System, method and computer program product for parsimoniously neutralizing moving targets

Abstract

Neutralizing moving targets by providing a real-time communication link via which a weaponized vehicle manned by a pilot receives data from a ground sensor; and at a processor aboard the vehicle, receiving an indication, via the link, of interception location / s whose distance from a target detected by the ground sensor is within a pilot's visual detection range, and intercepting moving targets within the ground sensor's coverage area including: approaching a location whose distance from a detected target is within a pilot's visual detection range, and once deployed at that location, accepting control inputs from the pilot, enabling a weapon onboard the vehicle to intercept the moving target at least partially relying on pilot's own vision capabilities.

Description

[0001] System, Method and Computer Program Product for Parsimoniously Neutralizing Moving Targets

[0002] FIELD OF THIS DISCLOSURE

[0003] The present invention relates generally to interception of moving targets, and more particularly to interception of moving targets in the air.

[0004] BACKGROUND FOR THIS DISCLOSURE

[0005] Many types of air surveillance radars are known. Air surveillance radar is used to detect all flight movements in a specific airspace.

[0006] Light attack aircraft are known, such as Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano, also named ALX or A-29, a Brazilian turboprop light attack aircraft having a Top speed: 593 km / h, range: 4,820 km, Cruise speed: 520 km / h.

[0007] Also, AC-208 Combat Caravan is a light attack combat aircraft armed with Hellfire missiles. Upgrades include an electro-optical targeting system with an integrated laser designator, air-to-ground, and air-to-air data link and self-protection equipment.

[0008] According to Wikipedia, a light combat aircraft (LCA) is a light, multirole jet / turboprop aircraft typically derived from advanced trainers designed for engaging in light combat. The light combat aircraft missions may be a light strike or attack, reconnaissance, interdiction, or training. Light combat aircraft are typically capable only of subsonic speeds.

[0009] Trainer aircraft are known. According to Wikipedia, trainers are designed to facilitate flight training of pilots and aircrews, and may be dedicated aircraft with additional safety features, such as tandem flight controls, forgiving flight characteristics, and a simplified cockpit arrangement, thus to facilitate flight training as well as operational training, where a pilot in training learns to use her or his flying skills through simulated combat and attacks. Initial flying skills may be taught using the Slingsby Firefly, the Diamond DA20, and light piston-powered aircraft, such as the Cirrus SR20 (designated T-53A). Later, a candidate may progress to turboprop trainers, e.g., The Pilatus PC-9 and EmbraerTucano, which mimic the handling characteristics of jet aircraft, or on actual jet aircraft such as the BAC Jet Provost, T-37 Tweet, and Fouga Magister. Even more advanced trainers may achieve high subsonic speeds, high-energy maneuvers, and may simulate weapons and surveillance. Examples of jet trainer aircraft include the Northrop T-38 Talon, BAE Hawk, Dassault / Dornier Alpha Jet, Aero L-39 and Yakovlev Yak-130.

[0010] Fire control algorithms which employ the NATO armaments ballistic kernel according to STANAG 4355 (modified point mass model) are known. Projectile fire-control algorithms in a spatially varying wind fields have been studied. Anti-aircraft fire control on a naval platform which uses a direct geometric model is known. The effect of relative target motion on weapon aiming position, in the fire control context, has been studied.

[0011] Algorithms which recommend a trajectory toward a moving object are known, and may be based on shortest-path algorithms.

[0012] Existing SIGINT (Signals intelligence) systems are known, such as Rohde&Schwarz's land based SIGINT systems. Signals intelligence platforms may perform intelligence-gathering by interception of signals, between people (communications intelligence) and / or between machines (electronic intelligence).

[0013] A Virtual Training System utilizes a datalink and simulations to provide virtual radar. The datalink network connects all the aircraft participating in the training session together, with a real-time ground station.

[0014] An example of a real-time communication system is the European datalink system based on the Aeronautical Telecommunications Network (ATN) which uses interconnected routers and end systems, and uses VHF Digital Link Mode 2 (VDL Mode 2 / VDL2), as its air / ground datalink technology. The disclosures of all publications and patent documents mentioned in the specification, and of the publications and patent documents cited therein directly or indirectly, are hereby incorporated by reference, other than subject matter disclaimers or disavowals. If the incorporated material is inconsistent with the express disclosure herein, the interpretation is that the express disclosure herein describes certain embodiments, whereas the incorporated material describes other embodiments. Definition / s within the incorporated material may be regarded as one possible definition for the term / s in question.

[0015] SUMMARY OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

[0016] According to one aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter there is provided a system for neutralizing moving targets, the system operating in conjunction with a ground sensor and a weaponized vehicle manned by a pilot, system comprising: a real-time communication link via which the vehicle receives data from the ground sensor; a hardware processor aboard the vehicle which is configured to receive, via the real-time communication link, an indication in real time or near-real time of at least one interception location whose distance from a target detected by the ground sensor is within a pilot's visual detection range, thereby to allow the vehicle to, at least once, neutralize moving targets within the ground sensor's coverage area by: approaching a location whose distance from a target detected by the ground sensor is within a pilot's visual detection range, and once deployed at the location whose distance from a target detected by the ground sensor is within a pilot's visual detection range, accepting at least one control input from the pilot, enabling a weapon on board the vehicle to intercept the moving target in at least partial reliance on the pilot's own vision capabilities. The visual detection range taken into account may for example take into account teachings regarding pilot visual detection of small unmanned aircraft systems in visual meteorological conditions which are known in the art.

[0017] The interception location or interception point may be the target's own location at the time of detection by the ground sensor (or may be an estimation of the target's future location at time of interception) or may be a location other than the target's own location which is selected (from among various possible interception locations) e.g. by the ground sensor (or ground station) as a most suitable interception location e.g. due to any suitable consideration such as weather, minimal distance from the trainer's current position, desirability e.g. whether or not the interception location overlies inhabited areas to be protected or hostile areas to be avoided, and estimated future location of the target, at the time of interception.

[0018] The indication of the interception location may comprise coordinates of a location which is within visual range and within firing range, vis a vis the threat, or any other data which is at least partly indicative of the interception location or alternatively any data from which interception location / s and / or the target's current or future location / s, may be derived.

[0019] The weapon may comprise a ranged weapon and may have an effective range of, say, several hundred meters, or less, or more.

[0020] The link may provide a direct channel between the vehicle and the ground sensor or e.g. alternatively may comprise a first real-time communication link to the ground e.g. a legacy link to a ground component of a legacy training system (e.g. "Ground Based Training System"), and a second real-time communication link between the ground component (e.g. Ground Based Training System) linked to the vehicle, and the ground sensor.

[0021] It is appreciated that the pilot' vision capabilities may be either unaided or augmented e.g. by wearable vision aids such as but not limited to contact lenses, eyeglasses, and Night Vision Goggles for night interception. In addition to the above features, the system according to this aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter can comprise one or more of features (i) to (xx) listed below, in any desired combination or permutation which is technically possible:

[0022] (i) a vehicle V manned by a pilot P which includes a weapon W and which receives data from the ground sensor, approaches the location, and accepts said control input, thereby to intercept the moving target, using the weapon W, in at least partial reliance on pilot P's own vision capabilities.

[0023] (ii) wherein the target is a drone and the interception location is an air location.

[0024] (iii) wherein the target comprises a vessel moving through a body of water along the body of water's surface.

[0025] (iv) wherein the vehicle comprises an aircraft.

[0026] (v) wherein the control inputs provided by the pilot control the vehicle's steering system.

[0027] (vi) wherein the weapon has an aiming system and wherein the control inputs provided by the pilot control the aiming system.

[0028] (vii) wherein the pilot controls the vehicle to, at least once, travel toward said interception location. (viii) wherein the vehicle includes display functionality which presents said interception location, in real time, to the pilot, enabling the pilot to guide the vehicle toward said interception location.

[0029] (ix) wherein the ground sensor comprises a radar or C4I (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence) system or SIGINT or optical detection.

[0030] (x) a ground sensor including a processor which receives motion data characterizing motion of a target and computes at least one location whose distance from the target, for at least one future time t, is within the pilot's visual detection range.

[0031] (xi) wherein the vehicle comprises a trainer aircraft.

[0032] (xii) wherein said processor accepts the control inputs once the vehicle is deployed at the interception location.

[0033] (xiii) wherein the vehicle neutralizes moving targets by travelling toward the at least one interception location.

[0034] (xiv) wherein the vehicle comprises a light attack aircraft.

[0035] (xv) wherein the vehicle communicates via a first link with at least one ground station and wherein the ground station is linked via a second link to the ground sensor.

[0036] (xvi) wherein at least some data is indirectly transmitted from a ground station to the vehicle. (xvii) wherein the data indirectly transmitted from the ground station to the vehicle includes the indication in real time or near-real time of the at least one interception location.

[0037] (xviii) wherein the vehicle comprises an interceptor aircraft and wherein the data indirectly transmitted from the ground station is transmitted via at least one relay aircraft to the interceptor aircraft.

[0038] (xix) wherein the data indirectly transmitted from the ground station is transmitted via at least one relay ground station.

[0039] (xx) wherein the data indirectly transmitted from the ground station is transmitted via at least one satellite.

[0040] According to another aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter there is provided a method for neutralizing moving targets, the method comprising: providing a real-time communication link via which a weaponized vehicle manned by a pilot receives data from a ground sensor; and at a hardware processor aboard the vehicle, receiving an indication in real time or near-real time of at least one interception location whose distance from a target detected by the ground sensor is within a pilot's visual detection range, wherein the indication is received via said real-time communication link; and intercepting moving targets within the ground sensor's coverage area including: approaching a location whose distance from a target detected by the ground sensor is within a pilot's visual detection range, and once deployed at the location whose distance from a target detected by the ground sensor is within a pilot's visual detection range, accepting at least one control input from the pilot, enabling a weapon onboard the vehicle to intercept the moving target in at least partial reliance on the pilot's own vision capabilities. In addition to the above features, the method according to this aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter can comprise one or more of features (i) to (xvi) listed below, in any desired combination or permutation which is technically possible:

[0041] (i) at least some data is indirectly transmitted from a ground station to the vehicle.

[0042] (ii) wherein the target is a drone and the interception location is an air location.

[0043] (iii) wherein the target comprises a vessel moving through a body of water along the body of water's surface.

[0044] (iv) wherein the control inputs provided by the pilot control the vehicle's steering system.

[0045] (v) wherein the weapon has an aiming system and wherein the control inputs provided by the pilot control the aiming system.

[0046] (vi) wherein the pilot controls the vehicle to, at least once, travel toward the interception location.

[0047] (vii) providing the vehicle with display functionality which presents the interception location, in real time, to the pilot, enabling the pilot to guide the vehicle toward the interception location.

[0048] (viii) providing a ground sensor which comprises a radar or C4I (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence) system or SIGINT or optical detection. (ix) providing a ground sensor including a processor which receives motion data characterizing motion of a target and computes at least one location whose distance from the target, for at least one future time t, is within the pilot's visual detection range.

[0049] (x) wherein the processor accepts said control inputs once the vehicle is deployed at said interception location.

[0050] (xi) wherein the vehicle neutralizes moving targets by travelling toward said at least one interception location.

[0051] (xii) wherein the data indirectly transmitted from the ground station to the vehicle includes said indication in real time or near-real time of said at least one interception location.

[0052] (xiii) wherein the vehicle communicates via a first link with at least one ground station and wherein the ground station is linked via a second link to the ground sensor.

[0053] (xiv) wherein the data indirectly transmitted from the ground station is transmitted via at least one satellite.

[0054] (xv) wherein the vehicle comprises an interceptor aircraft and wherein the data indirectly transmitted from the ground station is transmitted via at least one relay aircraft to the interceptor aircraft.

[0055] (xvi) providing a vehicle which includes a weapon. This aspect of the disclosed subject matter can comprise one or more of features (i) to (xvi) listed above with respect to the method, mutatis mutandis, in any desired combination or permutation which is technically possible.

[0056] According to another aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter there is provided a computer program product, comprising a non-transitory tangible computer readable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein, the computer readable program code adapted to be executed to implement a method for neutralizing moving targets, the method comprising: providing a real-time communication link via which a weaponized vehicle manned by a pilot receives data from a ground sensor; and at a hardware processor aboard the vehicle, receiving an indication in real time or near-real time of at least one interception location whose distance from a target detected by the ground sensor is within a pilot's visual detection range, wherein the indication is received via the real-time communication link; and intercepting moving targets within the ground sensor's coverage area including: approaching a location whose distance from a target detected by the ground sensor is within a pilot's visual detection range, and once deployed at the location whose distance from a target detected by the ground sensor is within a pilot's visual detection range, accepting at least one control input from the pilot enabling a weapon onboard the vehicle to intercept the moving target in at least partial reliance on the pilot's own vision capabilities.

[0057] In addition to the above features, the computer program product according to this aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter can comprise one or more of features (i) to (xi) listed below, in any desired combination or permutation which is technically possible:

[0058] (i) providing a vehicle which includes a weapon. (ii) wherein the target is a drone and the interception location is an air location.

[0059] (iii) wherein the control inputs provided by the pilot control the vehicle's steering system.

[0060] (iv) wherein the weapon has an aiming system and wherein the control inputs provided by the pilot control said aiming system.

[0061] (v) wherein the pilot controls the vehicle to, at least once, travel toward the interception location.

[0062] (vi) providing the vehicle with display functionality which presents the interception location, in real time, to the pilot, enabling the pilot to guide the vehicle toward said interception location.

[0063] (vii) providing a ground sensor which comprises a radar or C4I (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence) system or SIGINT or optical detection.

[0064] (viii) providing a ground sensor including a processor which receives motion data characterizing motion of a target and computes at least one location whose distance from the target, for at least one future time t, is within the pilot's visual detection range.

[0065] (ix) wherein the processor accepts the control inputs once the vehicle is deployed at said interception location. (x) wherein the vehicle neutralizes moving targets by travelling toward said at least one interception location.

[0066] (xi) wherein the vehicle communicates via a first link with at least one ground station and wherein the ground station is linked via a second link to the ground sensor.

[0067] This aspect of the disclosed subject matter can comprise one or more of features (i) to (xx) listed above with respect to the system, mutatis mutandis, in any desired combination or permutation which is technically possible.

[0068] The target may comprise a vessel moving through a body of water along the body of water's surface.

[0069] For example, to prevent naval penetration of an area monitored by ground radar, a vehicle e.g., armed slow fighter, may receive a target via data communication, reach the area, complete visual detection and attack the target e.g. as described elsewhere herein.

[0070] The ground sensor may comprise a ground station including all or any subset of SIGINT, radar, or C4L The ground sensor may communicate directly with the vehicle e.g. aircraft (which may be a trainer) via the communication link, or may communicate with a legacy Ground Based Training System (GBTS) which has a legacy communication link to the aircraft.

[0071] The vehicle may include automatic manueovering functionality which receives the interception location and controls the vehicle to, at least once, travel toward the interception location.

[0072] Alternatively or in addition to the above embodiments, data transfer from the radar system to the aircraft e.g. via a trainer's ground terminal, may occur by voice. The following terms may be construed either in accordance with any definition thereof appearing in the prior art literature or in accordance with the specification, or to include in their respective scopes, the following: Trainers are aircraft used (at least) for training which may lack fire control and / or tracking and / or homing functionality and may have all or any subset of the following features:

[0073] In the air: jet aircraft, single / twin-engine, tandem-seat, equipped with a modern human-machine interface which may include Head-Up Displays (HUD) and / or MultiFunction Displays (MFD) and / or Hands On Throttle And Stick (HOTAS) controls and / or inflight safetyfeatures e.g. Pilot Activated Attitude Recovery System (PARS), able to operate in complete autonomy with the aid of an Auxiliary Power Unit (APU), integrated on-board technology to simulate tactical training, including an Embedded Tactical Training System (ETTS) to emulate sensors and / or weapons and / or Computer Generated Forces (CGF). pilots may be able to interact in real-time, e.g., via Live, Virtual and Constructive (LVC) training providing aircraft in flight (Live) and / or simulators (Virtual) and / or computergenerated force and / or threat generated environments which may be Constructive. Wide flight envelope and / or thrust-to-weight ratio and / or 'carefree' maneuverability at high angles of attack which resemble those of combat aircraft.

[0074] An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), commonly known as a drone, is an aircraft without any human pilot, crew, or passengers on board. UAVs may be a component of an unmanned aircraft system, which may also include a ground-based controller and / or communications with the UAV.

[0075] The United States Department of Defense classifies UAVs into five groups, 1 - 5, whose sizes are termed respectively small, medium, large, larger, and largest. The term "medium-heavy" UAV refers to UAVs in groups 2 and 3, whose operating altitudes are typically several hundreds of meters to 5.5 km respectively, and whose speeds are typically up to 450 kph.

[0076] The terms "interception" and "neutralization" may be interchanged herewithin.

[0077] Certain embodiments seek to provide an aircraft e.g., trainer which typically lacks a fire control system or possesses only a rudimentary, basic fire control system (e.g., optical sight or electronic HUD), as opposed to sophisticated airborne radar which provides far more accurate automatic fire control. The aircraft typically knows how to aim at, and neutralize, a threat e.g., hostile UAV, but does not know how to detect the threat and / or does not know how to track a threat over a long distance e.g., a distance exceeding visual detection range.

[0078] According to certain embodiments, a communication link is provided to an aircraft e.g., trainer from radar (which detects real targets), either directly or via the training ground station which typically has an interface to the aircraft. Thus the Data link from ground station to training aircraft may be direct, and / or may involve ground-based or airbased retranslation, and / or Satellite communication.

[0079] Communication may be periodic or continuous; it is appreciated that the pilot's range of sight may be a few hundred meters, whereas the time required for the trainer to reach the target's detected location may be long enough for the target (which may travel, say at a target velocity of up to 450 Km / h), to travel more than the pilot's range of sight e.g. to travel a few kilometers, as opposed to a few hundred meters) from detection of the target UAV to arrival of the interceptor close to the target UAV.

[0080] In case of more than one detected target, any kind of target prioritization can be implemented according to the customers doctrine. For example: the lowest flying target prioritized for intercept or target with lowest "Range to defended object" to "Target speed" ratio is preferred. The embodiments are not sensitive to the specific prioritization algorithm that may be implemented by software or by personnel at stage of the specific target allocation to trainer aircraft.

[0081] Also provided, excluding signals, is a computer program comprising computer program code means for performing any of the methods shown and described herein when the program is run on at least one computer; and a computer program product, comprising a typically non-transitory computer-usable or -readable medium e.g. non- transitory computer -usable or -readable storage medium, typically tangible, having a computer readable program code embodied therein, the computer readable program code adapted to be executed to implement any or all of the methods shown and described herein. The operations or stages in accordance with the teachings herein may be performed by at least one computer specially constructed for the desired purposes, or a general purpose computer specially configured for the desired purpose by at least one computer program stored in a typically non-transitory computer readable storage medium. The term "non-transitory" is used herein to exclude transitory, propagating signals or waves, but to otherwise include any volatile or non-volatile computer memory technology suitable to the application.

[0082] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0083] Fig. 1 is a simplified flowchart illustration of a method according to embodiments of the invention. The method of Fig. 1 typically comprises all or any subset of the illustrated stages, suitably ordered e.g., as shown.

[0084] Figs. 2 -8, which may be provided together or separately, in combination with the method of Fig. 1 or stand-alone, are pictorial illustrations of example embodiments of the invention. Specifically,

[0085] Fig. 2 illustrates an example of operation of Stage 10,

[0086] Fig. 3 illustrates an example of operation of Stage 20,

[0087] Fig. 4 illustrates an example of operation of Stage 30a showing direct communication between Ground VTS Station and Armed Trainer Aircraft,

[0088] Fig. 5 illustrates an example of operation of Stage 30b showing indirect communication between Ground VTS Station and Armed Trainer Aircraft by one or more Ground retranslation station(s),

[0089] Fig. 6 illustrates an example of operation of Stage 30c showing indirect communication between Ground VTS Station and Armed Trainer Aircraft by Retranslation Aircraft,

[0090] Fig. 7 illustrates an example of operation of Stage 30d showing indirect communication between Ground VTS Station and Armed Trainer Aircraft by communication satellite (SATCOM) and

[0091] Fig. 8 illustrates an example of operation of stage 40. Methods and systems included in the scope of the present invention may include any subset or all of the functional blocks shown in the specifically illustrated implementations by way of example, in any suitable order e.g., as shown. Flows may include all or any subset of the illustrated operations or stages, suitably ordered e.g., as shown.

[0092] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

[0093] Certain embodiments seek to provide a system for neutralizing moving targets, the system typically operating in conjunction with a ground sensor configured to detect threats such as radar or SIGINT or C4I, and a vehicle manned by a pilot, the vehicle may lack a fire control system and be armed, and may be provided with a communication link between the vehicle and the ground sensor. A processor aboard the vehicle may be configured to receive, via the communication link, an indication of interception location / s whose distances from a target detected by the ground sensor is within a pilot's range of vision (either native, or augmented by a wearable). The processor may be configured to control the vehicle to neutralize moving targets within the ground sensor's coverage area by travelling toward interception locations whose distance from a target detected by the ground sensor is within the pilot's range of vision and, once deployed at a location whose distance from a target detected by the ground sensor is within a pilot's field of view, accepting control inputs from the pilot enabling the ranged weapon to intercept the moving target by relying on the pilot's own vision capabilities, either native or augmented by a wearable (such as night vision goggles), rather than relying on a fire control system.

[0094] An algorithm, airborne and / or In the ground station, may be provided to adjust the recommended trajectory of the aircraft e.g. trainer, depending on maneuvers detected by the ground station e.g. SIGINT or radar or C4I which continues to track the real target as the trainer proceeds toward that real target. Alternatively, the trajectory may be determined by the human aircraft pilot. Any suitable trajectory toward a moving object may be used e.g., as generated by an algorithm that builds a flight-plan which is shortest and / or complies with velocity constraints and / or optimizes fuel consumption.

[0095] The system may, for example, extrapolate from an initial intercept point, depending on interceptor and / or target flight data. The target data source may be the SIGINT / ground radar / C4l system. GPS sensor data may for example be sent to the ground station which may compute a suitable trajectory, toward the target, for the aircraft.

[0096] A ground station may be available, e.g. as shown in Figs. 2 - 8, which may have a data link (may be in data communication) with the aircraft e.g., via a network or via voice. The ground station typically includes or is situated close to terminal / s of ground radar / C4l system / s. Typically, the distance between the ground station and SIGINT / radar / C4l is small enough to allow a single operator to fetch data from the ground SIGINT / radar / C4l system and to provide this data to the ground station for transmission to the trainer aircraft e.g., the same room or a building a few tens of meters away.

[0097] The data link between the aircraft and the ground radar may be utilized by the aircraft for drone interception, e.g. as follows:

[0098] An automatic processor / human operator , typically deployed on the ground, may compute at least one air location whose distance from a drone detected by the ground radar is within a pilot's field of view or visual detection range, thereby to allow a pilot, once the aircraft has proceeded to the air location, to control the aircraft to intercept the drone using his own vision capabilities and without requiring any fire control system. A processor aboard the aircraft may be configured to receive the air location via the data link.

[0099] A ranged weapon, as opposed to a weapon intended to be used in hand-to-hand combat, engages e.g. shoots at targets beyond the physical reach of the human, activating the weapon. The ranged weapon may use solid projectiles (e.g., "missiles" / "bullets" / "shells").

[0100] A basic fire-control system (FCS), which is optional, may be used to aim during interception. Typically, the trainer's pilot, once s / he has deployed the trainer within the visual detection range of the target, detects the target by eye and, subsequently, may mentally perform a final shooting calculation in accordance with the target detection by eye, to neutralize the target.

[0101] A method performed in accordance with certain embodiments is shown in Fig. 1, may by way of example be performed in conjunction with any of the apparatus of Figs. 2 - 8, and may include all or any subset of the following stages, suitably ordered e.g., as follows:

[0102] Stage 10. Deploy the ground control terminal / remote training ground Station / Ground Communication Terminal in proximity to ground sensor e.g., Radar / C4l / SIGINT. E.g. as shown in Fig. 2.

[0103] Stage 20. If and when a hostile UAV (or unidentified low speed aerial target) detected by ground sensor (radar, for example) as shown in Fig.3 at reference numeral 1- the track data, if or as available, is typically reported to the personnel of Ground Control Terminal / Remote Training Ground Station / Ground Communication Terminal e.g. as shown in Fig. 3. The track available data typically comprises any data available regarding a threat's track. This data is typically generated by the ground sensor and may be communicated / reported to the ground station e.g. for presentation to ground station personnel. This data may include, say, current threat placement (e.g. latitude and / or longitude and / or height) and / or threat velocity vector (speed value and / or direction) etc. It is appreciated that some data (say, height) may be unavailable, under certain circumstances.

[0104] Stage 30a. The (personnel of the) Ground Control Terminal / Remote Training Ground Station / Ground Communication Terminal alerts the start of interception by sending any available data regarding the real track of the real threat subject of the current real mission (as opposed, say, to a virtual track of a virtual threat which may be used by a trainer for a training mission) to a hardware processor aboard the available (patrol li ng / a lert on the ground) armed trainer aircraft (L-39, M-346 for example) or other weaponized vehicle e.g. as shown in Fig. 4 at reference numeral 3) e.g. by a direct Data Link Channel which may for example be provided by a Virtual Training System e.g. as described in the following online reference: iai.co.il / p / training-systems. As described elsewhere herein, the trainer may be in model when carrying out a training mission, and in mode2 when tasked with real missions.

[0105] Stage 30b. As in Stage 30a, but instead of direct Data Link Channel the Undirect Data Link Channel established with use of one or more Ground Retranslation Station (s) e.g. as shown in Fig. 5.

[0106] Stage 30c. As in Stage 30a, but instead of direct Data Link Channel the Undirect Data Link Channel established with use of Retranslation Aircraft, e.g. as shown in Fig. 6.

[0107] Stage 30d. As in Stage 30a, but instead of direct Data Link Channel the Undirect Data Link Channel established with use of Satellite Communications (e.g. SATCOM), e.g. as shown in Fig. 7.

[0108] Stage 40. Intended armed trainer aircraft or other weaponized vehicle takes off and / or (e.g. as shown in Fig. 8) flies toward the intercept point or interception location assigned and updated by a Data Link Channel (e.g. directly or established with use of Ground Retranslation Station(s) / Retranslation Aircraft / SATCOM), which may, for example, be provided by a Virtual Training System e.g., as above. Updates are displayed on the Data Link screens / pages (e.g. as in a standard training mission, but with different symbology e.g. specific colors and / or shapes indicating a real target as opposed to other colors and / or shapes indicating a virtual target / virtual track used for training).

[0109] Stage 50. After the armed trainer aircraft or other weaponized vehicle arrives to and / or is deployed at the assigned interception point or interception location or other location whose distance from the target or threat which may be assigned from the ground is within a pilot's visual detection range (even in close vicinity of several hundred meters from the target track), the target or threat is typically identified visually e.g. by the weaponized vehicle's pilot's naked eye (day) or night vision equipment / goggles (night).

[0110] Stage 60. Pilot shoots the identified target with the aircraft's armament or weapon, thereby to achieve interception. Typically, the pilot provides at least one control input, enabling the armament or weapon aboard the vehicle to intercept the moving target in at least partial reliance on the pilot's own vision capabilities. Stage 70. Finish of the interception or new target assigned by a Data Link Channel which may, for example, be provided by a Virtual Training System e.g., as above.

[0111] As shown, as an intercept scenario begins, all or any subset of the following typically occurs as indicated by reference numerals 1, 2, 3 in Figs. 2 - 8:.

[0112] 1. Hostile UAV detected by Ground Sensor

[0113] 2. detection transferred to the Ground VTS communication by any suitable communication (e.g. data link, phone). It is appreciated that that any ground station may be used and may provide communication such as, by way of nonlimiting example, a Ground VTS Station (aka Ground VTS).

[0114] 3. detection data sent to the Armed Trainer Aircraft via data link.

[0115] As interception concludes, the pilot of the armed trainer or other weaponized vehicle typically detects the Hostile UAV optically and intercepts the target; in case of unsuccessful intercept, the pilot may undertake additional interceptions if / when such are needed.

[0116] Radar contact time refers to a window of time in which a given drone or other target is seen and identified on a radar display. Typically, each such target is designated by a radar blip or radar position symbol, on the radar screen. The "radar contact time" typically extends from the point in time where the drone is detected by the radar and continues, typically continuously, e.g., until radar contact is lost, such that radar data used to determine the drone's position is no longer being received by the ground radar, or is no longer reliable. Typically, radar contact is lost because the drone has moved out of range and / or due to failures when the drone is within the ground radar's range e.g., the drone has merged with weather or ground clutter, the drone is flying below the ground radar's line of sight coverage, the drone has entered an area of poor radar return, or failure of the ground radar's hardware. It is appreciated however, that even if radar contact is interrupted, interception remains possible once the target UAV is reacquired by the radar. The method is suitable for intercepting threats within the coverage area of the ground radar (e.g., for UAVs, dozens of km, although this depends on UAV (and other) parameters such as radar cross section (RCS), speed, and height of flight.

[0117] The method is suitable, for example, for intercepting any UAV whose radar contact time is adequate for a training plane to take off and arrive at the interception scene.

[0118] Typically, some minutes are required for the trainer to arrive at the location sent by the ground radar, say 10 to 20 minutes or more, assuming the initial distance between a newly detected target and a trainer receiving an alert of the target is a few dozen km. By this time the drone's position will, of course, have changed, to an extent which depends on various factors e.g. on the drone's maneuvering, on the drone's velocity which may, say, be within the range of 200 - 450 km / hr, and on the speed of the trainer (which typically exceeds drone velocity and may, say, be about 600 km / h). According to certain embodiments, the trainer receives plural (e.g., continuous or periodic) updates of the target's trajectory as the trainer proceeds toward the target, and the pilot or the aircraft's automatic systems then adjust the trainer's trajectory accordingly.

[0119] The range of human vision depends on atmosphere visibility and may be a few hundred meters. The area of intercept typically depends on the ground sensor (e.g., SIGINT / radar / C4l precision) rather than on the weather.

[0120] Typically, the range in meters of the trainer's weapon (300-500 meters e.g.) is comparable to, or even exceeds, the range of human vision, such that when the pilot shoots any target that he can see, thus, the weapon range suffices to neutralize the targets.

[0121] It is appreciated that trainers referred to herein are but an example of many types of weaponized vehicles which may be used herein.

[0122] A particular advantage of embodiments herein is applicability for intercepting UAVs visible on radar.

[0123] A particular advantage of certain embodiments, is that unlike other drone interception solutions (e.g., drones which intercept drones), solutions herein parsimoniously enhance emergency responsiveness; development, implementation and maintenance of a dedicated drone interception fleet is obviated by using a legacy training aircraft fleet which exists anyway, yet typically lacks missions during an emergency.

[0124] A particular advantage of certain embodiments is provision of a parsimonious and effective response to targets penetrating a territory to be protected, by parsimoniously utilizing already-deployed ground radar; such radar may be used to support, e.g. as described herein, weaponized vehicles which, given such support, can neutralize moving threats which enter the ground radar's area of coverage, whereas absent such support, the same vehicles cannot neutralize moving threats which enter the ground radar's area of coverage.

[0125] The virtual training system may be configured for simulated (typically 4th / 5thgeneration) fighter capabilities, and may include a real-time network and / or a Collision Avoidance Warning System and / or a Real-Time Ground Station and / or a replicated fighter cockpit display and / or replicated mission system / s and / or replicated sensor / s and / or pilot training software tailored to specific (typically fighter) aircraft and / or air-to-air training with virtual radar and / or a Virtual Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) for air-to-air and / or air-to-ground threats and / or simulated weapon deployment.

[0126] Typical real-time communication systems which provide an air / ground datalink for ground communication exchanges with aircraft, and is based on the Aeronautical Telecommunications Network (ATN) using interconnected routers and end systems, and VHF Digital Link Mode 2 (VDL Mode 2 / VDL2 - an ICAO standardized radio technology operating in the very high frequency (VHF) band.

[0127] Advantageously, no fire control solution is required, since shooting may be effected by the pilot, given that the system directs the trainer planes to a close enough position (within visual detection range) by relying on surveillance radar / s and a data link e.g. as described herein, such that all targets are eye detected targets which a pilot can then act to neutralize, relying on his own human mental processes and his own human visual detection. It is appreciated that no rangefinder is required, given that state of the art search / surveillance radar can detect and track the target with sufficient precision (e.g., order of magnitude hundreds of meters) to yield satisfactory eye detection by the trainer aircraft's pilot.

[0128] It is appreciated that an aircraft or other weaponized vehicle constructed and operative in accordance with embodiments herein may have two modes of operation, as opposed to a single mode of operation, in conventional trainer aircraft, for example, including: model: training e.g. intercepting friendly drones, which simulate hostile combat aircraft but actually are controlled by the ground station; and mode2: interception of hostile drones (or other threats) whose location needs to be detected externally, where interception may rely on human fire control by the pilot or any conventional fire control algorithm.

[0129] GUIs (on the trainer and / or in the ground-station) may indicate which mode of operation is being used at a given point of time. For example, friendly drones used for training may be indicated, when, in the first mode, by one icon, whereas true hostile drones may be indicated, when the system is in its second mode, by a separate icon, say in red instead of in green.

[0130] More generally, the trainer aircraft's display generation software may be modified to yield one style of graphics when the aircraft is being used in conventional training mode to virtually shoot at mock targets, and another style of graphics when the aircraft is being used in accordance with embodiments herein to physically neutralize real targets such as drones.

[0131] It is appreciated that many variations are possible, without departing from the scope of the invention. Inter alia all or any subset of the following variations:

[0132] 1) The data link from ground station to training aircraft need not be direct, and / or may alternatively be based on the ground-based or air-based retranslation, or Satellite . 2) During drone interception the pilot may aim the weapon by any available technology known in the art.

[0133] 3) When the pilot detects more than one hostile target, the target intercept prioritization order may be selected according to any suitable algorithm known in the art and may, by way of non-limiting example, be based on command allocation / active doctrine .

[0134] 4) When two or more trainer jets arrives to a single interception site , prioritization of interception may be based on ordering such as, by way of non-limiting example, any algorithm-commander decision / active doctrine .

[0135] 5) Report / s of interception results to the ground command center may be conveyed as suitable e.g. according to the active doctrine and available communication.

[0136] 6) The flight route planning from start of the scenario trainer aircraft placement to the intended interception cite may be determined according to any algorithm known in the art and may for example be selected to optimize all or any subset of the following: minimal time of flight, fuel consumption, avoiding flight over populated areas , any other doctrine.

[0137] It is appreciated that terminology such as "mandatory", "required", "need" and "must" refer to implementation choices made within the context of a particular implementation or application described herewithin for clarity, and are not intended to be limiting, since, in an alternative implementation, the same elements might be defined as not mandatory and not required, or might even be eliminated altogether.

[0138] Components described herein as software may, alternatively, be implemented wholly or partly in hardware and / or firmware, if desired, using conventional techniques, and vice versa. Each module or component or processor may be centralized in a single physical location or physical device, or distributed over several physical locations or physical devices.

[0139] Included in the scope of the present disclosure, inter alia, are electromagnetic signals in accordance with the description herein. These may carry computer-readable instructions for performing any or all of the operations or stages of any of the methods shown and described herein, in any suitable order including simultaneous performance of suitable groups of operations, as appropriate. Included in the scope of the present disclosure, inter alia, are machine-readable instructions for performing any or all of the operations of any of the methods shown and described herein, in any suitable order; program storage devices readable by machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform any or all of the operations of any of the methods shown and described herein, in any suitable order i.e. not necessarily as shown, including performing various operations in parallel or concurrently rather than sequentially as shown; a computer program product comprising a computer useable medium having computer readable program code, such as executable code, having embodied therein, and / or including computer readable program code for performing, any or all of the operations of any of the methods shown and described herein, in any suitable order; any technical effects brought about by any or all of the operations of any of the methods shown and described herein, when performed in any suitable order; any suitable apparatus or device or combination of such, programmed to perform, alone or in combination, any or all of the operations of any of the methods shown and described herein, in any suitable order; electronic devices, each including at least one processor and / or cooperating input device and / or output device and operative to perform e.g. in software any operations shown and described herein; information storage devices or physical records, such as disks or hard drives, causing at least one computer or other device to be configured so as to carry out any or all of the operations of any of the methods shown and described herein, in any suitable order; at least one program prestored e.g. in memory or on an information network such as the Internet, before or after being downloaded, which embodies any or all of the operations of any of the methods shown and described herein, in any suitable order, and the method of uploading or downloading such, and a system including server / s and / or client / s for using such; at least one processor configured to perform any combination of the described operations or to execute any combination of the described modules; and hardware which performs any or all of the operations of any of the methods shown and described herein, in any suitable order, either alone or in conjunction with software. Any computer-readable or machine- readable media described herein is intended to include non-transitory computer- or machine-readable media.

[0140] Any computations or other forms of analysis described herein may be performed by a suitable computerized method. Any operation or functionality described herein may be wholly or partially computer-implemented e.g., by one or more processors. The invention shown and described herein may include (a) using a computerized method to identify a solution to any of the problems or for any of the objectives described herein, the solution optionally including at least one of a decision, an action, a product, a service, or any other information described herein, that impacts, in a positive manner, a problem or objectives described herein; and (b) outputting the solution.

[0141] The system may, if desired, be implemented as a network e.g., web-based system employing software, computers, routers, and telecommunications equipment, as appropriate.

[0142] Any suitable deployment may be employed to provide functionalities e.g., software functionalities shown and described herein. For example, a server may store certain applications, for download to clients, which are executed at the client side, the server side serving only as a storehouse. Any or all functionalities e.g., software functionalities shown and described herein, may be deployed in a cloud environment. Clients e.g., mobile communication devices, such as smartphones, may be operatively associated with, but external to the cloud.

[0143] Any "if -then" logic described herein is intended to include embodiments in which a processor is programmed to repeatedly determine whether condition x, which is sometimes true and sometimes false, is currently true or false, and to perform y each time x is determined to be true, thereby to yield a processor which performs y at least once, typically on an "if and only if" basis e.g. triggered only by determinations that x is true, and never by determinations that x is false.

[0144] Any determination of a state or condition described herein, and / or other data generated herein, may be harnessed for any suitable technical effect. For example, the determination may be transmitted or fed to any suitable hardware, firmware, or software module, which is known or which is described herein to have capabilities to perform a technical operation responsive to the state or condition. The technical operation may, for example, comprise changing the state or condition, or may more generally cause any outcome which is technically advantageous given the state or condition or data, and / or may prevent at least one outcome which is disadvantageous given the state or condition or data. Alternatively or in addition, an alert may be provided to an appropriate human operator or to an appropriate external system.

[0145] Features of the present invention, including operations, which are described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. For example, a system embodiment is intended to include a corresponding process embodiment, and vice versa. Also, each system embodiment is intended to include a server-centered "view" or client centered "view", or "view" from any other node of the system, of the entire functionality of the system, computer-readable medium, apparatus, including only those functionalities performed at that server or client or node. Features may also be combined with features known in the art and particularly, although not limited to, those described in the Background section or in publications mentioned therein.

[0146] Conversely, features of the invention, including operations, which are described for brevity in the context of a single embodiment, or in a certain order, may be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination, including with features known in the art (particularly although not limited to those described in the Background section or in publications mentioned therein) or in a different order, "e.g." is used herein in the sense of a specific example which is not intended to be limiting. Each method may comprise all or any subset of the operations illustrated or described, suitably ordered e.g., as illustrated or described herein.

[0147] Devices, apparatus or systems shown coupled in any of the drawings may in fact be integrated into a single platform in certain embodiments, or may be coupled via any appropriate wired or wireless coupling, such as but not limited to optical fiber, Ethernet, Wireless LAN, HomePNA, power line communication, cell phone, Smart Phone (e.g. iPhone), Tablet, Laptop, PDA, Blackberry GPRS, Satellite including GPS, or other mobile delivery. It is appreciated that in the description and drawings shown and described herein, functionalities described or illustrated as systems and sub-units thereof can also be provided as methods and operations therewithin, and functionalities described or illustrated as methods and operations therewithin can also be provided as systems and sub-units thereof. The scale used to illustrate various elements in the drawings is merely exemplary and / or appropriate for clarity of presentation, and is not intended to be limiting.

[0148] Any suitable communication may be employed between separate units herein e.g. wired data communication and / or in short-range radio communication with sensors such as cameras e.g. via WiFi, Bluetooth, or Zigbee.

[0149] Any processing functionality illustrated (or described herein) may be executed by any device having a processor, such as but not limited to a mobile telephone, set-top- box, TV, remote desktop computer, game console, tablet, mobile e.g. laptop or other computer terminal, embedded remote unit, which may either be networked itself (may itself be a node in a conventional communication network e.g.) or may be conventionally tethered to a networked device (to a device which is a node in a conventional communication network or is tethered directly or indirectly / ultimately to such a node).

[0150] Any operation or characteristic described herein may be performed by another actor outside the scope of the patent application and the description is intended to include apparatus, whether hardware, firmware, or software, which is configured to perform, enable, or facilitate that operation, or to enable, facilitate, or provide that characteristic.

[0151] The terms processor or controller or module or logic as used herein are intended to include hardware / circuitry such as computer microprocessors or hardware processors, which typically have digital memory and processing capacity, such as those available from, say Intel and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD). Any operation or functionality or computation or logic described herein may be implemented entirely or in any part on any suitable circuitry including any such computer microprocessor / s as well as in firmware or in hardware, or any combination thereof.

[0152] It is appreciated that elements illustrated in more than one drawings, and / or elements in the written description, may still be combined into a single embodiment, except if otherwise specifically clarified herewithin. Any of the systems shown and described herein may be used to implement or may be combined with, any of the operations or methods shown and described herein.

[0153] It is appreciated that any features, properties, logic, modules, blocks, operations, stages or functionalities described herein which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment, except where the specification or general knowledge specifically indicates that certain teachings are mutually contradictory and cannot be combined. Any of the systems shown and described herein may be used to implement or may be combined with, any of the operations or methods shown and described herein.

[0154] Conversely, any stages, modules, blocks, operations or functionalities described herein, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination, including with features known in the art. Each element e.g., operation described herein, may have all characteristics and attributes described or illustrated herein or according to other embodiments, may have any subset of the characteristics or attributes described herein.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A system for neutralizing moving targets, the system operating in conjunction with a ground sensor and a weaponized vehicle manned by a pilot, the system comprising: a real-time communication link via which the vehicle receives data from the ground sensor; a hardware processor aboard the vehicle which is configured to receive, via said real-time communication link, an indication in real time or near-real time of at least one interception location whose distance from a target detected by the ground sensor is within a pilot's visual detection range, thereby to allow the vehicle to, at least once, neutralize moving targets within the ground sensor's coverage area by: approaching a location whose distance from a target detected by the ground sensor is within a pilot's visual detection range, and once deployed at the location whose distance from a target detected by the ground sensor is within a pilot's visual detection range, accepting at least one control input from the pilot, enabling a weapon on board the vehicle to intercept the moving target in at least partial reliance on the pilot's own vision capabilities.

2. The system according to claim 1 and also comprising a vehicle V manned by a pilot P which includes a weapon W and which receives data from the ground sensor, approaches said location, and accepts said control input, thereby to intercept the moving target, using the weapon W, in at least partial reliance on pilot P's own vision capabilities.

3. The system according to claim 1 wherein the target is a drone and the interception location is an air location.

4. The system according to claim 1 wherein the target comprises a vessel moving through a body of water along the body of water's surface.

5. The system according to claim 2 wherein the vehicle comprises an aircraft.

6. The system according to claim 1 wherein the control inputs provided by the pilot control the vehicle's steering system.

7. The system according to claim 1 wherein the weapon has an aiming system and wherein the control inputs provided by the pilot control said aiming system.

8. The system according to claim 1 wherein the pilot controls the vehicle to, at least once, travel toward said interception location.

9. The system according to claim 1 wherein the vehicle includes display functionality which presents said interception location, in real time, to the pilot, enabling the pilot to guide the vehicle toward said interception location.

10. The system according to claim 1 wherein the ground sensor comprises a radar or C4I (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence) system or SIGINT or optical detection.

11. The system according to claim 1 and also comprising a ground sensor including a processor which receives motion data characterizing motion of a target and computes at least one location whose distance from the target, for at least one future time t, is within the pilot's visual detection range.

12. The system according to claim 5 wherein the vehicle comprises a trainer aircraft.

13. The system according to claim 1 wherein said processor accepts said control inputs once the vehicle is deployed at said interception location.

14. The system according to claim 1 wherein the vehicle neutralizes moving targets by travelling toward said at least one interception location.

15. The system according to claim 5 wherein the vehicle comprises a light attack aircraft.

16. The system according to claim 1 wherein the vehicle communicates via a first link with at least one ground station and wherein the ground station is linked via a second link to the ground sensor.

17. The system according to claim 1 wherein at least some data is indirectly transmitted from a ground station to the vehicle.

18. The system according to claim 1 wherein the data indirectly transmitted from the ground station to the vehicle includes said indication in real time or near-real time of said at least one interception location.

19. The system according to claim 18 wherein the vehicle comprises an interceptor aircraft and wherein the data indirectly transmitted from the ground station is transmitted via at least one relay aircraft to the interceptor aircraft.

20. The system according to claim 18 wherein the data indirectly transmitted from the ground station is transmitted via at least one relay ground station.

21. The system according to claim 18 wherein the data indirectly transmitted from the ground station is transmitted via at least one satellite.

22. A method for neutralizing moving targets, the method comprising: providing a real-time communication link via which a weaponized vehicle manned by a pilot receives data from a ground sensor; and at a hardware processor aboard the vehicle, receiving an indication in real time or near-real time of at least one interception location whose distance from a target detected by the ground sensor is within a pilot's visual detection range, wherein the indication is received via said real-time communication link; and intercepting moving targets within the ground sensor's coverage area including: approaching a location whose distance from a target detected by the ground sensor is within a pilot's visual detection range, and once deployed at the location whose distance from a target detected by the ground sensor is within a pilot's visual detection range, accepting at least one control input from the pilot, enabling a weapon onboard the vehicle to intercept the moving target in at least partial reliance on the pilot's own vision capabilities.

23. The method according to claim 22 wherein at least some data is indirectly transmitted from a ground station to the vehicle.

24. The method according to claim 22 wherein the target is a drone and the interception location is an air location.

25. The method according to claim 22 wherein the target comprises a vessel moving through a body of water along the body of water's surface.

26. The method according to claim 22 wherein the control inputs provided by the pilot control the vehicle's steering system.

27. The method according to claim 22 wherein the weapon has an aiming system and wherein the control inputs provided by the pilot control said aiming system.

28. The method according to claim 22 wherein the pilot controls the vehicle to, at least once, travel toward said interception location.

29. The method according to claim 22 and also comprising providing the vehicle with display functionality which presents said interception location, in real time, to the pilot, enabling the pilot to guide the vehicle toward said interception location.

30. The method according to claim 22 and comprising providing a ground sensorwhich comprises a radar or C4I (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence) system or SIGINT or optical detection.

31. The method according to claim 22 and also comprising providing a ground sensor including a processor which receives motion data characterizing motion of a target and computes at least one location whose distance from the target, for at least one future time t, is within the pilot's visual detection range.

32. The method according to claim 22 wherein said processor accepts said control inputs once the vehicle is deployed at said interception location.

33. The method according to claim 22 wherein the vehicle neutralizes moving targets by travelling toward said at least one interception location.

34. The method according to claim 23 wherein the data indirectly transmitted from the ground station to the vehicle includes said indication in real time or near-real time of said at least one interception location.

35. The method according to claim 22 wherein the vehicle communicates via a first link with at least one ground station and wherein the ground station is linked via a second link to the ground sensor.

36. The method according to claim 23 wherein the data indirectly transmitted from the ground station is transmitted via at least one satellite.

37. The method according to claim 23 wherein the vehicle comprises an interceptor aircraft and wherein the data indirectly transmitted from the ground station is transmitted via at least one relay aircraft to the interceptor aircraft.

38. The method according to claim 22 and also comprising providing a vehicle which includes a weapon.

39. A computer program product, comprising a non-transitory tangible computer readable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein, said computer readable program code adapted to be executed to implement a method for neutralizing moving targets, the method comprising: providing a real-time communication link via which a weaponized vehicle manned by a pilot receives data from a ground sensor; and at a hardware processor aboard the vehicle, receiving an indication in real time or near-real time of at least one interception location whose distance from a target detected by the ground sensor is within a pilot's visual detection range, wherein the indication is received via said real-time communication link; and intercepting moving targets within the ground sensor's coverage area including: approaching a location whose distance from a target detected by the ground sensor is within a pilot's visual detection range, and once deployed at the location whose distance from a target detected by the ground sensor is within a pilot's visual detection range, accepting at least onecontrol input from the pilot enabling a weapon onboard the vehicle to intercept the moving target in at least partial reliance on the pilot's own vision capabilities.

40. The computer program product according to claim 39 and also comprising providing a vehicle which includes a weapon.

41. The computer program product according to claim 39 wherein the target is a drone and the interception location is an air location.

42. The computer program product according to claim 39 wherein the control inputs provided by the pilot control the vehicle's steering system.

43. The computer program product according to claim 39 wherein the weapon has an aiming system and wherein the control inputs provided by the pilot control said aiming system.

44. The computer program product according to claim 39 wherein the pilot controls the vehicle to, at least once, travel toward said interception location.

45. The computer program product according to claim 39 and also comprising providing the vehicle with display functionality which presents said interception location, in real time, to the pilot, enabling the pilot to guide the vehicle toward said interception location.

46. The computer program product according to claim 39 and comprising providing a ground sensor which comprises a radar or C4I (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence) system or SIGINT or optical detection.

47. The computer program product according to claim 39 and also comprising providing a ground sensor including a processor which receives motion data characterizing motion of a target and computes at least one location whose distance from the target, for at least one future time t, is within the pilot's visual detection range.

48. The computer program product according to claim 39 wherein said processor accepts said control inputs once the vehicle is deployed at said interception location.

49. The computer program product according to claim 39 wherein the vehicle neutralizes moving targets by travelling toward said at least one interception location.

50. The computer program product according to claim 39 wherein the vehicle communicates via a first link with at least one ground station and wherein the ground station is linked via a second link to the ground sensor.

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