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US 5,662,291 AGranted
Device for self-defense against missiles
AssigneeDaimler-Benz Aerospace AG
InventorsGunther Sepp, Rudolf Protz
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention relates to a device for self-defense of aircraft against missiles and provides for a combination of a proximity sensor for the enemy missile, an intercepting rocket, and an aimed light beam, with the light beam optionally being used alone as an optical jammer against an optical homing head on the missile, or being used together with the intercepting rocket to steer it optically by either a semi-active or a beam rider steering method.
Claims13
A missile defense system comprising:
- a control computer;
- a proximity sensor for detecting the presence of an incoming missile;
- an intercepting rocket system which can be guided by a semi-active steering method or by a beam rider steering method;
- and
- an optical jamming device which includes a light source, aiming optics and an aiming control system for controlling said aiming optics to direct a light beam from said light source in a direction determined by the control computer as a function of at least a trajectory of said incoming missile;
- wherein said control computer comprises
- i) first means for selecting either optical jamming or an intercepting rocket to combat said incoming missile;
- ii) second means, operative if an intercepting rocket is selected, for selecting a semi-active steering method or a beam rider steering method for guiding said intercepting rocket;
- iii) third means responsive to selection by said first and second means for modulating a light beam from said light source to set parameters which are suitable for optical jamming or for a selected steering method;
- iv) fourth means for calculating a trajectory of said incoming missile and a collision point of said incoming missile and an intercepting rocket;
- and
- v) fifth means for selecting a direction of said light beam toward a nose of said incoming missile if optical jamming has been selected, to a point of maximum vulnerability of said missile if semi-active steering of an intercepting rocket is selected, or to said collision point if beam rider steering has been selected.
9 more elements
Method of defending against an incoming missile comprising the steps of:
- first, providing a missile diverting or destroying system comprising a proximity sensor for detecting the presence of an incoming missile, an intercepting rocket system which can be guided by a semi-active steering method or a beam rider steering method, and an optical jamming and steering system which includes a light source, aiming optics and an aiming control system for controlling said aiming optics to direct a light beam from said light source in a direction determined as a function of at least a trajectory of said incoming missile;
- second, detecting an incoming missile by means of said proximity sensor;
- third, calculating a trajectory of said incoming missile and a collision point of said incoming missile and an intercepting rocket;
- fourth, selecting either optical jamming or an intercepting rocket to combat said incoming missile;
- fifth, if an intercepting rocket is selected, further selecting a semi-active steering method or a beam rider steering method for guiding said intercepting rocket;
- sixth, based on selections in said fourth and fifth steps, modulating a light beam from said light source to set parameters suitable for optical jamming or for a selected steering method;
- seventh, selecting a direction of said light beam toward a nose of said incoming missile if optical jamming has been selected, to a point of maximum vulnerability of said missile if semi-active steering of an intercepting rocket is selected, or to said collision point if beam rider steering has been selected;
- eighth, aiming said light beam in the selected direction;
- and
- ninth, if an intercepting rocket is selected, firing said intercepting rocket.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.