Detachable Drone Hijacker Air-to-Air Jamming
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS) devices lack a detachable system that can effectively target the communications and control links of adversarial UAVs via an air-to-air attack method.
Innovation Solution
A portable detachable drone hijacker/jammer system that can be attached to and detached from a friendly unmanned vehicle, featuring a mount, receiving and transmitting antennas, a software-defined radio, and a processor to generate and transmit attack signals compatible with the target UAV.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ground-based standoff jamming devices are used to disrupt adversarial UAV communications, then the communication links can be effectively targeted, but the systems become large in size and require high power, placing them in the category of stand-off jammers that cannot be easily deployed air-to-air
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic warfare capability is segmented from the aerial platform, allowing the C-UAS functionality to be detached and mounted on different platforms. The hijacker device is a self-contained modular unit that can be attached to various UAVs, separating the jamming function from any specific platform requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The hijacker device is designed as a universal platform that can be attached to different types of friendly UAVs. The mount system and operational independence allow the same C-UAS device to serve multiple roles across different aerial platforms, achieving multi-functionality.
2Reliability
If kinetic countermeasures are used to ram or shoot adversarial targets out of the sky, then direct neutralization is achieved, but collateral damage to other devices and environments increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts the harmful effect of kinetic energy and physical destruction into beneficial electronic disruption. Instead of using force to neutralize threats, the hijacker uses electromagnetic energy to disrupt communications, turning potential collateral damage into precise, controllable electronic countermeasures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical/kinetic countermeasures with electronic warfare capabilities. The hijacker device uses radio frequency transmission and software-defined radio to disrupt adversarial UAV communications, substituting physical force with electromagnetic field-based neutralization.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a detachable C-UAS system is designed for air-to-air attacks, then portability and platform flexibility are improved, but the system complexity increases due to the need for independent operational capability
Solution Approach 1:
The hijacker device merges multiple essential functions into a single integrated unit: power supply, software-defined radio, processing capabilities, and mounting mechanisms are combined in one self-contained package. This consolidation manages complexity by integrating components rather than requiring separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The hijacker device is designed to be operationally independent, serving itself with integrated power, processing, and control systems. The device can autonomously execute its C-UAS function once attached to a platform, reducing the complexity burden on the host system while maintaining adaptability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system allows for effective air-to-air attacks on adversarial UAVs by disrupting their communication links, providing a stand-in capability that minimizes collateral damage to other devices and environments.
Implementation Method 1
a software defined radio to generate attack signals that are compatible with the target UAV
Implementation Method 2
a transmitting antenna to transmit attack signals at the target UAV
Implementation Method 3
a receiving antenna to receive an instruction set for attacking a target UAV and radio frequency links of interest associated with the target UAV
Data Source
AI summary
A method, apparatus and system for countering unmanned aerial systems (UAS). More specifically, this disclosure, and the exemplary embodiments described herein, provide portable detachable/attachable drone hijackers/jammers and systems meant to act as a stand-in electronic warfare device that can be configured and attached to another unmanned device. According to an exemplary embodiment, the disclosed method, apparatus and system targets adversarial UAVs by leveraging their protocol vulnerabilities and attacking their communication links between a target and its ground control station (GCS), or other communication links to other devices (such as GNSS and other UAVs). Its detachable nature gives the Detachable Drone Hijacker a stand-in capability where it can exist amongst its targets and deliver air-to-air attacks.