Guided Missile Laser Source Interception
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles, particularly aircraft with poor maneuverability, are vulnerable to high-energy laser attacks that can cause severe damage within seconds, posing a threat to their functionality.
Innovation Solution
A method where a guided missile is launched from the vehicle, equipped with sensors to scan and follow the laser beam, flying towards the laser source to shade or combat it, using the laser beam as a guide and employing navigation techniques such as image processing and scattered light intensity to determine the source's location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a guided missile is launched to chase and destroy the laser source, then the protection effectiveness is improved, but the response time is reduced requiring extremely quick activation
Solution Approach 1:
The missile is pre-positioned on the vehicle and can be launched immediately upon detection of laser radiation. This preliminary positioning eliminates preparation time and enables instant response to laser threats, resolving the contradiction between quick response and effective protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The missile is equipped with sensors that continuously scan for laser radiation and provide real-time feedback. The control system uses this feedback to automatically guide the missile toward the laser source, enabling rapid closed-loop response that maintains protection effectiveness while minimizing response time.
2Measurement precision
If the missile uses sensors to scan and track the laser beam, then the guidance precision is improved, but the sensor vulnerability to laser damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is protected by a shutter or cover that can be closed before laser exposure. This preliminary protective action cushions the sensor against laser damage while maintaining its ability to detect laser radiation when needed, resolving the contradiction between guidance precision and sensor vulnerability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system dynamically adjusts its exposure to laser radiation by opening or closing protective shutters based on operational needs. This dynamic control allows the sensor to maintain high guidance precision when tracking the laser beam while minimizing vulnerability by protecting itself when not actively scanning.
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
This method provides quick protection by deploying a missile that can intercept and potentially destroy the laser source before damage is inflicted on the vehicle, effectively defending against high-energy laser threats.
Implementation Method 1
the guided missile steers towards the lower end of the laser beam. Alternatively or in addition, a parameter of the laser beam, for example a scattered light intensity, can be used for navigation
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for protecting a vehicle (2) from an attack by a laser beam (8) emanating from a laser source (10). Effective protection can be achieved if a guided missile (12) is launched from the vehicle (2), a sensor (42, 44, 46, 48) of the guided missile (12) scans the laser beam (8), and the guided missile (12) flies towards the laser source (10) guided by the laser beam (8).