Autonomous Vessel UCAV Swarm Defense for Cruise Missile Protection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing defense systems face challenges in effectively protecting assets from cruise missiles and anti-submarine warfare ordnance due to the increasing availability and capability of such threats, requiring advanced technologies for efficient counter-measures.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous vessel equipped with an ordnance subsystem, capable of deploying unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) and coordinating with other assets to create a swarm defense, using advanced sensors and AI for target identification and resource allocation, and employing a combination of propulsion and power systems for endurance and stealth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional defense systems are used to protect assets from cruise missiles and anti-submarine ordnance, then the system structure is simple and easy to operate, but the system lacks effectiveness against increasingly capable threats
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous vessel is divided into functionally independent subsystems (ordnance subsystem, sensor subsystem, propulsion subsystem, power subsystem, etc.), each performing specific tasks. This segmentation allows the complex defense system to be managed through modular components while maintaining overall effectiveness against threats.
Solution Approach 2:
The autonomous vessel operates independently with automated target identification, resource allocation, and UCAV deployment without requiring constant human intervention. The AI-driven systems perform self-management of defense operations, enabling the complex system to function reliably with minimal operational overhead.
2Measurement precision
If autonomous vessels with advanced sensors and AI are deployed for target identification and resource allocation, then defense capability is enhanced, but system complexity and computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor subsystem and AI processing system serve multiple functions: detecting threats, identifying targets, tracking objectives, and coordinating UCAV deployments. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized systems, managing complexity while enhancing measurement precision and defense capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The autonomous vessel employs continuous feedback loops where sensor data informs AI decision-making, which then adjusts resource allocation and UCAV deployment strategies in real-time. This feedback mechanism enables high measurement precision in target identification while automating the complex coordination required for effective defense operations.
3Reliability
If the autonomous vessel operates independently without proximate assets, then asset protection is maintained, but the vessel requires self-sufficiency in resources and endurance
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous vessel pre-positions UCAVs in the ordnance magazine and pre-programs AI response protocols for various threat scenarios. This preliminary preparation enables the vessel to operate independently for extended durations by having resources ready for immediate deployment without requiring external resupply during operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The propulsion and power subsystems are designed with optimized parameters for endurance operations, including efficient energy management and extended operational capacity. These parameter optimizations enable the vessel to maintain independent operation and defense capability over prolonged periods without proximate assets or external support.
Data Source
AI summary
An autonomous vessel comprises a hull. The hull contains a plurality of subsystems. The subsystems comprise a sensor subsystem configured to sense potential target information regarding a potential target, a database subsystem configured to store target characterization information, a processing subsystem coupled to the sensing subsystem and to the database subsystem, and an ordnance subsystem. The processing subsystem is configured to process the potential target information according to the target characterization information to confirm the potential target as being a confirmed target. The ordnance subsystem comprises an ordnance magazine configured to store ordnance, the ordnance deliverable by an unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV). The ordnance is deployable against the confirmed target.