Rocket-Deployed Capture Net for Non-Destructive High-Altitude Takedown
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for dealing with high-altitude unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs) are inadequate, as shooting them down is destructive and often results in unrecoverable debris, lacking a non-destructive means for capture and intelligence gathering.
Innovation Solution
A non-destructive takedown system utilizing an airborne launched rocket system, such as the Rapid Dragon, with a sophisticated computer simulation program to control the rocket's trajectory, deploying a capture web to envelop the UAP securely without causing damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional shoot-down methods are used to deal with high-altitude UAPs, then the UAPs are destroyed and eliminated as a threat, but the debris becomes unrecoverable and intelligence gathering is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary capture system consisting of a rocket-launched platform that deploys a net and ballast units. This intermediary mechanism intercepts the UAP without direct contact from ground-based weapons, enabling non-destructive capture while eliminating the harmful destructive impact of traditional shoot-down methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters from destructive (missile impact velocity, explosive force) to non-destructive (controlled descent velocity, gentle net envelopment). By controlling the descent rate and using soft capture mechanisms, the system transforms the interaction parameters to preserve the UAP integrity while maintaining capture reliability.
2Productivity
If shoot-down methods are used, then the UAP threat is neutralized, but recovery costs and time increase due to debris search and retrieval operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by deploying the capture net and ballast units before the UAP reaches its destination or disintegrates. The controlled descent is initiated in advance, guiding the UAP to a predetermined recovery location intact, thereby eliminating the need for subsequent search and retrieval operations and significantly reducing recovery time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the UAP from its uncontrolled trajectory and removes it from the threat category through controlled capture. By taking the UAP out of the destructive engagement scenario and placing it into a controlled descent profile, the system eliminates the need for costly debris recovery operations while maintaining operational efficiency.
3Loss of information
If intact capture of UAPs is achieved, then intelligence gathering capabilities are improved, but the system complexity and development costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the capture system into distinct functional modules: rocket propulsion stage, net deployment mechanism, ballast unit release system, and controlled descent control. This segmentation allows for specialized design of each component, facilitating easier development, testing, and maintenance while achieving the complex goal of intact UAP capture for intelligence gathering.
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
Enables the controlled and non-destructive capture of high-altitude slow-moving UAPs, allowing for the recovery of intact debris and the gathering of intelligence, reducing costs and operational complexity compared to traditional shoot-down methods.
Implementation Method 1
A non-destructive takedown system utilizing an airborne launched rocket system
Implementation Method 2
The rocket acquires a position overlying the aerial object
Implementation Method 3
Combining the mass of each ballast unit with the mass of the aerial object forms a combined mass, and in response to the combined mass, the aerial object altitude is decreased
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method are provided for the non-destructive takedown of a high-altitude aerial object. The method provides a thrusting rocket enabled with a takedown payload, which may be launched from either a ground based or airborne platform. The takedown payload acquires the altitude, motion, and position parameters of a high altitude aerial object and the rocket acquires a position overlying the aerial object. The takedown payload releases a first plurality of ballast units, attached to a capture net, downward in a capture pattern surrounding the aerial object. In response to releasing the ballast units, the top surface of the aerial object is covered with the capture net. Combining the mass of each ballast unit with the mass of the aerial object forms a combined mass, and in response to the combined mass, the aerial object altitude is decreased.