Securing remote pairing between controllers and munitions

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of munitions, and more specifically, but not exclusively, to securing a remote pairing between remote controllers and munitions, through the sharing of a secure key via a data cable.

Description

[0001] SECURING REMOTE PAIRING BETWEEN CONTROLLERS AND MUNITIONS TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to the field of munitions, and more specifically, but not exclusively, to securing a remote pairing between remote controllers and munitions, through the sharing of a secure key via a data cable.

[0003] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] In the modem battlefield, it is necessary to utilize fleets of armed drones, while ensuring that the remote control of the munitions of the drones accords with the highest safety standards. Accordingly, it is necessary to establish safety protocols for secure activation of the munitions. In addition, since more than one drone may be used on the battlefield simultaneously, it is necessary to ensure that there is one-to-one communication and command between the remote controller and the munition. The alternative - undesired control of the wrong munition - could be disastrous.

[0005] The technology of armed drones is in relatively early stages of development, without established safety standards. Because of this, the solutions that exist today do not necessarily meet sufficient safety requirements. In particular, the solutions on the market do not address the challenges of operation on a battlefield with multiple armed drones at the same time. Some manufacturers allow communication only between one dedicated remote controller for each munition. This is impractical in a battle situation, as it requires the end user to purchase and operate multiple remote controllers simultaneously. Other solutions involve, during the setup process, establishing a pairing between the munition and the remote controller, relying entirely on remote communication. However, existing remote pairing mechanisms are not sufficiently robust to meet the highest safety requirements and standards. Accordingly, it is preferable to utilize a physical pairing mechanism between a remote controller and a munition.

[0006] One option for creating this physical pairing is through transfer of a secure key via a dongle or a safety pin. For example, US Patent Publication 2023 / 0400287 discloses a remote-control detonation unit. A “safety pin” (a removable data drive) is configured to engage sequentially with a detonation unit and with a remote-control unit. The safety pinfacilitates transferring unique identification information from the detonation controller unit to the remote controller unit. Following removal of the safety pin from the detonation unit and insertion into the remote-control unit, the remote-control unit is paired with the detonation unit. US Patent 11,867,493 discloses a wireless detonation system for controlled explosions in underground mines or caves. The system includes a dongle, a computer system, and one or more trigger devices. The dongle is used to “register” each trigger device by contacting electrodes of the dongle and trigger device. During this contacting process, the dongle and trigger device exchange their unique identities. The dongle is then inserted into the computer system and used to initiate a blast of each identified trigger device.

[0007] PUBLICATIONS

[0008] [1] US Patent Publication 2023 / 0400287

[0009] [2] US Patent 11,867,493

[0010] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Systems such as those disclosed in the background, while effective at ensuring dedicated pairing between a munition and a remote controller, are limited due to their complexity. For such systems to work, it is necessary to utilize a dedicated device in a form of a “safety pin” or a “dongle”, which may be lost or damaged, thus rendering the system unusable.

[0012] The present disclosure introduces a safety mechanism for creating a secure connection between a remote controller and a fuzing system of a munition, and which improves upon systems of the art. In this novel safety mechanism, a secure pairing between a remote controller and a munition is formed with a data cable. The data cable is used to associate the remote controller and the fuzing system of the munition in such a way that a secure code may be transferred between the fuzing system of the munition and the remote controller. The secure code is used to verify the pairing of the two to an extent which allows subsequent and exclusive wireless identification and communication between the two after the data cable has been removed. As long as the data cable is connected to both the fuzing system and the remote controller, wireless communication is not possible.Advantageously, systems of the invention comprise a fuze / remote controller arrangement operatively implementing two (or more) safety features. The two features prevent unintentional operation of the UAV having the fuzing system under conditions which can, e.g., harm the operator. Each of the two safety features must be met, in sequence, for the fuzing system to be operative and at some point armed and ready to carry out its mission. First, wireless communication is not enabled or rendered possible as long as the cable is connected to both the fuzing system and the remote controller. Second, once the cable is disconnected from the fuzing system (and / or from the remote controller), wireless communication between the fuzing system and the remote controller must be established within a predetermined set period of time. In other words, if the cable is not disconnected (first safety feature), wireless communication cannot be established. If the cable is accidentally disconnected and wireless communication is not established within the period of time (second safety feature), the fuzing system cannot be operated, e.g., the fuzing system cannot be armed.

[0013] The period of time within which wireless communication must be established may vary between several seconds to several minutes. In some embodiments, the time period is between 30 seconds and 300 seconds. In some embodiments, the time period is between 60 seconds and 200 seconds, or between 60 seconds and 180 seconds, or between 60 seconds and 120 seconds.

[0014] Systems and methods described herein do not require custom-made hardware to create a secure pairing. The data connection may be formed with a conventional data cable, that, in some cases, may also be used as a power cable. The data cable may be switched or transferred as needed. Further advantageously, the same data cable may be used to pair multiple munitions with a single remote controller.

[0015] Thus, in a first of its aspects, the invention concerns a munition comprising a fuzing system and a remote controller, wherein each of the fuzing system and remote controller include means (e.g., sockets) for receiving therein (or for associating with) a data cable, such that associating (or plugging into or connecting) the data cable with both the remote controller and the fuzing system permits pairing of the remote controller and the fuzing system and a subsequent wireless remote controlling thereof.

[0016] The pairing between the fuzing system and the remote controller is achievable by first physically connecting the two via the data cable, enabling data transfer from one computing device (such as the memory of the fuzing system) to another computing device(such as the remote controller). The physical connection between the fuzing system and the controller may be by way of a socket and plug pair of any configuration. The connection may be through any suitable configuration that is known in the art or that may become known, such as plugs, pins or USB. In some configurations, the remote controller may be provided with a built-in or an integral cable that cannot be disconnected therefrom.

[0017] Following physical connection with the data cable, a secure key is generated and stored both in a memory of the fuzing system and in a memory of the remote controller. The manner of generation of the secure key is not material. Thus, for example, the secure key may be generated randomly, while the data cable is connected, such as through a cryptography process, and / or may be preassigned to a specific fuzing system. Likewise, the specific manner in which the key is shared between the fuzing system and the remote controller is not limiting, so long as it is performed while the data cable is connected. In some cases, a secure key may be encoded into the munition when it is manufactured, or may be uploaded to a memory of the munition after the munition is manufactured, such that upon data connection between the fuzing system and the remote controller the secure key is transferred to the remote controller. In the alternative way, the secure key may be generated during data connection between the munition and the remote controller. This secure key may include, for example, a unique identifier of both the munition and the remote controller, as well as a time stamp indicating when the data connection was formed.

[0018] At a second step, following formation of the secure key and data transfer, the data cable may be disconnected, allowing wireless communication between the fuzing system and the controller. When the wireless connection is established, a secure communication link may be established by transmitting a secured message and verifying a successful secured reply from the munition. The secured reply must include evidence that the munition has the same secure key as the remote controller. This process adds an additional layer of safety over conventional remote pairing, ensuring that the munition is capable of being controlled only by a remote controller that is specifically assigned to it.

[0019] The wireless communication may be through any type of communication channel that is known or that may become known, such as Wi-Fi, cellular, high frequency (HF) radio, and ultra-high frequency radio (UHF).Thus, in some embodiments, a munition is provided which comprises a fuzing system and a remote controller, wherein each of the fuzing system and remote controller include means (e.g., sockets) for receiving therein (or for associating with) a data cable, such that the data cable first associates both the remote controller and the fuzing system to permit pairing of the remote controller and the fuzing system and subsequently, when the data cable is removed, the remote control and the fuzing system communicate wirelessly.

[0020] In addition to enabling safe arming of the munition, the data cable may also be used to transfer coding from the munition to the remote controller. This data transfer may be used in order to generate a dedicated 1-to-l communication channel between the munition and the remote controller. Advantageously, this coding enables use of munitions and remote controllers that were not manufactured together and were not previously coded for each other. As another advantage, the installation of dedicated coding enables the same controller to be used for diverse types of missions and / or with diverse types of munitions, since the specific coding that is required to diversify the functioning of the controller is supplied with the data cable.

[0021] The pairing mechanism disclosed herein may be suited for remote controlling of any munition that is deployed from a moving vehicle such as a ground, maritime, or an aerial vehicle (or station or platform). Often it is necessary to control one or more munitions mounted on a vehicle from afar. There may also be multiple vehicles in a fleet. In the absence of the safety mechanism described herein, a controller could unintentionally activate a munition in a manner that endangers the other vehicles in the fleet. By utilizing the safety mechanism described herein, a controller is assured of activating only one or more specific munitions that it has been pre-selected to activate, without any possibility of detonating the other munitions.

[0022] In some cases, a remote controller may be configured to control multiple munitions through receipt of secure keys from each of the different munitions.

[0023] The fuzing system and the remote controller may each have a memory configured to store thereon a secure key. The secure key may be transferable from the fuzing system to the remote controller via the data cable. Upon pairing, the fuzing system is configured to receive wireless commands from the remote controller. This includes commands to fire the fuze or initiate a process that would allow the fuze to subsequently fire in an automated manner, and thereby explode the munition. Optionally, at the initiation ofremote communication between the remote controller and the fuze, a separate, remote verification step may be performed to confirm that the remote controller has the secure key stored thereon and thus is authorized to control the fuzing system.

[0024] The invention further provides a munition comprising a fuzing system and a remote controller for controlling operation of the fuzing system, wherein each of the fuzing system and remote controller include means for receiving therein a data cable, such that associating the data cable with both the remote controller and the fuzing system permits generating and / or transferring a secure key therebetween to achieve exclusive pairing and enable exclusive wireless communication between the fuzing system and the remote controller once the data cable has been removed.

[0025] According to a further aspect, the invention concerns a system enabling secure pairing of a munition and a remote controller for operating said munition, the system comprising a fuzing system arranged on the munition, the fuzing system having a memory configured to store thereon a secure key; a remote controller; and a data cable, the data cable being capable of connecting with (or being insertable into) a socket on the fuzing system and a socket on the remote controller to thereby form a data connection enabling data connection and sharing of a secure key between the fuzing system and the remote controller.

[0026] The munition may be configured to be deployed from any unmanned vehicle or generally from any vehicle (moving or not).

[0027] In some embodiments, forming a data connection from the fuzing system to the remote controller further enables delivery of coding for operation of the munition to the remote controller. This coding may be transmitted via the data cable at the same time as the sharing of the secure key.

[0028] The invention further concerns a method of secure pairing of a munition having a fuzing system and a remote controller, the method comprising associating (e.g., by plugging into sockets) a data cable between the fuzing system and the remote controller, to thereby form a data connection; sharing an exclusive secure key between the fuzing system and the remote controller (or memory of each) via the data cable; and disconnecting the data cable to permit exclusive wireless communication between the fuzing system and the controller.In some embodiments, the method comprises generating the secure key randomly when the data cable is connected. In some cases, the secure key is generated through a cryptography process.

[0029] In some embodiments, the secure key is preassigned to the fuzing system or the remote controller.

[0030] In some embodiments, wireless communication occurs automatically upon disconnection of the data cable. In some embodiments, wireless communication occurs per user instruction.

[0031] The invention further provides a munition comprising a fuzing system and a remote controller, wherein each of the fuzing system and remote controller include means for receiving therein or connect a data cable, such that associating the data cable with both the remote controller and the fuzing system permits pairing of the remote controller with the fuzing system and a subsequent wireless remote controlling thereof.

[0032] In some configurations of a munition of the invention, the physical connection between the fuzing system and the controller is by way of a socket and plug pair.

[0033] In some configurations of a munition of the invention, the socket and plug pair comprises a plug, a pin or a USB.

[0034] In some configurations of a munition of the invention, each of the fuzing system and the remote controller has a memory configured to store thereon a secure key.

[0035] In some configurations of a munition of the invention, the secure key is transferrable from the fuzing system to the remote controller via the data cable.

[0036] In some configurations of a munition of the invention, the secure key is encoded into the fuzing system or munition when it is manufactured.

[0037] In some configurations of a munition of the invention, the secure key is uploaded to a memory of the fuzing system or munition after the fuzing system or munition is manufactured.

[0038] In some configurations of a munition of the invention, the secure key is generated during data connection between the fuzing system and the remote controller.

[0039] In some configurations of a munition of the invention, the secure key comprises a unique identifier of both the fuzing system and the remote controller, and optionally a time stamp indicating when data connection is / was established.In some configurations of a munition of the invention, the fuzing system is configured to receive wireless commands from the remote controller upon pairing and subsequent disconnecting of the data cable.

[0040] A munition is also provided which comprises a fuzing system and a remote controller for controlling operation of the fuzing system, wherein each of the fuzing system and remote controller include a socket for receiving therein a data cable, such that associating the data cable with both the remote controller and the fuzing system permits generating and / or transferring a secure key therebetween to achieve exclusive pairing and enable exclusive wireless communication between the fuzing system and the remote controller once the data cable has been removed.

[0041] Further provided is a system enabling secure pairing of a munition and a remote controller for operating said munition, the system comprising a fuzing system arranged on the munition, the fuzing system having a memory configured to store thereon a secure key;

[0042] a remote controller; and

[0043] a data cable, the data cable being capable of connecting with a socket on the fuzing system and a socket on the remote controller to thereby form a data connection enabling data connection and sharing of a secure key between the fuzing system and the remote controller.

[0044] In some configurations of a munition of the invention, the munition is configured to be deployed from an unmanned vehicle.

[0045] In some configurations of a munition of the invention, forming a data connection from the fuzing system to the remote controller further enables delivery of coding for operation of the munition to the remote controller.

[0046] Also provided is a method of operating a system according to the invention. In some configurations of a method of operating a munition of the invention, the method comprising associating a data cable between the fuzing system and the remote controller, to thereby form a data connection; sharing an exclusive secure key between the fuzing system and the remote controller (or memory of each) via the data cable; and disconnecting the data cable to permit exclusive wireless communication between the fuzing system and the controller..

[0047] Further provided is a method of secure pairing of a munition having a fuzing system and a remote controller, the method comprising associating a data cable betweenthe fuzing system and the remote controller, to thereby form a data connection; sharing an exclusive secure key between the fuzing system and the remote controller (or memory of each) via the data cable; and disconnecting the data cable to permit exclusive wireless communication between the fuzing system and the controller..

[0048] In some configurations of a method of the invention, the munition is configured to be deployed from an unmanned vehicle.

[0049] In some configurations of a method of the invention, the method comprising generating the secure key randomly when the data cable is connected.

[0050] In some configurations of a method of the invention, the secure key is generated through a cryptography process.

[0051] In some configurations of a method of the invention, the secure key is preassigned to the fuzing system or the remote controller.

[0052] In some configurations of a method of the invention, the method further comprising transferring coding for operation of the munition to the remote controller via the data cable.

[0053] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 illustrates a system for pairing between a fuzing system of a munition and a remote controller, including a data cable, according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0054] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary configuration of the remote controller; and FIG. 3 illustrates steps in a process of pairing a remote controller to a munition and firing the munition, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0055] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0056] The present disclosure relates to the field of munitions, and more specifically, but not exclusively, to securing a remote pairing between remote controllers and munitions, through the sharing of a secure key via a data cable.

[0057] As used in the present disclosure, the term “munition” refers to any weapon that is capable of being fired, including, but not limited, to a bomb, a firearm, a mortar, a rocket, a shell, etc. The munition may be exploded in place, or may be ejected, released, launched, or shot from a receptacle as part of the firing process. In a typical embodiment, the munition is launched from an unmanned aerial vehicle.As used in the present disclosure, the term “fuzing system” refers to any mechanism that may be used to prevent unintentional firing unless specific conditions are fulfilled, and to ensure firing of a munition when specific conditions are met. The fuzing system may include physical means such as a firing cord and also may include control hardware and software for sensing conditions around the munition, for receiving remote instructions to fire the munition, and / or for implementing said instructions in order to thereby fire the munition.

[0058] Various fuzing systems are compatible with the systems and methods of the present disclosure. These include time fuzes (fuzes that explode at a preset time after firing), impact fuzes (fuzes that explode on physical contact with or detected proximity to the ground, or within a fixed time after impact), or proximity fuzes (fuzes that explode when reaching a detected proximity to the ground, a structure, or another target). Regardless of the specific type of fuze employed, a common feature of the fuzes of the present disclosure is that they may be enabled to operate only with specific instructions. For example, a proximity fuze incorporates a sensor (e.g. a radar, optical, or acoustic sensor) for measuring the distance between the munition and the target. The fuze is triggered by electromagnetic waves reflected off the target back to the fuze. The fuze may be triggered only after the sensor sends out the electromagnetic waves. A time-based fuze may include a slow-burning ignition that is desired to reach the explosive payload a given time after activation of the detonator. If the detonator is not initially activated, the munition will not explode. In such and similar circumstances, a separate activation sequence is required for the munition itself, and if this sequence is cut off or not initiated at all, the munition will not explode.

[0059] The fuzing systems of the present disclosure are operated by remote control. In such systems, the ignition sequence of the munition is operated by a remote controller. The pairing sequence described herein is performed in order to enable the remote controller to initiate this ignition sequence.

[0060] Referring to FIG. 1, a system for safe remote operation of a munition 12 is disclosed. For purposes of illustration, the munition 12 is carried on an unmanned aerial vehicle 10 (“UAV” or “drone”). One implementation in which the system described herein provides benefit is in the context of drone warfare, in which multiple munitions may be controlled remotely within a relatively confined area. However, the system described herein is applicable to any sort of munition operated remotely.Munition 12 contains a fuzing system and an explosive payload. The fuzing system (not shown) includes all conventional components of a fuzing system, including means for detonation of the explosive payload (e.g., a firing cord, sensors, etc). The fuzing system also includes hardware, which has a memory and a means for wireless communication between the hardware and a remote controller 20. The wireless communication may be through any type of communication channel that is known or that may become known, such as Wi-Fi, cellular, high frequency (HF) radio, and ultra-high frequency radio (UHF).

[0061] In the illustrated embodiment, a single munition 12 is mounted on the drone 10. This illustration is provided only for simplicity, and more than one munition may be mounted on any given vehicle. The protections described herein are implemented on a per-munition basis, rather than on a per-vehicle basis. A data cable 14 may be plugged into a socket (not shown) of the fuzing system. The data cable, also referred to herein as a “safety cable,” is any suitable device that is capable of transferring data from one computing device (such as the memory of the fuzing system) to another (such as remote controller 20). The physical configuration of the socket and adapter from the data cable may be any suitable configuration that is known in the art or that may become known, such as pins or USB. When the data cable 14 is engaged with both the remote controller 20 and with the fuzing system, a secure key may be shared therebetween.

[0062] Still referring to FIG. 1 and also referring to FIG. 2, remote controller 20 is configured for wireless communication with the processor of the fuzing system. Optionally, remote controller 20 may also control operation of the vehicle 10 (e.g., an unmanned aerial vehicle) on which the fuzing system is mounted. Remote controller 20 includes socket 24 for receiving therein the data cable 14.

[0063] In the illustrated embodiment, remote controller 20 further includes controls region 22 including various controls for pairing with, arming, and firing the munition. The controls may include, for example, “start” (for initiating a pairing process); “fire,” (for firing a munition); and “return home” for returning the drone back to a starting point. Controller 20 may further include indicators region 26 including various lights or other indicators showing the status of the fuzing system. The controller 20 may also include a toggle switch 28 to for switching the munition between an unarmed (“safe”) state and an armed state. These components and their associated appearances and layouts as illustratedin FIG. 2 are merely exemplary, and other configurations may be employed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0064] In the illustrated embodiment, there is a single socket 24 on the remote controller 20. In alternative embodiments, there may be more than one socket 24, so that a single controller may be available to receive more than one data cable at once.

[0065] FIG. 3 illustrates exemplary steps relating to the arming and firing of the munition depicted in FIG. 1, broken down into seven stages, and includes a timeline indicating the status of the munition during each stage. At stage 1, the pairing cable is connected between the remote controller and the fuzing system. At stage 2, the fuzing system is powered up. A voltage is supplied to the munition while the pairing cable is plugged in. This voltage supply is utilized to operate the fuzing system. Optionally, the voltage is supplied via the pairing cable, which also functions as a power supply cable. Optionally, the voltage may be supplied prior to the connection of the pairing cable.

[0066] At this point, data is transferred between the fuzing system and the remote controller, via the pairing cable. Typically, a user chooses to perform the data transfer, thereby ensuring that the data transfer is done intentionally and to a known controller. In alternative embodiments, the data transfer may be performed automatically. The data that is transferred includes a secure pairing key. This secure pairing key may include a unique identifier of the fuzing system. This secure pairing key, or at least the unique identifier of the fuzing system, may be stored on any suitable hardware component on the physical memory of the fuzing system. Optionally, the secure pairing key may be generated during the connection of the fuzing system to the remote controller, and include a unique identifier of the remote controller and / or a time stamp indicating when the data transfer took place.

[0067] At step 3, the pairing cable is disconnected. Following disconnection of the pairing cable, the remote controller and fuzing system are paired, since both components have the secure key stored thereon. Optionally, during a first attempt to initiate a remote connection from the remote controller to the fuzing system, the remote controller sends the secure key to the fuzing system, and the fuzing system verifies that the remote controller possesses the correct secure key.

[0068] At step 4, a start command is issued from the remote controller to the fuzing system, to indicate the start time of the fuzing system sequence. Optionally, at stage 5, a time check is performed, to verify that a minimum amount of time has elapsed from theissuance of the “start” command before the munition is permitted to be armed. This delay may ensure, for example, that the fuzing system does not operate to explode the munition until the munition is sufficiently distant from the remote controller.

[0069] Throughout completion of the previously described steps, the munition is in a “safe” state. Even if the munition is being carried on a drone or other vehicle, the fuzing system is unable to arm or detonate the explosive payload, prior to receiving the secure key, as discussed.

[0070] At stage 6, following the pairing process, the fuzing system is “activated” or armed. A sequence of protocols may be used to activate the fuzing system. These protocols may use manual activation, automatic activation, self-activation, activation by time / di stance, etc. At this point, the munition is armed, and ready for firing.

[0071] At stage 7, the user sends a command to fire the munition. The munition is fired. Here, as well, the firing may alternatively take place through an automated process following the arming.

[0072] As discussed above, a secure key is generated and stored both in a memory of the fuzing system and in a memory of the remote controller. For the purposes of the mechanism described herein, the manner of generation of the secure key is not material. Thus, for example, the secure key may be generated randomly, while the data cable is connected, such as through a cryptography process, and / or may be preassigned to a specific fuzing system. Likewise, the specific manner in which the key is shared between the fuzing system and the remote controller is not limiting, so long as it is performed while the data cable is connected.

[0073] In addition to enabling safe arming of the munition, the data cable may also be used to transfer coding from the munition to the remote controller. This data transfer may be used in order to generate a dedicated 1-to-l communication channel between the munition and the remote controller. Advantageously, this coding enables use of munitions and remote controllers that were not manufactured together and were not previously coded for each other. As another advantage, the installation of dedicated coding enables the same controller to be used for diverse types of missions and / or with diverse types of munitions, since the specific coding that is required to diversify the functioning of the controller is supplied with the data cable.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A munition comprising a fuzing system and a remote controller, wherein each of the fuzing system and remote controller include means for receiving therein or connect a data cable, such that associating the data cable with both the remote controller and the fuzing system permits pairing of the remote controller with the fuzing system and a subsequent wireless remote controlling thereof.

2. The munition according to claim 1, wherein the physical connection between the fuzing system and the controller is by way of a socket and plug pair.

3. The munition according to claim 2, wherein the socket and plug pair comprises a plug, a pin or a USB.

4. The munition according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each of the fuzing system and the remote controller has a memory configured to store thereon a secure key.

5. The munition according to claim 4, wherein the secure key is transferrable from the fuzing system to the remote controller via the data cable.

6. The munition according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the secure key is encoded into the fuzing system or munition when it is manufactured.

7. The munition according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the secure key is uploaded to a memory of the fuzing system or munition after the fuzing system or munition is manufactured.

8. The munition according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the secure key is generated during data connection between the fuzing system and the remote controller.

9. The munition according to any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein the secure key comprises a unique identifier of both the fuzing system and the remote controller, and optionally a time stamp indicating when data connection is / was established.

10. The munition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fuzing system is configured to receive wireless commands from the remote controller upon pairing and subsequent disconnecting of the data cable.

11. A munition comprising a fuzing system and a remote controller for controlling operation of the fuzing system, wherein each of the fuzing system and remote controller include a socket for receiving therein a data cable, such that associating the data cable with both the remote controller and the fuzing system permits generating and / or transferring a secure key therebetween to achieve exclusive pairing and enable exclusivewireless communication between the fuzing system and the remote controller once the data cable has been removed.

12. The munition according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein wireless communication is not possible when the data cable is connected to the fuzing system.

13. The munition according to any one of the preceding claims, implementing two safety features, such that each of the two safety features is met, in sequence, for the fuzing system to be operative.

14. The munition according to claim 13, wherein the two safety features comprise enabling wireless communication only after the data cable has been disconnected from the fuzing system; and wireless communication between the fuzing system and the remote controller is established within a predetermined period of time.

15. The munition according to claim 14, wherein the predetermined period of time is between 30 seconds and 300 seconds.

16. A system enabling secure pairing of a munition and a remote controller for operating said munition, the system comprising a fuzing system arranged on the munition, the fuzing system having a memory configured to store thereon a secure key;a remote controller; anda data cable, the data cable being capable of connecting with a socket on the fuzing system and a socket on the remote controller to thereby form a data connection enabling wired data connection and sharing of a secure key between the fuzing system and the remote controller; wherein wireless communication between the remote controller and the fuzing system is enabled when the data cable is disconnected from the fuzing system.

17. The system according to claim 16, wherein the munition is configured to be deployed from an unmanned vehicle.

18. The system according to claim 16, wherein forming a data connection from the fuzing system to the remote controller further enables delivery of coding for operation of the munition to the remote controller.

19. The system according to any one of claims 16 to 18, the system implementing two safety features, such that each of the two safety features is met, in sequence, for the fuzing system to be operative.

20. A method of secure pairing of a munition having a fuzing system and a remote controller, the method comprising associating a data cable between the fuzing system and the remote controller, to thereby form a data connection; sharing an exclusive secure keybetween the fuzing system and the remote controller (or memory of each) via the data cable; and disconnecting the data cable to permit exclusive wireless communication between the fuzing system and the controller.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein for the fuzing system to be operative, wireless communication is established within a predetermined period of time.

22. The methid according to claim 21, wherein the predetermined period of time is between 30 seconds and 300 seconds.

23. The method according to claim 20, wherein the munition is configured to be deployed from an unmanned vehicle.

24. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 23, the method comprising generating the secure key randomly when the data cable is connected.

25. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 24, wherein the secure key is generated through a cryptography process.

26. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 25, wherein the secure key is preassigned to the fuzing system or the remote controller.

27. The method according to claim 20, further comprising transferring coding for operation of the munition to the remote controller via the data cable.

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