terrain model ID Identification LS Laser signal MAM Ammunition type OIO Location information RA Request TI Type information Z1 - Z3 Target object model

Claims

1. Apparatus having an attacking system (20), which comprises a missile (20), and a simulator (10) for simulating an operation of the missile of the attacking system (20) in a combat terrain (G), the simulator (10) comprising: a storage apparatus (11), configured to store at least one terrain model (GM) of at least one real combat terrain (G) and a number of target object models (Z1 - Z3) of real target objects (31 - 33), a detection unit (12) associated with the attacking system (20), configured to detect and track a specific target object (31) of the real target objects (31 - 33) in the real combat terrain (G), characterized in that the simulator (10) further comprises: a transmission unit (13) associated with the attacking system (20), configured to transmit a coded laser signal (LS) to the specific target object (31), wherein the coded laser signal (LS) comprises at least one identification (ID) of the attacking system (20), a reception unit (14) associated with the attacking system (20), configured to receive a response signal (AS) transmitted by the specific target object (31) in response to the laser signal (LS), which comprises at least one item of location information (OI) and one item of type information (TI) of the specific target object (31), a provision unit (15), configured to provide a target object model (Z1) stored in the storage apparatus (11) for the specific target object (31), dependent on at least of the type information (TI) of the received response signal (AS), and a visual means (16) associated with the attacking system (20), configured to output a current visual representation of the real combat terrain (G) using the terrain model (GM), the provided target object model (Z1) and the location information (OI) of the response signal (AS).

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, characterized in that the visual means (16) is configured to output a real visual representation of the combat terrain (G) and a virtual visual representation of the combat terrain (G).

3. Apparatus according to Claim 2, characterized in that the visual means (16) is configured to switch from the real visual representation to the virtual visual representation at the moment of launching of the missile.

4. Apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the coded laser signal (LS) comprises the identification (ID) of the attacking system (20) and a munition type (MA) of the missile of the attacking system (20).

5. Apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the response signal (AS) comprises the location information (OI) of the specific target object (31), the type information (TI) of the specific target object (31) and a movement vector (BV) of the specific target object (31).

6. Apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized by an adjustment unit (17) for adjusting an orientation of the attacking system (20) dependent on the location information (OI) of the response signal (AS).

7. Apparatus according to Claim 6, characterized in that the adjustment unit (17) is configured to adjust the orientation of the attacking system (20) dependent on the location information (OI) of the response signal (AS) and a comparison of geometrical three-dimensional data from the terrain model (GM) with information of at least one imaging device associated with the attacking system (20).

8. Apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized by at least one imaging device for recording at least one image of the combat terrain (GM).

9. Apparatus according to Claim 8, characterized in that the at least one imaging device comprises a daytime camera, a thermal imaging camera and / or a laser scanner.

10. Apparatus according to Claim 8 or 9, characterized by an image processing unit (18) for detecting significant points of the specific target object (31) in the image recorded by the at least one imaging device.

11. Apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the reception unit (12) is configured to receive the response signal (AS) directly from the specific target object (31).

12. Apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the reception unit (12) is configured to receive the response signal (AS) transmitted by the specific target object (31) via a combat training centre (40).

13. Method for simulating an operation of a missile of an attacking system (20) in a combat terrain (G), comprising: a) storing (701) at least one terrain model (GM) of at least one real combat terrain (G) and a number of target object models (Z1 - Z3) of real target objects (31 - 33) in a storage apparatus (11), b) detecting (702) and tracking a specific target object (31) of the real target objects (31 - 33) in the real combat terrain (G) by a detection unit (12) associated with the attacking system (20), characterized in that the method further comprises: c) transmitting (703) a coded laser signal (LS) from a transmission unit (13) associated with the attacking system (20) to the specific target object (31), wherein the coded laser signal (LS) comprises at least one identification (ID) of the attacking system (20), d) receiving (704) a response signal (AS) transmitted by the specific target object (31) in response to the laser signal (LS) by a reception unit (14) associated with the attacking system (20), wherein the response signal (AS) comprises at least one item of location information (OI) and one item of type information (TI) of the specific target object (31), e) providing (705) a target object model (Z1) stored in the storage apparatus (11) for the specific target object (31), dependent on at least the type information (TI) of the received response signal (AS), and f) outputting (706) a current visual representation of the real combat terrain (G) using the terrain model (GM), the provided target object model (Z1) and the location information (OI) of the response signal (AS) by means of a visual means (16) associated with the attacking system (20).

14. Computer program product, comprising commands which cause the apparatus according to Claim 1 to carry out the method steps according to Claim 13.