U.S. patent application number 11/431108 was filed with the patent office on 2007-11-15 for airborne platform protection apparatus and associated system and method.
This patent application is currently assigned to Chang Industry, Inc.. Invention is credited to Yu-Wen Chang, Trong-Huang Lee.
Application Number | 20070261542 11/431108 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38683896 |
Filed Date | 2007-11-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070261542 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chang; Yu-Wen ; et
al. |
November 15, 2007 |
Airborne platform protection apparatus and associated system and
method
Abstract
A protection apparatus adapted to protect a moving platform
against an incoming threat is provided. The protection apparatus is
deployed from the moving platform in a first direction toward the
threat, with the threat moving in a second direction toward the
moving platform at a threat velocity. The protection apparatus
comprises a projectile housing. A first deployable device is
operably engaged with the projectile housing, and is adapted to
capture the threat upon deployment such that the protection
apparatus mass is combined with the threat mass via the first
deployable device. A second deployable device is operably engaged
with the projectile housing, and is configured to be deployed upon
the first deployable device capturing the threat. The second
deployable device is further configured to decrease the velocity of
the combined protection apparatus and threat masses in the second
direction. Associated systems and methods are also provided.
Inventors: |
Chang; Yu-Wen; (Rancho Palos
Verdes, CA) ; Lee; Trong-Huang; (Walnut, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ALSTON & BIRD LLP
BANK OF AMERICA PLAZA
101 SOUTH TRYON STREET, SUITE 4000
CHARLOTTE
NC
28280-4000
US
|
Assignee: |
Chang Industry, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
38683896 |
Appl. No.: |
11/431108 |
Filed: |
May 9, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
89/1.11 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41H 13/0006 20130101;
F41H 11/02 20130101; F42B 12/68 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
089/001.11 |
International
Class: |
F41F 5/00 20060101
F41F005/00 |
Claims
1. A protection apparatus adapted to protect a moving airborne
platform associated therewith against an incoming threat having a
mass, the protection apparatus having a mass and adapted to be
deployed from the moving airborne platform in a first direction
toward the threat, the threat moving in a second direction toward
the moving airborne platform at a threat velocity, said protection
apparatus comprising: a projectile housing; a first deployable
device operably engaged with the projectile housing, the first
deployable device being adapted to capture the threat upon
deployment such that the protection apparatus mass is combined with
the threat mass via the first deployable device; and a second
deployable device operably engaged with the projectile housing, the
second deployable device being configured to be deployed upon the
first deployable device capturing the threat, the second deployable
device being further configured to decrease the velocity of the
combined protection apparatus and threat masses in the second
direction.
2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first deployable
device comprises one of a net structure and a decelerator
structure.
3. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the second deployable
device comprises one of a parachute structure and a decelerator
structure.
4. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a
deployment actuator operably engaged with one of the first and
second deployable devices.
5. An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the deployment
actuator is configured to be non-explosive.
6. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a first
detector device operably engaged with the projectile housing and
configured to sense a disposition of the threat with respect to the
projectile housing.
7. An apparatus according to claim 6 further comprising a first
controller device operably engaged with one of the first and second
deployable devices, the first controller device being responsive to
the first detector device to deploy the first deployable device to
capture the threat and to deploy the second deployable device to
slow the velocity of the combined protection apparatus and threat
masses in the second direction.
8. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the projectile housing
further comprises a leading portion configured to house the second
deployable device and a trailing portion configured to house the
first deployable device.
9. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a
safing/arming device operably engaged with one of the first and
second deployable devices, and configured to prevent deployment
thereof until the protection apparatus is deployed from the moving
platform.
10. An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the safing/arming
device is configured to be remotely controlled.
11. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the projectile
housing is configured to be deployed by a launching device adapted
to be operably engaged with the moving platform.
12. An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the launching device
is further configured to deploy the projectile housing in response
to a second controller device operably engaged with the launching
device.
13. An apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the second
controller device is further configured to direct the launching
device to deploy the projectile housing in response to detection of
the incoming threat by a second detection device operably engaged
therewith.
14. A protection system adapted to protect a moving platform
associated therewith against an incoming threat having a mass, said
protection system comprising: a launching device adapted to
operably engage the moving platform; and a protection apparatus
having a mass and configured to be deployed by the launching device
in a first direction toward the threat, the threat moving in a
second direction toward the moving platform at a threat velocity,
said protection apparatus comprising: a projectile housing; a first
deployable device operably engaged with the projectile housing, the
first deployable device being adapted to capture the threat upon
deployment such that the protection apparatus mass is combined with
the threat mass via the first deployable device; and a second
deployable device operably engaged with the projectile housing, the
second deployable device being configured to be deployed upon the
first deployable device capturing the threat, the second deployable
device being further configured to decrease the velocity of the
combined protection apparatus and threat masses in the second
direction.
15. A system according to claim 14 wherein the first deployable
device comprises one of a net structure and a decelerator
structure.
16. A system according to claim 14 wherein the second deployable
device comprises one of a parachute structure and a decelerator
structure.
17. A system according to claim 14 further comprising a deployment
actuator operably engaged with one of the first and second
deployable devices.
18. A system according to claim 17 wherein the deployment actuator
is configured to be non-explosive.
19. A system according to claim 14 further comprising a first
detector device operably engaged with the projectile housing and
configured to sense a disposition of the threat with respect to the
projectile housing.
20. A system according to claim 19 further comprising a first
controller device operably engaged with one of the first and second
deployable devices, the first controller device being responsive to
the first detector device to deploy the first deployable device to
capture the threat and to deploy the second deployable device to
slow the velocity of the combined protection apparatus and threat
masses in the second direction.
21. A system according to claim 14 wherein the projectile housing
further comprises a leading portion configured to house the second
deployable device and a trailing portion configured to house the
first deployable device.
22. A system according to claim 14 further comprising a
safing/arming device operably engaged with one of the first and
second deployable devices, and configured to prevent deployment
thereof until the protection apparatus is deployed from the moving
platform.
23. A system according to claim 22 wherein the safing/arming device
is configured to be remotely controlled.
24. A system according to claim 14 wherein the launching device is
further configured to deploy the projectile housing in response to
a second controller device operably engaged with the launching
device.
25. A system according to claim 24 wherein the second controller
device is further configured to direct the launching device to
deploy the projectile housing in response to detection of the
incoming threat by a second detection device operably engaged
therewith.
26. A method of protecting a moving platform against an incoming
threat having a mass, said method comprising: deploying a
protection apparatus from the moving platform in a first direction
toward a threat in response to detection thereof, the threat moving
in a second direction toward the moving platform at a threat
velocity, the protection apparatus having a mass and comprising a
projectile housing having a first and a second deployable device
operably engaged therewith; deploying the first deployable device
from the projectile housing to capture the threat such that the
protection apparatus mass is combined with the threat mass via the
first deployable device; and deploying the second deployable device
from the projectile housing, upon the first deployable device
capturing the threat, such that the second deployable device
decreases the velocity of the combined protection apparatus and
threat masses in the second direction.
27. A method according to claim 26 wherein deploying the first
deployable device further comprises deploying the first deployable
device, comprising one of a net structure and a decelerator
structure, from the projectile housing.
28. A method according to claim 26 wherein deploying the second
deployable device further comprises deploying the first deployable
device, comprising one of a parachute structure and a decelerator
structure, from the projectile housing.
29. A method according to claim 26 wherein one of deploying the
first deployable device and deploying the second deployable device
further comprises deploying the one of the first and second
deployable devices with a non-explosive deployment actuator
operably engaged therewith.
30. A method according to claim 26 further comprising detecting a
disposition of the threat with respect to the projectile housing
with a first detector device operably engaged therewith.
31. A method according to claim 30 wherein deploying the first and
second deployable devices further comprises deploying the first
deployable device to capture the threat and deploying the second
deployable device to slow the velocity of the combined protection
apparatus and threat masses in the second direction with a first
controller device operably engaged therewith in response to the
first detector device.
32. A method according to claim 26 wherein deploying the first and
second deployable devices further comprises deploying the first
deployable device from a trailing portion of the projectile housing
and deploying the second deployable device from a leading portion
of the projectile housing.
33. A method according to claim 26 further comprising preventing
deployment of one of the first and second deployable devices, until
the protection apparatus is deployed from the moving platform, with
a safing/arming device operably engaged therewith.
34. A method according to claim 26 wherein deploying the protection
apparatus further comprises deploying the protection apparatus from
the moving platform with a launching device adapted to be operably
engaged therewith.
35. A method according to claim 34 wherein deploying the protection
apparatus further comprises deploying the protection apparatus from
the moving platform with a launching device in response to a second
controller device operably engaged with the launching device.
36. A method according to claim 35 wherein deploying the protection
apparatus further comprises directing the launching device to
deploy the protection apparatus with the second controller device
in response to detection of the incoming threat by a second
detection device operably engaged with the second controller
device.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a defensive device and,
more particularly, to a protection apparatus and associated system
and method for protecting an airborne platform from an incoming
threat.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] Many aircraft such as, for example, commercial aircraft are
vulnerable to attack, such as with rockets and missiles, during
take-off and landing, generally at a low altitude and low airspeed.
Some active protection systems have been developed that can be
implemented to destroy the warhead section of such threats using a
threat-defeating interceptor having its own warhead that can be
launched from platforms such as airborne helicopters and armored
ground vehicles protection. However, such active protection systems
utilize an interceptor carrying an explosively-loaded warhead,
which may result in undesirable risk to the platform being
protected in instances where the platform is, for example, a
commercial aircraft. That is, the explosive warhead carried by the
interceptor and used to defeat the threat may result in an
undesirable risk to a commercial aircraft upon the explosion
resulting from the threat being defeated.
[0005] More particularly, airborne platforms such as, for example,
helicopters, airplanes, and the like, both military and civil as
well as private and commercial, are subject to threats that can be
generally categorized as follows: [0006] i. Chemical Energy (CE)
threats such as, for example, missiles and unguided rockets,
including but not limited to shoulder fired missiles, such as
anti-aircraft type missiles, having a speed on the order of about
1,000 ft/sec to about 3,000 ft/sec. [0007] ii. Shoulder-fired low
cost CE threats such as, for example, rocket-propelled grenades
("RPG") having a speed on the order of about 400 ft/sec.
[0008] In this regard, specific defensive countermeasure ("CM")
techniques generally, and in theory, must be applied to defeat each
respective type of threat. For example, a CE threat can be defeated
by a fragmenting or blasting type of CM that can hit one or more
critical locations of the warhead of the threat such that the
warhead is asymmetrically detonated and thus becomes unable to form
a penetrator or a penetrating jet typically characterizing such a
threat, since simply destroying the body of the CE threat could
still allow the penetrator formation and result in the piercing of
the armor of and subsequent damage to the platform. However, the
resulting explosions of the CM, and possibly the warhead of the
threat, would represent a high risk to a slow-moving airborne
platform.
[0009] Thus, there exists a need for a non-explosive protective
weapon system capable of being effective to protect against
incoming threats aimed at slow-moving and low-flying airborne
platforms such as commercial aircraft during take-off and landing.
In some instances, a simple configuration and/or construction of
the protection apparatus, that is effective without using
explosives, may be advantageous in terms of operational
effectiveness, cost effectiveness, ease of
construction/maintenance, and dependability.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The above and other needs are met by the present invention
which, in one embodiment, provides a protection apparatus adapted
to protect a moving platform associated therewith against an
incoming threat having a mass. The protection apparatus has a mass
and is adapted to be deployed from the moving platform in a first
direction toward the threat, wherein the threat is moving in a
second direction toward the moving platform at a threat velocity.
Such a protection apparatus comprises a projectile housing. A first
deployable device is operably engaged with the projectile housing,
and is adapted to capture the threat upon deployment such that the
protection apparatus mass is combined with the threat mass via the
first deployable device. A second deployable device is operably
engaged with the projectile housing, and is configured to be
deployed upon the first deployable device capturing the threat. The
second deployable device is further configured to decrease the
velocity of the combined protection apparatus and threat masses in
the second direction.
[0011] Another advantageous aspect of the present invention
comprises a protection system adapted to protect a moving platform
associated therewith against an incoming threat having a mass. Such
a protection system comprises a launching device adapted to
operably engage the moving platform. A protection apparatus has a
mass and is configured to be deployed by the launching device in a
first direction toward the threat, with the threat moving in a
second direction toward the moving platform at a threat velocity.
Such a protection apparatus comprises a projectile housing. A first
deployable device is operably engaged with the projectile housing,
and is adapted to capture the threat upon deployment such that the
protection apparatus mass is combined with the threat mass via the
first deployable device. A second deployable device is operably
engaged with the projectile housing, and is configured to be
deployed upon the first deployable device capturing the threat. The
second deployable device is further configured to decrease the
velocity of the combined protection apparatus and threat masses in
the second direction.
[0012] Yet another advantageous aspect of the present invention
comprises a method of protecting a moving platform against an
incoming threat having a mass. Such a method comprises deploying a
protection apparatus from the moving platform in a first direction
toward a threat in response to detection thereof, with the threat
moving in a second direction toward the moving platform at a threat
velocity. The protection apparatus has a mass and comprises a
projectile housing having a first and a second deployable device
operably engaged therewith. The first deployable device is deployed
from the projectile housing to capture the threat such that the
protection apparatus mass is combined with the threat mass via the
first deployable device. The second deployable device is then
deployed from the projectile housing, upon the first deployable
device capturing the threat, such that the second deployable device
decreases the velocity of the combined protection apparatus and
threat masses in the second direction.
[0013] Embodiments of the present invention thus provide a
protection apparatus having certain advantageous features. For
example, some embodiments implement a cuing sensor that is capable
of, for instance, detecting the threat(s); discriminating the
threat(s) from non-threats; determining the threat flight path,
including distance, speed, and angular position, to determine if
the platform to be protected will actually be threatened; timely
directing the launch of an appropriate protection apparatus to
capture the threat and prevent the threat from reaching the
platform or otherwise disabling or deflecting the threat.
Accordingly, a protection apparatus can be timely launched with an
appropriate launch time and exit speed so to engage the threat at a
pre-determined safe distance (otherwise referred to herein as the
intercept distance) from the platform. Embodiments of the present
invention therefore meet the above-identified needs and provide
significant advantages as further detailed herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)
[0014] Having thus described the invention in general terms,
reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are
not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a schematic of functionality of a protection
apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention for
protecting a moving airborne platform against an incoming
threat;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a schematic of a moving airborne platform being
exposed to an incoming threat;
[0017] FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a protection apparatus
according to one embodiment of the present invention being launched
from a moving airborne platform in response to an incoming threat;
and
[0018] FIGS. 4-8 schematically illustrate a protection apparatus
according to one embodiment of the present invention being deployed
to intercept an incoming threat and alter a trajectory
characteristic thereof to thereby allow the moving airborne
platform to escape the threat.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] The present invention now will be described more fully
hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
some, but not all embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed,
this invention may be embodied in many different forms and should
not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein;
rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will
satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like
elements throughout.
[0020] FIGS. 1 and 2 schematically illustrate functionality of a
protection apparatus according to one embodiment of the present
invention, such a protection apparatus being indicated by the
numeral 100 for protecting a moving airborne platform 50 against an
incoming threat 75. In such a scenario, the threat 75 (such as, for
example, an unguided rocket, or an optical, radar or infrared
guided/heat-seeking missile) has a weight W.sub.threat (and
corresponding mass) and an approaching velocity V.sub.threat toward
the airborne platform 50 such as, or example, an airplane. An
airborne platform 50, such as an airplane, initially taking off at
a low altitude, for example, about 50 ft from the ground, may have
a velocity V.sub.platform of about 150 mph or higher. At this
point, the aircraft 50 is vulnerable to the threat 75 since
maneuverability of the aircraft 50 is limited and the airspeed
thereof is relatively low.
[0021] According to embodiments of the present invention, the
aircraft 50 includes a threat detection system 600 having, for
example, an optical sensor, an infrared sensor, and/or a radar
device, configured to detect the incoming threat 75 directed toward
the aircraft 50. Such a threat detection system 600 may comprise,
for example, a cuing sensor (or "second detection device")
associated therewith. In such embodiments, the cuing sensor may be
configured to, for example, direct the launching device 500 via a
controller device ("second controller device"--not shown) to launch
the protection apparatus 100 in response to detection of the
incoming threat 75 (see, e.g., FIG. 3). The threat detection system
600 may be implemented in many different manners. For example, the
threat detection system 600 may be mounted to the platform 50 on or
in close proximity to the launching device 500, may be mounted in
the protection apparatus 100, or may be disposed remotely with
respect to the launching device 500 and/or the platform 50.
[0022] In embodiments of the present invention, the threat
detection system 600/cuing sensor is important to the effectiveness
of the protection apparatus 100, and the parameters of the threat
detection system 600/cuing sensor are defined, at least in part, by
the type of threat 75 and an intercept distance 125 from the
platform 50 that the threat 75 is intercepted. That is, the threat
75 must be intercepted at a distance of at least the intercept
distance 125 from the platform 50, as shown in FIG. 1, in order for
the desired level of protection to be provided. The intercept
distance 125 may be determined from a variety of factors such as,
for example, the sensitivity of the threat detection system
600/cuing sensor, the time necessary to actuate the launching
device 500 and to launch the protection apparatus 100, the time
required to deploy the first deployable device 300 (as further
discussed herein) from the protection apparatus 100, the
acceleration and intercept speed of the protection apparatus 100,
the nature of the platform 50 to be protected, the speed of the
threat 75, and/or the launch distance of the threat 75 with respect
to the platform 50. However, one skilled in the art will readily
appreciate that many other factors may determine an appropriate
intercept distance 125. Various embodiments of the threat detection
system 600/cuing sensor/controller device/launching device 500
implemented in the present invention are disclosed, for example, in
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/787,843, filed Feb. 26, 2004,
and Ser. No. 11/225,814, filed Sep. 13, 2005, both entitled Active
Protection Device and Associated Apparatus, System, and Method and
assigned to Chang Industry (the assignee of the present invention),
both of which are hereby incorporated herein in their entirety by
reference.
[0023] Embodiments of the protection apparatus 100 are particularly
configured to protect the platform 50 against an incoming threat
75, wherein such a threat 75 may be, for instance, a chemical
energy (CE) type such as a rocket-propelled grenade ("RPG"), a
kinetic energy (KE) type threat, or any other type of threat 75
which may be addressed and intercepted by a protection apparatus
100 as described herein or extensions or variants thereof within
the spirit and scope of the present invention. Still further, the
term "platform" as used herein is intended to be entirely
nonrestrictive and may include, for example, an airborne vehicle
such as a helicopter, an airplane (commercial, civilian, or
military), an unmanned drone, or the like. However, the platform 50
does not necessarily need to be a "vehicle," but may also comprise,
for example, an orbiting satellite.
[0024] In one embodiment, the protection apparatus 100 is
configured as an aerodynamic missile-like interceptor device, as
shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, wherein the protection apparatus 100
generally includes a projectile housing 250 having a leading
portion 200 and a trailing portion 225, a first deployable device
300, and a second deployable device 400 (as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8)
The components of the protection apparatus 100 combine to define a
protection apparatus weight W.sub.intercept (or corresponding
mass), wherein the protection apparatus 100 includes a propulsion
system (not shown) for allowing the protection apparatus 100 to
attain a particular intercept velocity V.sub.intercept upon launch.
One skilled in the art will appreciate that such a propulsion
system may be configured in many different manners, as appropriate,
though, in one embodiment, the propulsion system is configured to
be non-explosive or minimally explosive.
[0025] The first deployable device 300 is operably engaged with and
housed by the projectile housing 250, particularly about the
trailing portion 225 thereof. In some instances, however, the first
deployable device 300 may be housed and/or deployed from a medial
portion of the projectile housing 250 (see, e.g., FIG. 4). In one
embodiment, the first deployable device 300 is configured to be
deployed from the trailing portion 225 of the projectile housing
250 (FIGS. 4 and 5), after the protection apparatus 100 is launched
from the launching device 500 of the platform 50, so as to
intercept and capture the threat 75 such that the protection
apparatus weight W.sub.intercept (or corresponding mass) is
combined with the threat weight W.sub.threat (or corresponding
mass) via the first deployable device 300 (see, e.g., FIG. 6). In
such a manner, the combination of the protection apparatus and
threat weights, for example, at least partially reduces the
velocity, momentum, or kinetic energy of the threat 75, without
causing the threat 75 to detonate or otherwise explode.
[0026] As shown in FIGS. 5-8, the first deployable device 300 may
further comprise, for example, a net-like structure or a
decelerator device formed of, for instance, an aramid fiber
material such as Kevlar.TM. brand fiber material from DuPont, a
fiberglass material, a carbon fiber material, a lightweight metal
or polymer material, or combinations thereof. Such a first
deployable device 300 is configured to be, for example,
sufficiently strong, tear resistant, and light weight such that,
when deployed projectile housing 250, spreads out radially from the
projectile housing 250 to define a capture area for capturing the
threat 75. In one embodiment, the first deployable device 300 is
configured to be deployed without significantly slowing the
velocity V.sub.intercept of the protection apparatus 100. Further,
if the first deployable device 300 is a net-like structure, each
net opening is configured/sized to be smaller than the maximum
cross-sectional area of the threat 75 to be intercepted. In some
instances, the net-like structure of the first deployable device
300 and/or the net opening defined thereby is configured to be
resilient or at least partially yielding or plastically deformable
so as to reduce the "impact" experienced by the threat 75 upon
capture thereof by the first deployable device 300. The reduction
in the "impact" upon capturing the threat 75 may be desirable
because, in some instances, the threat fuse is a piezoelectric
device configured to produce a detonation pulse to the warhead
carried by the threat 75 when an impact pressure is sensed. The
first deployable device 300 and/or the protection apparatus 100
must thus be configured to dampen or otherwise minimize the
apparent "impact" experienced by the threat 75 upon capture
thereof. In addition, the first deployable device 300, in one
alternate embodiment, may be configured to deflect the threat 75
upon capture such that, if the threat 75 does detonate, the
direction of detonation is away from the platform 50.
[0027] When deployed, the first deployable device 300 may have many
different shapes such as, for example, generally rectangular or
circular. In some advantageous instances the first deployable
device radially extends to have a height dimension at least as tall
as the platform 50. In other advantageous instances, the first
deployable device 300 is configured to have a deployment actuator
(not shown) operably engaged therewith for deploying the same from
the projectile housing 250 to radially extend therefrom. In some
instances, the first deployable device 300 is configured to be
deployed by the deployment actuator via a controller device ("first
controller device"--not shown), wherein the controller device is
configured to be responsive to the detection of the threat 75 by a
first detector device or fusing sensor (not shown) carried by the
protection apparatus 100 about the leading portion 200 or in the
medial portion of the projectile housing 250. One skilled in the
art will appreciate, however, that the first deployable device 300
may be deployed in many different manners such as, for example, via
a timing sequence or via a threat detection signal from the threat
detection system 600/cuing sensor, and the implementation of a
fusing sensor in embodiments of the present invention is merely
exemplary of one alternate embodiment that is not intended to be
limiting in any manner. Various embodiments and configurations of
such a fusing sensor implemented in the present invention are
disclosed, for example, in U.S. patent application Ser. No.
10/787,843, filed Feb. 26, 2004, and Ser. No. 11/225,814, filed
Sep. 13, 2005, both entitled Active Protection Device and
Associated Apparatus, System, and Method and assigned to Chang
Industry (the assignee of the present invention), both of which are
hereby incorporated herein in their entirety by reference.
[0028] One skilled in the art will further appreciate that the
cuing sensor comprising the second detection device, and the fusing
sensor comprising the first detection device, according to
embodiments of the present invention, may each more generally
comprise a range-finding apparatus configured to sense the threat
75 as well as determine a range thereof with respect to the
platform 50. Accordingly, any such range-finding apparatus may
comprise, for example, any one or more of a laser detection and
ranging device (LADAR), a radio detection and ranging device
(RADAR), and a light detection and ranging device (LIDAR), wherein
such range-finding apparatuses may be configured to operate in any
appropriate spectrum or at any appropriate frequency, using any
appropriate signal-generating and/or signal-detecting mechanism.
For example, an appropriate signal for such a range-detecting
apparatus may be generated in the millimeter wave range or the
microwave range, or in the infrared spectrum or the visible light
spectrum, while the signal-generating mechanism may comprise a
laser or a light-emitting diode (LED). Accordingly, one skilled in
the art will appreciate that the examples of detection devices
presented herein are not intended to be limiting in any manner.
[0029] The deployment actuator and the first deployable device 300
are configured such that the first deployable device 300 is
relatively quickly deployed, such as on the order of milliseconds
or less, once notified by the first controller device of the
detection of the threat 75 in proximity to the protection apparatus
100 by the fusing sensor. Further, the area of the first deployable
device 300 may be, for example, at least 50 feet in width (or
diameter), with a height of at least 10 feet, or as necessary to
correspond to the height of the airborne platform 50. However, the
dimensions of the first deployable device 300 are preferably sized
such that, at a minimum deployment altitude of the protection
apparatus 100/first deployable device 300, the first deployable
device 300 will not contact the ground. For example, given the
layouts of most airports, the platform 50 will generally be at
least 20 feet in air before being vulnerable to attack by a threat
75 and, as such, the first deployable device 300 can be sized
accordingly. However, one skilled in the art will appreciate that
these examples are not intended to be limiting in any manner since
the first deployable device 300 may be appropriately sized to meet
many different circumstances where an airborne platform 50 is to be
protected from a threat 75.
[0030] Preferably, the deployment actuator is configured to be
non-explosive with respect to the manner in which the first
deployable device 300 is deployed from the projectile housing 250.
For example, the deployment actuator may be configured to operate
via a pressurized fluid or compressed gas, such as air, nitrogen,
or other appropriate gas or fluid. One skilled in the art will
appreciate, however, that the deployment actuator can be configured
in many different manners such as, for example, to use a mild
explosive or a mechanical device for deploying the first deployable
device 300. In some instances, the first deployable device 300
includes, for example, weighted members 325 (see, e.g., FIGS. 4-8)
disposed about the perimeter thereof that are deployed by the
deployment actuator to facilitate the radial spread of the first
deployable device 300. The perimeter portion of the first
deployable device 300 may also be configured to capture the threat
75 and/or deflect the threat 75 from the trajectory toward the
platform 50. As discussed, the first deployable device 300, the
weight (mass) of the protection apparatus 100, and/or the velocity
of the protection apparatus 100 are preferably configured such
that, upon capture and/or deflection of the threat 75 thereby, the
threat 75 is not detonated or otherwise caused to explode. In this
manner, the explosive threat to the platform 50 is reduced or
minimized if the threat 75 is captured in relatively close
proximity to the platform 50, and the risk or injury/damage to
persons and/or property on the ground is also reduced.
[0031] To reiterate, the protection apparatus 100 launched from the
airborne platform 50 has a weight W.sub.intercept (mass) and a
velocity of V.sub.intercept. After the deployed first deployable
device 300 has captured the threat 75, the combined weight
W.sub.threat+W.sub.intercept (mass) will have a smaller velocity
toward the airborne platform 50 due to the reduction in the
momentum or kinetic energy of the threat 75 caused by the
interaction with the protection apparatus 100 via the first
deployable device 300. That is, when the threat 75 is captured by
the first deployable device 300, the weight thereof will be
combined such that the combined momentum in the direction of the
airborne platform 50 will be:
V.sub.combined={(W.sub.threat.times.V.sub.threat)-(W.sub.interce-
pt.times.V.sub.intercept)}/(W.sub.threat+W.sub.intercept)
[0032] As a result, V.sub.combined will be lesser than
V.sub.threat. However, the decrease in the velocity V.sub.threat of
the threat 75 may not be sufficient to prevent the threat 75 from
impacting the airborne platform 50. As such, embodiments of the
present invention further comprise a second deployable device 400
operably engaged with the protection apparatus 100. As shown in
FIGS. 7 and 8, the second deployable device 400 may comprise, for
example, a parachute-type device or a decelerator device housed by
the leading portion 200 of the projectile housing 250, and formed
of, for instance, an aramid fiber material such as Kevlar.TM. brand
fiber material from DuPont, a fiberglass material, a carbon fiber
material, a lightweight metal or polymer material, or combinations
thereof. Such a second deployable device 400 is configured to be,
for example, sufficiently strong, tear resistant, and light weight
such that, when deployed from the projectile housing 250, the
second deployable device 400 spreads out radially from the
projectile housing 250 for decelerating, slowing, and/or altering
the trajectory of the threat 75. In some instances, however, the
second deployable device 400 may be housed and/or deployed from a
medial portion of the projectile housing 250.
[0033] The protection apparatus 100 is configured such that
commensurately with or soon after the threat 75 is captured by the
first deployable device 300, the second deployable device 400 is
deployed by a deployment actuator (not shown) operably engaged
therewith, in some instances, via the first controller device that
may also be operably engaged therebetween. In other instances, the
deployment actuator and/or the first controller device may be
configured to be responsive to the impact between the first
deployable device 300 and the threat 75, via an appropriate
detection mechanism (not shown) such as, for example, an
accelerometer or any other suitable mechanical, electrical, or
electromechanical device, to deploy the second deployable device
400 as the threat 75 is captured. When deployed, the second
deployable device 400 may have many different shapes such as, for
example, generally rectangular or circular. The deployed second
deployable device 400 thereby acts to decelerate and/or alter the
trajectory of the combined weights of the protection apparatus 100
and the threat 75. Preferably, the deployment actuator for
deploying the second deployable device 400 is configured to be
non-explosive with respect to the manner in which the second
deployable device 400 is deployed from the projectile housing 250.
For example, the deployment actuator may be configured to operate
via a pressurized fluid or compressed gas, such as air, nitrogen,
or other appropriate gas or fluid. One skilled in the art will
appreciate, however, that the deployment actuator can be configured
in many different manners such as, for example, to use a mild
explosive or a mechanical device for deploying the second
deployable device 400.
[0034] According to various embodiments of the present invention,
the protection apparatus 100 also includes various componentry 275
(FIGS. 4-7) disposed within the projectile housing 250 for
providing the functionality disclosed herein. For instance, the
componentry 275 may include the deployment actuator(s) for the
first and second deployable devices 300, 400, the first controller
device, the first detection device (fusing sensor), a power supply
(i.e., a charged capacitor power supply) for powering any or all of
the devices included in the componentry 275, and a safing and
arming device (not shown). The safing and arming device is a
mechanism configured to prevent an unintentional or otherwise
faulty launch of the protection apparatus 100, the first deployable
device 300, and/or the second deployable device 400. For example,
the safing and arming device may be controlled by an operator of
the platform 50 so as to arm (allow operation) of the protection
apparatus 100 upon takeoff and to safe (disallow operation) the
protection apparatus 100 upon landing. In some instances, the
safing and arming device may be further configured to allow the
first and second deployable devices 300, 400 to function only upon
launch of the protection apparatus 100 from the platform 50.
[0035] According to embodiments of the present invention, the time
required for the threat 75, captured by the first deployable device
300, to reach the original position of the platform 50 is
D/V.sub.combined, where D is the intercept distance 125. However,
during this time, the airborne platform 50 is continuing to move at
a forward velocity V.sub.platform and, thus, will proceed from the
original position by a distance
d=V.sub.platform.times.(D/V.sub.combined), where the distance d is
indicated by the numeral 175 in FIG. 1.
[0036] In one exemplary scenario, a threat 75 may comprise a
rocket-propelled grenade (RPG), where such an RPG may have a weight
W.sub.threat of about 5 lbs, and typically has a velocity
V.sub.threat of about 700 ft/sec. Once launched from the platform
50, a protection apparatus 100 according to embodiments of the
present invention may have a weight W.sub.intercept of, for
example, about 5 lbs, and a velocity V.sub.intercept of about 500
ft/sec. Once captured by the first deployable device 300, the
velocity V.sub.combined of the combined protection apparatus and
threat weights (10 lbs) toward the airborne platform 50 will be
about 100 ft/sec. If a suitable intercept distance D for the
protection apparatus 100 to capture the threat 75 is determined to
be about 50 ft from the airborne platform 50, the combined
protection apparatus and threat weights will take about 0.5 sec to
traverse the 50 ft intercept distance D. During this 0.5 sec, the
airborne platform 50, presuming a velocity V.sub.platform of 150
mph or 220 ft/sec (a Boeing 737 taking off has a speed of about 150
mph at an altitude of about 50 feet), will have traveled a distance
of about 110 feet along its flight path (which may be presumed, in
some instances, to be generally perpendicular to the trajectory of
the threat 75) from its original position where it would have
originally been impacted by the threat 75.
[0037] However, the first deployable device 300 capturing the
threat 75 may not be sufficient in itself to slow down some
threats, such as a high-speed shoulder-launched optically-or
radar-guided missile, to allow the platform 50 to escape. A typical
optically-guided missile may weigh, for example, about 10 lbs and
have a velocity of about 2,500 ft/sec. As a result, the second
deployable device 400 is important for reducing the velocity of the
threat 75 as soon as possible after the threat 75 is captured by
the first deployable device 300.
[0038] Various exemplary scenarios addressed by embodiments of the
present invention are provided below in Table 1: TABLE-US-00001
TABLE 1 Scenario I: Scenario II: RPG threat; RPG threat; Scenario
III: Protection Protection High speed guided apparatus apparatus
missile threat; without second with second Protection apparatus
deployable deployable with second Parameters Description Unit
device device deployable device Hypothetical W.sub.threat lb 5 5 10
Numbers V.sub.threat Ft/sec 700 700 2500 W.sub.intercept lb 5 5 5
V.sub.intercept Ft/sec 500 500 500 V.sub.platform mph 150 150 300
Calculated Diameter of second ft 0 (No 6 6 Results deployable
device second deployable device) Intercept distance from platform
ft 50 50 50 Time for threat to reach sec 0.5 105 1.15 airplane
after capture by first deployable device Platform displacement from
Ft 110 2233 506 original position Notes: The above calculations are
based on the air density of 0.077 lb/ft.sup.3 and drag coefficient
of 1.2.
[0039] Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention
set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to
which this invention pertain having the benefit of the teachings
presented in the foregoing description and the associated drawings.
Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be
limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that
modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included
within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms
are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive
sense only and not for purposes of limitation.
* * * * *