Integrated Laser Defense System with Fast-Steering Mirror
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing infrared countermeasure (IRCM) and directional IRCM (DIRCM) systems are inadequate for various applications, particularly in environments where flare deployment is ineffective, such as when aircraft are flying slowly or near the ground.
Innovation Solution
An integrated tracking laser defense system that includes a disruptor module with a fast-steering mirror device and a plurality of tracking laser rangefinder modules, capable of detecting, tracking, and disrupting moving objects in multidimensional space using a pulsed laser source.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If flare deployment is used to counter heat-seeking missiles, then false hotspots are created to draw missiles away, but the countermeasure becomes ineffective when aircraft are flying slow or near the ground due to short distance
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the physical parameter of the countermeasure from thermal radiation (flares) to directed energy (laser). The laser disruptor emits high-energy laser beams that can effectively neutralize incoming missiles regardless of distance, solving the limitation of flare effectiveness in short-range scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the passive thermal distraction mechanism of flares with an active directed energy weapon system. The laser disruptor uses optical energy to directly interfere with the missile's infrared seeker, providing a more reliable and versatile countermeasure across different flight conditions.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If separate Missile Approach Warning (MAW) systems are used to detect and track missiles, then detection capability is provided, but system complexity, cost, and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the functions of missile detection, tracking, and disruption into a single integrated platform. The laser rangefinder modules serve dual purposes: detecting incoming missiles and providing range data for the laser disruptor, eliminating the need for separate MAW systems and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The laser rangefinder modules perform multiple functions: they detect the presence of incoming missiles, track their motion, measure range through time-of-flight calculation, and provide targeting data for the laser disruptor. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate systems needed.
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 fast acquisition and disruption times, providing sub-second performance and enabling detection and tracking without the need for separate Missile Approach Warning (MAW) systems, thus reducing complexity, cost, and weight.
Implementation Method 1
detecting a laser pulse reflected by an object impinged by the laser
Implementation Method 2
an infrared laser pulse that is deflected and steered by the fast-steering mirror device
Implementation Method 3
The laser source can be arranged to emit a laser pulse having a wavelength of about 850 nm, about 905 nm or about 946 nm
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated tracking laser defense system for detecting and disrupting moving objects. The system includes a disruptor module arranged to steer and direct a laser on to a moving object and a plurality of tracking laser rangefinder modules, each arranged to detect and track an object as it moves in a field-of-view. The plurality of tracking laser rangefinder modules can be arranged around the disruptor module, and the disruptor module can have a fast-steering mirror device arranged to lock on to and maintain a position on the moving object as it moves in the field-of-view.