Multimode UAV Target Search and Homing for Collateral Avoidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) face limitations in maneuverability and target engagement due to a shrinking effectiveness cone, making it difficult to change targets or avoid collateral damage, especially in non-traditional engagements where precise control and minimal collateral damage are crucial.
Innovation Solution
The UAV is equipped with a processing unit that allows transition between terminal homing and target search modes, enabling it to adjust its flight path and avoid targets by using sensors and uplink signals to alter its trajectory, thereby maintaining maneuverability and minimizing collateral damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a guided bomb or missile is used for terminal homing, then the target can be engaged with precision, but the maneuverability is limited by a shrinking effectiveness cone making it impossible to change targets or avoid collateral damage
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically transitions between two distinct operational modes: terminal homing mode for precision engagement and target search mode for target acquisition and evaluation. This dynamic mode switching enables the guided device to adapt its behavior based on mission requirements, allowing target changes and avoidance of collateral damage while maintaining precision when needed
2Measurement precision
If a guided bomb or missile closes on the target, then the engagement precision improves, but the maneuver time decreases making it impossible to change targets
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic mode transitions that allow switching from terminal homing to target search mode before the effectiveness cone shrinks to zero. This temporal dynamic enables target evaluation and potential target changes during the approach phase, while still achieving precision engagement when the target is confirmed valid
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary target search and evaluation actions before final engagement. By transitioning to target search mode during the approach, the system can identify and evaluate alternative targets in advance, enabling timely target changes before the maneuver time is completely lost
3Loss of time
If a missile is launched from a UAV, then the response time is reduced, but the collateral damage risk increases due to limited maneuverability
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic mode switching to maintain maneuverability even during rapid response engagements. By being able to transition between target search and terminal homing modes, the system can quickly engage threats while retaining the capability to abort or change targets if collateral damage is anticipated
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors engagement parameters and target validity, using feedback to determine when to transition between modes. This feedback mechanism allows the system to maintain precision while avoiding collateral damage by aborting engagements when targets are invalid or when collateral damage risks are detected
Data Source
AI summary
A system comprising an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) configured to transition from a terminal homing mode to a target search mode, responsive to an uplink signal and/or an autonomous determination of scene change.