Tethered Counter-UAV Net Capture for Rapid Drone Neutralization
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing threat of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) posing risks due to their speed, maneuverability, and ability to carry payloads, which complicates their neutralization, especially in protecting large airspaces, as existing countermeasures are costly and complex to implement.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising counter-attack UAVs tethered to a structure via an aerial vehicle capture countermeasure, such as a net, which is deployed to capture and neutralize target UAVs detected by an external detection system, allowing for coordinated flight and entanglement of the UAVs' propellers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing countermeasures are used to protect large airspaces, then the protection capability is improved, but the cost and system complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the protected airspace into multiple zones with different levels of protection. Counter-attack UAVs are deployed selectively to specific zones based on detected threats, rather than maintaining comprehensive coverage across the entire large airspace. This segmentation allows effective protection while reducing overall system complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-deploys counter-attack UAVs in a ready state at strategic locations around the protected airspace. When a threat is detected, these pre-positioned UAVs can immediately launch and intercept the target without requiring complex real-time deployment decisions. This preliminary positioning reduces response time and simplifies the operational complexity.
2Reliability
If counter-attack UAVs are deployed to intercept target UAVs, then the neutralization effectiveness is improved, but the response time is reduced due to the need for coordinated flight and deployment
Solution Approach 1:
Counter-attack UAVs are pre-positioned in ready states at multiple locations around the protected airspace before threats are detected. When a target UAV is detected, the system activates the nearest pre-positioned counter-attack UAVs, eliminating the need for complex real-time deployment decisions and reducing response time while maintaining neutralization effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the deployment strategy based on the detected threat's position, speed, and trajectory. Rather than using fixed deployment patterns, the counter-attack UAVs adapt their flight paths and interception points in real-time, optimizing response time while ensuring effective neutralization.
3Reliability
If the aerial vehicle capture countermeasure is kept in a stowed position, then the system readiness is improved, but the deployment speed is reduced when neutralization is required
Solution Approach 1:
The aerial vehicle capture countermeasure (net) is pre-positioned in a partially deployed state on the counter-attack UAVs, rather than being fully stowed. This preliminary positioning allows the net to be quickly released and deployed when a target is detected, reducing deployment time while maintaining system readiness. The net is kept compact but accessible, balancing readiness and deployment speed.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for neutralization of a target aerial vehicle comprises one or more counter-attack unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and an aerial vehicle capture countermeasure tethering the counter-attack UAV(s) to a structure or ground. The counter-attack UAV(s) are operable to capture and neutralize the target aerial vehicle with the aerial vehicle capture countermeasure (e.g., a net). The system can comprise an on-board aerial vehicle detection system, and/or an external aerial vehicle detection system each having at least one sensor configured to detect the target aerial vehicle while in flight. The counter-attack UAV(s) and the associated detection systems may be autonomously operated for detecting and neutralizing a target aerial vehicle. The aerial vehicle capture countermeasure can be moved from a stowed position to a deployed position in response to coordinated flight of the counter-attack UAV(s). Associated methods and systems are provided.