DEFENSE SYSTEM FOR CHANGING THE COURSE OF AN INCOMING PROPELLED MUNITION

Abstract

A defense system for changing the course of an incoming munition, the system comprising: a net, and a drogue chute attached to the net. The defense system also includes a pneumatic tube for launching the net and drogue chute in a desired direction, and a wire between the pneumatic tube and the net and drogue chute for deploying the net and drogue chute. The defense system also includes wings on a casing housing the net and drogue chute for keeping the drogue chute on the bottom of the net.

Description

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to defense systems for changing the course of an incoming propelled munition.

History has shown that propelled missiles including grenades (RPGs) and torpedoes impose a serious threat to either a fixed position or to a helicopter or other mobile operation. Currently, there is no low cost effective mechanism for attempting to neutralize this threat.

SUMMARY

Disclosed is a defense system for changing the course of an incoming munition, the system comprising: a net, and a drogue chute attached to the net. The defense system also includes launch means for launching the net and drogue chute in a desired direction, and deploying means for deploying the net and drogue chute. In one embodiment, the defense system further includes means for keeping the drogue chute on the bottom of the net. And the deploying means includes a wire between the launch means and the net and drogue chute.

In another embodiment, an explosive or rocket device is used in lieu of the drogue chute.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side schematic view of a munition being fired towards a location.

FIG. 2 is a side schematic view of a deployed defense system according to this disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a side schematic view of the munition captured in the defense system of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a side schematic view of another embodiment of the defense system according to this disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of an ordinance according to this disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional schematic view of the ordinance of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a schematic enlarged front view of the loop that connects a net frame to a drogue chute frame.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the loop that connects a net frame to a drogue chute frame shown in FIG. 7.

Before one embodiment of the disclosure is explained in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of the construction and the arrangements of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Use of “including” and “comprising” and variations thereof as used herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Use of “consisting of” and variations thereof as used herein is meant to encompass only the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof. Further, it is to be understood that such terms as “forward”, “rearward”, “left”, “right”, “upward”, “downward”, “side”, “top” and “bottom”, etc., are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Illustrated in FIGS. 1-6 is a defense system 10 for dramatically changing the course of an incoming munition 14, such a rocket propelled grenade (RPG) or a torpedo. The defense system 10 can be used either in air or in water. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the system 10 comprises a net 18, a drogue chute 22 attached to the net 18, and means 26 (see FIG. 5) for keeping the drogue chute on the bottom of the net. When the net 18 is deployed, the net 18 is transverse to the direction of incoming travel of the munition 14, so that the net 18 ensnares the munition 14. To this end, the net 18 is preferable cup shaped when deployed. When the munition 14 collides with the net 18, the drogue chute 22 fills with air or water, as shown in FIG. 3, and the drogue chute 22 resists further movement caused by the munition 14. The net 18 and drogue chute 22 apply a pull on the munition 14 at an angle to its direction of incoming travel, causing the munition 14 to veer substantially downwardly, or to begin to tumble downwardly in an end over end manner. As a result, the munition 14 will no longer contact its intended target or others near the intended target.

The defense system 10 also includes a casing 30 housing the net 18 and drogue chute 22, as shown schematically in FIG. 6. The exact location, shape and size of the net 18 and drogue chute 22 packed in the casing 30 is not shown in FIG. 6. The casing 30 holds the net 18 and drogue chute 22, and delivers them to a desired location. In the preferred embodiment, intended for use with an RPG, the casing 30 is a blunt nosed aluminum tube about 3 inches in diameter. In other embodiments (not shown), other casing materials, shapes and diameters can be used, depending on the size of the anticipated munition.

It is important for the drogue chute 22 to deploy at the bottom of the net 18. This, with the assistance of gravity, increases the likelihood of the munition 14 being deflected substantially downwardly away from its intended target. The lines or risers 38 (see FIG. 3) for the drogue chute 22 are designed to produce drag as dose to perpendicular to the direction of munition flight as possible.

In the preferred embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the means 26 for keeping the drogue chute 22 on the bottom of the net 18 is in the form of wings attached to the casing 30. Wings 26 cause the casing 30 to maintain its orientation relative to the horizon, so that the drogue chute 22 is deployed at the bottom of the net 18. In other embodiments, other means for keeping the drogue chute at the bottom of the net can be used. For example, a gyro (not shown) might be incorporated inside of the casing 30 to control the orientation of the net 18 and drogue chute 22. Wings 26, however, provide a less expensive alternative to a complex gyro system. In the preferred embodiment, the wings 26 are fixed relative to the case 30. In other embodiments, the wings 26 may be folded against the body of the casing 30 before launch, and then deployed outward after launch.

The defense system 10, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, also includes launch means 40 for launching the casing with the net and drogue chute (hereafter referred to as an ordinance 42) in a desired direction. In order to have the net and drogue chute deployed in a proper defense position, the ordinance 42 must be delivered to a particular location. Various means of doing so are possible. For example, the ordinance 42 could be the head of the rocket (not shown). But preferably, the defense system 10 should not be readily visible to others. A heat signature associated with the firing of a rocket is readily detectable or observable. To this end then, in the preferred embodiment, the launch means 40 is pneumatic. A pneumatic system 40 for launching the ordinance 42 in is less identifiable by others. In the preferred embodiment, a launch tube 40 with a source of high pressure gas is used to launch the ordinance 42.

In the preferred embodiment for RPGs, the net 18 is made from Kevlar and has a deployed diameter of about ten feet. The net 18 will be of anti-rip design that will allow sharp nosed munitions to penetrate the net but will not allow the munition 14 to pass through the net 18. Once the nose of the munition has passed through the net, or the munition slides to the peripheral frame without penetrating the net, any pull on the net will change the direction of the munition. In other embodiments (not shown), other net materials and net sizes can be used, provided the material will maintain its contact with the munition after its initial collision with the munition. The net 18 allows air or water to pass through the net 18, so the net 18 maintains its position transverse to the direction of incoming travel of the munition prior to its collision with the munition. Overtime, the drogue chute 22 may change the position of the net 18 before the munition 14 engages the net 18, but it is expected the munition and net collision will occur prior to significant movement of the net and drogue chute.

In the illustrated embodiment, the net 18 includes an outer periphery frame 44, and at least a portion of the net outer periphery frame 44 is inflatable. Although in other embodiments (not shown), other net constructions can be used, by using an inflatable frame, the net weight, complexity and size prior to deployment can be minimized. Similarly, the drogue chute 22 includes an outer periphery frame 48, and at least a portion of the drogue chute outer periphery frame 48 is inflatable. In the illustrated embodiment, the net and drogue chute inflatable frames are in gas communication via a conduit 49 (see FIGS. 7 and 8) with each other, so inflation of one also inflates the other. In other less preferred embodiments (not shown), the frames may be inflated separately. Once inflated, the frames 44 and 48 are relatively stiff.

In order to connect the drogue chute 22 to the net 18, the defense system 10 further includes a loop 50 (see FIGS. 3, 7 and 8) connecting the drogue chute outer periphery frame 48 to the net outer periphery frame 44. The connecting loop 50 is made of a material that will absorb enough of the shock impact of the munition on the net to assure that the net and drogue remain attached, while exerting the maximum drag. In other embodiments (not shown), other means of attaching the drogue chute to the net, including incorporating the drogue chute into a lower portion of the net, can be used.

The defense system 10 also includes deploying means 54 (see FIG. 6) for deploying the net 18 and drogue chute 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the deploying means is in the form of inflating means 54 for inflating the net outer periphery frame 44 and drogue chute outer periphery frame 48. The inflating means 54 comprises a housing 58 within the casing 30 having a high pressure reserve 62 filled with a high pressure gas, and activation means 66 for selectively connecting the high pressure reserve 62 to the frames 44 and 48. In other less preferred embodiments (not shown), other means for quickly deploying and inflating the net and drogue chute can be used. For example, an automotive air bag system (not shown) can be used.

In the illustrated embodiment, the high pressure gas is helium or hydrogen, which is lighter than air. This provides the frames 44 and 48 with some buoyancy, thus helping to maintain the net and drogue chute in a particular location. But it is expected that the net 18 will ensnare the munition 14 soon after deployment, so the absence of buoyancy is not likely to be problematic. When the net is to be deployed under water, the net will be designed to have essentially the same density, or buoyancy, as the water.

In the illustrated embodiment, the activation means 66 comprises the housing 58 also having a channel 70 in air communication with the high pressure reserve 62 and the frames 44 and 48, and a slide 74 traversing the channel 70 and movable between a channel closed position and a channel open position. When it is time to deploy the net 18 and drogue chute 22, the slide 74 moves from its closed to its open position, thus causing the frames 44 and 48 to fill with gas. After filling, the frames 44 and 48 are sealed off, trapping the gas inside the frames 44 and 48. This filling of the frames in turn forces the net 18 and drogue chute 22 from the casing 30, with the net 18 being oriented generally transverse to the casing 30, and generally transverse to the direction of the incoming munition 14. In other embodiments (not shown), other means for activating the gas to cause the frames to fill can be used, such as electronic or other igniters.

In the illustrated embodiment, deploying means 54 deploys the net 18 and drogue chute 22 at a predetermined distance from the launch means 40 with a wire 84 (see FIGS. 2 and 6) or tether between the launch means 40 for launching the casing 30 and the casing 30. In less preferred embodiments (not shown), wireless ignition system or timers or other means for deploying can be used. Such other means however increase the cost of defense system. Tube-launched, optically tracked, and wire guided (TOW) systems are known. They are used with an umbilical that communicates with a rocket to guide the rocket to a destination. In the illustrated embodiment, the defense system 10 uses a simple wire 84 to maintain contact with the casing 30 to control the location were the net 18 and drogue chute 22 will be deployed.

More particularly, the wire 84 is attached to the slide 74 so that, when the ordinance 42 reaches its predetermined distance from the launch means 40, the wire 84 moves the slide 74 from its channel dosed position to its channel open position, resulting in the deploying of the net 18 and drogue chute 22. More particularly, the wire 84 is unwound to a predetermined length as the ordinance 42 flies. At this length, the wire 84 no longer unwinds, so the wire 84 pulls the slide 74. After pulling the slide 74, the wire 84 is ejected by the launch means 40 to prepare for the launching of another defense system 10.

In the illustrated embodiment, the defense system 10 also includes aiming means 90 (shown schematically in FIG. 1) responsive to the firing of a munition 14 to aim the launch means 40 so the ordinance 42 will intercept the munition 14. Various means are known for such aiming means, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. 7,190,304 issued Mar. 13, 2007, which is incorporated herein in its entirety for all purposes. In the illustrated embodiment, the heat signature of the rocket propulsion of the munition being fired is used to determine a need to launch the defense system 10, when the launch should occur, and at what distance from the launch means the net 18 and drogue chute 22 should be deployed.

The aiming means 90 includes wire payout means for paying out a predetermined, or as calculated by the launch system, a calculated predetermined amount of wire 84, depending on the desired net and drogue chute deployment location.

In other embodiments (not shown), a multiple of such defense systems 10 can be deployed at a single instance or one after another in order to neutralize a threat from one or more munitions.

The disclosed defense system 10 is not just confined to rocket propelled missiles. Any propelled ordinance (such as a torpedo) that can be detected by radar, sonar or heat can be defeated. Only the specific design of the ordinance needs be adjusted to be appropriate to the type of threat. For example, “Ship buster missiles” are very large and in their final approach are very low (dose to the water). A heavy duty defense system 10 would take care of such a missile.

Also, especially with air-to-air missiles, but even with ground-to-air missiles, the altitude of the engagement might reduce the effect of the drogue chute because of the thinner air. For high altitude systems, the drogue chute can be replaced with an exploding device in the form of a rocket 94 (see FIG. 4). The exploding device would be immediately activated once the missile contacts and pulls the net to give a brief, violent pull on the nose of the incoming missile.

Various other features of this disclosure are set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A defense system for changing the course of an incoming munition, the system comprising:

a net,

a drogue chute attached to the net, and

means for keeping the drogue chute on the bottom of the net.

2. A defense system according to claim 1 wherein when the net is deployed, the net is transverse to the direction of incoming travel of the munition.

3. A defense system according to claim 1 wherein the system further includes a casing housing the net and drogue chute.

4. A defense system according to claim 3 wherein the means for keeping the drogue chute on the bottom of the net comprises wings attached to the casing. A defense system according to claim 3 wherein the system further includes launch means for launching the casing in a desired direction.

6. A defense system according to claim 1 wherein the net is made from Kevlar.

7. A defense system according to claim 1 wherein the system includes deploying means for deploying the net and drogue chute.

8. A defense system according to claim 7 wherein the deploying means deploys the net and drogue chute at a predetermined distance from the launch means.

9. A defense system according to claim 7 wherein the net includes an outer periphery frame, at least a portion of the net outer periphery frame being inflatable.

10. A defense system according to claim 9 wherein the drogue chute includes an outer periphery frame, at least a portion of the drogue chute outer periphery frame being inflatable.

11. A defense system according to claim 10 wherein the net and drogue chute inflatable frames are in air communication with each other.

12. A defense system according to claim 11 wherein the system further includes a loop connecting the drogue chute outer periphery frame to the net outer periphery frame.

13. A defense system according to claim 10 wherein the deploying means includes inflating means for inflating the net outer periphery frame and drogue chute outer periphery frame.

14. A defense system according to claim 13 wherein the inflating means comprises a high pressure reserve filled with a high pressure gas, and activation means for selectively connecting the high pressure reserve to the frames.

15. A defense system according to claim 14 wherein the high pressure gas is lighter than air.

16. A defense system according to claim 14 wherein the activation means comprises a housing having a channel in air communication with the high pressure reserve and the frames, and a slide traversing the channel and movable between a channel open position and a channel dosed position.

17. A defense system according to dam 16 wherein the means for deploying the net and drogue chute comprises a wire between the means for launching the casing and the casing.

18. A defense system according to claim 17 wherein the wire is attached to the slide so that, when the casing reaches its predetermined distance from the launch means, the wire moves the slide from its channel dosed position to its channel open position.

19. A defense system according to claim 18 wherein the system further includes aiming means responsive to the firing of a munition to aim the launch means.

20. A defense system according to claim 19 wherein the aiming system further includes wire payout means for paying out a predetermined amount of wire depending on desired net and drogue chute deployment location.

21. A defense system according to claim 1 wherein the launch means is pneumatic.

22. A defense system for changing the course of an incoming munition, the system comprising:

a net,

a drogue chute attached to the net,

launch means for launching the net and drogue chute in a desired direction, and

deploying means for deploying the net and drogue chute, the deploying means including a wire between the launch means and the net and drogue chute.

23. A defense system for changing the course of an incoming munition, the system comprising:

a net,

an exploding device attached to the net, the exploding device being immediately activated once the munition contacts and pulls the net to give a brief, violent pull on the nose of the incoming munition, and

means for keeping the exploding device on the bottom of the net.