Eject Vehicle Guidance for Aerial Threat Interception
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current active protection systems for mobile platforms, particularly aerial ones like helicopters, are too heavy and bulky to be effectively integrated, and there is a need for lightweight, portable solutions that can intercept aerial threats such as RPGs and MANPADS without causing collateral damage.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight active protection system that includes an eject vehicle with a rocket motor, alignment thrusters, and divert thrusters, which can be launched from existing dispensers on aerial platforms to intercept aerial threats, utilizing radar modules for detection and guidance to ensure accurate targeting and minimize fratricide risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current active protection systems are integrated on mobile aerial platforms, then protection effectiveness against aerial threats is improved, but system weight increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the protection function into separate modular components: radar modules for detection, control modules for processing, and multiple eject vehicles for interception. Each module can be independently optimized and installed, allowing the system to achieve comprehensive protection while minimizing total weight through selective deployment of only necessary components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs disposable eject vehicles that are launched to intercept threats and then discarded after use. These lightweight single-use interceptors eliminate the need for heavy reusable missile systems, achieving effective protection with minimal weight penalty since the interceptors are replaced rather than recovered.
2Reliability
If current active protection systems are integrated on mobile aerial platforms, then protection effectiveness against aerial threats is improved, but available space for system incorporation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system nests multiple functional components within compact configurations: radar modules are integrated into existing platform structures, control modules are housed within minimal enclosures, and eject vehicles are stored in compact launchers. This nested arrangement allows comprehensive protection systems to be incorporated into aerial platforms with limited available space.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from two-dimensional planar mounting to three-dimensional spatial utilization by mounting radar modules on vertical surfaces, positioning eject vehicles in stacked configurations, and utilizing vertical launch angles. This dimensional approach maximizes the use of available platform volume while maintaining protection effectiveness.
3Measurement precision
If eject vehicle is accelerated along intercept vector, then intercept accuracy is improved, but risk of fratricide increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection and tracking of aerial threats using radar modules before launching eject vehicles. By identifying and continuously monitoring threat trajectories in advance, the system can calculate precise intercept vectors that guide eject vehicles to intercept threats at optimal distances, ensuring accurate engagement while maintaining safe separation from friendly platforms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs real-time feedback from radar tracking and control module processing to continuously adjust eject vehicle trajectories. This feedback mechanism enables dynamic correction of intercept paths, ensuring that eject vehicles remain on collision courses with threats while automatically preventing trajectories that would endanger friendly platforms, thus resolving the fratricide risk.
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 provides enhanced survivability against aerial threats with a high success rate, weighing less than 50 pounds and occupying minimal space, while reducing the risk of collateral damage and achieving intercepts at safe distances from the platform, thereby increasing the platform's survivability against RPG attacks.
Implementation Method 1
a rocket motor configured to accelerate the eject vehicle along an intercept vector
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of alignment thrusters configured to rotate a longitudinal axis of the eject vehicle to substantially align with the intercept vector
Implementation Method 3
one or more divert thrusters configured to divert the eject vehicle in a direction substantially perpendicular to the intercept vector
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments include active protection systems and methods for an aerial platform. An onboard system includes one or more radar modules, detects aerial vehicles within a threat range of the aerial platform, and determines if any of the plurality of aerial vehicles are an aerial threat. The onboard system also determines an intercept vector to the aerial threat, communicates the intercept vector to an eject vehicle, and causes the eject vehicle to be ejected from the aerial platform to intercept the aerial threat. The eject vehicle includes a rocket motor to accelerate the eject vehicle along an intercept vector, alignment thrusters to rotate a longitudinal axis of the eject vehicle to substantially align with the intercept vector, and divert thrusters to divert the eject vehicle in a direction substantially perpendicular to the intercept vector. The eject vehicle activates at least one of the alignment thrusters responsive to the intercept vector.