Forced premature detonation of improvised explosive devices via laser energy

Abstract

An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) defense system is described that forces premature detonation of IEDs by radiated laser energy signals (i.e., laser beams). Embodiments of the invention provide for radiating laser beams from a stationary or mobile platform to a stationary or mobile area defining an “IED detonation zone.” IEDs within the IED detonation zone that are triggered by laser energy will receive the radiated laser beams, thereby forcing premature detonation of IEDs in the detonation zone.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. [Goldman 28], titled “Forced Premature Detonation of Improvised Explosive Devices via Radiated Electromagnetic Energy,” Ser. No. [Goldman 29], titled “Forced Premature Detonation of Improvised Explosive Devices via Heavy Vibration,” Ser. No. [Goldman 31], titled “Forced Premature Detonation of Improvised Explosive Devices via Chemical Substances” and Ser. No. [Goldman 33], titled “Forced Premature Detonation of Improvised Explosive Devices via Noise Print Simulation,” each filed concurrently with the present application and assigned to the assignee of the present invention.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to counter-terrorism methods and devices and, more particularly, to methods and devices for triggering premature detonation of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) utilizing laser energy.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) is an explosive device that is cobbled together (or “improvised”) for example, from commercial or military explosives, homemade explosives, military ordnance and/or ordnance components, typically by terrorists, guerrillas or commando forces for use in unconventional warfare. IEDs may be implemented for the purpose of causing death or injury to civilian or military personnel, to destroy or incapacitate structural targets or simply to harass or distract an opponent. IEDs may comprise conventional high-explosive charges alone or in combination with toxic chemicals, biological agents or nuclear material. IEDs may be physically placed at or near a pre-determined target or carried by person or vehicle toward a predetermined target or target of opportunity.

As will be appreciated, the design of construction of an IED and the manner and tactics for which a terrorist may employ an IED may vary depending on the available materials and sophistication of the designer. As such, a variety of different triggering mechanisms could be used to trigger detonation of IEDs. It is contemplated that certain IEDs, either by design or by nature of the triggering mechanism, may detonate responsive to exposure to laser energy of a certain type or characteristic. It is a concern that this tactic can be used to trigger bombings against civilian and military targets throughout the world. Accordingly, there is a need for precautionary measures to respond to this threat.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides systems and methods for guarding against laser-energy-triggered IEDs by forcing premature detonation of the IED at a safe distance from a prospective target, thereby reducing the effectiveness of the IED. Embodiments of the invention provide for radiating laser energy signals (i.e., laser beams) from a stationary or mobile platform (hereinafter “Laser Energy Platform (LEP)) to a stationary or mobile area defining an “IED detonation zone.” IEDs within the IED detonation zone that are triggered by laser energy will receive the laser beams, thereby forcing premature detonation of IEDs in the detonation zone.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an IED defense system including one or more Laser Energy Platforms (LEPs) according to embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a manner of deploying LEPs and reflectors about a stationary target area defining a stationary IED detonation zone;

FIG. 3 illustrates a manner of deploying LEPs and reflectors about a mobile target area defining a mobile IED detonation zone; and

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method for implementing an IED defense system using mobile or stationary LEPs to force premature detonation of IEDs within an IED detonation zone.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

FIG. 1 shows by way of example and not limitation, an IED defense system 100 for guarding against laser-energy-triggered IEDs. A system controller 102 controls and coordinates operation of one or more Laser Energy Platforms 104 (LEP₁ . . . LEP_n). The LEPs 104 operate responsive to activation by the system controller to radiate laser energy signals (i.e., laser beams) 106 within an IED detonation zone 108. In one embodiment, the laser beams 106 operate individually or collectively to create laser energy coverage at multiple angles, sweeping horizontal and vertical paths so as to cause detonation of IEDs triggered by laser energy sources within the IED detonation zone. Optionally, reflectors 110 may be employed to receive and reflect the laser beams and thereby enhance laser energy coverage within the IED detonation zone.

The system controller 102 includes a processor 112 and memory 114 for controlling the operation of LEPs within the IED defense system 100. In one embodiment, the processor executes software routines for managing operation of the various LEPs, including, for example and not limitation, activating and de-activating the LEPs and controlling intensity and/or direction of the laser beams 106. The memory stores software routines for controlling the LEPs and information relating to the identity, characteristics and location of the various LEPs in the IED defense system. Alternatively or additionally, the system controller may 102 operate responsive to manual input from a human operator (not shown). As will be appreciated, the system controller 102 is a functional element that may reside in a single device or may be distributed among multiple devices and multiple locations. For example and without limitation, the system controller functionality may reside in a centralized platform; or controller functionality may reside in individual LEPs to allow for independent operation of the LEPs.

As shown, the system controller includes a transceiver 116 for communicating with the LEPs 104 via wireless resources 118. The LEPs 104 similarly include transceivers 116 for communicating with the system controller, or with each other, via wireless resources 118. As will be appreciated, the wireless transceivers may be eliminated, for example, in embodiments where controller functionality resides within the LEP. The wireless resources 118, where applicable, may comprise narrowband frequency modulated channels, wideband modulated signals, broadband modulated signals, time division modulated slots, carrier frequencies, frequency pairs or generally any medium for communicating information to or from the LEPs. The wireless resources may implement air interface technologies including but not limited to, CDMA, TDMA, GSM, UMTS or IEEE 802.11.

The LEPs 104 execute control logic 120 responsive to instructions from the system controller 102 (or where applicable, from its own resident controller) to activate respective drivers 122 for driving respective laser energy transmitters (“lasers”) 124. Responsive to the control logic and drivers, the lasers 124 radiate laser beams 106 within the IED detonation zone 108. As will be appreciated, the nature and type of the lasers 124 may be selected to produce one or more characteristic type(s) of laser energy signals that are believed to trigger detonation of IEDs. For example, it is contemplated that terrorists are most likely to use lasers in the visible orange-to-red spectrum (wavelength 620 nm to 700 nm) so that they can most easily see where the beam is illuminating and guide it toward the IED that they wish to trigger. Advantageously, the lasers 124 may be implemented to produce comparable wavelengths. In one embodiment, the lasers 124 comprise tunable lasers that are capable of producing laser energy at a range of frequencies/wavelengths. For example and without limitation, a tunable laser covering the entire visible spectrum (wavelength 400 to 700 nm) may be employed. A tunable laser may additionally be used to include a range of frequencies above and below the visible range with a spectrum ranging from 210 to 3400 nm. Alternatively or additionally, single-frequency lasers may be used. The design and construction of tunable lasers and single-frequency lasers are well known in the art and will not be described in detail herein.

Generally, it is contemplated virtually any type of laser energy may be employed and at varying intensity, frequencies or the like to produce a desired IED-triggering characteristic. Further, the physical location and/or direction of the lasers 124 may be varied to produce laser beams at multiple angles and directions or to sweep different paths, individually or collectively. Optionally, the lasers 124 may mechanically pivot (pivoting motion denoted by arrows 126) to effect different pointing angles. Further, one or more reflectors 110 may be deployed to receive and reflect the laser beams and hence, yield laser energy beams at still further angles and directions so as to achieve even greater coverage within the IED detonation zone.

As will be described in greater detail in relation to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the LEPs and/or reflectors may be deployed on mobile or stationary platforms, or some combination thereof, to effect a mobile or stationary IED detonation zone 108. In either case, the IED detonation zone is advantageously positioned a safe distance from civilian or military personnel or structural targets, such that detonation of IEDs in the zone will not cause significant damage to persons or property. Detonation of IEDs within the zone is referred to as a forced premature detonation since it is instigated by the IED defense system 100 and will occur before intended by the person or agency deploying the IED.

FIG. 2 illustrates a manner of deploying LEPs and reflectors about a stationary target area defining a stationary IED detonation zone. For convenience, similar reference numerals will be used to describe like elements in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, albeit with “200” series reference numerals in FIG. 2 rather than “100” series. For example, the IED detonation zone, referred to by reference numeral 108 in FIG. 1 will be referred to by reference numeral 208 in FIG. 2.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2, a stationary IED detonation zone 208 is defined by deploying one or more LEPs 204 and reflectors 210 at predetermined fixed positions about a designated geographic area in which premature detonation of IEDs is desired. The designated geographic area may comprise, for example, a remote checkpoint or staging area situated a safe distance (e.g., 500 ft.) from persons or structures that may be targeted by IEDs. When activated, the LEPs 204 and reflectors 210 produce laser beams sweeping various angles and directions within the IED detonation zone, substantially as described in relation to FIG. 1, so as to force premature detonation of IEDs within or entering the zone 108. The LEPs may be activated responsive to a system controller (not shown in FIG. 2) or a human operator.

As shown, vehicle 230 is traveling on a transportation path 232 (e.g., a roadway) toward a prospective target or target area. Vehicle 230 is carrying an IED that may be triggered to detonate by laser energy signals. As the vehicle proceeds along path 232, it encounters and enters the stationary IED detonation zone 208. It is noted, although vehicle 230 is depicted as a terrestrial vehicle navigating a terrestrial path in FIG. 2, IEDs might also be carried by aircraft or sea craft navigating an airway or seaway, respectively. Further, human operators may carry IEDs into the IED detonation zone. The IED detonation zone 208 may be arranged and constructed to accommodate any of these scenarios.

Generally, when a person or vehicle first approaches the IED detonation zone, it is not known to be carrying an IED and even if an IED is detected, the type of triggering device may not be known. Accordingly, any unidentified person or vehicle entering the IED detonation zone will at least initially be perceived as a threat. Consequently, in one embodiment, the person or vehicle is stopped upon entering the IED detonation zone. Optionally, a gate 234 is utilized to facilitate stopping the person or vehicle. While the person or vehicle is stopped, or generally at any time while the person or vehicle is within the detonation zone 208, the LEPs 204 may be activated to generate laser beams sweeping various angles about the person or vehicle. In such manner, any IEDs carried by the person or vehicle that are triggered by laser beams are prematurely detonated within the zone 208. An alternative implementation is that the zone is sufficiently wide that the person or vehicle does not need to be impeded by a gate, but will be in the zone for sufficiently long enough time as to allow the laser beams to cause premature detonation of the IED.

FIG. 3 illustrates a manner of deploying LEPs and reflectors about a mobile target area defining a mobile IED detonation zone. For convenience, similar reference numerals will be used to describe like elements in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, albeit with “300” series reference numerals in FIG. 3. For example, the IED detonation zone, referred to by reference numeral 108 in FIG. 1 will be referred to by reference numeral 308 in FIG. 3.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3, one or more LEPs 304 are deployed on vehicles 330 traversing a transportation path (e.g., roadway) 332. At various points along the transportation path 332, the vehicles 330 may encounter IEDs that are possibly triggered by laser energy. The LEPs 304, when activated, produce a mobile IED detonation zone 308 that advances along the transportation path 332 along with the mobile platform. The LEPs may be activated responsive to a system controller (not shown in FIG. 3) or a human operator. The IED detonation zone 308 comprises laser beams sweeping various angles and directions, substantially as described in relation to FIG. 1. As such, any IEDs on the transportation path that are encountered by the advancing IED detonation zone 308 are likely to become prematurely detonated if they are triggered by laser energy. Advantageously, as shown, the IED detonation zone 308 is wide enough to illuminate an area that encompasses not only the roadway itself, but an area extending beyond the sides of the roadway so as to trigger roadside IEDs that may be several feet from the curb.

In one implementation, the vehicles 330 comprise drone vehicles traveling in advance of a convoy of troops. It is noted, although vehicle 330 is depicted as a terrestrial vehicle in FIG. 3, other implementations are possible in which the vehicle 330 comprises an aircraft or sea craft navigating an airway or seaway, respectively. Optionally, reflectors 310 may also be employed to enhance laser energy coverage within the zone 308. The reflectors 310 may reside on terrestrial vehicles, aircraft, sea craft or combination thereof depending on implementation.

Now turning to FIG. 4, there is shown a flowchart for implementing an IED defense system using mobile or stationary LEPs. At step 402, an authority or agency responsible for implementing an IED defense system defines an IED detonation zone. The IED detonation zone may define a stationary detonation zone such as described in relation to FIG. 2 or a mobile detonation zone traversing a transportation path such as described in relation to FIG. 3. As will be appreciated, multiple IED detonation zones may be defined to cover multiple geographic areas or transportation paths as needed or desired.

At step 404, the responsible authority or agency deploys one or more LEPs as necessary to obtain desired laser energy coverage within the zone. Optionally, at step 406, the authority or agency may also deploy one or more reflectors to enhance laser energy coverage within the zone. For example, in the case where the IED detonation zone defines a stationary zone, one or more LEPs and/or reflectors may be deployed at one or more predetermined locations residing within or proximate to the stationary zone as necessary to obtain desired laser energy coverage within the zone; or in the case where the IED detonation zone defines a mobile zone, one or more LEPs and/or reflectors may be deployed on drones or other suitable transport vehicles adapted to traverse a designated transportation path. As has been noted in relation to FIG. 1, the nature and type of the LEPs may be selected to produce one or more characteristic type(s) of laser energy signals that are believed to trigger detonation of IEDs.

Sometime after the LEPs are deployed, the LEPs are activated at step 408 to radiate laser beams within the zone. Depending on implementation, the LEPs may be operated alone or in combination to produce a characteristic type of laser energy or multiple types of laser energy and at varying intensities, frequencies or the like to produce a desired effect. The physical location and/or direction of the LEPs may be varied to laser beams at multiple angles and directions or to sweep different paths, individually or collectively.

At step 410, IED(s) within the designated stationary or mobile zone receive the laser beams, causing the IED(s) to prematurely detonate if they include triggering mechanisms that respond to laser energy.

Optionally, at step 412, the responsible authority or agency may choose to reconfigure one or more LEP(s) and/or reflectors to obtain different coverage or define a different IED detonation zone. If reconfiguration is desired, reconfiguration is accomplished at step 414. It is contemplated that reconfiguration may be accomplished while the LEP(s) remain active or after they are de-activated.

At some point when it is desired to cease laser energy transmissions to cease within the IED detonation zone, the LEPs are de-activated at step 416.

In one embodiment, activation or de-activation of the LEPs at steps 408 and 416 is implemented by software routines executed within the system controller 102. As has been noted, the system controller functionality may reside in a centralized platform; or controller functionality may reside in individual LEPs to allow for independent operation of the LEPs. Alternatively or additionally, one or more LEPs may be activated or de-activated responsive to human control. Generally, instructions for activating and operating the LEPs or de-activating the LEPs may be implemented on any computer-readable signal-bearing media residing within the system controller or residing in individual LEPs. The computer-readable signal-bearing media may comprise, for example and without limitation, floppy disks, magnetic tapes, CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, hard disk drives or electronic memory. The computer-readable signal-bearing media store software, firmware and/or assembly language for performing one or more functions relating to steps 408 and 416.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. For example, the LEPs may be deployed with or without a system controller 102; and the LEPs may be implemented alone or in combination to produce laser energy of various types and/or characteristics that may differ from the described embodiments. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Claims

1. An IED defense system for forcing premature detonation of IEDs having a triggering mechanism responsive to laser energy signals in the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, the IED defense system comprising:

one or more laser energy platforms including lasers for radiating laser beams in the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum; and

one or more controllers for activating the platforms to radiate the laser beams within a zone defining an IED detonation zone, thereby forcing premature detonation of IEDs having a triggering mechanism responsive to laser energy in the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum within the IED detonation zone.

2. The IED defense system of claim 1, further comprising one or more reflectors adapted to receive and reflect the laser beams radiated within the IED detonation zone.

3. The IED defense system of claim 1, wherein one or more of the platforms define stationary platforms adapted to radiate laser beams within a geographic zone defining a stationary IED detonation zone.

4. The IED defense system of claim 1, wherein one or more of the platforms define mobile platforms adapted to traverse a transportation path, the mobile platforms adapted to radiate laser beams while advancing along the transportation path defining a mobile IED detonation zone.

5. The IED defense system of claim 4, wherein the mobile platform comprises a terrestrial vehicle adapted to traverse a terrestrial path, the mobile IED detonation zone defining at least a portion of the terrestrial path.

6. The IED defense system of claim 4, wherein the mobile platform comprises an aircraft adapted to traverse an airway, the mobile IED detonation zone defining at least a portion of the airway.

7. The IED defense system of claim 4, wherein the mobile platform comprises a sea craft adapted to traverse a seaway, the mobile IED detonation zone defining at least a portion of the seaway.

8. The IED defense system of claim 1, wherein the one or more controllers include a system controller for activating a plurality of platforms to radiate laser beams within the IED detonation zone.

9. The IED defense system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more controllers defines an independent controllers for independently activating a corresponding at least one platform to radiate laser beams within the IED detonation zone.

10. (canceled)

11. A method for implementing an IED defense system comprising:

deploying one or more stationary platforms about a designated geographic area defining a stationary IED detonation zone, the stationary platforms including lasers for radiating laser beams in the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum within the stationary IED detonation zone; and

activating the platforms to radiate laser beams in the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum within the stationary IED detonation zone, thereby forcing premature detonation of IEDs having a triggering mechanism responsive to laser energy in the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum within the stationary IED detonation zone.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

deploying one or more stationary reflectors adapted to receive and reflect the laser beams radiated within the stationary IED detonation zone.

13. A method for implementing an IED defense system comprising:

deploying one or more mobile platforms adapted to traverse a transportation path, the mobile platforms including lasers for radiating laser beams along at least a portion of the path thereby defining a mobile IED detonation zone; and

activating the platforms to radiate laser beams within the mobile IED detonation zone, thereby forcing premature detonation of IEDs triggered by laser energy within the mobile IED detonation zone.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

deploying one or more mobile reflectors adapted to receive and reflect the laser beams radiated within the mobile IED detonation zone.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of activating the platforms yields laser energy in the visible orange-to-red spectrum.

16. The IED defense system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more laser energy platforms include lasers for radiating laser energy in the visible orange-to-red spectrum.