Lighter-than-air vehicle interceptor
OwnerDaniel Howard Muhlemaninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention provides a lighter-than-air (LTA) vehicle interceptor for neutralizing and/or capturing a non-cooperative LTA vehicle, such as a spy balloon. Embodiments of the interceptor may be equipped with various subsystems useful in missions to intercept, neutralize and ideally capture a threat payload attached to the non-cooperative LTA vehicle, even at stratospheric altitudes. Such subsystems may include an imaging device, severing effector, grasping effector, puncturing effector, weight-bearing apparatus, power subsystem, navigation subsystem, communication subsystem and propulsion.
Claims24
A lighter-than-air (LTA) vehicle interceptor for intercepting a non-cooperative LTA (NCLTA) vehicle having attached threat payload configured to operate aerially above ground, the LTA vehicle interceptor comprising:
- an airship vehicle platform capable of maneuvering to within an operable distance of the NCLTA vehicle having the attached threat payload;
- an interceptor payload attached to the airship vehicle platform, the interceptor payload further comprising:
- a severing effector for engaging with the NCLTA vehicle and the threat payload;
- and
- an on-board control subsystem for automated and/or remote control by an operator for controlling the interceptor payload and the severing effector;
- a power subsystem for powering the interceptor payload and the severing effector;
- and
- wherein the onboard control subsystem and the severing effector are configured to cooperate to separate the NCLTA vehicle from the threat payload and return the threat payload to the ground for operator retrieval.
A lighter-than-air (LTA) vehicle interceptor for intercepting a non-cooperative LTA (NCLTA) vehicle having attached threat payload configured to operate aerially above ground, the LTA vehicle interceptor comprising:
- an airship vehicle platform capable of maneuvering to within an operable distance of the NCLTA vehicle and the attached threat payload;
- an interceptor payload attached to the airship vehicle platform, the interceptor payload further comprising:
- a grasping effector configured for engaging the NCLTA vehicle and the threat payload;
- and
- an on-board control subsystem configured for automated and/or remote control by an operator for controlling the interceptor payload and the grasping effector;
- a power subsystem for powering the interceptor payload and the grasping effector;
- and
- wherein the onboard control subsystem and the grasping effector cooperate to clamp onto the NCLTA vehicle or the threat payload and return the threat payload to the ground for operator retrieval.
A lighter-than-air (LTA) vehicle interceptor for intercepting a non-cooperative LTA (NCLTA) vehicle having attached threat payload configured to operate aerially above ground, the LTA vehicle interceptor comprising:
- an airship vehicle platform capable of maneuvering to within an operable distance of the NCLTA vehicle and the attached threat payload;
- an interceptor payload attached to the airship vehicle platform, the interceptor payload further comprising:
- a puncturing effector configured for engaging the NCLTA vehicle and the threat payload;
- and
- an on-board control subsystem configured for automated and/or remote control by an operator for controlling the interceptor payload and the puncturing effector;
- a power subsystem configured for powering the interceptor payload and the puncturing effector;
- and
- wherein the on-board control subsystem and the puncturing effector are configured to cooperate to reduce buoyancy of the NCLTA vehicle and the threat payload and return the threat payload to the ground for operator retrieval.
A method for intercepting a non-cooperative lighter-than-air (NCLTA) vehicle including an envelope configured for up to stratospheric buoyancy and a threat payload suspended from the envelope by rigging, the method comprising:
- providing a lighter-than-air (LTA) vehicle interceptor configured for intercepting the NCLTA vehicle and the threat payload operating aerially above ground, the LTA vehicle interceptor further configured with a plurality of effectors for engaging the NCLTA vehicle and/or the threat payload;
- deploying the LTA vehicle interceptor from a location below the NCLTA vehicle;
- navigating the LTA vehicle interceptor to within an operational distance away from the NCLTA vehicle;
- engaging the NCLTA vehicle and/or the threat payload with at least one of the plurality of effectors to disable the NCLTA vehicle;
- securing the threat payload to the LTA vehicle interceptor;
- and
- returning the threat payload safely to the ground.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.