Phased Array Directed-Energy Unit for Missile Disruption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current anti-missile systems are inadequate in disrupting the tracking of guided missiles, particularly in protecting fixed targets like aircraft, as they often require line-of-sight and can be vulnerable to shoulder-launched MANPAD missiles during takeoff and landing.
Innovation Solution
A ground-based anti-missile system comprising a sensor array and a control node that generates tracking data, coupled with a phased array directed-energy unit capable of radiating guided missiles with modulated electromagnetic radiation, disrupting their electronic components and causing them to lose target lock.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a ground-based anti-missile system uses radar and microwave energy to track and disrupt missiles, then the ability to disrupt electronic components is improved, but the system remains vulnerable to shoulder-launched MANPAD missiles during takeoff and landing
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by detecting launched missiles before they can reach their targets and disrupting their guidance systems in advance. The radar sensor array detects incoming missiles, and the phased array radiates microwave energy to disrupt their electronic components, preventing them from completing their attack on protected targets during vulnerable operations like takeoff and landing.
2Reliability
If each target has its own defense system, then individual target protection is improved, but the overall system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies universality by creating a single ground-based defense system that can protect multiple targets simultaneously. The radar sensor array and phased array are positioned to cover a defined area, allowing one system to provide protection for multiple targets during takeoff and landing operations, eliminating the need for each target to have its own separate defense system.
3Device complexity
If the radiation waveform span is fixed, then the system design is simplified, but the effectiveness against missiles at varying distances decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies dynamics by making the radiation waveform span variable rather than fixed. The control node adjusts the span of the radiation waveform based on the detected distance to the incoming missile. When a missile is detected at a greater distance, the system increases the waveform span to ensure the microwave energy reaches and disrupts the missile's electronic components effectively, optimizing performance across varying ranges.
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
Effectively diverts guided missiles from their intended targets by disrupting their tracking systems, providing protection for multiple targets in a defined area without the need for each target to have its own defense system, enhancing security during vulnerable periods like takeoff and landing.
Implementation Method 1
a phased array directed-energy unit radiating the guided missile with modulated electromagnetic radiation based on targeting data from the control node, where the radiation disrupts an electronic component of the guided missile
Data Source
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AI summary
The disclosed system, device, and method for diverting a guided missile generally includes a ground-based sensor array generating tracking data of a guided missile tracking a target. A control node in communication with the ground-based sensor array generates targeting data from the tracking data. A phased array directed- energy unit in communication with the control node radiates the guided missile with variable beam width microwave radiation based on the targeting data received from the control node, where the microwave radiation disrupts an electronic component of the guided missile such that the guided missile discontinues tracking the target.