Salvo Munition Coordination for GPS-Denied Simultaneous Arrival
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In coordinated munition strikes, uncertainty in target position and hardware limitations lead to increased complexity and cost in seeker component design, and communication challenges between munitions, resulting in suboptimal target engagement and increased reaction time for targets.
Innovation Solution
Each munition in a salvo is equipped with a datalink and Two-Way Timing and Ranging (TRTW) capabilities, allowing for shared information and optimal search formation coordination, combining individual fields of view into an aggregate salvo field of view and synchronizing Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) to minimize differences in impact times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If the seeker component FOV or detection range is increased to cover a larger search space, then the ability to detect moving or relocating targets is improved, but the cost and complexity of the seeker component increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple munitions are combined into a coordinated salvo where each munition contributes its individual FOV to create an aggregate search coverage. The collective FOV of multiple munitions with smaller individual FOVs equals or exceeds the coverage of a single munition with a large FOV, thereby reducing individual seeker complexity while maintaining detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The search space is segmented and divided among multiple munitions in the salvo. Instead of one munition covering the entire area with a large FOV, multiple munitions each cover a portion of the search space with smaller FOVs, reducing the complexity requirement for each individual seeker component.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If munitions are positioned to cover a larger search space, then target detection capability is improved, but communication between munitions becomes more difficult due to limited datalink range or FOV
Solution Approach 1:
The munition formation is made dynamic and adaptive. Munitions continuously adjust their positions and orientations during flight to maintain optimal datalink communication while preserving search space coverage. The formation dynamically reconfigures based on communication conditions and target detection needs.
Solution Approach 2:
Munitions use datalink communication to share position, velocity, and target detection information in real-time. This feedback enables coordinated adjustments to formation geometry, allowing munitions to maintain both search coverage and communication reliability through continuous information exchange and adaptive repositioning.
3Loss of time
If munitions are released to engage targets simultaneously, then target reaction time is minimized, but differences in flight paths and velocities make simultaneous arrival difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
Munitions perform preliminary coordination actions during flight before target engagement. The system calculates and adjusts individual munition flight paths, velocities, and timing in real-time to compensate for differences in release positions and speeds, enabling synchronized arrival at the target area without requiring perfectly simultaneous release.
Solution Approach 2:
Real-time feedback on each munition's position, velocity, and estimated time of arrival enables dynamic adjustments to flight parameters. Munitions exchange timing information via datalink and make coordinated course corrections to synchronize their arrival at the target area, minimizing target reaction time despite initial release differences.
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
This approach enhances target engagement efficiency by improving salvo geometry and reducing target reaction time, allowing for simultaneous identification and engagement of multiple targets while minimizing overkill and hardware requirements.
Implementation Method 1
Two-Way Timing and Ranging (TRTW) techniques are utilized to determine positioning of each munition relative to one another
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for coordination of a plurality of munitions in a Global Positioning System (GPS) denied attack of a plurality of ground targets. A relative position of each munition is determined relative to the other munitions in the salvo and a distance range is determined of each munition relative to the other munitions in the salvo. A constellation formation is determined for the plurality of munitions in the salvo relative to a target seeker basket such that each munition in the constellation formation is navigated to its respective target seeker basket, whereby a change in navigation for each munition is caused when necessary such that each munition arrives at its determined seeker basket at an approximate same time.