Missile Submissile Assignment Logic via Centralized Radar
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current smart weapons systems face challenges due to small sensor apertures leading to poor target identification, high costs, unreliability, and inefficient use of submissiles, as they require complex and costly sensors and data processors in each munition, and lack effective means to prevent multiple submissiles from targeting the same high-signature target.
Innovation Solution
A missile system where a main missile with a large aperture radar and data processing unit identifies and assigns targets to submissiles, guiding them through a communication link to minimize interference and ensure accurate targeting, thereby reducing the need for individual sensors and processors in submissiles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If each submissile is equipped with its own sensor and data processor for autonomous target identification, then each munition can independently search and acquire targets, but the system cost increases significantly and the sensor aperture remains small leading to poor target identification quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates the sensor and data processing functions from multiple individual submissiles into a single main missile. The main missile carries a large aperture sensor and data processor that performs target identification and selection for the entire salvo, while the submissiles focus solely on navigation and attack execution. This merging resolves the contradiction by enabling high-quality target identification through the large aperture sensor while maintaining autonomous-like coordination through centralized control.
Solution Approach 2:
The main missile serves multiple functions: it acts as both a weapon and a command platform. It carries the large aperture sensor for target identification, the data processor for analyzing target signatures and selecting targets, and the communication system for guiding the submissile salvo. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by centralizing the complex sensing and processing capabilities in one platform while enabling coordinated action of multiple submissiles.
2Ease of operation
If each submissile includes sophisticated sensor and data processing equipment for autonomous operation, then target acquisition is possible, but the system becomes unreliable and expensive due to high complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the complex sensor and data processing subsystems from multiple submissiles into a single main missile platform. This consolidation reduces the total number of complex components in the system, thereby improving reliability. The main missile's single large aperture sensor and centralized data processor replace multiple small sensors and processors, reducing points of failure while maintaining target acquisition capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of equipping each submissile with a complete copy of the sensor and data processing system, the patent uses the main missile to create a single authoritative target identification and selection solution that all submissiles follow. The main missile processes target data once and distributes guidance information to all submissiles, eliminating the need for redundant complex systems in each munition and improving overall system reliability.
3Productivity
If multiple submissiles independently search for targets autonomously, then each can acquire a target, but they may all select the same high-signature target leaving other targets unscathed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a centralized feedback control system where the main missile's data processor monitors all submissiles and assigns specific targets to each one based on the complete target picture. The system processes target signatures, evaluates multiple potential targets, and distributes assignments to ensure optimal engagement of all valuable targets. This feedback mechanism prevents target assignment conflicts by coordinating all submissiles under unified command.
Solution Approach 2:
The main missile performs preliminary target identification, selection, and assignment before the submissiles engage their targets. The centralized data processor analyzes all detected targets, determines the most valuable ones to engage, and pre-assigns specific targets to specific submissiles. This preliminary coordination ensures that multiple targets are engaged efficiently without submissiles independently converging on the same high-signature target.
4Quantity of substance
If submissiles are made small in diameter to fit within the carrier missile payload volume, then they can be launched in large numbers, but the sensor aperture is restricted leading to poor data quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sensing function from multiple small submissiles into a single large sensor mounted on the main missile. This allows the system to maintain a large aperture for high-quality target identification data while still launching multiple submissiles. The main missile's large aperture sensor replaces the need for small sensors in each submissile, resolving the contradiction between quantity and quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent separates the sensing function from the attack function across different dimensions of the system architecture. The main missile carries the large aperture sensor for sensing and target identification, while the submissiles are optimized for attack execution with smaller diameters for payload efficiency. This dimensional separation allows the system to have both large sensor aperture capability and multiple submissiles without the quality compromise.
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
This approach enhances target data quality, prevents unintentional targeting of the same target by multiple submissiles, reduces system costs, and improves bad weather capabilities by using a single high-quality sensor and communication links for guidance.
Implementation Method 1
a main missile is delivered to a target area, scans the target area to identify targets therein
Data Source
AI summary
A missile system wherein a missile carrier delivers a plurality of submissiles over a target area. A passive or active scanner on the missile carrier repeatedly scans the target area as the missile carrier descends by drag brake over the target area. Submissile assignment to identified targets is performed at a selected altitude. A data processor controls the launching of the submissiles and actively guides the submissiles for substantial portions of their flights via optical fiber or wire links separately connecting each submissile to the missile carrier. Each submissile includes either passive or active identification devices enabling the data processor to track the submissiles individually. A missile assignment table stores a correspondence between identified targets and submissiles assigned thereto. Submissile assignment is effected on the basis of the strength of target signature. Alternatively, the most closely spaced group of targets equal in number to the number of submissiles will be assigned submissiles.