Multimode UAV Target Search After Terminal Homing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing munitions and guided missiles face challenges in non-traditional engagements due to shrinking maneuverability and maneuver cones, making it difficult to change targets or avoid collateral damage, especially when maneuvering near civilians.

Innovation Solution

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are designed to transition between terminal homing and target search modes, utilizing onboard processing units and sensors to adjust flight paths based on uplink signals or onboard indicators, enabling them to change modes to avoid targets or gather more detailed information before engaging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If missiles or munitions are launched from a UAV to enable quicker response, then response speed is improved, but maneuverability and ability to change targets deteriorates due to shrinking effectiveness cone

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse speedVSAvoidability to change targets

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically transitions between two operational modes: terminal homing mode for precision engagement and target search mode for flexibility. The processing unit enables real-time mode switching based on mission requirements, allowing the UAV to adapt its behavior from aggressive homing to flexible target acquisition and avoidance, thereby resolving the contradiction between response speed and adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If terminal homing mode is used to engage target, then engagement precision is improved, but collateral damage increases due to limited maneuverability near target

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengagement precisionVSAvoidcollateral damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors mission parameters and target conditions, enabling the processing unit to make informed decisions about mode transitions. This feedback mechanism allows the UAV to abort terminal homing if collateral damage risk is detected and switch to target search mode, maintaining engagement precision while reducing harmful effects through intelligent decision-making

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If maneuver cone is reduced to improve precision, then target acquisition accuracy is improved, but operational flexibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetarget acquisition accuracyVSAvoidoperational flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs dynamic mode switching that adapts the maneuver cone characteristics to mission needs. In target search mode, the UAV maintains larger maneuver cones for flexibility, while in terminal homing mode, it transitions to tighter convergence for precision. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by allowing both large and small maneuver cones at different operational phases

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20260022912A1Multimode unmanned aerial vehicle

Publication Date: 2026.01.22 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.