Coordinating LRSW Waves via Sensor Data Relay

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing long-range strike weapon (LRSW) systems often require a large number of missiles to attack a target set, which can be inefficient and limit the number of threats that can be engaged, as they are typically launched in a single wave without the ability to re-target or adjust based on real-time data.

Innovation Solution

The method involves launching waves of LRSWs with lead and follower missiles, where the lead missiles gather and transmit data on the target space to follower missiles, allowing them to autonomously select and attack targets with greater range and flexibility, reducing the total number of missiles needed and enabling re-targeting of alternate targets.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple LRSWs are launched in a single wave to attack a target set, then the attack can be executed with current systems, but the number of LRSWs required is large and the number of threats that can be engaged is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of threats that can be engagedVSAvoidnumber of LRSWs required

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the LRSW attack into multiple waves with designated lead and follower missiles. Lead missiles perform sensor functions and data gathering, while follower missiles use this data to autonomously select targets. This segmentation allows fewer total missiles to engage more threats effectively, as followers can be reassigned to different targets based on lead missile data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Lead LRSWs perform preliminary sensor functions and target assessment before follower missiles are launched or before followers engage targets. The lead missiles gather observational data and transmit it to followers, enabling followers to make informed target selection decisions without requiring all missiles to be launched simultaneously with full sensor capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If LRSWs are launched without the ability to re-target or adjust based on real-time data, then the system is simpler to operate, but the efficacy of attacking the correct targets is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveefficacy of attacking correct targetsVSAvoidcomplexity of data transmission and re-targeting

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where lead LRSWs transmit observational sensor data and target assessment information to follower LRSWs. This feedback loop enables followers to adjust their target selection based on real-time data from leads, improving the reliability of attacking correct targets while maintaining operational simplicity through automated data processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Follower LRSWs are designed to autonomously process received data and make independent target selection decisions without requiring continuous human intervention. The system enables self-service operation where missiles automatically adjust targets based on feedback data, improving reliability while minimizing the operational complexity burden on human operators.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of information

If all LRSWs are launched simultaneously, then coordination is simpler, but the ability to utilize sensor data from lead missiles to inform follower target selection is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetarget space knowledge transmissionVSAvoidcoordination between lead and follower waves

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Lead LRSWs are launched first to perform preliminary sensor functions and gather target space knowledge before follower missiles are launched. This temporal sequencing allows lead missiles to transmit their observational data to followers, preventing information loss about target characteristics and enabling informed target selection by followers without requiring complex real-time coordination systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9541350B1Coordinating waves of long-range strike weapons (LRSWs) to attack a target set by passing observational sensor data from lead LRSWs to follower LRSWs

Publication Date: 2017.01.10 RAYTHEON CO

AI summary

Multiple LRSWs are launched to place at least one follower LRSW in a trailing position to at least one lead LRSW in a lead wave. Knowledge of the target space and particularly the primary target gained by the lead LRSWs is transmitted to the follower LRSWs (either directly or via another communication platform such as a satellite or UAV) and incorporated by the follower LRSWs to inform target selection. The follower LRSWs in the following wave trail the lead LRSWs in the lead wave with sufficient spacing in time and distance to inform target selection and with range remaining to maneuver to the selected target. This knowledge may be transmitted back to another follower LRSW (together with any data acquired the initial follower LRSW) and so forth in a “string” of LRSWs to inform target selection and maneuver the LRSWs to the primary target or an alternate target.