Multimode UAV Flight Control for Midcourse Target Reacquisition

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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 trajectory and avoid targets by converting stored energy into potential or kinetic energy, thereby maintaining maneuverability and avoiding impact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the UAV transitions from terminal homing mode to target search mode, then operational flexibility and maneuverability are improved, but the time to complete the engagement is increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational flexibilityVSAvoidengagement time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The UAV implements dynamic mode transition capability, allowing it to switch between terminal homing mode and target search mode based on real-time mission requirements. This dynamic adaptability enables the system to optimize between engagement speed and operational flexibility, resolving the contradiction by making the system's response characteristics variable rather than fixed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Speed

If the UAV maintains terminal homing mode with fixed trajectory, then engagement speed is improved, but maneuverability and ability to avoid collateral damage deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengagement speedVSAvoidmaneuverability

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts its engagement characteristics by allowing mode transitions during flight. The UAV can maintain high-speed terminal homing when appropriate, then transition to target search mode when maneuverability is needed, optimizing both speed and adaptability at different phases of the engagement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The UAV changes its operational parameters by transitioning between distinct flight modes. This parameter change enables the system to shift from a fixed, high-speed trajectory to a more flexible, maneuverable search pattern, resolving the contradiction between engagement speed and maneuverability through discrete state changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If the UAV uses missiles or munitions with defined effectiveness cones, then precision targeting is improved, but the ability to change targets or avoid collateral damage deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetargeting precisionVSAvoidtarget change capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The UAV implements dynamic mode switching that allows it to transition from precision terminal homing to flexible target search. This dynamic capability enables the system to maintain precision when needed while gaining the ability to change targets or avoid collateral damage through mode transition, resolving the contradiction between targeting precision and target change capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12013212B2Multimode unmanned aerial vehicle

Publication Date: 2024.06.18 AEROVIRONMENT INC

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.