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US 11,947,349 B2Granted
Methods and apparatuses for engagement management of aerial threats
AssigneeNorthrop Grumman Systems Corporation
InventorsJames Kolanek, Behshad Baseghi, David Sharpin, Anthony Visco, Falin Shieh
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Embodiments include engagement management systems and methods for managing engagement with aerial threats. Such systems include radar modules and detect aerial threats within a threat range of a base location. The systems also track intercept vehicles and control flight paths and detonation capabilities of the intercept vehicles. The systems are capable of communication between multiple engagement management systems and coordinated control of multiple intercept vehicles.
Claims34
An active protection system comprising:
- a controller comprising:
- at least one processor;
- and
- at least one computer-readable storage medium storing instructions thereon that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the active protection system to:
- deploy a first intercept vehicle and a second intercept vehicle, each carried by a platform, from the platform and cause each of the first intercept vehicle and the second intercept vehicle to exit a vicinity of the platform;
- cause each of the first intercept vehicle and the second intercept vehicle to perform a pitch maneuver to align the first intercept vehicle and the second intercept vehicle along an intercept vector pointed substantially toward a projected intercept point with an identified aerial threat after the first intercept vehicle and the second intercept vehicle exit the vicinity of the platform;
- and
- cause each of the first intercept vehicle and the second intercept vehicle to perform a thrust maneuver to accelerate the first intercept vehicle and the second intercept vehicle along the intercept vector.
5 more elements
An intercept vehicle comprising:
- one or more sensors configured to acquire data regarding conditions during a flight of the intercept vehicle;
- and
- a controller operably coupled to the one or more sensors, the controller comprising:
- at least one processor;
- and
- at least one computer-readable storage medium storing instructions thereon that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to:
- receive data from the one or more sensors;
- and
- responsive to the received data and a sensed rotation of the intercept vehicle about a longitudinal axis thereof, cause the intercept vehicle to effectuate an adjustment to a flight path of the intercept vehicle by causing one or more divert thrusters of the intercept vehicle to fire.
6 more elements
An intercept vehicle comprising:
- alignment thrusters configured to rotate the intercept vehicle about an axis orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the intercept vehicle to at least substantially align the longitudinal axis of the intercept vehicle with an intercept vector via a pitch maneuver;
- one or more sensors configured to acquire data regarding conditions during flight of the intercept vehicle;
- and
- a controller operably coupled to the alignment thrusters and the one or more sensors, the controller comprising:
- at least one processor;
- and
- at least one computer-readable storage medium storing instructions thereon that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to:
- receive data from the one or more sensors;
- and
- responsive to the received data, adjust a flight path of the intercept vehicle by causing one or more of the alignment thrusters to fire.
7 more elements
A vehicle, comprising:
- a controller comprising:
- at least one processor;
- and
- at least one computer-readable storage medium storing instructions thereon that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the vehicle to:
- perform a first action of a launch sequence to leave a platform;
- perform a second action of the launch sequence after the first action of the launch sequence, the second action comprising causing a plurality of pitch thrusters of the vehicle to fire to perform a pitch maneuver to align the vehicle along a vector pointed substantially toward a target;
- accelerate by causing a rocket motor of the vehicle to fire;
- transmit data regarding one or more conditions observed by sensors of the vehicle during flight of the vehicle;
- and
- detonate a warhead of the vehicle when the vehicle reaches a closest point of approach to the target.
7 more elements
A method of controlling a vehicle, comprising:
- releasing the vehicle from a carrier disposed on a platform;
- subsequent to releasing the vehicle, causing the vehicle to substantially align along a vector via a pitch maneuver;
- causing a motor of the vehicle to fire after causing the vehicle to substantially align along the vector via the pitch maneuver;
- causing the vehicle to accelerate along a flight path substantially aligned with the vector;
- transmitting, from the platform, at least one communication to the vehicle indicating the closest point of approach of the vehicle and the target of interest;
- receiving, at the platform and from the vehicle, data regarding one or more observed conditions at the closest point of approach of the vehicle and the target of interest;
- and
- causing the vehicle to detonate at a closest point of approach of the vehicle to a target of interest on the vector.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.