Missile Launch Security via Segmented Arming Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ground-based air defense systems face challenges in ensuring safe and secure missile launches due to the complexity and risk of data manipulation in long-distance data connections, which can lead to unintended missile launches.
Innovation Solution
A method that employs a security unit to receive arming information via a data connection and unlock a signal connection between the control unit and the launch device only when valid arming information is present, using existing data connections and incorporating a backup process to prevent unauthorized launches, with features like regular arming information transmission, error checking, and a predetermined unlocking period.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If existing data connections are used for missile launch control, then the complexity of setting up new data lines is reduced, but the risk of data manipulation and unauthorized launches increases
Solution Approach 1:
The data transmission process is segmented into two distinct parts: arming information (simple, frequently transmitted) and launch information (complex, less frequently transmitted). This segmentation allows the system to use existing data connections for both types of transmission while implementing security measures specifically for the critical arming information, thus reducing overall system complexity while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
A security unit is introduced as an intermediary component between the control unit and the launch device. This security unit receives arming information, verifies its authenticity, and only unlocks the signal connection if the information is valid. This intermediary mechanism prevents data manipulation without requiring a completely new secure data connection infrastructure.
2Reliability
If arming information is transmitted frequently to maintain security, then the safety against manipulation is improved, but the data transmission load and potential for errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
Different quality levels are applied to different types of information transmission. Arming information, which is critical for security, is transmitted frequently with high reliability measures. Launch information, which is less critical, is transmitted less frequently. This local differentiation of transmission quality allows the system to maintain security without unnecessarily increasing overall data transmission volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic transmission of arming information at regular intervals to maintain security without requiring continuous transmission. This periodic action ensures that the security check is performed regularly while reducing the total data transmission load compared to continuous transmission schemes.
3Reliability
If the signal connection is blocked by default, then the safety against unauthorized launches is improved, but the ease of legitimate launch operations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The signal connection is blocked by default as a preliminary security measure, and arming information is transmitted in advance to unlock the connection before any launch operation can occur. This preliminary action ensures that the system is secure by default while allowing legitimate operations to proceed smoothly once proper authorization is provided, thus balancing safety with ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The security unit provides feedback to the control unit about the status of the signal connection (blocked or unlocked) based on the received arming information. This feedback mechanism ensures that the system automatically adjusts its security state in response to legitimate authorization requests, maintaining both safety and operational ease without requiring manual intervention.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for launching a missile (4) from a launching device (2), in which a data connection (36) is established between a control unit (10) of the launching device (2) and a command station (26) located remotely from the launching device (2), and the launch of the missile (4) is controlled from the command station (26) via the data connection (36). To reliably prevent an unintended launch of the missile (4), it is proposed that a safety unit (22) receives unlocking information (46) via the data connection (36) and unlocks a signal connection (12) between the control unit (10) and a launching device (6) of the missile (4).