Abstract: A network for indicating and communicating detection of hostile fire, and systems, methods, and computer program products thereof. Hostile fire is optically detected and identified at a first vehicle and such identification is transmitted from the first vehicle to one or more other vehicles in the network. Data regarding hostile fire directed at the first vehicle can be stored at one or more of the other vehicles and even retransmitted to other vehicles or base stations.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosed subject matter involve an airborne-based network for implementing a laser-based visual disruption countermeasure scan pattern system, method, and computer program product. The scan pattern can be comprised of a plurality of lasers each with their own scan pattern and may be used to disrupt an optical system of a weapon or an individual. One vehicle in the network can transmit target information and/or scan information to one or more other vehicles or to a non-vehicle remote location in the network.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosed subject matter involve airborne-based systems, methods, and computer program products for optimizing a laser-based visual disruption countermeasure scan pattern. The scan pattern can be comprised of a plurality of lasers each with their own scan pattern and may be used to disrupt an optical system of a weapon or an individual. Based on the scan patterns and/or data used to generate the scan patterns, the shape or intensity of the scan pattern or patterns can be modified.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products for identifying hostile fire. A characteristic of a fired projectile is detected using an optical system and the projectile's travel path in relation to a vehicle is determined. If the determined travel path of the projectile is within a predetermined distance from the vehicle, it is determined that the projectile is hostile towards the vehicle and a warning is output.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products for optically identifying hostile fire strikes to a vehicle. The identification can be that the hostile fire will hit the vehicle, will likely hit the vehicle, hit the vehicle, or likely hit the vehicle. In the case of predictive hits, a warning may be output and the vehicle can take evasive and/or countermeasure actions. In the case of actual or likely strikes to the vehicle, the optical identification can map a travel path of a detected projectile to positions on the vehicle, thus identifying a likely position or area of projectile impact. Such data can be used for inspection and maintenance purposes.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products for identifying hostile fire. A characteristic of a fired projectile is detected using an optical system and the projectile's travel path in relation to a vehicle is determined. If the determined travel path of the projectile is within a predetermined distance from the vehicle, it is determined that the projectile is hostile towards the vehicle and a warning is output.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for mitigating optically aimed threats to an aircraft from the ground. A laser beam, having sufficient intensity to interfere with the vision of a human being, is projected from the aircraft over a defined scan pattern at ground level. At least one flight parameter is received. Each flight parameter represents one of a current orientation, position, and motion of the aircraft. The defined scan pattern is adjusted according to at least one flight parameter.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for locating threats to an aircraft that are located on the ground. Associated bearings from a sensor in an aircraft are determined for each of a plurality of detected shots from a threat at ground level. A sensor ground projection is plotted along each associated bearing. Each sensor ground projection is mapped to an elliptical uncertainty area reflecting the inherent error in bearing determining instrumentation. An estimation of the position for the threat based on the intersection points between mapped uncertainty areas of the sensor ground projections is calculated.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically identifying one or more candidate emergency landing sites to a pilot of an aircraft are described. The candidate emergency landing sites lie within a current flight-capable range of an aircraft, and may include non-airfield landing sites. The candidate sites may be calculated by an on-board processing system. Various types of data, such as digital terrain elevation data, ground-cover data, hostile-threat data, surface-water data, aircraft parameter data, and flight-obstacle data may be used by an on-board processing system to calculate one or more candidate emergency landing sites suitable for landing the aircraft. A pilot may initiate an emergency landing site identification process during in-flight distress via a button, touch-sensitive screen, or voice-recognition input. The systems and methods may be useful in combat scenarios.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for locating threats to an aircraft that are located on the ground. Associated bearings from a sensor in an aircraft are determined for each of a plurality of detected shots from a threat at ground level. A sensor ground projection is plotted along each associated bearing. Each sensor ground projection is mapped to an elliptical uncertainty area reflecting the inherent error in bearing determining instrumentation. An estimation of the position for the threat based on the intersection points between mapped uncertainty areas of the sensor ground projections is calculated.

Abstract: The present invention increases the survivability of a helicopter by prioritizing a threat engagement sequence for a laser-based countermeasure system based on the determined relative lethality of each detected visually trained threat (e.g., small arms fire). The system and method defines a plurality of threat effectiveness merit factors, or lethality factors, that are determinable from available helicopter navigation and sensor data, to quantify the danger associated with each detected threat. The system and method then combines the defined lethality factors using a mathematical function, such as a merit function, to numerically quantify the level of threat posed by each threat. The calculated threat values for each of the detected threats are compared to prioritize the threats for engagement by a laser-based countermeasure system, such as a Visual Acquisition Disrupter (VAD) system.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for locating threats to an aircraft that are located on the ground. Associated bearings are determined from an aircraft for each of a plurality of detected shots from a threat at ground level. A plurality of pairs of bearings are selected, and a weight value is calculated for each selected pair of bearings. An estimated position for the threat is determined from each selected pair of bearings. An improved estimation of the position for the threat is calculated as a weighted combination of the estimated positions.

Abstract: A method of determining survivability is disclosed. The method can include selecting a mission scenario and providing data associated with the scenario as input to a plurality of low-level modeling tools each associated with a corresponding spectrum, and performing a spectral analysis of the selected scenario using each of the low-level modeling tools for the corresponding spectrum. The method can also include generating an event probability matrix for each analyzed spectrum based on the output of the low-level model, the event probability matrix including a probability of detection, a probability of tracking, and a probability of engagement for each of a plurality of mission scenario reference points. Using the event probability matrix as input, a constructive analysis can be performed using a high-level simulation system configured to simulate actual event occurrence for a specific run of the mission scenario and a probability of survival based on a result of the constructive analysis can be determined.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for mitigating optically aimed threats to an aircraft from the ground. A laser beam, having sufficient intensity to interfere with the vision of a human being, is projected from the aircraft over a defined scan pattern at ground level. At least one flight parameter is received. Each flight parameter represents one of a current orientation, position, and motion of the aircraft. The defined scan pattern is adjusted according to at least one flight parameter.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for locating threats to an aircraft that are located on the ground. Associated bearings are determined from an aircraft for each of a plurality of detected shots from a threat at ground level. A plurality of pairs of bearings are selected, and a weight value is calculated for each selected pair of bearings. An estimated position for the threat is determined from each selected pair of bearings. An improved estimation of the position for the threat is calculated as a weighted combination of the estimated positions.

Abstract: A system and method for warning a helicopter of an approaching bullet using existing sensor systems is disclosed. The disclosed method including the steps of: detecting and providing bearing information for detected small arms weapon firing locations near the helicopter, determining a detection area and detection time window for the fired bullet, determining the antennas of the RF transmitting and RF receiving systems covering the bearing of the detected weapon firing; determining a timing sequence and allocating time segments for transmitting and receiving RF signals during the detection time window, commanding the RF emitting system to emit and the RF receiving system to receive RF signals during their allocated time segments, processing RF signals received and determining whether reflected RF signal pulses from the emitted RF signal pulses are present, and outputting a warning where reflected RF signal pulses are detected.

Abstract: A method of determining survivability is disclosed. The method can include selecting a mission scenario and providing data associated with the scenario as input to a plurality of low-level modeling tools each associated with a corresponding spectrum, and performing a spectral analysis of the selected scenario using each of the low-level modeling tools for the corresponding spectrum. The method can also include generating an event probability matrix for each analyzed spectrum based on the output of the low-level model, the event probability matrix including a probability of detection, a probability of tracking, and a probability of engagement for each of a plurality of mission scenario reference points. Using the event probability matrix as input, a constructive analysis can be performed using a high-level simulation system configured to simulate actual event occurrence for a specific run of the mission scenario and a probability of survival based on a result of the constructive analysis can be determined.

Abstract: A system and method for warning a helicopter of an approaching bullet using existing sensor systems is disclosed. The disclosed method including the steps of: detecting and providing bearing information for detected small arms weapon firing locations near the helicopter, determining a detection area and detection time window for the fired bullet, determining the antennas of the RF transmitting and RF receiving systems covering the bearing of the detected weapon firing; determining a timing sequence and allocating time segments for transmitting and receiving RF signals during the detection time window, commanding the RF emitting system to emit and the RF receiving system to receive RF signals during their allocated time segments, processing RF signals received and determining whether reflected RF signal pulses from the emitted RF signal pulses are present, and outputting a warning where reflected RF signal pulses are detected.

Abstract: The present invention increases the survivability of a helicopter by prioritizing a threat engagement sequence for a laser-based countermeasure system based on the determined relative lethality of each detected visually trained threat (e.g., small arms fire). The system and method defines a plurality of threat effectiveness merit factors, or lethality factors, that are determinable from available helicopter navigation and sensor data, to quantify the danger associated with each detected threat. The system and method then combines the defined lethality factors using a mathematical function, such as a merit function, to numerically quantify the level of threat posed by each threat. The calculated threat values for each of the detected threats are compared to prioritize the threats for engagement by a laser-based countermeasure system, such as a Visual Acquisition Disrupter (VAD) system.