Modular Eject Vehicle Active Protection System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current active protection systems for aerial platforms against rocket-propelled grenades and other aerial threats are heavy, bulky, and not portable enough for installation on lightweight or size-constrained aerial and mobile platforms, and they lack the capability to coordinate multiple engagements effectively.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight active kinetic countermeasure system, including an eject vehicle with an ejection mechanism and radar modules that can detect, track, and intercept aerial threats, and coordinate with existing systems to provide hemispherical coverage and reduce fratricide risks, using a network of radar modules and eject vehicles to engage multiple threats simultaneously.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional active protection systems are installed on aerial platforms, then protection capability against RPGs is improved, but weight and bulk increase significantly making the system non-portable
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into multiple independent radar modules and eject vehicles that can be distributed around the platform. Each radar module is a separate unit that can be independently mounted, and multiple modules work together to provide comprehensive coverage. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high protection capability without requiring a single heavy integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The radar modules and eject vehicles are designed to be multi-functional and adaptable to different platform types. The system can be configured for various aerial and mobile platforms with different weight and space constraints, providing universal protection capability across multiple applications rather than being platform-specific.
2Reliability
If traditional active protection systems are installed on aerial platforms, then protection capability against RPGs is improved, but the system becomes bulky and difficult to install on size-constrained platforms
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the system into modular radar modules and eject vehicles, each component can be independently installed on different parts of the platform. This modular approach simplifies installation on size-constrained platforms compared to installing a single large integrated system, as components can be mounted in available spaces and configured to match the platform's geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The system configuration is dynamic and adaptable rather than fixed. Radar modules and eject vehicles can be positioned and oriented to optimize coverage for specific platform configurations, allowing the system to be easily adapted to different platform sizes and shapes without requiring a complete system redesign.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple radar modules and eject vehicles are deployed to cover hemispherical space, then coverage and coordination capability are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple radar modules are merged into a coordinated network that functions as a unified detection and tracking system. The modules share data and coordinate their coverage areas to provide comprehensive hemispherical surveillance. This merging allows the system to achieve extensive coverage while managing complexity through integrated control and data sharing rather than independent operation of each module.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where radar modules continuously monitor threat trajectories and communicate with the control system, which adjusts eject vehicle deployment decisions based on real-time data. This feedback loop enables coordinated operation of multiple components, improving coverage capability while managing system complexity through automated decision-making algorithms.
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 significantly increases the survivability of aerial platforms against RPG attacks, achieving a survival probability of better than 90% for RPGs fired from close ranges with minimal impact on platform capacity and reducing fratricide and collateral damage by enabling precise and coordinated intercepts.
Implementation Method 1
radar modules that can detect, track, and intercept aerial threats
Implementation Method 2
an eject vehicle (400) configured to be disposed in a dispenser (200) and ejectable therefrom
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments include active protection systems and methods for an aerial platform. An onboard system includes radar modules, detects aerial vehicles within a threat range of the aerial platform, and determines if any of the aerial vehicles are an aerial threat. The onboard system also determines an intercept vector to the aerial threat, communicates the intercept vector to an eject vehicle, and causes the eject vehicle to be ejected from the aerial platform to intercept the aerial threat. The eject vehicle includes alignment thrusters to rotate a longitudinal axis of the eject vehicle to substantially align with the intercept vector, a rocket motor to accelerate the eject vehicle along an intercept vector, divert thrusters to divert the eject vehicle in a direction substantially perpendicular to the intercept vector, and attitude control thrusters to make adjustments to the attitude of the eject vehicle.