Reusable Interceptor Drones for Autonomous Drone Defense
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing defensive systems are overwhelmed by the economic asymmetry and saturation/fatigue caused by numerous drones, leading to high costs and limited effectiveness against drone attacks.
Innovation Solution
A reusable flying device equipped with autonomous defense means, including sensors, control units, and various intercepting mechanisms, enabling efficient and cost-effective defense against multiple drones without human intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If expensive defensive weapons such as guided missiles are used, then the range and effectiveness against individual drones is improved, but the cost exceeds the cost of commercially available drones many times over
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs inexpensive interceptor drones that can be disposed of after a single use, contrasting with expensive guided missiles. These interceptor drones are designed to be cheap enough that their loss is economically acceptable, yet effective enough to neutralize target drones, thereby resolving the cost-effectiveness contradiction in drone defense.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses interceptor drones that replicate the flight characteristics and operational modes of the target drones they are designed to intercept. By copying the behavior patterns, speed, and maneuverability of commercial drones, the interceptors can effectively engage targets without requiring overly complex and expensive specialized weaponry.
2Quantity of substance
If cheaper countermeasures such as guns are used, then the cost is reduced, but the range is limited and line of sight must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical gun-based countermeasures with autonomous interceptor drones equipped with propulsion systems. This substitution enables the defense system to achieve much greater range and operational flexibility while maintaining cost-effectiveness, as the drones can fly to intercept positions beyond line-of-sight limits of ground-based guns.
3Reliability
If a large number of defensive resources are deployed to protect against saturation attacks, then the coverage area and defensive capability is improved, but the cost quickly exceeds the defender's available resources
Solution Approach 1:
The interceptor drones are equipped with autonomous navigation and target acquisition systems that enable them to independently seek out and engage target drones without requiring continuous human intervention or complex centralized control. This self-service capability allows multiple interceptors to operate simultaneously and independently, providing broad coverage against saturation attacks while minimizing the need for expensive human-operated defensive systems.
4Extent of automation
If reusable flying devices with powerful sensors are used, then the autonomous detection and defense capability is improved, but the cost may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The interceptor drones are designed as multi-functional platforms that can perform multiple tasks: autonomous navigation, target detection using sensors, tracking, and interception. By consolidating these functions into a single reusable platform rather than using separate specialized systems, the overall cost is reduced while maintaining high autonomous defense capability. The sensors and control systems are integrated into a universal drone platform that can engage multiple targets sequentially.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a reusable flying device for the autonomous defense against a plurality of flying objects in a spatially and/or temporally coordinated network, comprising means for landing; a plurality of means for defense; and a control unit configured for: detecting one flying object of the plurality of flying objects as a target; and defending against the target with at least one of the plurality of means for defense.