DE102022130560A1 - Method and device for defence against aircraft, in particular unmanned aircraft - Google Patents

Abstract

To defend against an aircraft, a fuel cloud (6) is formed on a potential flight path (13) of the aircraft (1), an actual flight path (13) of the aircraft (1) is detected and the fuel cloud (6) is ignited with laser light (7) when the aircraft (1) moves into the fuel cloud (6) on its actual flight path (13).

Description

The invention relates to a method and a device for defending against aircraft, in particular against unmanned aircraft, i.e. so-called drones.

The military importance of armed drones is growing rapidly. Drones have various tactical advantages. Drones can fly very low, making them difficult to detect with radar or other detection systems. When drones are deployed in swarms, an air defense system is quickly overwhelmed by the task of intercepting all drones, even if all drones are detected. Drones are comparatively simple and inexpensive and can therefore be easily deployed in large numbers. For an air defense system trained to deal with larger aircraft, there can be a disproportion between the cost of an air defense measure and the damage caused on average by an uncountered drone. In addition, many air defense measures are not suitable for defending against very low-flying drones and there is a great risk that the air defense measures themselves will cause great damage, for example through falling anti-aircraft missiles or missile parts.

Unarmed drones also have military uses, for example in reconnaissance or to disrupt surveillance, flight and weapons systems.

Even outside the military sector, the task of defending against armed and unarmed drones is becoming increasingly important.

STATE OF THE ART

On 27.10.2022, the Tagesschau reported, see https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/ gesellschaft/laserwaffe-bundeswehr-101.html that the German army had shot down a drone with a laser weapon. The test had already taken place in August 2022 with the participation of the arms companies MBDA and Rheinmetall. The laser weapon is described as a high-energy laser weapon system and is intended to be particularly suitable for defending against drones, drone swarms or attacking speedboats at close and very close range.

In order to be able to fend off a swarm of drones with a laser weapon, each individual drone must be irradiated with a laser beam emitted by the laser weapon for a sufficient length of time to destroy the drone or at least damage it so severely that it can no longer reach its intended target. This requires precise detection and tracking of the flight paths and very precise alignment of the laser beam to the drones moving along the flight paths. When fighting a swarm of drones, either a laser beam must be available for each drone, which is unrealistic, or the laser beam must be aimed at all drones one after the other in order to destroy them or damage them sufficiently. If the laser beam is essentially suitable for fighting drones at close range, only a very short period of time is available to fend off each individual drone when a swarm of drones approaches.

TASK OF THE INVENTION

The invention is based on the object of demonstrating a method and a device for the defense against aircraft, in particular against unmanned aircraft, i.e. against drones, which enable effective combat even against swarms of drones with limited effort and a reduced risk of collateral damage.

SOLUTION

The object of the invention is achieved by a method having the features of independent patent claim 1 and by a device having the features of independent patent claim 11. The dependent patent claims relate to preferred embodiments of the method according to the invention and the device according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In a method according to the invention for defending against aircraft, in particular unmanned aircraft, i.e. so-called drones, a fuel cloud is formed on a potential flight path of the aircraft, an actual flight path of the aircraft is detected and the fuel cloud is ignited with laser light when the aircraft moves into the fuel cloud on its actual flight path.

To form the fuel cloud, a fuel carrier projectile can be fired from the ground near the fuel cloud to be formed. Fuel can then be ejected from the fired fuel carrier projectile to form the fuel cloud.

The movement of the aircraft on its actual flight path into the fuel cloud means the portion of the aircraft's flight path on which the aircraft must be when the fuel cloud is ignited, so that the aircraft comes into the area of influence of the ignited fuel cloud and the thermal energy released thereby.

As far as laser light is mentioned here, with which the fuel cloud is ignited, it is understood that this is a laser beam with high power and high power density in order to reach the ignition temperature of the fuel cloud as quickly as possible. The laser light can, but does not have to, be suitable for directly damaging the aircraft to be defended. However, the damage to the aircraft caused to defend against the aircraft is specifically caused by the thermal energy released in the ignited fuel cloud in the method according to the invention.

Igniting the fuel cloud with the laser light does not require any particular precision when aiming the laser light. It is sufficient to hit the fuel cloud with the laser light. Nevertheless, it can be advantageous to direct the laser light not just somewhere in the fuel cloud, but at the aircraft in the fuel cloud. On the one hand, this means that the aircraft itself could be damaged by the laser light. On the other hand, the aircraft can be used to convert the laser light into heat and thus to ignite the fuel cloud.

In any case, the ignition of the fuel cloud releases considerable thermal energy in the vicinity of the aircraft to be attacked, with the help of which the aircraft can be effectively attacked even if it is not hit by the laser light or is not sufficiently damaged by the laser light alone.

In the method according to the invention, at least one fuel cloud is set up on at least one potential flight path of the aircraft as a trap for the aircraft. If the aircraft moves into this fuel cloud on its recorded actual flight path, the fuel cloud is ignited and the aircraft located in the ignited fuel cloud or entering the ignited fuel cloud is destroyed, damaged or also diverted from its flight path. This can cause the aircraft to crash. The associated danger to objects on the ground is unavoidable. However, neither the fuel cloud nor the ignition of the fuel cloud necessarily leads to a danger to objects on the ground. This is at least the case if the fuel cloud is spatially limited and its composition is selected such that its ignition impairs the aircraft to the necessary extent but does not damage objects on the ground.

In addition to the fuel, other substances can also be ejected from the fuel carrier projectile fired to form the fuel cloud, for example substances for marking the fuel cloud in a way that is visible or invisible to the human eye and/or for simplifying the ignition of the fuel in the fuel cloud with the laser light.

Depending on the environment in which the aircraft are to be repelled, the fuel cloud can be deliberately made so large that several aircraft in a swarm can be repelled at the same time by igniting it. However, it is particularly preferred if several fuel clouds are formed that are separated from one another in such a way that the several fuel clouds can be ignited independently of one another. The fuel clouds can be arranged one after the other along a potential flight route or in the area of several potential flight routes. Depending on where aircraft that have not yet been sufficiently combated appear, they can then be combated by igniting a single fuel cloud or by igniting several fuel clouds, simultaneously or one after the other.

The fuel for the multiple fuel clouds may be ejected sequentially from the respective fired fuel carrier projectile and/or from multiple fired fuel carrier projectiles.

It is understood that wind or other air movements occurring at a particular location must be taken into account when forming each fuel cloud. The method according to the invention can include detecting such air movements, for example with a LIDAR.

The fuel cloud can contain solid particles as fuel that can be activated to undergo a redox reaction. Such a redox reaction does not consume any atmospheric oxygen. In this way, the effect of the ignited fuel cloud on its wider surroundings due to strong fluctuations in air pressure, as is deliberately caused by thermobaric weapons, so-called vacuum bombs, can be prevented. For example, the solid particles can undergo an aluminothermic reaction after ignition.

The solid particles can be suspended nanoparticles that form a cloud that is stable for at least a longer period of time before sinking to the ground. Specifically, the solid particles can be a so-called nano- or super-thermite.

In principle, the fuel cloud can also be formed in such a way that it is flammable in a reaction that consumes atmospheric oxygen. For example, the fuel cloud can be formed from a so-called fuel air explosive (FAE). After such a fuel cloud is ignited, the strong air pressure fluctuations typical of thermobaric weapons occur. These air pressure fluctuations can be used specifically to bring down the aircraft in question. However, it should be noted that these air pressure fluctuations also endanger objects on the ground.

If the respective fuel of the fuel cloud does not convert the laser light into heat enough to reach its ignition temperature, an additional substance, for example in the form of passive solid particles, can be introduced into the fuel cloud, which only serves to convert the laser light into heat in order to ignite the fuel in its vicinity. In a further embodiment, in addition to the actual fuel, reactive solid particles are introduced into the fuel cloud, which can be easily ignited with the laser light and which then ignite the fuel as an ignition charge.

In the method according to the invention, the fuel cloud can be formed from the ground or from a flying platform. The fuel cloud can also be ignited from the ground or from a flying platform using the laser light. The formation and ignition of the fuel cloud from the ground can be carried out using stationary devices, movable devices or also portable and even shoulder-based devices. If a flying platform, which in turn can be an aircraft, in particular an unmanned aircraft, i.e. a drone, is used, the same flying platform can be used both as the starting point for the formation of the fuel cloud and for the laser light to ignite the fuel cloud. However, different flying platforms can also be used.

A device according to the invention for defence against aircraft has fuel carrier projectiles for forming fuel clouds by ejecting fuel, a launching device for firing the fuel carrier projectiles and a laser device for emitting laser light to ignite the fuel.

Fuel carrier projectiles for forming fuel clouds by releasing fuel, a launching device for launching the fuel carrier projectiles, a laser device for emitting high-energy laser light for igniting the fuel, a detection device for flight routes of the aircraft, and a control device. Furthermore, the device can have a detection device for flight routes of the aircraft and a control device which controls the launching device in order to determine the launch directions of the fuel carrier projectiles and the ejection points of the fuel in such a way that the fuel clouds are formed on the flight routes of the aircraft, and which controls the laser device in order to ignite those of the fuel clouds into which the aircraft enter on their flight routes with the laser light. The control of the launching device by the control device also preferably takes place depending on the flight routes of the aircraft detected by the detection device.

The device according to the invention can also have several launch devices and/or laser devices and/or detection devices, which can also be positioned spatially separate from one another. Instead of an autonomous detection device for the flight routes of the aircraft, for example with its own radar system, the detection device can also detect the flight routes of the aircraft on the basis of externally obtained data.

The device according to the invention can be stationed on the ground as a single or multi-part unit or arranged on a flying platform. Stationing on the ground also includes arranging it on an extendable crane or the like in order to lift the device above treetop or roof height, for example.

Advantageous developments of the invention emerge from the patent claims, the description and the drawings.

The advantages of features and combinations of several features mentioned in the description are merely exemplary and can be used alternatively or cumulatively without the advantages necessarily having to be achieved by embodiments according to the invention.

The following applies to the disclosure content - not the scope of protection - of the original application documents and the patent: Further features can be found in the drawings - in particular the geometries shown and the relative dimensions of several components to one another as well as their relative arrangement and operative connection. The combination of features of different embodiments of the invention or of features of different patent claims is also deviating from the selected back relationships of the patent claims is possible and is hereby suggested. This also applies to features that are shown in separate drawings or are mentioned in their description. These features can also be combined with features of different patent claims. Likewise, features listed in the patent claims can be omitted for further embodiments of the invention, but this does not apply to the independent patent claims of the granted patent.

The number of features mentioned in the patent claims and the description is to be understood as meaning that exactly this number or a greater number than the number mentioned is present, without the need for an explicit use of the adverb "at least". For example, if the formation of a fuel cloud is mentioned, this is to be understood as meaning that exactly one fuel cloud, two fuel clouds or more fuel clouds are formed. The features mentioned in the patent claims can be supplemented by further features or can be the only features that the subject matter of the respective patent claim has.

The reference signs contained in the patent claims do not represent a limitation of the scope of the subject matter protected by the patent claims. They serve only the purpose of making the patent claims easier to understand.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE CHARACTERS

• 1 zeigt in schematischer Darstellung eine erste bodengestützte Vorrichtung bei der Ausführung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens.
• 2 zeigt in schematischer Darstellung eine zweite schultergestützte Vorrichtung bei der Ausführung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens.
• 3 zeigt in schematischer Darstellung eine dritte luftgestützte Vorrichtung bei der Ausführung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens.
• 4 zeigt in schematischer Darstellung die Vorrichtung gemäß 1 bei der Ausführung einer abgewandelten Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens; und
• 5 zeigt in schematischer Darstellung eine weitere abgewandelte Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens.

In the following, the invention is further explained and described with reference to preferred embodiments shown in the figures.

• 1 shows a schematic representation of a first ground-based device when carrying out the method according to the invention.
• 2 shows a schematic representation of a second shoulder-supported device during execution of the method according to the invention.
• 3 shows a schematic representation of a third air-supported device during the execution of the method according to the invention.
• 4 shows a schematic representation of the device according to 1 when carrying out a modified embodiment of the method according to the invention; and
• 5 shows a schematic representation of a further modified embodiment of the method according to the invention.

FIGURE DESCRIPTION

1 shows the defense of an unmanned aircraft 1, a so-called drone, with the aid of a device 2 according to the invention. The device 2 according to the invention has a launch device 3 for launching fuel carrier projectiles 4 from the ground 15. Fuel 5 is ejected from the launched fuel carrier projectiles 4 to form a fuel cloud 6. Launch directions of the fuel carrier projectiles 4 and ejection points at which the fuel 5 is ejected from the fuel carrier projectiles 4 to form the fuel cloud 6 are determined such that the fuel cloud 6 is formed on a flight path 13 of the aircraft 1. When the aircraft 1 moves into the fuel cloud 6 on its flight path, the fuel cloud 6 is ignited from the ground 14 with the aid of laser light 7 from a laser device 8. The ignition of the fuel 5 releases thermal energy which destroys, damages or deviates the aircraft 1 so far from its course that it is rendered harmless. The flight route 13 of the aircraft 1 can be recorded with a recording device of the device 2, not shown separately here. In 1 It is indicated that the fuel 5 in the fuel cloud 6 is present in the form of solid particles 9. These are suspended nanoparticles that are in 1 are not shown to scale, but much too large.

2 shows a shoulder-supported variant of the device 2, which is operated by an operator 10. The operator 10 can record the flight route 13 of the aircraft 1 himself or be supported in this by a recording device, again not shown.

In the embodiment according to 3 the device 2 is air-supported. Specifically, it is arranged on a flying platform 11 in the form of another unmanned aircraft 12. The detection of the flight path 13 of the aircraft 1 to be attacked can be carried out by a detection device of the aircraft 12.

4 shows that the fuel cloud 6 can be formed well in advance of the aircraft 1 to be attacked on its potential or expected flight route 13. It then forms a trap that is invisible to the aircraft 1 and is activated with the help of the laser light 7 as soon as the aircraft 1 moves into the fuel cloud 6 on its actual flight route 13.

5 illustrates several fuel clouds 6'-6'''' separated by distances 14. The distances 14 are so large that when ignited one of the fuel clouds 6'-6'''', only this fuel cloud is ignited with the laser light 7, but not the other fuel clouds. The other fuel clouds can therefore be ignited later with the laser light 7 in order to act again on the same aircraft 1, or in particular on another aircraft 1 of a swarm of aircraft 1.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

1

Aircraft

2

contraption

3

Launching device

4

Fuel carrier projectile

5

fuel

6

Fuel cloud

7

Laser light

8th

Laser device

9

Solid particles

10

Operator

11

flying platform

12

Aircraft

13

Flight route

14

Distance

15

Floor

6'-6''''

Fuel cloud

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited non-patent literature

• https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/ gesellschaft/laserwaffe-bundeswehr-101.html [0005]

Claims (11)

Method for defending against aircraft (1), - wherein a fuel cloud (6) is formed on a potential flight path (13) of the aircraft (1), - that an actual flight path (13) of the aircraft (1) is detected and - that the fuel cloud (6) is ignited with laser light (7) when the aircraft (1) moves into the fuel cloud (6) on its actual flight path (13). Procedure according to Claim 1 , characterized in that a fuel carrier projectile (4) is fired and that fuel (5) is ejected from the fired fuel carrier projectile (4) to form the fuel cloud (6). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fuel cloud (6) is formed from the ground or a flying platform (11). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fuel cloud (6) is ignited from the ground or a flying platform (11) with the laser light (7). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fuel cloud (6) is formed with solid particles (9) which can be activated to a redox reaction. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fuel cloud (6) is designed such that it consumes atmospheric oxygen after its ignition. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fuel cloud (6) is formed such that it has solid particles (9) which convert the laser light (7) into heat. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the laser light (7) is directed into the fuel cloud (6) to be ignited, optionally onto the aircraft (1) in the fuel cloud (6). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of fuel clouds (6'-6'''') are formed which are separated from one another in such a way that the plurality of fuel clouds (6'-6'''') can be ignited independently of one another. Procedure according to Claim 9 , characterized in that the fuel (5) for the plurality of fuel clouds (6'-6'''') is ejected one after the other from a fired fuel carrier projectile (4) and/or from a plurality of fired fuel carrier projectiles (4). Device for defence against aircraft with - fuel carrier projectiles (4) for forming fuel clouds (6) by ejecting fuel (5), - a launching device (3) for firing the fuel carrier projectiles (4), - a laser device (8) for emitting laser light (7) to ignite the fuel (5), - a detection device for flight routes (13) of the aircraft (1) and - a control device which controls the launching device (3) in order to determine firing directions of the fuel carrier projectiles (4) and ejection points of the fuel (5) in such a way that the fuel clouds (6) are formed on the flight routes (13) of the aircraft (1), and which controls the laser device (8) in order to ignite those of the fuel clouds (6) into which the aircraft (1) enter on their flight routes (13) with the laser light (7).

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