Method for protecting an installation to be protected

Abstract

Method for protecting an installation to be protected. The present invention relates to a method for protecting an installation to be protected (10), the method being implemented by a protection system (12) comprising a unit (14) on which a laser emitting device (15) is mounted, the method comprising the steps of: obtaining information relating to the detection of a laser spot (T) on, or near, the installation to be protected (10), orienting the line of sight of a laser emitting device (15) so as to target the detected laser spot (T), emitting, by said laser emitting device (15), a laser beam reproducing the spectral characteristic and the time code of the detected laser spot (T), and progressively shifting the orientation of the line of sight of said laser emitting device (15) so as to guide the projectile away from the installation to be protected (10). Figure for the abstract: 3

Description

Title of the invention: Method for protecting an installation to be protected

[0001] The present invention relates to a method of protecting an installation to be protected.

[0002] The present invention falls within the field of protection against munitions (shells, bombs, missiles) guided by means of a designating laser.

[0003] Conventional approaches to protection consist of detecting that one is the target of a designation, then engaging in a countermeasure which may consist of a maneuver / evasion, smoke grenades penalizing the guidance of the munition on the laser task or the firing of an interceptor seeking to impact the incident munition.

[0004] These approaches have their limitations, including:

[0005] - Maneuvers and dodges are only effective to the extent that the target has a Mobility dynamics superior to the adversary's ability to re-point / track the target or the munition's maneuverability. This countermeasure is not applicable against static targets or high-inertia moving targets (surface buildings).

[0006] - the use of smoke generators degrades the perception of the laser spot by the munition guided, but effectiveness is not guaranteed and it depends heavily on uncontrollable environmental conditions (winds, turbulence, rain etc.).

[0007] - the interception of an incident munition by cannon fire, an interceptor missile A directed-energy weapon requires heavy and expensive equipment for the target. An acceptable interception rate only becomes achievable with a large volume of ammunition or very costly guidance systems. This approach is therefore reserved for high-value targets with low (or no) mobility.

[0008] There is therefore a need for a means of effectively protecting an installation to be protected, regardless of the nature of the installation to be protected.

[0009] To this end, the invention relates to a method for protecting an installation to be protected, the method being implemented by a protection system comprising at least one entity on which is mounted a laser emission device having an adjustable line of sight, the method comprising the steps of: - obtaining information relating to the detection of a laser spot on, or near, the installation to be protected, the laser spot originating from a designator laser guiding a projectile, the information comprising the position of the laser spot, a spectral characteristic relating to the laser spot

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[0017] and a temporal code related to the laser task, - orientation of the line of sight of the laser emitting device so as to aim at the detected laser spot, or a position close to the detected laser spot and further from the installation to be protected than the detected laser spot, - emission, by said laser emission device, of a laser beam reproducing the spectral characteristic and the temporal code of the detected laser spot so as to form a guiding spot on or near the detected laser spot, the emitted laser beam having a power such that the intensity of the guiding spot is greater than the intensity of the detected laser spot, and - progressive shift of the orientation of the line of sight of said laser emission device so as to guide the projectile away from the installation to be protected. According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the method comprises one or more of the following features, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations: - the installation to be protected is a vehicle and the one or each entity is an escort vehicle; - where each entity is a drone, such as a land, air or naval drone; - the number of entities is greater than or equal to two; - each entity of the protection system includes at least one laser warning detector, the information acquisition step having been carried out by the laser warning detector of the protection system; - the laser warning detector performing the information acquisition step belongs to the same entity as the laser emission device emitting the laser beam forming the guidance task; - The obtaining stage includes: - the positioning of the protection system near the installation to be protected so that the installation to be protected and its surroundings are either within the field of vision of the laser warning detector or within the overall field of vision of all the laser warning detectors, and - the detection, by the laser warning detector(s), of a laser spot on, or near, the installation to be protected, the detection including the determination of information relating to the detected laser spot based on the backscattering of the laser beam that caused the laser spot on said laser warning detector; - during detection, the laser that caused the laser spot is identified as a designator laser based on the information determined for the laser spot;

[0018] - the acquisition step includes the movement of the entity or entities of the system protection following a movement of the installation to be protected, so as to keep the installation to be protected and its surroundings within the field of vision of the laser warning detector or within the overall field of vision of all laser warning detectors.

[0019] The invention also relates to a protection system for an installation to be protected, the protection system comprising at least one entity on which is mounted a laser emission device having an orientable line of sight, the protection system being suitable for implementing the steps of a protection process as described above.

[0020] The invention will become clearer upon reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the drawings in which:

[0021] [Fig-1] [Fig.1] is a schematic view of an example of an installation to be protected and a system for protecting the installation to be protected, the protection system comprising an entity including a laser warning detector and a laser emitting device mounted on the entity, the laser warning detector being used to detect a laser spot in the vicinity of the installation to be protected,

[0022] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a schematic view of another example of an installation with to protect and a system for protecting the installation to be protected, the protection system comprising two entities each including a laser warning detector, one of the laser warning detectors being used to detect a laser spot in the vicinity of the installation to be protected, and

[0023] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is another schematic view of [Fig.1], the laser emission device emitting a laser beam forming a guiding spot near the installation to be protected.

[0024] An installation to be protected 10 and a system 12 for protecting the installation to be protected 10 are illustrated in the examples in figures 1 to 3.

[0025] The installation to be protected 10 is a static or mobile installation.

[0026] The installation to be protected 10 is, for example, a vehicle (naval, land or air), a platform, a building, or even a tactical deployment. The term "Installation" therefore refers broadly to an element to be protected. In the examples in figures 1 to 3, the installation to be protected 10 is a vehicle (battle tank).

[0027] The protection system 12 is designed to protect the installation to be protected 10 from projectile fire (shell, bomb, missile) guided by a designating laser.

[0028] The protection system 12 comprises one or more entities 14.

[0029] Preferably, the entity or each entity 14 is mobile so as to follow any movements of the installation to be protected 10. Alternatively, in the case where the installation to be protected 10 is fixed, the entity or each entity 14 may be static.

[0030] Preferably, each entity 14 is a drone. This allows the entities 14 to move easily within the environment.

[0031] The drone or each drone is, for example, an aerial drone, a ground drone (solves the energy problems of aerial drones) or a naval drone.

[0032] Alternatively, the installation to be protected 10 is a vehicle and each entity 14 is an escort vehicle. For example, the installation to be protected 10 is a naval vessel, and the entities 14 are a fleet of ships escorting the naval vessel.

[0033] In the example illustrated by figures 1 and 3, the protection system 12 comprises a single entity 14.

[0034] In one embodiment, the protection system 12 comprises two or more entities 14. This facilitates monitoring of the entire installation to be protected 10. In particular, in the example illustrated in [Fig. 2], the protection system 12 comprises two entities 14, each protecting different portions of the installation to be protected 10. The entities 14 are then, for example, positioned on either side of the installation to be protected 10 so as to cover different parts of the installation to be protected 10.

[0035] The entity or each entity 14 includes a laser emitting device 15 mounted on said entity 14. Preferably, the entity or each entity 14 also includes a laser warning detector 16 (LWD).

[0036] The laser emission device 15 has an adjustable line of sight.

[0037] The laser emitting device 15 is, for example, a beacon laser carried by the entity 14 (drone beacon).

[0038] By way of example, the laser warning detector or each laser warning detector 16 includes a sensor suitable for receiving a laser flux arriving at the detector, and a processing unit suitable for detecting a laser task T as a function of the laser flux collected by the sensor.

[0039] Preferably, the laser warning detector(s) 16 have a field of view greater than 80°, preferably greater than or equal to 90°. This allows the laser warning detectors 16 to monitor a wide area.

[0040] Alternatively, at least one laser warning detector 16 has a field of view of less than 80°, but the set of laser warning detectors has an overall field of view greater than 80°, preferably greater than or equal to 90°.

[0041] Preferably, the laser warning detector(s) 16 is suitable for detecting laser spots T whose wavelength is at least one of the following wavelengths: 0.8 pm, 1.06 pm and 1.5 pm. The spectral range of the sensor of each laser warning detector 16 is therefore compatible with the aforementioned wavelengths.

[0042] Advantageously, the laser warning detector or each of the laser 16 is capable of detecting at least the wavelength 1.06 pm (typical wavelength of a designating laser).

[0043] An example of a method for protecting an installation to be protected 10, by the protection system 12 previously described, will now be described.

[0044] The protection method includes a step 100 obtaining, by the protection system 12, information relating to the detection of a laser spot T on, or near, the installation to be protected 10. By the term "near" it is understood to be in the environment of the installation to be protected 10. The laser spot is for example 1 meter from the installation to be protected.

[0045] The laser spot T originates from a designator laser guiding a projectile. The information includes the position of the laser spot T, a spectral feature related to the laser spot T, and a temporal code related to the laser spot T. The spectral feature includes information related to the wavelength of the laser beam that originated the laser spot T. The temporal code includes information related to the temporal sequence of the pulses of the laser beam that originated the laser spot T.

[0046] In one embodiment, when the or each entity 14 of the protection system 12 includes at least one laser warning detector 16, the information retrieval step 100 is carried out by the or one laser warning detector 16 of the protection system 12.

[0047] In one example, the obtaining step 100 first includes positioning the protection system 12 near the installation to be protected 10, so that the installation to be protected 10 and its surroundings are either in the field of vision of the laser warning detector 16 or in the overall field of vision of all the laser warning detectors 16.

[0048] The area surrounding the installation to be protected 10 is the immediate environment of the installation to be protected 10, i.e., a few meters around the installation to be protected 10, typically 5 meters, or even 10 meters. More generally, the area surrounding the installation to be protected is a zone where the impact of a munition would be likely to cause damage to the installation to be protected 10.

[0049] The overall field of vision is the sum of the fields of vision of all the laser warning detectors 16.

[0050] When the entity or each entity 14 is mobile, the positioning step 100 is carried out directly by the entities 14.

[0051] Otherwise, the detection system 12 has for example been previously positioned according to the installation to be protected 10.

[0052] In this example, the obtaining step 100 then includes the detection, by the laser warning detector(s) 16, of a laser spot T on, or near, the installation to be protected 10.

[0053] In particular, detection is carried out following the reception of the backscatter of the laser beam originating from the laser spot T on said laser warning detector 16.

[0054] Figures 1 and 2 are examples illustrating the realization of a detection by a laser detector carried by an entity 14 of a protection system 12.

[0055] In one example implementation, the detection includes: - the determination of a position for the laser spot T, a spectral characteristic relating to the laser spot T and a temporal code relating to the laser spot T, as a function of the backscattering of the laser beam at the origin of the laser spot T on said laser warning detector 16. As previously stated, the spectral characteristic includes information relating to the wavelength of the laser beam at the origin of the laser spot T. The temporal code includes information relating to the temporal sequence of the pulses of the laser beam at the origin of the laser spot T. - the identification of the type of laser responsible for the laser spot T based on the spectral characteristic, the time code, and a database associating predefined spectral characteristics and time codes with types of lasers (e.g., designation, ranging, or beam-rider). For example, this makes it possible to determine whether the detected laser spot T originates from a designation laser or from a laser performing ranging (in this case, the laser alert detector(s) 16 are likely to detect, for example, several spectral bands, typically at least 1.06 pm, and for example also 0.8 pm or 1.5 pm).

[0056] Thus, the laser at the origin of the laser spot T is identified as a designation laser based on the information determined for the laser spot T.

[0057] For example, an alert is then generated by said laser alert detector 16 when a laser spot T has been detected. The alert is intended, in particular, to inform an operator to initiate protective actions.

[0058] Preferably, the attainment step 100 includes the movement of the entity or entities 14 of the protection system 12 following a movement of the installation to be protected 10, so as to maintain the installation to be protected 10 and its surroundings in the field of vision of the laser warning detector 16 or in the overall field of vision of all the laser warning detectors 16.

[0059] Preferably, the laser warning detector 16 performing the obtaining step 100 belongs to the same entity 14 as the laser emitting device 15 emitting the laser beam forming the guiding task TG.

[0060] Alternatively, the laser warning detector 16 performing the acquisition step 100 belongs to a different entity 14 and sends the information (via a communication channel) to the entity 14 emitting the laser beam forming the guidance task TG.

[0061] Alternatively, the information was obtained by a means distinct from the protection system 12, for example, by a laser warning detector 16 positioned on the installation to be protected 10 (direct DAL). The information is then communicated to the protection system 12 via a communication channel.

[0062] The protection method includes a step 200 of orienting the line of sight of the laser emitting device 15 so as to aim at the detected laser spot T, or a position near the detected laser spot T and further away from the installation to be protected 10 than the detected laser spot T.

[0063] The protection method includes a step 300 of emission, by said laser emission device 15, of a laser beam reproducing the spectral characteristic and the temporal code of the detected laser spot T so as to form a guiding spot TG on, or near, the detected laser spot T. The emitted laser beam is therefore identical spectrally (same wavelength) and temporally (same temporal sequence) to the designating laser beam.

[0064] The emitted laser beam has a power such that the intensity of the guiding spot TG is greater than the intensity of the detected laser spot T, which allows the projectile to be guided towards the guiding spot TG rather than towards the spot coming from the designating laser.

[0065] Fig. 3 illustrates an example of laser beam emission forming a guiding spot TG offset from the laser spot T of the designating laser.

[0066] The protection method includes a step 400 of progressively shifting the orientation of the line of sight of said laser emitting device 15 so as to guide the projectile away from the installation to be protected 10.

[0067] For example, the line of sight shifts every second by a predetermined distance (for example, from 10 to 20 cm per laser pulse).

[0068] Thus, the system 12 and the protection method make it possible to protect, via a decoy, an installation to be protected 10 targeted by a designation laser.

[0069] Indeed, the protection consists of a decoy countermeasure, using a laser emission device 15 (carried beacon), which replicates the spectral characteristics and temporal code of the designating laser and has a more attractive emission than the original target. The line of sight of the laser emission device 15 then gradually shifts to guide the munition away from the initial target into a diversion zone where the impact of the incident munition will cause minimal damage. This thus prevents the successful firing of a laser-guided munition, that is, prevents the munition from reaching and impacting the presumed laser designating target.

[0070] Detection can be made by the target itself, or by another friendly element in the vicinity of the target, or by entity 14 emitting the laser emission.

[0071] The invention makes it possible to offer protection that does not impact the architecture of the elements to be protected. The protection offered can benefit a target that may be a single element (vehicle), a set of distributed elements (tactical group), or a command / logistics area in a mobile or fixed format. The protection does not require the target to move.

[0072] A person skilled in the art will understand that the embodiments described can be combined with each other provided that they are technically compatible.

Claims

Demands

1. A method for protecting an installation to be protected (10), the method being implemented by a protection system (12) comprising at least one entity (14) on which is mounted a laser emitting device (15) having a steerable line of sight, the method comprising the steps of: - obtaining information relating to the detection of a laser spot (T) on, or near, the installation to be protected (10), the laser spot (T) originating from a designator laser guiding a projectile, the information comprising the position of the laser spot (T), a spectral characteristic relating to the laser spot (T) and a time code relating to the laser spot (T), - orienting the line of sight of the laser emitting device (15) so as to aim at the detected laser spot (T), or at a position near the detected laser spot (T) and further from the installation to be protected (10) than the detected laser spot (T), - emission,by said laser emitting device (15), of a laser beam reproducing the spectral characteristic and the temporal code of the detected laser spot (T) so as to form a guidance spot (TG) on or near the detected laser spot (T), the emitted laser beam having a power such that the intensity of the guidance spot (TG) is greater than the intensity of the detected laser spot (T), and - progressive shifting of the orientation of the line of sight of said laser emitting device (15) so as to guide the projectile away from the installation to be protected (10).

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the installation to be protected (10) is a vehicle and the or each entity (14) is an escort vehicle.

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

4. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the number of entities (14) is greater than or equal to two.

5. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the or each entity (14) of the protection system (12) comprises at least one laser warning detector (16), the information-gathering step having been carried out by the or one laser warning detector (16) of the protection system (12).

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

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

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein during detection, the laser originating the laser spot (T) is identified as a designator laser based on the information determined for the laser spot (T).

9. A method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the obtaining step includes the displacement of the entity or entities (14) of the protection system (12) following a displacement of the installation to be protected (10), so as to maintain the installation to be protected (10) and its surroundings in the field of vision of the laser warning detector (16) or in the overall field of vision of all the laser warning detectors (16).

10. A system (12) for protecting an installation to be protected (10), the protection system (12) comprising at least one entity (14) on which is mounted a laser emitting device (15) having a steerable line of sight, the protection system (12) being suitable for implementation the steps of a protection process according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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