Active protection device and associated apparatus, system, and method

An interceptor device adapted to protect a platform associated therewith against an incoming threat having a trajectory by intercepting the threat in an intercept zone, said interceptor device comprising:

• a housing defining an axis;
• a countermeasure device operably engaged with the housing;
• at least one detonating charge housed by the housing and operably engaged with the countermeasure device;
• at least one first sensor device operably engaged with the housing and configured to be capable of sensing a range of the threat at least partially radial outward of the housing;
• and
• a controller device in communication with the at least one first sensor device and the at least one detonating charge, the controller device being responsive to the at least one first sensor device so as to direct the at least one detonating charge to deploy the countermeasure device at least partially radially outward with respect to the axis of the housing and in correspondence with the trajectory of the threat to thereby cause the countermeasure to impact the threat in the intercept zone.

A defensive weapon system adapted to protect a platform associated therewith against an incoming threat having a trajectory by intercepting the threat in an intercept zone, said weapon system comprising:

• a cuing sensor adapted to be capable of sensing the threat;
• and
• an interceptor device in communication with the cuing sensor and adapted to be deployed in response to the threat sensed thereby, the interceptor device comprising:
• a housing defining an axis;
• a countermeasure device operably engaged with the housing;
• at least one detonating charge housed by the housing and operably engaged with the countermeasure device;
• and
• a controller device in communication with the at least one detonating charge, the controller device being housed by the housing and configured to direct the at least one detonating charge to deploy the countermeasure device at least partially radially outward with respect to the axis of the housing and in correspondence with the trajectory of the threat to thereby cause the countermeasure to impact the threat in the intercept zone.

A method of intercepting an incoming threat having a trajectory, said method comprising:

• launching an interceptor device from a launching device so as to intercept the threat in an intercept zone, the interceptor device comprising:
• a housing defining an axis;
• a countermeasure device operably engaged with the housing;
• at least one detonating charge housed by the housing and operably engaged with the countermeasure device;
• and
• a controller device housed by the housing and configured to be in communication with the at least one detonating charge;
• and
• actuating the at least one detonating charge with the controller device so as to deploy the countermeasure device at least partially radially outward with respect to the axis of the housing and in correspondence with the trajectory of the threat to thereby cause the countermeasure to impact the threat in the intercept zone.