Sacrificial Interceptor UAV With EMP Burst for Drone Swarms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions are inadequate for disabling or destroying a large number of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) dispersed over a wide area, such as an airport, as they are designed to handle single or multiple UAVs in close proximity.
Innovation Solution
A sacrificial interceptor UAV equipped with an Electro-Magnetic Pulse (EMP) generating device is flown into the centroid of a UAV swarm, using a remote pilot for wireless control, to emit an EMP that disables or destroys the onboard electronics of approaching UAVs by generating a high-intensity electromagnetic pulse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a capturing UAV with a deployable net is used to defeat approaching drones, then single UAV or multiple close UAVs can be defeated, but UAVs dispersed over a wide area cannot be effectively countered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical net-based capturing system with an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) generating device. This substitution allows the system to defeat UAVs over a wide area without physical contact, as the EMP can propagate through space to disable electronics of multiple dispersed UAVs simultaneously, resolving the limitation of wide-area coverage while maintaining the capability to defeat multiple targets.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the fundamental parameter of interaction from mechanical (physical net entanglement) to electromagnetic (pulse-based electronic disruption). This parameter change enables the system to affect UAVs at a distance and over a broader spatial distribution, as electromagnetic pulses can travel through air and affect multiple targets within the pulse propagation zone, thereby increasing both the number of UAVs defeated and the coverage area.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple capturing UAVs with nets are deployed to cover a wide area, then more UAVs can be defeated, but the system complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes a single capturing UAV multi-functional by equipping it with an EMP generating device that can defeat multiple UAVs dispersed over a wide area. This universal capability allows one UAV to perform the function previously requiring multiple specialized capturing UAVs, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining or enhancing the number of UAVs that can be defeated.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the functions of multiple net-based capturing UAVs into a single UAV equipped with an EMP device. By combining the targeting, positioning, and defeating capabilities into one platform with electromagnetic weaponry, the system achieves wide-area coverage against dispersed UAVs without requiring a fleet of specialized capturing drones, thus reducing overall system complexity.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If a mechanical net structure is attached to the UAV fuselage, then physical capture of approaching UAVs is achieved, but the device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the heavy mechanical net structure with a compact electromagnetic pulse generating device. The EMP system eliminates the need for large deployable nets and associated mechanical deployment mechanisms, significantly reducing the weight of the capturing UAV while maintaining or enhancing its capability to defeat approaching UAVs through electronic disruption rather than physical capture.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If net deployment mechanisms are added to the UAV, then capturing capability is improved, but the ease of operation and reliability decrease due to mechanical failure points
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the mechanical net deployment mechanism with an electromagnetic pulse generating device that has no moving parts requiring deployment. The EMP system activates electronically without mechanical intervention, eliminating failure points associated with net deployment mechanisms such as entanglement, improper deployment, or mechanical wear, thereby significantly improving system reliability while maintaining capturing capability.
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 EMP effectively disables or destroys multiple UAVs by targeting their vulnerable electronic components, potentially interrupting or completely halting wireless communication, thereby providing comprehensive security against UAV swarms.
Implementation Method 1
activating the EMP generating device with the goal of disabling or possibly destroying the onboard electronics in the approaching UAVs by way of the following effect
Data Source
AI summary
In general, the present invention is directed to airborne security measures and more specifically to a device and method to defeat in total a plurality of approaching Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) with a single sacrificial intercepting drone. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the intercepting drone may be configured with an attached Electro-Magnetic Pulse (EMP) generation device capable of producing a sufficiently intense EMP burst to completely disable all approaching UAVs.