Interceptor UAV EMP Burst for Wide-Area Drone Swarm Defeat
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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 UAVs or small groups rather than a swarm.
Innovation Solution
A sacrificial interceptor UAV equipped with an Electro-Magnetic Pulse (EMP) generating device is flown into the center of a swarm of incoming UAVs, using a remote pilot-controlled wireless system to activate the EMP, which disrupts or destroys the electronics of the 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 UAVs or small groups can be disabled, but the solution is ineffective against a large number of UAVs dispersed over a wide area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical net-based capture system with an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) generating device. The EMP device creates an electromagnetic field that disables UAV electronics without requiring physical contact, enabling coverage of a much wider area and larger numbers of UAVs simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from a localized mechanical interception approach to a volumetric electromagnetic field approach. The EMP generates an electromagnetic field that extends throughout a three-dimensional space, allowing simultaneous disruption of multiple UAVs across a wide dispersal area rather than requiring precise mechanical interception of individual targets.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple interceptors are deployed to cover a wide area, then more UAVs can be disabled, but the cost and complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The EMP generating device serves multiple functions: it disables UAV electronics, interrupts wireless communications, and can potentially damage sensors and guidance systems all simultaneously with a single activation, replacing the need for multiple specialized interceptors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the EMP generating device with the interceptor UAV platform, integrating multiple capabilities into a single system. The interceptor UAV carries and deploys the EMP device, merging the functions of interception, positioning, and electromagnetic disruption into one unified system rather than requiring separate systems for each function.
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 device effectively disables or destroys multiple UAVs by exploiting the vulnerability of electronic devices to high voltage transients, impairing their functionality and potentially interrupting wireless communication, thereby providing a comprehensive security measure 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. Electronic devices, especially computer based devices, are particularly vulnerable to EMP effects, as they are largely composed of high density Metal Oxide Semiconductor (MOS) devices, which are very sensitive to exposure to high voltage transients.
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.