UAV Active Protection for Safe-Distance Threat Neutralization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing active protection systems for vehicles face challenges in effectively neutralizing incoming threats without causing collateral damage, particularly with hard-kill countermeasures that may explode too close to the target, and require precise distance management for soft-kill countermeasures to be effective.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising one or more platforms and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) configured to autonomously detect and neutralize threats using various countermeasures, including hard-kill and soft-kill methods, with the UAVs capable of hovering, fixed-wing operation, and wireless power, equipped with surveillance equipment for threat detection and communication with the platform for coordinated countermeasure deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hard-kill countermeasures are used to neutralize threats, then threat neutralization effectiveness is improved, but risk of collateral damage to target increases due to explosions occurring too close to the target
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (countermeasure deployment system with controlled release) between the threat neutralization process and the target. This intermediary controls the distance and timing of countermeasure deployment, ensuring threats are neutralized at an optimal distance from the target while preventing collateral damage. The system acts as a mediator that coordinates the action between the countermeasure and threat while protecting the target.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection and assessment of threat parameters before deploying countermeasures. By detecting threats early and calculating optimal deployment parameters in advance, the system can neutralize threats at the right distance from the target, preventing both failure to neutralize and collateral damage from premature or misplaced explosions.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If soft-kill countermeasures are used to divert threats, then collateral damage is reduced, but suitable distance management is required to ensure proper neutralization occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system that continuously monitors threat parameters, UAV position, and countermeasure deployment status. This feedback loop automatically adjusts deployment timing and positioning to maintain optimal distance for soft-kill countermeasures, eliminating the need for complex manual distance management while ensuring proper neutralization occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs autonomous UAVs with onboard navigation and decision-making capabilities that self-regulate their position and deployment timing. The UAVs independently manage the distance and timing parameters for soft-kill countermeasures without requiring complex external control systems, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining effective distance management.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple UAVs are deployed for threat detection and neutralization, then protection coverage is improved, but system complexity and coordination requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control functions of multiple UAVs into a single centralized platform controller that coordinates all UAV operations. This consolidation approach allows multiple UAVs to provide expanded protection coverage while the centralized controller manages coordination, reducing overall system complexity compared to having independent control systems on each UAV.
Solution Approach 2:
The platform controller is designed as a universal control system that can manage any number of UAVs and coordinate multiple countermeasure types. This multi-functional controller handles detection, tracking, and deployment coordination for all UAVs, simplifying the system architecture while enabling scalable expansion of protection coverage through additional UAVs.
Data Source
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AI summary
According to one aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is provided a system for facilitating active protection of a target from a threat, the system comprising: • one or more platforms configured for directing operation of the system; and • one or more unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV's) configured to operate in the vicinity of the target, and to facilitate detection and/or neutralizing of the threat, wherein the platform is configured for autonomously detecting and providing instructions for neutralizing the threat, and wherein each of the unmanned aerial vehicles is configured for communicating (e.g., directly, without relying on any system external thereto and/or to the target) with the platform (e.g., the platform being configured to issue instructions to the UAV's).