Abstract: A system for augmenting 360-degree aspect monostatic radar cross section of an aircraft. The system may comprise a pair of pods mountable on opposing wing tips of an aircraft and each having a pod housing with an elongate body tapering forwardly to a nose and rearwardly to a tail. Each pod may comprise a forward SDL disposed within the nose, a rear SDL disposed within the tail, and a pair of mid-body SDLs disposed within a mid-section of the pod housing. The SDLs may be arranged within the pods to reflect radiation and provide coverage around the aircraft over a region of about 360 azimuth degrees. Each SDL may comprise radar absorbing material located on an interior reflective surface, and portions of the elongate bodies may be constructed of radome material. The SDLs may be Luneburg lens having diameters of at least approximately 8-inches.

Abstract: The invention concerns a system (100) and a method for estimating the geographic position of a target (1). The method comprises the following steps: detecting a target (1); determining the characteristics of the target (1), which characteristics at least comprise a geographic position (3) and a category of the target; tracking the detected target (1) until at least one certain predetermined criteria is not fulfilled, wherein said criteria is associated to the level of certainty for determining the geographic position (3) of the target (1).

Abstract: A dipole based decoy system provides an inexpensive alternative to chaff. A non-conductive filament patterned with lengths of conductive material that form dipole antennas at one or more radar frequencies is stored on the air vehicle and attached to a projectile. In response to a RWR warning, a programmed time or location or a time-to-target, a mechanism releases the projectile(s) to deploy the filament with its dipole antennas at a speed greater than or equal to the speed of the air vehicle to present an extended target or a separate false target to enemy radar. The projectile is either towed behind the air vehicle or launched away from the air vehicle. Either approach is effective to overcome Doppler and moving range gating by presenting coherent signal returns and ranges and velocities consistent with the air vehicle during a threat interval posed by the radar defense systems.

Abstract: This invention describes an application and its methodology to protect a target against a minimum of one attacking missile through timely optimized ship maneuvers by using known RCS calculations against radar and/or infrared guided missiles. This application also provides the necessary measurement and analysis abilities of the many possible positions, or physical constraints a ship may need to be in, in order to significantly increase the effectiveness of current shipborne “state of the art” soft-kill systems against attacking unmanned missiles.

Abstract: An inflatable dummy target fittable into a carrier missile capable of being released from the carrier missile during exo-atmospheric flight; upon release, the dummy target or portion thereof is capable of being inflated and manifest characteristics that resemble GTG missile characteristics, wherein the GTG missile characteristics include IR signature, RF signature and GTG missile.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a passive expendable decoy for an aircraft is provided by ejecting passive radiators from the aircraft along a transmission line trailing from the aircraft and excited by a jammer on the aircraft, such that the radiators accelerate under aerodynamic drag forces to the end of the transmission line and couple energy from the transmission line to free space. This provides angular deception to a tracking radar or homing missile since the point of radiation along the transmission line is determined by the instantaneous position of the expendable radiating element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a towed wireless network communications subsystem for use in flight by a towing aircraft. The towed wireless network communications subsystem includes an aerodynamic enclosure having a tether attachment and configured to be towed by the towing aircraft. A directional antenna is disposed on the aerodynamic enclosure and is capable of forming one or more directional communications beams within a wireless network. A communications device is disposed in the aerodynamic enclosure and is coupled to the directional antenna(s). The communications device is configured to relay communications data between the towing aircraft and the wireless network.

Abstract: The invention proposes to provide distraction spoofing even on modern infrared, radar and dual-mode guided missiles (4) by production of a decoy chain (20). The chain (20) is formed by a plurality of apparent targets which are switched successively, for example by firing of individual chaff submunitions (2.1-2.5). The deployment takes place before or during the search phase of the missile and can in this case, for example, be carried out using the reverse walk-off principle or at the same time simultaneously or successively and in the form of a pattern. This ensures that the decoys (2.1-2.5) act initially in the greatest selected range zone away from the target (3). The spoofing chain (20) created in this way results in the missile (4) having to carry out a series of time-consuming analysis processes on its way to the target (3).

Abstract: A modular RCS (Radar Cross Section) and IR (Infra-Red) signal generation device includes: a plastic bag which is normally stored in a folded state, and inflated when gas is introduced into the bag as desired; a radar reflector received in the plastic bag, the radar reflector being configured in a multi-hedral reflector structure having a reflection characteristic similar to that of a naval vessel to be protected; hot air tubes formed through the plastic bag, hot air being capable of generating IR signals by flowing through the hot air tubes; and connection patches positioned on one of the surfaces of the plastic bag at the points where the ends of the hot air tubes intersect with the surfaces, respectively, the connection patches being adapted to be attached to those of adjacent modular RCS and IR signal generation devices, respectively, so as to interconnect the hot air tubes with those of the adjacent modular RCS and IR signal generation devices.

Abstract: A system and method for an aircraft (10) that provides an IR decoy (12) for an incoming missile (18) to track instead of an engine (14) of the aircraft (10) is disclosed. The IR decoy (12) is deployed during or just after take off, and prior to landing to provide a signature (16) for any incoming missile (18). The IR decoy (12) provides a heat source (16) that has a higher radiant intensity than the hottest heat source on the aircraft (10), which is typically the engine (14), thereby providing a more attractive heat source for the missile (18). In another embodiment, a warning system (20) for an aircraft (10) detects an incoming missile (18), and deploys IR decoy (12) and creates an engine mask (22) by injecting an additive into the exhaust stream of the engine (14), thereby obscuring the radiation emanating from the engine (14).

Abstract: A chaff element for interfering with radar signals. The chaff element has a dielectric substrate and a pair of elongate electrically conductive elements, having a total length of approximately one-half wavelength of the radar signals or otherwise tuned to the radar signals, disposed on the dielectric substrate. A switch is arranged to electrically couple the pair of elongate elements together in response to a control signal generated by an oscillator circuit and a battery. The chaff element can be used in a method of providing a countermeasure against radar signals. A plurality of chaff elements can be deployed in an airspace above a radar unit emitting a radar signal and interfere with the radar signal by opening and closing the switches of the chaff elements while deployed in said airspace above the radar unit.

Abstract: A buoyant target comprises an inflatable structure with a drogue chute attached to the periphery of the bottom of the inflatable structure. The drogue chute is an open flexible structure with a bottom end weighted with ballast to deploy it, and with ports through its side to permit water to flow into and out of it. A radar reflector device is attached inside the inflatable structure. The radar reflector device comprises a plurality of mutually orthogonal radar reflective surfaces having central reflection vectors pointed at predetermined directions.

Abstract: A submarine warfare radar training system 10 includes an underwater vehicle 15 towing a float device 40 and a radar reflective target 45. The radar reflective target 45 is configured as a hollow tube-shaped element 50 having circular open leading and trailing open circular end to allow water to flow through the target as it is towed. The target 45 includes a positive buoyancy material layer 60 and is horizontally oriented during towing. The float device 40 is configured to support the radar reflective target 45 open leading end above the water surface 30 as the float device 40 and radar reflective target 45 are towed along the water surface to deliver air into the hollow cross-section. The radar reflective target 45 has an adjustable RCS which can be increased or decreased by lengthening or shortening the radar reflective target.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a decoy for deceiving radar systems, especially Doppler radar systems. The decoy comprises a corner reflector, where at least one of the surfaces (1) is arranged to be able to obtain a varying reflectivity for radar radiation, especially with a modulation frequency which in the reflected radiation causes Doppler sidebands of an extent that is usual for the radar application.

Abstract: A submarine warfare radar training system 10 includes an underwater vehicle 15 towing a float device 40 and a radar reflective target 45. The radar reflective target 45 is configured as a hollow tube-shaped element 50 having circular open leading and trailing open circular end to allow water to flow through the target as it is towed. The target 45 includes a positive buoyancy material layer 60 and is horizontally oriented during towing. The float device 40 is configured to support the radar reflective target 45 open leading end above the water surface 30 as the float device 40 and radar reflective target 45 are towed along the water surface to deliver air into the hollow cross-section. The radar reflective target 45 has an adjustable RCS which can be increased or decreased by lengthening or shortening the radar reflective target.

Abstract: An optical amplifier is included within a fiber optic transmission system for driving a fiber optic towed decoy system. The optical amplifier boosts the optical power of a laser on board the driving system and compensates for link loss within the driving system and link loss associated with a blind connection between the driving system and the towed decoy. The optical amplifier may be an erbium doped fiber amplifier and may be run in a saturation mode. The result is a towed decoy system capable of operating more consistently across a range of platforms and in some cases less stringent gain requirements on towed decoy components.

Abstract: An optical attenuator is included within an aircraft decoy driver system for driving a fiber optic towed decoy system to compensate for variability in the fiber optic connection to the towed decoy system. The attenuator is controlled by a control signal from the towed decoy system and adjusts the link gain based on this feedback control signal to compensate for link loss, which is highly variable and may include losses as a function of cable, connectors and splices, and to maintain a relatively constant gain. To ensure the broadest range of performance, a higher power laser can be used to drive an external Mach Zhender Modulator or an erbium doped fiber amplifier (EDFA) prior to the optical attenuator. The result is a fiber optic towed decoy system that is adaptable to various platforms and design configurations without degradation in performance of the towed decoy system.

Abstract: A radar decoy having radar reflectors disposed in the interior of the inflated canopy of a descending parachute as a first set of four corner reflectors, and a second set of corner reflectors disposed on the exterior of the canopy integral with the first set of corner reflectors, to form an octahedron of eight corner reflectors. The radar decoy is pliable and folded with the parachute for stowage in the interior of a canister. When loaded on a vehicle flying in a trajectory, the canister may open at a point P on the trajectory, to release the parachute, and thereby deploy the radar decoy to become operative.

Abstract: A heat seeking missile decoy device mounted on a military vehicle to change the infrared signature of the military vehicle. The device is at ambient temperature when stored on the military vehicle. When a heat seeking missile is fired at the military vehicle, the decoy device deploys and increases in temperature, changing the infrared signature of the vehicle and causing a hot spot away from vulnerable components of the vehicle. The hot spot radiates in the infrared in an area that is away from vulnerable parts of a military vehicle, drawing the heat seeking missile toward it. The termination trajectory of the heat seeking missile is at the end of the decoy device and not the vulnerable parts of the military vehicle. The energy required to heat the device is passive waste energy from the vehicle engine exhaust.

Abstract: In a countermeasure system for an aircraft, a countermeasure module includes a chamber. Countermeasure equipment is housed in the chamber of the countermeasure module. An attachment mechanism allows for releasable attachment of the countermeasure module to an aircraft. A flight mechanism is provided on the countermeasure module for returning the countermeasure module to a location, such that when an aircraft to which the countermeasure module is attached reaches a desired airborne position, the attachment mechanism releases the countermeasure module from the aircraft, and the flight mechanism on the released countermeasure module returns the countermeasure module to the location.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for deployment of a decoy from a moving object, such as an aircraft, to protect the aircraft from an enemy missile. The decoy is stored in a housing mounted on the aircraft and is connected by a cable containing fiber optics and high voltage conductors. The cable is stored on a spool which is reciprocally moveable along a rotating shaft provided with a double helix and which is located coaxially within an outer rotatable de-bailer. The cable is drawn through a passage formed in an outer cylindrical side wall and end wall of the de-bailer as the decoy is deployed from the aircraft. The cable causes the de-bailer to rotate about the spool which reciprocates back and forth along the double helix shaft. The spool is connected to the helix of the shaft by a pawl and a brake mechanism controls the rotational speed of the shaft, and thus the payout speed of the cable.

Abstract: A Radar Counter Measure System (RCMS) and method for operating a decoy as a Radar Counter Measure (RCM) against incoming airborne threats, wherein the RCMS consists of an airborne vehicle (6) carrying a payload (8) launched from a platform (2) by a launcher (4). The payload contains one or more decoys. Each decoy includes a folded corner reflector construction (CRC) (14) which is released at a predetermined point on the vehicle's trajectory. The vehicle is launched by a gun (26), a mortar (20), a rocket (32) or another airborne device. Once released, the decoy is deployed and self-erected to become effective as a RCM. The self-erection mechanism (12) is mechanical, pneumatic, pyrotechnic or aerodynamic. The payload (8) may hold various kinds of counter measure devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a towed/surrogate decoy transmitter connectable via the tow cable to a platform or host aircraft using a wireless communicator link, the link providing useful performance and status information of the decoy transmitter to the host aircraft and providing the decoy with control and optimization information from the platform. The tow cable provides a mechanical connection to the host aircraft as well as a prime power connection and in some cases, a fiber optic (FO) interface. In order to optimize the protection provided by the towed/surrogate decoy transmitter, the host aircraft will use the wireless communication link to transmit operational status and control adjustment data back to the towed/surrogate decoy transmitter. The towed/surrogate decoy transmitter utilizes a wireless communicator link that can transmit data to any cooperative host aircraft and any other cooperative towed/surrogate decoy transmitters.

Abstract: A fast deployment and retrieval system permits the rapid deployment of a decoy in seconds in response to an incoming threat, thus eliminating the necessity of pre-deployment, with retrieval permitting reeling in and deployment of the decoy a number of times during a mission in response to threats, and a commensurate reduction in life cycle cost. Upon detection of an incoming threat by a warning receiver, a controller coupled to a transmission releases a brake that is utilized to control the speed of deployment, whereas upon retrieval, the transmission drives a motor for retrieval of the decoy. The system is thus reusable, fast reacting, and also minimizes range penalty considerations because the decoy is only deployed when needed. In one embodiment, the system accommodates both a towing cable and a fiber-optic signal cable in which apparatus for unwinding of the cables is mechanically ganged together so that the cables pay out at the same rate.

Abstract: There is provided an electrically powered augmenter device that has a silicon window. The silicon window emits the infrared radiation from the augmenter in a specific waveband, to attract heat seeking missles. Moreover, the augmenter may be mounted on the fuselage of an unpowered aerial towed target or other airborne vehicle.

Abstract: A passive radar decoy comprises a substantially hemispherical upper body portion having its inner surface coated with an RF reflective material, a weighted nose piece, a tapered lower body portion interconnecting the upper body to the nose piece, an RF reflectively-coated corner reflector mounted coaxially within the upper body portion, and means to ram-air inflate the decoy when it is released from an aircraft in flight such that RF energy from a ground source of such energy impinges on the RF reflective surfaces to retro-reflectively return the RF energy back to the source and provide a scintillating and doppler frequency return and enhanced radar target cross section.

Abstract: There is provided an autonomous off-board defensive aids system (100) for use with a host craft (102), for example, with combat aircraft or submarines. More particularly, the host craft (102) deploys a plurality of controllable off-board units (104, 106) to counter an offensive threat or to engage in autonomous offensive actions. The controllable off-board units (104, 106) implement active stealth facilities: each off-board unit (104, 106) having a receiver unit for detecting impinging detection pulses, for example radar or sonar pulses, and a transmitter unit for generating an artificial detection pulse profile, for example “spoofing” or masking the presence of the host craft. The controllable off-board units are of two types: tethered (104) and free moving (106). The off-board units (104, 106) can have conventional propulsion apparatus, for instance, propellers, rockets or jets. Off-board units (104, 106) each have control apparatus which allows the off-board units (104, 106) to co-operate.

Abstract: This invention concerns a repeater jamming transmitter (2), and a casing arrangement with repeater jamming transmitter. The repeater jamming transmitter (2) comprises transmitter antenna (7), receiver antenna (8) and electronics part (10) with amplifier and control circuits. In order to avoid self-oscillation caused by leakage between the transmitter antenna (7) and the receiver antenna (8) and to maintain the isolation a special connection arrangement (7,8,10) is included in the repeater jamming transmitter. By means of the connection arrangement the amplification of the repeater jamming transmitter can be increased without self-oscillation arising.

Abstract: A radar detectable balloon includes an inflatable envelope with several planar radar-reflecting surfaces. Prior to inflation, the balloon may be collapsed into a compact flat configuration. When inflated, the radar reflective planar faces arranged in such a way that the largest angle formed by every line of sight and a normal to at least one planar face is less than 45°.

Abstract: A photonic radar decoy (50) is provided which simulates an aircraft to a radar having an interrogating signal. A plurality of receiving antenna (52, 54, 56, 58, 60) are attached to the decoy (50) with each of the receiving antenna (52, 54, 56, 58, 60) independently capable of receiving the interrogating signal from the interrogating radar system. Each signal received by an antenna (52, 54, 56, 58, 60) is transmitted to a signal combiner and amplifier (82) by delay lines (72, 74, 76, 78, 80). The combiner and amplifier (82) coherently adds the transmitted signals, thereby producing a coherent signal which is amplified and subsequently emitted by a non-directional transmission antenna 106, simulating a dynamic and complex radar signature of an aircraft.

Abstract: A microwave radar reflector includes three, substantially planar networks whose reflectivity or transmissivity may be controlled. The three networks are arranged as a trihedron with an open angle. An additional network, whose reflectivity or transmissivity may be separately controlled, is located at said open angle of the trihedron. With the additional network controlled to be transmissive and the other networks having their characteristic modulated between reflective and transmissive, the reflector will return a modulated message when the reflector is illuminated.

Abstract: A coating composition for the attenuation of the reflection electromagnetic radiation and particularly electromagnetic radiation have a wavelength of greater than 800 nm including the near infrared is described. The composition comprises a chromophore capable of absorbing up to about 95% of the electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength greater than 800 nm. Optionally, the composition may comprise microbeads that serve the purpose of also scattering the electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: A towed target or decoy serves to avoid heat-seeking and radar missile attacks on a jet aircraft. The decoy has a body with a nose and a sidewall. A ring surrounds the body and the spaced from it. The interior of the ring and the exterior of the body have reflective surfaces. The reflective surfaces reflect heat energy from the exhaust in various directions. This creates a greater heat signal than from the aircraft itself, attracting heat-seeking missiles. The decoys nest within one another and are deployed from an ejection housing mounted to the aircraft.

Abstract: A multi-dimensional decoy uses a non-combustible exterior to support a reive interior metal film in the form of a rapidly inflatable balloon to generate an infrared and radar signature to match the thermal and radar profiles of an intended target.

Abstract: The towed multi-band radar decoy or target is a collapsible, airstream-inflatable device intended to be used for providing gunnery practice or electronic countermeasure protection for aircraft against radars and radar-guided missiles by being towed on a line behind the aircraft and offering a more attractive radar target than the aircraft for the radar or radar guided missile to track and home on. The decoy or target is collapsible, so that many can be stored in a small space, and can be deployed while an aircraft is airborne. The decoy is comprised of a sleeve of radar-transparent fabric having a tapered cylindrical shape and an open mouth at a narrow end, and clusters of orthogonal trihedral corners formed from flat conductive surfaces fixed inside and to said sleeve which can be folded and collapsed into a small space, and once inflated, for providing a radar reflective signature which exceeds that of a towing aircraft over predetermined angular aspects.

Abstract: One or more decoys (22) are towed by an aircraft (18) to confuse hostile radar. The tow lines (20) to the decoys (22) include fiber optic components which optically transmit to the decoys (22) both radio frequency signals for retransmission to hostile radar (24), and direct current power. The fiber optic components absorb strain forces imposed by towing the decoys (22). Multiple decoys (22) are deployed at varying distances from the aircraft (18) to increase the overall range of frequencies covered by the system, simulate a plurality of false targets, or accomplish angle gate deception. The deception may be accomplished by transmitting signals from the decoys in sequence and can be enhanced by dynamically varying the power levels of the decoy transmitting antennas. The fiber optic components may be separate optical fibers deployed separately or joined together for simultaneous deployment. The preferred configuration is a single optical fiber with coaxial inner and outer cores.

Abstract: An array of twenty corner reflectors with each corner reflector consisting f three mutually perpendicular reflecting planes whose intersection lie at a common point. The twenty corner reflectors are, in turn, configured to provide omni-directional reflection to incoming electromagnetic waves, while maintaining strong reflection characteristics.

Abstract: A radar countermeasure comprising an inflatable balloon, a corner reflector ounted inside said balloon, and means mounted on top of said balloon for destroying said balloon upon the incidence of a search radar beam, said means comprising a radar receiving antenna, a diode connected to said antenna, a standard length pulse generator connected to said diode responsive to radar signals having a period of over 0.2 microseconds, means connected to said generator for providing an output when a plurality of pulses are remitted from said pulse generator in a predetermined period of time, and an explosive charge connected to the output of said last named means for providing a warning signal upon the incidence of a search radar sweep.

Abstract: A sacrificial seagoing vessel comprises an automatic navigation system which is operable remotely to maintain the sacrificial vessel in a predetermined orientation and position with respect to a predetermined conventional vessel which is to be safeguarded from enemy projectiles, the sacrificial vessel being attractive to projectiles. The attraction may be provided by enhanced radar signature or by emission of signals at a substantially greater level occurring from a conventional seagoing vessel.

Abstract: In a staggered arrangement of individual elements that are made of conductive material and are spaced from one another, and which serve to improve the reflectivity of objects which are to be detected by radar with a search frequency band, there exists the problem that due to the insufficient dimensioning of the spacing of the individual elements, and the thus caused passage of radar beams or the only point-like reflection, an insufficient reflectivity of the object is provided. To resolve this problem, the individual elements are spaced from one another starting at one half of the wavelength corresponding to the lower cutoff frequency of the selected frequency band, and increasing, pursuant to a geometric progression, to one half of the wavelength corresponding to the upper cutoff frequency of the frequency band.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for monitoring ice masses wherein a signal transmitter is attached to an ice mass and receivers are used to detect the location of the transmitter.

Abstract: A rf decoy for use with rf repeater devices, transponders, noise jammers and other jamming devices. The decoy is adapted to be towed behind an aircraft using a tow line which incorporates a fiber optic link through which signals are transmitted. The device is excited through rf energy which is modulated on a laser carrier and transmitted through the fiber optic link. While the principal application is to repeaters which are towed behind an aircraft, the invention has utility in free-falling and forward fired transmitters as well as land and sea based vehicles.

Abstract: A rope is pulled between an end member such as a parachute forming a sail with regard to the wind and a main floating anchor located at the other end. This rope is connected at chosen intervals to captive-balloons, each associated with secondary floating anchors. The captive-balloons are chosen to be sensitive to the wind in order to incline themselves with respect to the floating anchor and to respectively support decoys formed by sets of retroreflective trihedrons. Advantageously, the decoys are individually connected in their lower part to floating bodies such as slightly inflated and loaded balloons. The invention has application, in particular, to the simulation of large surface ships.

Abstract: An infrared target made up of a plurality of infrared radiating modules simulates a military asset. The modules have radiating portions that generate infrared signals matching the thermal cues making up the thermal signature of the asset. The modules are designed using as variables the size, shape, area, thickness and composition of a radiating portion so the infrared signal is of the desired shape and intensity. Visible graphics cover the modules to depict the asset in visible light. A radar corner reflector simulates the asset to radar apparatus.

Abstract: To provide for ease of movement, a decoy capable of misleading smart munins having both radar and thermal sensors utilizes a frame having two sections, with one foldable over the other. On this frame are mounted a plurality of thermal panels for generating representative thermal signatures. In a first embodiment, the order not to interfere with the folding of the frame, a number of hollow polyhedrons used for reflecting radar waves are mounted invertedly onto the frame. In a second embodiment, a number of reflectors, each having in turn a plurality of collapsible right triangular elements, are used for reflecting the radar waves. For this embodiment, since the members of the reflectors are collapsible and would not interfere with the folding of one section of the frame on the other, the reflectors are mounted in an upright position.

Abstract: The present invention decoy is able to simulate an armored vehicle by proing for both thermal and radar signatures. The thermal signature is actively generated by a plurality of thermal panels located on a platform which is configured to have the same passive millimeter wavelength characteristics of the armored vehicle. Accordingly, a smart munition, when viewing the decoy by means of thermal and radar sensors, would conceive the decoy as an actual target.