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

Description

TECHNICAL AREA OF INVENTION

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

[0002] Remotely controlled and / or autonomously flying unmanned objects, such as drones, pose an increasing threat on the battlefield because, depending on the number and deployment of drones, suitable means of defense may not be available. For example, defense against a large number of drones can overwhelm existing defensive capabilities through a concentrated deployment of numerous drones in one location (saturation) and / or through the continuous deployment of individual drones in that location (fatigue).

[0003] The costs of protecting against a threat over a large area and / or defending against an attack by individual drones, or even a coordinated group (swarm) of drones in one location, can quickly exceed the defender's available resources, while the cost of a single drone is comparatively low and manageable even for the attacking party. A threat could be, for example, an attacking and / or reconnaissance aircraft.

[0004] The cost of current defensive weapons, such as guided missiles, can regularly exceed the cost of commercially available drones many times over. Cheaper countermeasures, such as guns, have the disadvantage of limited range and the requirement of maintaining a line of sight to the target for the duration of the engagement. Greater range means fewer aircraft are needed to defend a defined area. Therefore, drone attacks can quickly result in economic losses for a defender due to the inherent economic asymmetric nature of defense.

[0005] One 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, and in particular economically proportionate, manner.

[0006] US 11,440,656 B2 reveals a system with an unmanned counterattack drone that can be folded inside a projectile and unfolded after separation from the projectile.

[0007] US 11,472,550 B2 describes a system for detecting and neutralizing a target aircraft, comprising an unmanned counterattack drone with a missile and a flight control system mounted around the missile that enables the counterattack drone to fly, as well as a countermeasure against the aircraft carried by the missile.

[0008] US Patent 2023 / 088169 A1 discloses a system and method for aligning and / or steering an interceptor drone to eliminate a target drone by keeping the interceptor drone pointed toward the target or by using a portable computer, such as a table, in combination with an onboard camera and the computer's internal sensor to align and steer the interceptor drone toward the aerial threat. The interceptor drone has a propulsion subsystem, an imaging subsystem, flight sensors, and a computer processor, which, using the sensors, determine an intercept course for the interceptor drone toward the target and disable the target.

[0009] US 2018 / 335779 A1 discloses systems, devices and methods for identifying a target aircraft, deploying an interceptor aircraft comprising at least one effector, maneuvering the interceptor aircraft into a position to attack a target aircraft, deploying the at least one effector to intercept the target aircraft and confirming that the target aircraft has been intercepted.

[0010] US 2007 / 023582 A1 reveals a reusable unmanned interceptor aircraft with integrated weapons and avionics platforms.

[0011] 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 aircraft's center of gravity to enable stable movement during guidance and firing.

[0012] V. Rostopchin, "Drones and Air Defense - Problems and 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 completion of the projectile. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] According to the invention, the above problem is solved by a flying device with the features of claim 1, a method with the features of claim 8 and a storage medium with the features of claim 9.

[0014] According to one aspect of the invention, a reusable flying device for autonomous defense against a plurality of flying objects in a spatially and / or temporally coordinated formation comprises means for landing; a means or a plurality of means for defense; and a control unit configured for: detecting one flying object of the plurality of flying objects as a target; and defending against the target with at least one of the means or the plurality of means for defense.

[0015] The reusable aircraft enables fully autonomous protection and defense without human interaction. Its reusability allows for significant cost reductions in drone protection and defense. This reusability also enables the aircraft to be equipped with considerably more powerful sensors and / or components to enhance its capabilities, while keeping the aircraft's cost comparable to that of the drones it potentially defends against. While the defending aircraft may be significantly more expensive than an attacking drone, the weapon, being the only consumable part, is considerably less expensive than the attacking drone itself.

[0016] According to further training, a reusable flying device comprises a control unit configured to track the target and engage the target, at least partially, in a direction perpendicular to the flight direction of the reusable flying device and / or in a direction opposite to the flight direction of the reusable flying device, using one or more of the numerous means of defense. This allows for the use of different types of ammunition, each with its own advantages.

[0017] According to further training, a reusable aircraft includes a control unit configured to receive information about an operational area before and / or after launch. This enables autonomous operation and / or mission modification.

[0018] According to further training, a reusable aircraft includes a control unit configured to control the aircraft's propulsion system within an operational area, based on information received about that area. This enables autonomous operation within the operational area.

[0019] According to further training, a reusable aircraft includes a control unit configured to control the aircraft within an operational area, in order to place it into a hovering and / or standby state. This can increase its operational duration and / or range.

[0020] According to further training, a reusable aircraft comprises a control unit configured to steer the reusable aircraft to a landing point; and to land the reusable aircraft at the landing point using the means for landing. This enables landing in a safe area for the retrieval of the reusable aircraft.

[0021] According to further training, a reusable flying device includes landing poles and / or a parachute. This reduces the likelihood of damage to the reusable flying device and increases the possibility of reuse.

[0022] According to one aspect of the invention, a method for controlling a reusable flying device comprises autonomously acquiring one or more flying objects as a target; and autonomously intercepting the target with at least one or more means of intercepting.

[0023] One aspect of the invention relates to a non-volatile, computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions stored thereon which, when executed by one or more processors of a system, cause the reusable flying device to perform the method for controlling the reusable flying device.

[0024] Further advantageous designs and developments result from the description with reference to the figures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The invention will now be explained with reference to the figures in 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 intercepting a multitude of flying objects at a location and / or a multitude of flying objects over a period of time at that location and / or in an area of ​​a mission. Fig. 2 illustrates an exemplary mission of a reusable flying device for autonomously or at least partially autonomously intercepting a multitude of flying objects at a location and / or a multitude of flying objects over a period of time at that location and / or in an area of ​​the exemplary mission.

[0026] The accompanying figures are intended to provide a further understanding of the embodiments of the invention. They illustrate embodiments and, in conjunction with the description, serve to explain the principles and concepts of the invention. Other embodiments and many of the aforementioned advantages become apparent with reference to the drawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily shown to scale. Directional terminology such as "above," "below," "left," "right," "over," "below," "horizontal," "vertical," "front," "back," and similar terms are used for explanatory purposes only and are not intended to limit the general public to specific embodiments as shown in the figures.

[0027] In the figures of the drawing, identical, functionally equivalent and similarly acting elements, features and components - unless otherwise stated - are each provided with the same reference symbols. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF THE INVENTION

[0028] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a front view (') and a side view (") of a reusable flying device 100 for autonomous or at least partially autonomous defense against a large number of flying objects at one location and / or a large number of flying objects over a time at the location and / or in an area of ​​a mission.

[0029] The reusable flying device 100 comprises a fuselage 110, a tail assembly 120, a wing 130 and a propulsion system 140.

[0030] The fuselage 110 of the reusable flying device 100 can include a control unit 160 configured to control the reusable flying device 100, as described below with reference to the Fig. 2 The control unit 160 can alternatively or at least partially be arranged in or on a wing 130 of the reusable flying device 100.

[0031] The control unit 160 can include one or more processors and / or be wirelessly connected to one or more of a variety of processors, for example, via a cellular and / or satellite-based interface for wireless communication (not shown). The wireless communication interface can be configured to communicate with a higher-level or lower-level command and control 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 mobile device.

[0032] The control unit 160 can include one or more sensors and / or be coupled with one or more of a variety of sensors. For example, the control unit 160 can be coupled with one or more radar antennas, infrared sensors, image intensifiers, etc., e.g., via a wireless communication interface.

[0033] The reusable flying device 100 can include one or more of the aforementioned sensors, for example, to detect and / or track one or more flying objects. In particular, the reusable flying device 100 can be configured to enable autonomous mission execution, for example, so that wireless communication with external sensors or control units is not strictly necessary for mission success.

[0034] The control unit 160 can include a non-volatile storage medium containing instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the reusable flying device 100 to carry out a mission autonomously or at least partially autonomously. In particular, the non-volatile storage medium can include program code that, based at least in part on data acquired by one or more sensors, enables the detection and / or tracking of a flying object as a target. The detection and / or tracking can also be based on data obtained via a wireless communication interface with external sensors or control units.

[0035] The fuselage 110 of the reusable flying device 100 can include one or more means for intercepting one or more flying objects. For example, the means or means for intercepting 170 can include one or more generators for producing an electromagnetic pulse and / or scatter fibers and / or shotgun ammunition and / or submunitions. The means for intercepting 170 can be used to engage a single flying object multiple times and with different means. Depending on the type of target, the reusable flying device 100 can be equipped with different classes of means. However, one class of means can be used multiple times.

[0036] The multitude of means for defense 170 can alternatively or at least partially be arranged in or on a wing 130 of the reusable flying device 100. In particular, the multitude of means for defense 170 can be configured such that an ejection of one of the means upwards (z-direction) Fig. 1 ) occurs, for example, to deflect flying objects above the reusable flying device 100. Ejection in another direction) is also possible, as described below with reference to specific means for defense 170. An ejection direction can be any linear combination of the ( x -, y, and z directions.

[0037] The means or means of defense 170 can be configured to, in a frontal view within an angle α to act upwards. The angle α can be symmetrical in the z-direction - or in another direction with a z-component pointing upwards - with 0° ≤ α≤ 180°, preferably 45° ≤ α ≤ 135°, preferably 60° ≤ α ≤ 120°.

[0038] The means of defense 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—where 0° ≤ β ≤ 180°, preferably 45° ≤ β ≤ 135°, preferably 60° ≤ β ≤ 120°. The angles α and β They can be identical or different.

[0039] A generator for producing an electromagnetic pulse may include a battery. The battery may be replaceable. The battery may be rechargeable.

[0040] Scatter fibers used to entangle the propeller of an aircraft can be made from at least one of glass, Kevlar, or aramid. In particular, the scatter fibers can be configured to float in the air. The diameter of the scatter fibers can range, for example, from 0.1 to 1 mm. The length of the scatter fibers can range from 2 to 20 m.

[0041] Shotgun ammunition can be fired individually or simultaneously, or multiple times. Any commercially available shotgun ammunition can be used. For example, it can be shotgun ammunition.

[0042] A submunition can be multi-stage to allow the reusable flying device 100 to maintain a safe distance from the warhead after ejecting the submunition's warhead until it is detonated. Ejection of the warhead can be achieved using a pyrotechnic charge or mechanically stored energy, for example, by a spring. Ejection backwards, or at least partially backwards, against the direction of flight of the reusable flying device 100, allows the device to increase the safety distance from the warhead. This increased safety distance, in turn, enables a longer blast radius and / or greater velocity and range of the warhead fragments.

[0043] Furthermore, a directed effect of submunitions within a specific trajectory allows for the use of lower energy levels per submunition compared to an undirected effect with a larger trajectory, while maintaining a consistent energy-to-area ratio. The danger zone can be reduced through targeted action, for both kinetic and electromagnetic munitions.

[0044] Multi-stage submunitions can also enable defense against larger and / or more robust aircraft. For example, it is possible to defend against aircraft that are protected against shotgun pellets.

[0045] The reusable flying device 100 may further comprise landing means, such as a plurality of landing poles 150 and / or one or more parachutes 180. In a first, closed state, the landing means may be arranged within a fuselage 110 of the reusable flying device 100. Alternatively, or at least partially, the landing means may be arranged within or on a wing 130 of the reusable flying device 100. In particular, the plurality of landing poles 150 may be arranged at least partially on the wing 130 to increase stability during landing. In the first state, the plurality of landing poles 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.

[0046] The multiple landing poles 150 can be spring-loaded in a second state to the reusable flying device 100 to enable the reusable flying device 100 to land softly, especially in combination with the one or more parachutes 180 in the second, opened state (not shown). Compared to an unloaded state, a landing pole in a loaded state can form an angle γ form, with 5° ≤ γ ≤ 20°.

[0047] The multiple landing poles 150 can be foldable. After a landing, the multiple landing poles 150 can be returned from their second to their first state to prepare the reusable flying device 100, for example, for a new deployment. A landing can also be achieved using a safety net, a safety cable, and / or an air cushion, for example, if the reusable flying device 100 does not include landing means. A safety net, a safety cable, and / or an air cushion can also be combined with at least one means of landing the reusable flying device 100.

[0048] The tail assembly 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 assembly 120 can comprise a plurality of tail assemblies. For example, the tail assembly can be arranged on a forward and / or a rear wing of the reusable aircraft 100. The wing 130 can comprise a plurality of wings. The tail assembly 120 and the wing 130 can be at least partially foldable and / or inflatable.

[0049] A tank and / or energy storage device can be arranged wholly or at least partially within the fuselage 110. The tail assembly 120 and / or the wing 130 can be configured to hold fuel to power the propulsion system of the reusable flight device 100. In a top view (from above in - z-direction) the reusable flying device 100 can have the shape of a triangle and in a frontal view (from the front in - x (in the direction of travel) the reusable flying device 100 can have a trapezoidal shape to increase fuel volume. The shape and / or surface of the reusable flying device 100 can be configured to have a small radar cross-section.

[0050] The propulsion system 140 can be electric or liquid-fueled. The propulsion system 140 can enable takeoff without a launching device, thus improving reusability. The fuel capacity allows the reusable aircraft 100 to operate in a target area for a period ranging from 0 to 24 hours, e.g., between 6 and 24 hours, preferably 12 to 24 hours, and more preferably 18 to 24 hours. The operational 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. An alternative landing point is also possible.

[0051] The reusable flight device 100 can be modularly constructed to facilitate transport and / or launching in a launching device. A launching device can comprise multiple reusable flight devices 100. Within the launching device, the multiple reusable flight devices 100 can be stacked on top of each other, for example, on a launch ramp. An arrangement in a battery is also possible, for example, when a folding wing 130 is used. A battery can be a cuboid with n × m Reusable flight devices must be 100. The launch device can be configured for transport using a commercially available transport vehicle.

[0052] Fig. 2 An exemplary mission 200 illustrates a reusable flying device 100 for autonomous or at least partially autonomous defense against a large number of flying objects at a location and / or a large number of flying objects over a period of time at the location and / or in an area of ​​the exemplary mission 200.

[0053] In the Fig. 2 The multitude of flying objects can be schematically represented as a multitude of velocity vectors. v 1 t until v n t represented by an amount and a direction (the superscript index stands for "target"). The reusable flying device 100 follows a trajectory 210 in the exemplary mission 200. The trajectory 210 extends from a starting point to a landing point, e.g., in the coordinate system 230. The starting and landing points can be essentially identical.

[0054] The reusable aircraft 100 can be configured for wireless communication, for example with a cellular network 220 or with a satellite and / or drone-based communication system. A landing point can 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.

[0055] For illustration, the reusable flying device 100 has a velocity vector at point 211 of the trajectory 210. v 0 i with an amount and a direction (the superscript index stands for "interceptor"). The control unit 160 of the reusable flying device 100 can be configured to switch the drive 140 on and / or off while the reusable flying device 100 is on the trajectory 210, for example, when the reusable flying device 100 enters or exits a hover and / or standby state. This can increase the range and / or operating time of the reusable flying device 100.

[0056] As in the Fig. 2 With reference to point 211 of trajectory 210, the reusable flying device 100 can be a flying object at point 211. v 1 t Autonomously detect, autonomously identify as a target, and autonomously track as a target. After the flying object has been detected. v 1 t The control unit 160 can autonomously determine one or more means by which the aircraft can v 1 t to be defended against. 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 one of the specified means is directed towards the flying object in a specific direction. v 1 t Action can be taken to ward it off.

[0057] For example, the aircraft can be viewed from below and / or from the front and / or from the side and / or from the rear. v 1 t Action can be taken. For example, one can simply (see 213) fire shot at the aircraft from below. v 1 t can be used. Alternatively or additionally, after a bow 214, a flying object can be targeted from the front. v j − 1 t can 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. v j − 1 t to increase. After an optional arc 216, multiple shots (see 217) can also be fired at a flying object, for example with shotgun pellets. v j t Attacks can be carried out in various ways. An attack from below (see 219) using, for example, shotgun pellets, can also be combined with an attack from behind (see 219), using, for example, multi-stage submunitions. An attack from behind (see 218) using, for example, multi-stage submunitions can also be carried out alone, without the use of any other defensive measures.

[0058] In the preceding detailed description, various features have been summarized in one or more examples to improve the clarity of the presentation. However, it should be clear that the above description is merely illustrative and in no way limiting. It serves to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents of the various features and embodiments. Many other examples will be immediately and directly clear to the person skilled in the art based on their technical knowledge, given the above description.

[0059] The exemplary embodiments were selected and described to best illustrate the principles underlying the invention and its practical applications. This enables those skilled in the art to optimally modify and utilize the invention and its various embodiments with regard to the intended purpose. In the claims and the description, the terms "including" and "featuring" are used as neutral language terms for the corresponding terms "comprehensive."

[0060] Furthermore, the use of the terms "ein", "einer" and "eine" should not fundamentally exclude a plurality of such described features and components. REFERENCE MARK LIST

[0061] 100 Reusable flying device 110 Fuselage 120 Tail assembly 130 Wing 140 Propulsion 150 Landing rods 160 Control unit 170 Variety of means of defense (against one or more flying objects) 180 Parachute 200 Mission (of a reusable flying device) 210 Trajectory (of the reusable flying device during the mission) 220 Cellular network (for wireless communication with the reusable flying device) 211 Point on the trajectory 212 Arc 213 Defense (single, from below) 214 Arc 215 Defense (single, from the front) 216 Arc 217 Defense (multiple, from below) 218 ​​Defense (multi-stage, from behind) 219 Defense (single, from below) 230 Coordinate system 230 with take-off and optional landing point

Claims

1. Reusable flying device (100) for autonomously defending against a plurality of flying objects in a locally and / or temporally coordinated group, comprising: means for landing (150, 180); at least one means of a plurality of means of defence (170) in a fuselage (110) of the reusable flying device (100), wherein the at least one means of defence (170) is configured to: act, in a front view, within an angle α upwards on a single target, wherein the angle α is symmetrical in a vertical direction and 0°≤ α ≤180°; and act, in a side view, within an angle β upwards on the single target, wherein the angle β is symmetrical in a vertical direction and 0°≤ β ≤180°; and a control unit (160), which is configured to: detect a flying object of the plurality of flying objects as the single target; and defend against the single target with the at least one means of defence (170).

2. Reusable flying device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one means of defence (170) comprises shot ammunition, wherein the shot ammunition is configured to act multiple times simultaneously on the single target.

3. Reusable flying device (100) according to either one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the control unit (160) is further configured to: obtain information about an area of operation before a launch of the reusable flying device (100) and / or after the launch of the reusable flying device (100).

4. Reusable flying device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit (160) is further configured to: control a drive of the reusable flying device (100) in an area of operation based on the obtained information about the area of operation.

5. Reusable flying device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control unit (160) is further configured to: control the reusable flying device (100) in an area of operation in order to put the reusable fling device (100) into a standby state and / or hovering state.

6. Reusable flying device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control unit (160) is further configured to: control the reusable flying device (100) to a landing point; and land 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 struts (130) and / or a parachute (180).

8. Method for controlling a reusable flying device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the method comprises: autonomously detecting a flying object of the plurality of flying objects as a target; and autonomously defending against the target with the at least one means of defence (170).

9. Non-volatile computer-readable storage medium, which comprises instructions stored thereon, which, when they are executed by one or by a plurality of processors of a system, cause the reusable flying device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 to carry out the method according to claim 8.