Multi-layered UAV defense device

Abstract

FIELD: military equipment.SUBSTANCE: device is a mobile military communications equipment and can be used in the modernization and creation of mobile communications nodes (MCN) with on-board antennas at various transport bases (TB) to ensure the protection of the MCN from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs, drones) and reconnaissance equipment (RE) of the enemy using elements of on-board antennas, eliminating the influence of external equipment of the TB and MCN on the operation of on-board antennas, as well as the creation of a anti-aircraft radiation frame antenna (AARFA), masking the MCN. A two-level protective framework is constructed. The lower protective frame is made of rotating metal, its base is at least four vertical pipes, the upper ends of which are connected to the corners of the horizontal platform frame formed by horizontal pipes through adapters. The upper radio-transparent frame is made as a combined one and comprises radio-transparent vertical pipes, put on the corresponding four pin antennas, installed on the corresponding antenna lifting mechanisms, as well as the first and second frame antennas, which are made of pipes in the form of semicircles, installed with their ends through insulators on the corresponding lifting mechanisms of the frame antennas, which are drives for the radio-transparent frame awnings coupled and connected with them, forming in the vertical position of both frame antennas a protection and masking device in the form of a hemisphere – a dome, and a semi-dome in the vertical position of one frame antenna with a frame awning in the form of a quarter of a sphere.EFFECT: remote deployment of pin and frame antennas with the ability to mask the mobile communications node and increase the efficiency and range of communications, protection from unmanned aerial vehicles, and also reduce the visibility of the mobile communications node.3 cl, 7 dwg

Description

[0001] The device belongs to mobile military communications equipment and can be used in the modernization and creation of mobile communication nodes (MCN) with on-board antennas on various transport bases (TB) to ensure the protection of the MCN from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs, drones) and technical reconnaissance equipment (TRE) of the enemy using elements of on-board antennas, eliminating the influence of external equipment of the TB and MCN on the operation of on-board antennas, as well as the creation of a frame antenna of anti-aircraft radiation (RAZI), masking the MCN.

[0002] Mobile communication units with whip antennas are known, listed in the catalogues of the companies Barret WWW.barretcommunications.com.au, Shakespeare WWW.shakespeare-military.com, (SINCE 1897) Military antenna products, 2007, (pp. 1, 17), OOO Bisant WWW.bisant.ru, the common disadvantage of which is the need for the MCC crew to go outside to manually deploy the antennas, as well as the lack of masking devices.

[0003] The article "Passive Protection of Armored Vehicles from FPV Drone Attacks: Simple Nets and Lattice to Counter Attacks" by A. Mitrofanov (https: / / topwar.ru / ), published April 19, 2023, describes mesh barriers for protecting ground combat vehicles of various purposes from kamikaze drones. The anti-drone device-screen mesh-lattice kit consists of a base unit, field kits, and combat kits. The base unit is a set of fasteners and brackets rigidly attached to the TB. The field kit and combat kits contain a set of protective elements, which are screens in the form of rigid frames with a metal lattice, covering the TB both from above and from the sides and connected by hinges.

[0004] A disadvantage of these devices is the use of metal frames or frames with metal grilles, which hinders or even prevents the operation of the standard onboard antennas on the MUS, shielding or even shorting them at high frequencies (HF) to the TB body. Another disadvantage is the inability to quickly change the appearance of the mobile communication device.

[0005] A device for protecting the body of a passenger car from hail is known according to the Russian Federation patent 2746212, F42D 5 / 00, H04K 3 / 00, F41H 11 / 12, G01S 7 / 38, intended only for manual deployment and protection of the body in a parking lot.

[0006] A high-frequency antenna system is known, installed on a ground vehicle according to patent US 6784847, H01D 9 / 00, H1Q 1 / 24, H1Q 1 / 32, H1Q 21 / 08, H1Q 21 / 12, the disadvantage of which is that it does not have the means for ensuring remote deployment of antennas and masking of mobile communication nodes located on the TB.

[0007] The closest analogue in technical essence to the proposed one is a device for protecting a car from an explosive object dropped from a copter, according to Russian patent 2818005, F41H 11 / 00, B60J 11 / 00, adopted as a prototype.

[0008] Drawings of the prototype device are shown in Fig. 1 (top view) and Fig. 2 (fastening of the bracket-connectors to the frame pipe), where it is indicated:

[0009] 1 – prefabricated frame;

[0010] 2 – connecting brackets;

[0011] 3 – rectangular panel in the form of an elastic deforming mesh;

[0012] 5 – helical cylindrical springs;

[0013] 6 – double-sided adjustment screws.

[0014] The prototype device contains two protective elements and a set of brackets for attaching the protective elements to the frame of the awning of the vehicle's flatbed platform.

[0015] Each protective element comprises a prefabricated rectangular frame 1 made of a rigid structural material, for example, an aluminum alloy tube, onto which fastening brackets 2 are placed at a calculated pitch around the perimeter and secured against radial and axial movement. A rectangular sheet 3 in the form of an elastic, resilient, deformable mesh, for example, permatron or a PVC mesh on a polyester base, is placed inside the frame 1. Belt loops with rings (not shown in Figs. 1 and 2) are attached (sewn) to the reinforced edges of the sheet 3 around the perimeter at the same calculated pitch as for the fastening brackets 2 of the frame 1. The panel 3 is connected along the perimeter to the frame 1 with the help of helical cylindrical springs 5, attached on one side to the rings (not shown in Figs. 1 and 2) of the panel 3, on the other side to the axes of the connecting brackets 2 of the frame 1, forming a flat panel when tensioned (not shown in Figs. 1 and 2).The prefabricated frame 1 of the protective element comprises two U-shaped halves connected across their widths by double-ended adjusting screws 6, which are screwed into threaded holes at the ends of the U-shaped frame halves. The number and index of springs 5 ​​are selected based on the expected weight of the falling explosive object and the deflection of the mesh panel 3, ensuring elastic deformation that prevents a hard impact. The elastic properties of mesh 3, springs 5, and the tilt of panel 3 then cause the explosive object to be thrown to the side relative to the vehicle's direction of travel.

[0016] The disadvantages of the prototype device include its inability to remotely deploy antennas or conceal mobile communication nodes located on the transport base. Furthermore, the MUS's appearance cannot be modified due to the rigid attachment of the base frame to the transport base.

[0017] The task is to provide protection against unmanned aerial vehicles, as well as remote deployment of antennas with the ability to mask mobile communication nodes.

[0018] To solve the problem in a multi-level protection device against drones, containing a lower protective frame in the form of a platform frame formed by metal horizontal pipes, installed on a transport base (TB), according to the invention, the protective frame is made two-level;

[0019] The lower protective frame is made of rotating metal, its base is at least four vertical pipes, the lower ends of which are installed through shock absorbers on the corresponding rotating devices, which are fixed to the existing points - equipment mounting booms or on the TB body / tower;

[0020] The upper ends of the vertical pipes are connected to the corners of the horizontal platform frame formed by the horizontal pipes through cardan tee adapters with hinges;

[0021] The right and left side frames are secured using right and left loop fasteners on the side horizontal tubes of the platform frame, respectively, while the loop fasteners are designed with the ability to install the side frames in vertical, horizontal or intermediate positions;

[0022] Protective flexible metal elements are attached to the end horizontal pipes of the platform frame;

[0023] The right and left side frames of the lower protective frame are reinforced with metal mesh grilles;

[0024] All antenna lifting mechanisms are rigidly fixed on a platform frame reinforced with perforated metal sheets;

[0025] the upper frame is made combined and contains radio-transparent elements, including radio-transparent vertical pipes, put on the corresponding four pin antennas, installed on the corresponding antenna lifting mechanisms, as well as metal antenna elements, including the first and second frame antennas, which are made of metal pipes in the form of semicircles, installed with their ends through insulators on the corresponding frame antenna lifting mechanisms, made with the possibility of operating in an autonomous mode and rigidly fixed on a horizontal frame platform;

[0026] the frame antennas are kinematically connected with the mated and connected to them radio-transparent frame awnings, installed on the frame platform through frames on hinges, with the provision of movement of the said radio-transparent frame awnings during the lifting and rotation of the corresponding frame antennas, wherein in the vertical position of both frame antennas with frame awnings they form a protection and masking device in the form of a hemisphere - a dome, and in the vertical position of one frame antenna with a frame awning - in the form of a quarter of a sphere - a half-dome, and the protection and masking devices are made with the possibility of movement into the transport position with the help of rotary mechanisms;

[0027] In addition, the remote controls for the antenna lifting mechanisms are located inside the transport base.

[0028] The proposed device is illustrated by the following drawings.

[0029] Fig. 3 shows the external appearance of the TB, viewed from the left, from above, with the lower frame installed.

[0030] Fig. 4 shows the external appearance of the TB, left view, from above with the lower and upper frames installed.

[0031] Fig. 5 shows the external appearance of the TB, left view, from above with the lower and upper frames installed in the transport position.

[0032] Fig. 6 – a cardan tee adapter for forming a platform frame from horizontal pipes (PKT) and a hinged connection of the frame with vertical pipes.

[0033] Fig. 7 shows a cardan adapter for forming a frame from horizontal pipes (PKT) and a hinged connection of the frame with vertical pipes.

[0034] In Fig. 3, 4 and 5 the following designations are used:

[0035] The lower protective rotating frame consists of metal elements indicated in figures 3 and 4:

[0036] M1÷M4 – from the first to the fourth antenna lifting mechanisms;

[0037] VT1÷VT4 – from the first to the fourth vertical pipes;

[0038] PMK1÷PMK4 – from the first to the fourth rotary mechanisms (devices) of the frame;

[0039] АМК1÷АМК4 – from the first to the fourth shock absorbers of vertical pipes;

[0040] GT1÷GT4 – from the first to the fourth horizontal pipes;

[0041] RPG – horizontal platform frame;

[0042] KP – right side frame;

[0043] KL – left side frame;

[0044] The upper radio-transparent frame consists of elements designated as follows (figures 3, 4, 5):

[0045] A1÷A4 – from the first to the fourth side pin antennas;

[0046] A5.1÷A5.2 – the first and second frame antennas of zenith radiation (frame-emitters);

[0047] K1, K2 – first and second radio-transparent frame awnings;

[0048] B1÷B4 – from the first to the fourth radio-transparent vertical pipes, placed on the corresponding antennas;

[0049] M5÷M8 – from the fifth to the eighth frame antenna lifting mechanisms;

[0050] The proposed device contains a two-level protective frame consisting of a metal lower frame and a radio-transparent upper frame, formed from four pin antennas A1÷A4 and two emitter frames A5.1 and A5.2.

[0051] The base of the lower frame (Fig. 3, 4, 5) are vertical steel pipes VT1÷VT4, installed through the corresponding shock absorbers AMK1÷AMK4 on the rotating devices PMK1÷PMK4, which are installed either on the existing points (bonks) of fastening the TB equipment, or secured with bolts or welding on the body (tower) of the transport base.

[0052] The upper ends of the vertical pipes VT1÷VT4 are connected to the corners of the RPG platform frame formed by the horizontal pipes GT1÷GT4 through cardan tee adapters with hinges (their design is shown in Fig. 7).

[0053] The side frames of the lower protective frame of the right CP and left KL are secured through the corresponding fastening loops (not shown in Fig. 3÷5) on the side horizontal pipes GT2 and GT4 of the RPG platform frame, which is reinforced with perforated metal sheets for attaching the M1÷M8 antenna lifting mechanisms.

[0054] The side frames - right CP and left KL, are reinforced with metal mesh grids of sufficient cross-section to protect against the most common UAVs.

[0055] The end horizontal pipes GT1 and GT3 of the RPG frame are equipped with protective metal flexible elements or chains (not shown in Fig. 3).

[0056] Rotary mechanisms (devices) of vertical pipes PMK1÷PMK4 (and consequently the frame) are designed to install the lower frame in the selected position: vertically, left-forward or right-backward from the vertical position.

[0057] Changing the position of the frame provides:

[0058] - transformation of the appearance of the MUS;

[0059] - increase in the sectors of application of the onboard weapons of the MUS in azimuth;

[0060] - access to external equipment of the MUS during maintenance (MOT) or repair;

[0061] - reducing the height of the frame to ensure that the MUS can enter hangars, shelters and meet the requirements of the traffic regulations for the dimensions of the MUS when driving on public roads.

[0062] In all positions of the frame, the MUS is protected from drones and the combat striking elements they drop.

[0063] PMK1÷PMK4 can be equipped with rotating mechanisms (devices) with electric, hydraulic, or / and manual drives, depending on the safety equipment's capabilities and customer requirements. For example, changing the position of the lower protective frame, which has a hydraulic system, is possible using one or two hydraulic mini crane-manipulators of the "Rook-920" type, with a lifting capacity of up to 1000 kg, manufactured by Avtorama LLC, Chelyabinsk.

[0064] Onboard pin antennas A1÷A4 are mounted on the M1÷M4 lifting mechanisms installed on the RPG platform frame of the lower frame, which provides both the transformation of the external appearance of the TB and MUS, and the physical protection of the hull (turret) of the TB and MUS from direct contact with the UAV and the ammunition it uses at all angles of its rotation.

[0065] The upper radio-transparent frame (Fig. 4, 5) is made combined and contains radio-transparent vertical pipes B1÷B4, put on the corresponding pin antennas A1÷A4, installed on the lifting mechanisms of antennas M1÷M4, as well as the first A5.1 and the second A5.2 frames-emitters, which are made of metal pipes in the form of semicircles, installed with their ends through insulators (not shown in the figure) on the corresponding lifting mechanisms of frame antennas M5÷M8. In this case, the frames-emitters A5.1 and A5.2 are drives for the coupled and connected to them radio-transparent frame awnings K1 and K2, installed on the RPG frame through frames on hinges, which in the vertical position of both frame antennas form a protective and camouflage device in the form of a hemisphere (dome) (Fig. 4). When one frame antenna with a frame awning is in a vertical position, the protection and masking device is formed in the form of a quarter of a sphere (half-dome).

[0066] All protection and masking devices have the ability, with their antenna rotation mechanisms M1÷M8, to be folded into the transport position to ensure compliance with traffic regulations regarding the dimensions of the TB (Fig. 5).

[0067] The M1÷M8 antenna elevation mechanisms are rigidly attached to the RPG's upper frame. The A5.1 and A5.2 loop antenna elevation mechanisms can be used independently, meaning they can be configured to form either a dome or a semi-dome from the A5.1 and A5.2 loop antennas by raising one of the two loop antennas.

[0068] The automated workstation (AWS) (not shown in the figures) is located inside the habitable volume of the transport base and is designed with the ability to remotely control the lifting mechanisms of the M1÷M8 antennas, for example, as described in Russian Federation patents 2813629, H01Q 1 / 08, “Automatic antenna-mast device with lifting mechanisms”, 2813238, H01Q 1 / 08, “Automatic antenna-mast device with unbalanced and symmetrical antennas”.

[0069] The proposed device operates as follows.

[0070] The installation of the lower and upper frames on the TB is carried out as follows.

[0071] 1. To bring the lower frame into working position, perform the following operations:

[0072] - hydraulic rotary mechanisms PMK1÷PMK4, vertical pipes VT1÷VT4 with shock absorbers AMK1÷AMK4; corresponding adapters (PKT), end horizontal pipes GT1 and GT3 with protective metal flexible elements or chains fixed to them; horizontal pipes GT2 and GT4 with loops fixed to them (not indicated in the figure) for fastening the right KP and left KL frames, which are reinforced with metal mesh-lattices or awnings in assembled form with a set of fasteners are unloaded and laid out on a flat surface;

[0073] - rotary devices PMK1÷PMK4 are installed and secured at the selected locations of the protected section of the roof (tower) of the TB with an area of ​​(2.5x2.5) m by any known method (using standard fasteners), at the existing mounting points (bonks) of the external equipment of the TB or welded in place using metal adapters;

[0074] - vertical pipes VT1÷VT4 with shock absorbers AMK1÷AMK4 and adapters are installed and secured on rotary devices PMK1÷PMK4 (Fig. 3, 5);

[0075] - horizontal pipes GT1÷GT4 are inserted and secured into the adapters (not shown in Fig. 3, 5), forming the RPG frame, with loops secured to the GT2 and GT4 pipes for securing the side frames of the KP and KL (Fig. 3);

[0076] - antenna lifting mechanisms M1÷ M8 are installed on the RPG frame;

[0077] - connect the cables in accordance with the structural diagram.

[0078] 2. To bring the upper radio-transparent frame into working position, perform the following operations:

[0079] - radio-transparent vertical pipes B1÷B4 with installed adapters and a set of fasteners are unloaded and laid out on a flat surface;

[0080] - antennas A1÷A4 are installed on the lifting mechanisms of antennas M1, M2, M3 and M4;

[0081] - vertical radio-transparent pipes B1÷B4 with adapters are placed on antennas A1÷A4;

[0082] - frame antennas A5.1, A5.2 with radio-transparent frame awnings K1 and K2 with hinges (not shown in the figure) are installed on the lifting mechanisms of antennas M5÷M8.

[0083] 3. Mount the upper frame assemblies on the RPG frame in the following sequence:

[0084] - antennas A1÷A4 are installed on the lifting mechanisms of antennas M1÷M4;

[0085] - vertical pipes B1÷B4 with adapters are placed on antennas A1÷A4;

[0086] - the right RP and left RL side radio-transparent frames are hung on hinges (not shown in the figure);

[0087] - the ends of the A5.1 and A5.2 emitter frames are installed on the lifting mechanisms of the M5, M6 and M7, M8 antennas;

[0088] - radiating frames A5.1 and A5.2 are connected to frame awnings K1, K2;

[0089] - secure the hinges of the awning frames to the RPG frame;

[0090] - connect the cables in accordance with the structural diagram.

[0091] After completing all operations, the device is ready for use.

[0092] Complete dismantling of the device is carried out in the reverse order of preparation for use.

[0093] Thus, the upper frame eliminates the influence of the external equipment of the TB and MUS on the onboard antennas A1 ÷ A4, A5.1, A5.2 and additional antennas of other ranges (satellite, navigation, etc.), which can be installed on the MUS, improves their efficiency, increasing the antenna installation height to 2 m (the height of the protective frame, depending on the type of the TB). The lower frame provides for the installation of MUS camouflage means from simple camouflage nets to systems of means for reducing visibility both on the side frames of the CP and CL, and on the upper frame formed by the elements of the antennas A1 ÷ A4, A5.1 and A5.2, installed on the RPG platform frame, providing a change in the appearance and additional protection of the MUS from drones and TSR, which increases the reliability of communication channels, the safety of the crew and the MUS.

[0094] The design of the lower frame allows it to be installed as a single module on the hulls of almost all types of heavy tanks or on a turret with weapons (Fig. 3, 4), as well as as a block of several frames with a long transport base.

[0095] In addition, the device provides increased efficiency and quality of communication due to:

[0096] - raising the onboard pin antennas of the MUS to a frame height of 1 m to 2 m, depending on the type of TB and eliminating the influence of the external equipment of the MUS on the parameters of the antennas;

[0097] - the ability to select optimal onboard MUS pin antennas for communication in each radio direction based on the results of the analysis on the workstation of the antenna parameters, including the standing wave ratio (SWR), antenna pattern, as well as the propagation environment parameters, the route profile in the communication directions, and the interference environment for operation in the following modes:

[0098] simplex, in 4 radio networks (radio directions);

[0099] duplex, in 2 radio networks (radio directions);

[0100] 2-way retransmission,

[0101] - analysis of the interference environment in the operating frequency ranges of the MUS on the automated workstation to select frequencies (from those allocated for communication) with a minimum noise level;

[0102] - automatic setting of minimum power levels required for working with subscribers in each direction, based on the results of quality control of information received at the automated workstation;

[0103] - increasing the safety of the MUS and the crew, due to the possibility of remote camouflage and transformation of its appearance without the crew leaving the TB and ensuring operation with minimal visibility in the radio range.

[0104] The upper radio-transparent frame allows for the transformation of the external appearance of the MUS and the installation of systems of means for reducing visibility for camouflage and additional protection of the external equipment of the MUS from aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles and technical reconnaissance equipment, both ground and air, without reducing the effectiveness of antennas with an increase in the communication range.

[0105] The technical result is to ensure remote deployment of pin and loop antennas with the ability to mask a mobile communications node and increase the efficiency and range of communications, protection from unmanned aerial vehicles, and also reduce the visibility of the mobile communications node.

Claims

1. A multi-level protection device against drones, comprising a lower protective frame in the form of a platform frame formed by horizontal metal pipes, installed on a transport base (TB), characterized in that the protective frame is made of two levels; the lower protective frame is made of rotary metal, its base is at least four vertical pipes, the lower ends of which are installed through shock absorbers on corresponding rotary devices, which are secured to existing points - booms - for attaching equipment or to the body / tower of the TB; the upper ends of the vertical pipes are connected to the corners of the horizontal platform frame formed by horizontal pipes through cardan tee adapters with hinges; the side right and left frames are secured with the help of right and left fastener-loops on the side horizontal pipes of the platform frame, respectively, while the fastener-loops are designed with the possibility of installing the side frames in vertical, horizontal or intermediate positions; protective flexible metal elements are attached to the end horizontal pipes of the platform frame; the side right and left frames of the lower protective frame are reinforced with metal mesh grilles; all antenna lifting mechanisms are rigidly fixed to a platform frame reinforced with perforated metal sheets; the upper frame is made as a combined one and contains radio-transparent elements, including radio-transparent vertical pipes, put on the corresponding four pin antennas, installed on the corresponding antenna lifting mechanisms, as well as metal antenna elements, including the first and second frame antennas, which are made of metal pipes in the form of semicircles, installed with their ends through insulators on the corresponding frame antenna lifting mechanisms, made with the possibility of operating in an autonomous mode and rigidly fixed on the horizontal frame platform; the frame antennas are kinematically connected with the mated and connected to them radio-transparent frame awnings, installed on the frame platform through frames on hinges, with the provision of movement of the said radio-transparent frame awnings during the lifting and rotation of the corresponding frame antennas, while in the vertical position of both frame antennas with frame awnings they form a protection and masking device in the form of a hemisphere - a dome, and in the vertical position of one frame antenna with a frame awning - in the form of a quarter of a sphere - a half-dome, and the protection and masking devices are made with the possibility of movement into the transport position with the help of rotary mechanisms; In addition, the remote controls for the antenna lifting mechanisms are located inside the transport base.

2. The device according to paragraph 1, characterized in that the fastening of the rotary devices is carried out with bolts or by welding.

3. The device according to paragraph 1, characterized in that chains are used as protective flexible metal elements.

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