Ground-Based DIRCM Jamming Infrared Missiles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial aircraft are vulnerable to infrared-guided missiles, especially when descending below 10,000 feet, and existing countermeasure systems like DIRCMs are costly, logistically challenging, and perceptually alarming for passengers, while other solutions like flares and towed decoys are impractical or unacceptable in urban environments.
Innovation Solution
A ground-based directed infrared countermeasure system that illuminates incoming missiles with a modulated long-wavelength infrared laser beam from behind, utilizing total internal reflection properties of the missile's dome to effectively jam the seeker, eliminating the need for on-board systems and visible pods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If on-board DIRCM systems are installed on commercial aircraft, then protection against infrared-guided missiles is improved, but cost and logistical complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions the countermeasure system from an on-board aircraft configuration to a ground-based configuration. By relocating the DIRCM system to the ground, the patent eliminates the need for complex aircraft modifications, pod installations, and onboard maintenance while providing effective protection through ground-based laser illumination of incoming missiles.
2Reliability
If visible DIRCM pods are mounted on aircraft, then missile protection is improved, but passenger anxiety increases due to visible threat indicators
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the DIRCM system from the aircraft and relocates it to the ground. This removal eliminates the visible pods and associated equipment from the aircraft exterior, thereby removing the visual indicators that cause passenger anxiety while maintaining the protective function through ground-based operation.
3Reliability
If flares are used as countermeasures, then missile protection is improved, but fire hazards increase in urban environments
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the chemical/m thermal mechanism of flares with an optical laser-based DIRCM system. Instead of ejecting burning flares that create fire hazards, the system uses directed infrared laser beams to illuminate and jam the missile's seeker, providing effective countermeasure protection without the harmful thermal byproducts.
4Adaptability or versatility
If laser beam impinges on missile dome at angles greater than 3 degrees, then off-axis illumination is achieved, but jamming effectiveness is significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the operational parameters of the laser jamming system by using longer wavelength infrared lasers and optimizing the illumination geometry from the ground. By operating at wavelengths of 3-5 micrometers and positioning the laser source on the ground, the system achieves effective jamming despite the inherent reduction in coupling efficiency at off-axis angles, utilizing the missile's dome geometry to redirect radiation onto the seeker.
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
Provides effective protection against infrared-guided missiles at airports and along flight paths without modifying aircraft, reducing costs and passenger anxiety, and allowing for rapid deployment of DIRCMs along flight paths, effectively countering missiles like Stinger and Red Eye.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing total internal reflection properties of the missile's dome to effectively jam the seeker
Implementation Method 2
emits laser jammer radiation onto the missile dome... modulated waveforms which deceive the missile guidance
Data Source
AI summary
Commercial aircraft are protected from attack by infrared seeking guided missiles through the utilization of a ground-based directed infrared countermeasure system in which the deployment of an IR guided missile is detected off-aircraft and more particularly on the ground. An infrared laser beam is projected towards the detected missile such that the projected laser infrared radiation impinges upon the missile from the rear. The off-axis infrared radiation illuminates the IR transmissive dome at the head of the missile where it is internally reflected back towards the IR detector carried by the missile through the total internal reflection characteristics of the dome. The domes of these missiles are typically made of a high index of refraction IR transmissive materials such that the material is prone to total internal reflection. The infrared laser generated radiation is a modulated so as to interfere with the guidance system of the missile causing it to execute a turn and plunge to the ground. In one embodiment, the long wavelength infrared laser is a 100-W laser with a beam width of 100 microradians, thus to provide a zone of protection of about three miles.