Counter-unmanned aerial vehicle system and method
AssigneeLockheed Martin Corporation
InventorsJames C. Kilian, Brede J. Wegener, Eric Wharton, David R. Gavelek
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A deployable net capture apparatus which is mounted on an unmanned aerial vehicle to enable the interception and entanglement of a threat unmanned aerial vehicle. The deployable net capture apparatus includes a deployable net having a cross-sectional area sized for intercepting and entangling the threat unmanned aerial vehicle, and a deployment mechanism capable of being mounted to the unmanned aerial vehicle. The deployment mechanism includes an inflatable frame or a rod for positioning the net in a deployed position.
Claims10
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for providing counter-UAV measures, comprising:
- a flight and payload control system for controlling power to said UAV and for controlling maneuvering of said UAV;
- a host-side mount coupled to said UAV and in communication with said flight and payload control system;
- a payload-side mount configured to be removably attached to said host-side mount, said payload-side mount comprising a power interface and a control interface between said payload-side mount and said host-side mount;
- a counter-UAV system coupled to said payload-side mount comprising:
- a counter-UAV measure, wherein said counter-UAV measure is configured to non-destructively disable a target UAV;
- said counter-UAV measure having a deployment mechanism configured to be mounted on said UAV and comprising a deployable net having a cross-sectional area configured for intercepting and entangling said target UAV;
- an inflatable frame which is deflated in a non-deployed state and inflated to provide a rigid frame in a deployed state comprising;
- a control valve coupled to said inflatable frame at a first end;
- a pressurized vessel coupled to a second end of said control valve;
- and
- wherein the deployable net is attached to said inflatable frame;
- wherein upon receiving a deployment signal from said flight and payload control system via said control interface, said control valve opens and allows a pressurized gas in said pressurized vessel to enter said inflatable frame to inflate said inflatable frame in the deployed state.
An unmanned Aerial System (UAS) for non-destructive capture and control of a threat Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), comprising:
- a host predatory UAV configured to pursue the threat UAV, and having a flight and payload control system;
- a host-side mount coupled to said host predatory UAV in communication with said flight and payload control system;
- a payload capture device configured to disable and control the threat UAV, said payload capture device comprising a net attached to an inflatable frame;
- a payload-side mount coupled to said payload capture device and configured to removably attach to said host-side mount, said payload-side mount comprising:
- a power interface and control interface in communication with said host-side mount;
- and
- a payload deployment mechanism configured to deploy said payload capture device, said payload deployment mechanism configured to tap power from said payload-side mount and to convert control signals from said flight and payload control system into payload actions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.