Next-generation electro-optical defence system: evolution of functionalities of DIRCM systems for extending capabilities of protection of platforms and for

Abstract

The invention concerns an electro -optical defence system designed to be installed on a plat form and comprising a DIRCM system that includes a tracking unit. The electro-optical defence system is configured to use the tracking unit of the DIRCM system when the latter is not performing the DIRCM function in order to detect one or more approaching threats.

Description

[0001] NEXT-GENERATION ELECTRO-OPTICAL DEFENCE SYSTEM: EVOLUTION

[0002] OF FUNCTIONALITIES OF DIRCM SYSTEMS FOR EXTENDING

[0003] CAPABILITIES OF PROTECTION OF PLATFORMS AND FOR INCREASING

[0004] PILOTS' AWARENESS

[0005] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0006] This Patent Application claims priority from European Patent Application No . 23425021 . 5 filed on May 10 , 2023 , the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference .

[0007] TECHNICAL SECTOR OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention relates to a "Next-generation Electro-Optical Defence System" (NEODS ) that represents the innovative result of an evolution of the functionalities of DIRCM ( acronym for Directed ( or Directional ) Infrared Counter Measures ) systems to extend platform protection capabilities and increase pilots ' awareness .

[0009] STATE OF THE ART

[0010] Currently, systems capable of performing some of the so- called Find, Fixing, Targeting, Tracking and Engage & Assess functions , i . e . collectively referred to as " F2T2EA" , are IRST ( acronym for Infrared Search and Track) , EOTS ( acronym for Electro-Optical Targeting System) and DIRCM .

[0011] The IRST is a search, discovery and pursuit device . The system is completely passive and uses electro-optical devices to search, acquire and track one or more targets of interest , without emitting any radiation detectable by enemy aircraft or systems .

[0012] The EOTS system includes within it the Forward Looking Infrared ( FLIR) function that guarantees , in the air domain only, a high-resolution view of the area of interest where the pilot can only perform the TRACK & LOCATE functions , while the identi f ication of any targets of interest must be performed by another sensor or by the pilot . Subsequently, a laser ( included in the product ) can be used for target designation ( Laser Marker ) or for guiding laser-guided ( Laser Designation) drop weaponry (bombs ) . No countermeasure is included within the EOTS system .

[0013] A DIRCM is an active countermeasure system based on lasers with wavelengths in the mid-infrared range , designed to deceive IR trackers that are installed on the heads of missiles to allow them to be guided towards the desired target . The obj ective of a DIRCM i s therefore to deflect the traj ectory of a missile away from the protected platform .

[0014] Typically, a DIRCM includes :

[0015] • a tracking unit that constantly tracks the target missile during the threat countermeasure phase ; and

[0016] • a laser generation unit that emits a laser beam of suf ficient power to deceive the target missile tracking system .

[0017] OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The Applicant conducted a very thorough study of currently known systems and came to the following conclusions .

[0019] EOTS systems are designed to provide , in the air domain, sharp images at medium range that can guarantee identi fication for the pilot of targets of interest (man in the loop ) and tracking based on the pilot ' s designation in the infrared spectrum . In addition, the system is designed to have a fixed Field of View ( FoV) . The evolution of threats , however, makes the current EOTS system exposed to numerous operational limitations , as it does not include new technologies capable of performing all F2T2EA functions in a multitude of domains . The possibility of integrating numerous functions , such as Automatic Target Recognition, stereoscopy, collaborative functions with the use of drones , DIRCM or Arti ficial Intelligence algorithms , are j ust some of the essential points for it to be used ef fectively in future operational contexts .

[0020] On the other hand, due to the high level of technology required to implement the contrast function, DIRCMs are expensive and, often, increasing the level of protection to the extent required by operations , installed in a multiturret configuration, makes their installation even less attractive , given the impact , in terms of footprint and weight , on the platform . Although the level of protection against an inf rared-type missile threat achievable with a DIRCM system is extremely high, the fact that the system performs only this function does not always j usti fy the cost impact that the installation entails .

[0021] In light of what has j ust been explained, the Applicant perceived the need to try to develop an innovative technology capable of overcoming or alleviating, at least in part , the disadvantages and limitations of known technologies , thus arriving at the present invention .

[0022] Therefore , an obj ect of the present invention is to provide an innovative system that is able to overcome or alleviate , at least in part , the advantages and limitations of the currently known technologies .

[0023] These and other aims are achieved by the present invention as it relates to an electro-optical defence system, as defined in the appended claims .

[0024] In particular, the present invention concerns an electro-optical defence system designed to be installed on a platform and comprising a DIRCM system that includes a tracking unit . The electro-optical defence system is configured to use the tracking unit of the DIRCM system when the latter is not performing the DIRCM function in order to detect one or more approaching threats .

[0025] Preferably, the electro-optical defence system is configured to use the tracking unit to continuously scan the DIRCM system ' s field of regard over the entire region of cover or a speci fic area of interest .

[0026] Conveniently, the electro-optical defence system is configured, once an approaching threat is detected, to recognise the type of threat detected, conveniently via automatic machine learning-based recognition, and generate an alarm corresponding to the type of threat detected .

[0027] Preferably, the electro-optical defence system is configured, once an approaching threat is detected, to track / trace the detected threat and display one or more video streams relating to the tracking / tracing of the threat on a cockpit display installed in the platform and / or on / in a user ' s / pilot ' s helmet .

[0028] Conveniently, the DIRCM system also includes a laser generation unit and the electro-optical defence system is configured to counter a threat detected using the laser generation unit .

[0029] Preferably, the electro-optical defence system comprises a plurality of DIRCM systems all installed on the same platform .

[0030] Alternatively, the electro-optical defence system comprises a plurality of DIRCM systems installed on di f ferent platforms .

[0031] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF POSSIBLE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0032] The following description is provided to enable a person skilled in the art to make and use the invention . Various modi fications to the embodiments set forth will be immediately clear to the persons s killed in the art and the general principles herein disclosed may be applied to other embodiments and applications without , however, departing from the protection scope of the present invention as defined in the enclosed claims . Therefore , the present invention should not be understood as limited to the sole embodiments described and shown, but it must be given the widest scope of protection in accordance with the characteristics defined in the appended claims .

[0033] The present invention arises from the Applicant ' s observation that , to date , the DIRCM architecture is designed solely and exclusively to implement the only function designed for a DIRCM system, namely that of countering IR- guided threats . This means that the precision electro- optical platform implemented within a DIRCM tracking unit is only used during the counter-measure step of a threat ( i . e . , two to three activations of about 10s during the entire operational mission) .

[0034] On the other hand, an obj ect of the present invention is precisely to propose a system that exploits this hardware (HW) , currently used exclusively during the countermeasure step, to implement other functions and extend the scope of use of the DIRCM system from a countermeasure system alone to a system capable of extending pilots ' awareness .

[0035] Speci fically, the present invention teaches how to extend the range of functionalities implemented by a DIRCM system to increase the level of protection of a platform and, at the same time , to provide a user with a high level of Situational Awareness . This is made possible by the implementation of innovative technologies such as advanced Arti ficial Intelligence algorithms that exploit the precision optics characteristic of a DIRCM system to perform Find, Fixing, Targeting, Tracking functions and support Engage & Assess ( F2T2EA) . The optics used and the use of a multi-turret DIRCM architecture also ensure that the user can have a stereoscopic view of the target of interest , guaranteeing the accuracy and precision of the information received for a multitude of multi-domain operations . With regard to the use of a multi-turret DIRCM configuration, for the purposes of the present invention, use is preferably made of the technical teachings of the Applicant ' s European patent EP 3 081 895 Bl entitled "MULTIPLE TURRET DIRCM SYSTEM AND RELATED METHOD OF OPERATION" which are incorporated herein by reference .

[0036] The identi fied architecture also allows for the convenient implementation of a distributed capability across a multitude of drones capable of working collaboratively, thus ensuring unprecedented operational ef fectiveness in F2T2EA functions in a multitude of operational scenarios .

[0037] More speci fically, the present invention concerns an innovative EO / IR system, named by the Applicant NEODS (Nextgeneration Electro-Optical Defence System) , which is capable of performing the functions currently performed by a multitude of sensors such as EOTS , DIRCM, MWS ( acronym for Missile Warning System) in a single solution by exploiting the technological knowledge developed over many years by the Applicant in EO / IR programmes .

[0038] The NEODS system according to the present invention ful fils both the function of countering the threat and protecting the platform on which it is installed . It has a target tracking capability and provides an enhanced level of user situational awareness , all by implementing additional functionalities and technologies on a HW whose installation has already been tested by the Applicant .

[0039] More speci fically, the functionalities that the NEODS system implements can be divided into five main categories : i ) Detection of approaching threats , similar to the functionalities performed by IRST systems ; ii ) Target tracking by aiming, similar to EOTS-type systems ; iii ) Availability of IR video streams on the cockpit or pilot ' s helmet ; iv) Countering IR-guided missiles, similar to the function performed by a conventional DIRCM system; v) Functionalities distributed across multiple platforms .

[0040] The functions attributable to these five categories are described in more detail below.

[0041] Detection of approaching threats can be implemented using the NEODS system's tracking unit in "continuous scanning" mode. In analogy to an IRST system, the system, when the countermeasure / counter function is not activated, instead of remaining in stand-by status (traditional DIRCM) , continuously scans the field of regard of the individual turret. Scanning can take place over a particular area of interest, or over the entire eligible region of cover permitted with different profiles. In this mode, the NEODS is capable of detecting threats at a much greater distance than a traditional MWS system, which is equipped with a wide- field system. The NEODS does not replace the MWS but complements it, allowing it to have a superior early warning capability (precisely by virtue of its long focal length stabilised optics) . The MWS system has the ability to see nearby threats instantaneously (e.g., 20-40 ms) , the NEODS, on the other hand, will have the ability to detect distant threats with a temporal resolution that depends on the time it takes to scan the area of interest (e.g., Is) . The ability to detect long-distance threats makes it possible to implement preventive countermeasure techniques with the NEODS countermeasure function that are not possible with common DIRCMs (i.e., the DIRCM countermeasure is performed before the missile leaves the launch pad because the NEODS was able to detect it! ) .

[0042] Downstream of an automatic detection of a target, the NEODS sends an alarm on the cockpit display, the pilot then being able to "see" the IR video stream of the target live and classi fy the alarm also by automatic recognition based on machine learning .

[0043] The target tracking function can be performed by NEODS in two modes : on direct designation or following a scanning activity and automatic target detection . The high tracking performance of NEODS allows the platform to always have a target under control , whether it is a ground station or a f ast j et .

[0044] The NEODS tracking system also allows the pilot to have complete visibility of the IR scene on a target of interest or in a certain direction . The video stream can be replicated on a cockpit display or directly on a helmet . When the NEODS is installed in a multi-turret configuration, the video stream arriving at the pilot ' s helmet can be stereoscopic, giving the pilot the natural ability to perceive depth, considerably increasing his understanding of the scenario he is in . Because of this feature , NEODS is particularly suitable for installation on remotely guided platforms ( e . g . , drones ) to enable more immersive and precise piloting in obstacle-rich environments .

[0045] The countering function, on the other hand, is quite similar to that implemented to date by DIRCM systems in a multi-turret configuration, with the signi ficant development that the DIRCM also becomes capable of sel f-detection for all those threats that the MWS i s unable to detect due to the long distance ( e . g . , pre-emptive DIRCM application) .

[0046] The distributed functionalities allow the use of information from multiple NEODS , which, when appropriately combined, intend to achieve a greater operational ef fect .

[0047] It is important to prioritise the di f ferent functions implemented, as they have to share the HW on which they are implemented . More speci fically, the priorities between functions can be defined as follows : a ) Countering IR-guided missiles ; b ) Tracking targets ; c ) Availability of IR video streams ; d) Threat detection .

[0048] In particular, the first function a ) has priority over all others . I f a threat to be "countered" is detected, the system switches to countermeasure mode automatically and interrupts the other activated modes of operation . The second and third functions b ) and c ) are required by the pilot and have priority over the fourth d) .

[0049] The detection function d) is the one that the NEODS system normally performs during phases in which it is not activated for any of the others .

[0050] From the above description, the many innovative features of the present invention and its countless technical advantages are immediately obvious to a person skilled in the art .

[0051] In particular, it is important to emphasise the fact that the functional architecture of the NEODS system according to the present invention allows new functionalities to be implemented to increase the level of protection of platforms and increase the s ituational awareness of users .

[0052] More speci fically, the NEODS system allows :

[0053] • the function of automatic detection of an approaching threat to be carried out , with superior detection distance performance compared to that achievable by a conventional MWS system;

[0054] • the tracking functionality of a target to be carried out ; in fact , by exploiting the accurate tracking capability developed in the Applicant ' s EO / IR programmes , the system can be used to perform the typical functionalities of an EOTS system with the features described above ;

[0055] • an IR video stream to be available on the cockpit or directly in the pilot ' s helmet , which allows the pilot to better recognise the scene or a target of interest ; this functionality can be made stereoscopic by taking advantage of the multi-turret system configuration;

[0056] • the typical contrast function to be carried out with the characteristics of a DIRCM system;

[0057] • a coordination function to be carried out between NEODS on multiple platforms so as to maximise the ef fectiveness of the product and consequently extend the scope of protection of the platform; • a multi-domain protection function to be carried out , finding application on board aircraft , tanks and special forces in particular, and not limited to , against UAVs (weaponised and non-armoured) .

[0058] In conclusion, it is important to note that , while the above described invention refers in particular to very speci fic embodiments , it must not be intended as limited to such embodiments , including within its scope all the variants , modi fications or simpl i fications covered by the enclosed claims .

Claims

CLAIMS1 . Electro-optical defence system designed to be installed on a platform and comprising a Directed Infrared Counter Measures system including a tracking unit ; characterised in that it is configured to use the tracking unit of the Directed Infrared Counter Measures system when the latter is not performing the DIRCM function in order to detect one or more approaching threats .2 . The system of claim 1 , configured to use the tracking unit to continuously scan the field of regard of the Directed Infrared Counter Measures system over the entire region of cover or a speci fic area of interest .

3. The system according to claim 1 or 2 configured, once an approaching threat is detected, to recognise the type of threat detected, conveniently via automatic machine learning-based recognition, and generate an alarm corresponding to the type of threat detected .4 . The system according to any preceding claim configured, once an approaching threat is detected, to track / trace the detected threat and display one or more video streams relating to the tracking / tracing of the threat on a cockpit display installed in the platform and / or on / in a user ' s / pilot ' s helmet .5 . The system according to any preceding claim, wherein the Directed Infrared Counter Measures system also includes a laser generation unit and wherein said electro-optical defence system is configured to counter a threat detected using the laser generation unit .

6. The system according to any preceding claim, comprising a plurality of Directed Infrared Counter Measures systems all installed on the same platform .7 . The system according to any preceding claim, comprising a plurality of Directed Infrared Counter Measuressystems installed on different platforms.

8. The system according to any preceding claim, wherein the platform is a land vehicle, naval unit or aircraft.

9. Ground vehicle equipped with the electro-optical defence system as claimed in any preceding claim.

10. Naval unit equipped with the electro-optical defence system as claimed in any one of claims 1-8.

11. Ai rcraft equipped with the electro-optical defence system as claimed in any preceding claim.