Kill Vehicle Radar Sensor with Expandable Arrays for Target Discrimination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Ballistic Missile Defense Systems face challenges in target discrimination, target-object mapping, and tracking accuracy due to limitations in ground-based sensor bandwidth, non-colocated sensors, and varying target signatures across different sensor bands, leading to difficulties in correlating IR and RF measurements and maintaining a high signal-to-clutter ratio.
Innovation Solution
A dual-mode dual-band RF and IR system on a kill vehicle bus with a semi-active radar and a passive multi-color IR sensor, utilizing a dual-band radar with semi-active and active-mode capabilities, and expandable transmit-receive arrays to enhance detection and tracking accuracy, allowing for improved correlation and discrimination of objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If ground-based sensors with limited bandwidth are used, then device complexity is reduced, but target discrimination capability deteriorates because multiple objects occupy the same range gate and cannot be resolved in range or angle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the detection task into multiple stages using different sensor types. Ground-based sensors perform initial detection while space-based sensors with higher bandwidth perform detailed discrimination. This segmentation allows each sensor to operate within its optimal bandwidth constraints while achieving overall high measurement precision through coordinated multi-sensor observation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional ground-based detection to three-dimensional space-based detection. By deploying sensors in space, the system gains additional spatial dimensions for observing targets, enabling resolution of objects that would occupy the same range gate for ground-based sensors. This dimensional change fundamentally improves target discrimination capability without requiring excessive bandwidth increases in ground sensors.
2Measurement precision
If IR and RF sensors are used for target discrimination, then measurement precision improves, but target-object mapping becomes complicated due to varying target signatures in different bands and non-co-located sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a data fusion algorithm as an intermediary that processes and correlates measurements from co-located RF and IR sensors. This intermediary layer handles the complexity of varying target signatures across different bands by applying consistent correlation logic, transforming multi-band measurements into unified target identification without requiring complex hardware synchronization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges RF and IR sensors into a single co-located sensor platform. By combining different sensor types at the same physical location, the system eliminates the target-object mapping complications caused by non-co-located sensors. The merged sensor package observes targets from identical spatial and temporal perspectives, simplifying data correlation while maintaining high measurement precision through multi-spectral observation.
3Measurement precision
If surface-based radar with limited angular accuracy is used, then device complexity is reduced, but tracking accuracy deteriorates due to large range gates encompassing significant volume clutter
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the tracking function between ground-based radar and space-based sensors. Ground-based radar provides coarse tracking with larger angular coverage, while space-based sensors provide fine tracking with high angular resolution. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high tracking accuracy without requiring the ground-based radar to maintain excessive angular resolution across all operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses space-based sensors to observe targets from a different spatial dimension and distance. This change in observation geometry fundamentally improves angular resolution without requiring increases in ground-based radar antenna size or complexity. The elevated vantage point of space-based sensors naturally provides finer angular discrimination 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 system achieves high-confidence object correlation and discrimination, significantly improving tracking accuracy and hit-to-kill capability by fusing RF and IR data, enabling precise target engagement in complex threat environments.
Implementation Method 1
a radar sensor which is an interferometric sensor that includes a plurality of transmit-receive arrays
Implementation Method 2
interferometric sensor that includes a plurality of transmit-receive arrays
Implementation Method 3
interferometric sensor having an expandable transmit-receive array
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an apparatus for detecting airborne objects comprising a kill vehicle bus having a radar sensor. The radar sensor may be an interferometric sensor comprising a plurality of transmit-receive arrays. Each of the transmit-receive arrays may be adapted to be stowed in a stowed position in or on the kill vehicle bus, and may be adapted to be expandable from the stowed position to an operable position.