UAV Shaped-Charge Coupling for Armored Vehicle Disablement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing military systems for disabling war materiel, such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), face operational deficiencies due to defensive systems like Active Protection Systems (APS) that reduce the effectiveness of conventional anti-tank weapons and are costly and operationally cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
The development of targeted operational disablement systems using lower-cost UAVs that can navigate, identify, and engage specific target features on armored vehicles, such as the main gun barrel, by utilizing coupling devices and disablement devices like shaped charges or thermite.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional anti-tank weapons are used to disable armored vehicles, then the target can be destroyed, but the effectiveness is reduced by Active Protection Systems (APS) and the cost is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable UAVs equipped with shaped charges to disable armored vehicles. These low-cost, single-use drones approach the target and detonate their payload, disabling the vehicle without requiring expensive conventional anti-tank weapons. The disposable nature of the UAV allows for multiple attempts if the first is unsuccessful, overcoming the APS defensive barrier through economic rather than kinetic superiority.
Solution Approach 2:
The UAV acts as an intermediary carrier that delivers the disabling payload (shaped charge or thermite) to the target. Rather than using direct-fire conventional weapons that must penetrate APS, the UAV serves as a mobile delivery platform that can approach from various angles and release its payload in proximity to the target, bypassing the need for long-range engagement through defensive systems.
2Reliability
If conventional anti-tank weapons are deployed, then targets can be engaged, but the operational mobility and capacity of the delivering entity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces heavy mechanical anti-tank weapon systems with lightweight UAVs. Instead of deploying manned vehicles or heavy equipment to engage armored targets, the system uses aerial robots that can be launched from virtually any location. This substitution of mechanical delivery systems with aerial platforms restores operational mobility while maintaining target engagement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from ground-based or direct-line-of-sight anti-tank weapons to three-dimensional aerial delivery. UAVs operate in the air dimension, approaching targets from above and at various angles, rather than being constrained to ground-level engagement. This dimensional change provides superior operational mobility and access to targets that would be difficult or impossible to reach with conventional ground-based systems.
3Reliability
If targeted disablement of specific features is attempted, then operational success increases, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies disabling payloads to specific local features of the armored vehicle rather than attempting to destroy the entire vehicle. The UAV identifies and targets critical components such as the main gun barrel, vision systems, or communication antennas. By focusing the disabling action on specific local features, the system achieves high operational success with relatively simple payload delivery, avoiding the complexity of complete vehicle destruction while maximizing tactical effect.
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 increases the chances of operational success and provides more portable and cost-effective solutions by exploiting operational limitations of APS systems and allowing for real-time dynamic adjustments in the field.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing coupling devices and disablement devices like shaped charges or thermite
Implementation Method 2
utilizing coupling devices and disablement devices like shaped charges or thermite
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for targeted operational disablement that may utilize, for example, UAV-delivered shaped charges coupled to specific features of a target object. A UAV may navigate to, identify, and attach a disabling device to a critical component of a target such as a barrel of a tank main gun, a crew hatch cover, a tank tread, an engine compartment, or a magazine.