Handheld Integrated Targeting System for UAS Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current handheld weapons systems lack an effective method to accurately engage Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) due to the operator's difficulty in compensating for ballistic and flight characteristics of projectiles, limiting the ability to intercept UAS threats with kinetic rounds.
Innovation Solution
The Handheld Integrated Targeting System (HITS) computes a firing solution using a radar system, GPS-Aided Inertial Measurement Unit (GPS/IMU), and fire control computer to provide a visual display guiding the operator to accurately point the weapon for projectile-target intersection, incorporating target detection and tracking, and kinematic data for elevation and azimuth adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual aiming and estimation methods are used, then the weapon system remains simple and easy to operate, but the accuracy of engaging UAS threats is insufficient due to inability to compensate for ballistic and flight characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines radar detection, GPS/IMU positioning, ballistic computation, and weapon aiming into an integrated targeting system. The radar detects target range and velocity, GPS/IMU provides launcher positioning and orientation, the ballistics computer processes this data to compute firing solutions, and the display integrates all information to guide the operator. This merging of multiple subsystems resolves the contradiction by providing high-precision target engagement through automated computation while managing complexity through integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The fire control computer acts as an intermediary between the sensor systems (radar, GPS/IMU) and the weapon system. It receives raw data from sensors, performs ballistic computations to account for projectile drop, wind, and target motion, and outputs corrected aiming parameters to the display. This intermediary processing layer enables accurate engagement by translating sensor data into actionable aiming solutions without requiring the operator to manually compute complex ballistic parameters.
2Reliability
If automated fire control computation is implemented, then the firing solution accuracy is improved by accounting for ballistic characteristics, but the device complexity increases with additional sensors and computing systems
Solution Approach 1:
The targeting system performs self-service by automatically computing firing solutions without requiring external assistance or complex manual calculations. The ballistics computer autonomously processes radar range and velocity data, GPS/IMU positioning information, and weapon ballistic characteristics to generate corrected aiming parameters. This self-service capability improves reliability by ensuring consistent application of ballistic corrections while the integration of components manages the overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback through the display unit that continuously shows the operator the computed aiming parameters and target information. The radar provides continuous tracking feedback on target position and velocity, and the GPS/IMU provides feedback on launcher orientation. This feedback loop enables real-time adjustments and verifies that the firing solution remains accurate as conditions change, improving reliability while the feedback is presented in an operator-friendly format that manages complexity.
3Ease of operation
If manual estimation of range and motion is required, then the system remains simple, but the operator cannot accurately compensate for projectile drop and target movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical estimation and adjustment with an automated electronic system. Instead of the operator manually estimating range and computing elevation adjustments, the radar electronically measures range, the GPS/IMU electronically determines orientation, and the ballistics computer electronically computes the firing solution. The display presents the results for direct use. This substitution of mechanical estimation with electronic measurement and computation maintains ease of operation (the operator simply follows display guidance) while dramatically improving precision of elevation and azimuth pointing.
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
HITS enables precise engagement of UAS threats by eliminating the need for manual estimation of range and motion, ensuring high-probability intersection of projectiles with targets, enhancing situational awareness and automated prioritization of target engagement.
Implementation Method 1
a radar system; a target range, location, and tracking kinematics system in communication with the radar system
Implementation Method 2
GPS-Aided Inertial Measurement Unit (GPS/IMU)
Implementation Method 3
GPS-Aided Inertial Measurement Unit (GPS/IMU)
Data Source
AI summary
An aiming system for handheld weapons that includes a target detection and tracking system; an IMU integrated with the target detection and tracking system, weapon launching system; an IMU integrated with the weapon launching system, a fire control computer and a display system enabling the weapons launcher operator to point the weapon with the appropriate elevation and azimuth for the weapon projectile to intercept the intended target.