Patent Application
20190252791
The present disclosure relates generally to vehicles and, in particular, to radar decoys for vehicles. Still more particularly, the present disclosure relates to a method, an apparatus, and a system for an inflatable radar decoy for a vehicle.
Aircraft can employ defensive countermeasure mechanisms to avoid detection, attack, or some combination thereof by adversaries using radar. Chaff is one type of radar countermeasure. The chaff acts as a decoy for an aircraft. The chaff comprises small pieces of aluminum, glass fiber, or plastic, which, when deployed, appears as a cluster of targets. With larger aircraft such as aerial refueling tankers and air surveillance aircraft, the chaff can be less effective as compared to when this type of decoy system is used with smaller aircraft, such as fighters. For example, the chaff may not provide a radar cross-section with a large enough size for larger aircraft. Further, this type of countermeasure system can be rejected by the radar's clutter suppression filter due to lack of apparent velocity being present soon after the chaff is dispensed.
Electronic countermeasures or active decoys can be effectively used for larger aircraft. An electronic countermeasure device is an active electronic system that is designed to trick or deceive a radar system for an offensive device such as a missile. With this type of countermeasure system, the aircraft can be made to appear as separate targets, disappear, or move randomly. This type of countermeasure can be effectively used to protect an aircraft from guided missiles. These types of systems, however, are expensive and add to the weight and power use in an aircraft and often have frequency limitations or angular coverage limitations.
Therefore, it would be desirable to have a method and apparatus that take into account at least some of the issues discussed above, as well as other possible issues. For example, it would be desirable to have a method and apparatus that overcome a technical problem with obtaining the desired size for a radar cross-section using currently available radar countermeasure systems.
An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a radar countermeasure comprising a number of decoy units and a launcher system for a platform. A decoy unit in the number of decoy units comprises an inflatable radar decoy and an inflator cartridge configured to inflate the inflatable radar decoy. The launcher system is configured to hold and launch the number of decoy units.
Another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a number of decoy units. A decoy unit in the number of decoy units comprises an inflatable radar decoy and an inflator cartridge configured to inflate the inflatable radar decoy in which the inflatable radar decoy comprises an inflatable bladder that is radio frequency transparent and a number of corner reflectors located inside of the inflatable bladder.
Yet another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method for reflecting a radar signal. First, an event for a platform is detected. Next, a number of decoy units is launched from a launcher system for the platform, wherein a decoy unit comprises an inflatable radar decoy and an inflator cartridge configured to inflate the inflatable radar decoy. Then, the inflatable radar decoy is inflated using the inflator cartridge after launching the decoy unit from the launcher system for the platform.
The features and functions can be achieved independently in various embodiments of the present disclosure or may be combined in yet other embodiments in which further details can be seen with reference to the following description and drawings.
The novel features believed characteristic of the illustrative embodiments are set forth in the appended claims. The illustrative embodiments, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and features thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
The illustrative embodiments recognize and take into account one or more different considerations. For example, the illustrative embodiments recognize and take into account that currently used greater decoy systems such as chaff may not provide a desired amount of protection from detection by radar systems. Those embodiments recognize and take into account that if the size of an aircraft increases, the radar cross-section for the aircraft also increases. The illustrative embodiments recognize and take into account that in currently used chaff systems, the chaff launched from an aircraft may not provide a radar cross-section or a Doppler shift that is sufficient to act as a decoy for an aircraft.
The illustrative embodiments also recognize and take into account that electronic countermeasures have a size and weight that may be greater than radar countermeasure systems such as chaff. Those embodiments recognize and take into account that the increased size and weight may be greater than desired for an aircraft. Further, those embodiments also recognize and take into account that electronic countermeasures also have power and cooling requirements that may be greater than desired.
Thus, the illustrative embodiments provide a method, an apparatus, and a system for reflecting a radar signal in a manner that acts as a decoy for an aircraft. In one illustrative example, a process is present in which a number of decoy units is launched from a launcher system for the platform. As used herein, “a number of,” when used with reference to items, means one or more items. For example, “a number of decoy units” is one or more decoy units.
A decoy unit in the number of decoy units comprises an inflatable radar decoy and an inflator cartridge. The inflatable radar decoy is inflated using the inflator cartridge after launching the decoy unit from the launcher system for the platform. This process enables reducing detection of the platform by a radar system.
With reference now to the figures and, in particular, with reference to
As depicted, surveillance aircraft 102 has radar countermeasure system 108. As depicted in this figure, radar countermeasure system 108 has launched inflatable radar decoys 110. In this illustrative example, inflatable radar decoys 110 include inflatable radar decoy 112, inflatable radar decoy 114, inflatable radar decoy 116, and inflatable radar decoy 118.
In response to radar signal 106 being transmitted by missile 104, inflatable radar decoys 110 generate radar returns 120. As depicted, radar returns 120 include radar return 122 from inflatable radar decoy 112; radar return 124 from inflatable radar decoy 114; radar return 126 from inflatable radar decoy 116; and radar return 128 from inflatable radar decoy 118. These radar returns attract missile 104 to one or more of inflatable radar decoys 110.
In this illustrative example, inflatable radar decoys 110 have a radar cross-section that is sufficiently large to attract missile 104 such that missile 104 does not target surveillance aircraft 102. As depicted, inflatable radar decoys 110 take up less space in surveillance aircraft 102 when in an uninflated state. In the inflated state, inflatable radar decoys 110 have a cross-section that is large relative to the size of inflatable radar decoys 110 in the uninflated state. As a result, inflatable radar decoys 110 have a more desirable footprint for use in radar countermeasure system 108 in surveillance aircraft 102.
With reference next to
In this example, radar countermeasure system 204 has deployed inflatable radar decoys 210 onto surface 212 of water 214. As depicted, inflatable radar decoys 210 include inflatable radar decoy 216, inflatable radar decoy 218, and inflatable radar decoy 220.
Inflatable radar decoys 210 generate radar returns 222 in response to radar signal 208. For example, radar return 224 originates from inflatable radar decoy 216, radar return 226 originates from inflatable radar decoy 218, and radar return 228 originates from inflatable radar decoy 220. In this illustrative example, inflatable radar decoys 210 generate radar returns 222 with a radar cross-section that is sufficiently large to attract missile 206 away from surface ship 202.
The pictorial illustrations of radar decoy environment 100 in
In other illustrative examples, one, seven, 10, or some other number of inflatable radar decoys can be used. Further, these inflatable radar decoys may be used to hide, mask, or otherwise take attention away from a platform from other objects other than a missile. For example, these inflatable radar decoys may be used against stationary radar systems, radar-guided antiaircraft guns, torpedoes, and other types of radar-based systems.
With reference now to
As depicted, radar decoy environment 300 includes platform 302. Platform 302 can take a number of different forms. For example, platform 302 can be a mobile platform, a stationary platform, a land-based structure, an aquatic-based structure, and a space-based structure. More specifically, platform 302 can be an aircraft, a rotorcraft, a surface ship, a tank, a personnel carrier, a train, a spacecraft, a space station, a satellite, a submarine, an automobile, a power plant, a bridge, a dam, a house, a manufacturing facility, a building, and other suitable types of platforms.
In this illustrative example, radar countermeasure system 304 is associated with platform 302. When one component is “associated” with another component, the association is a physical association. For example, a first component, radar countermeasure system 304, may be considered to be physically associated with a second component, platform 302, by at least one of being secured to the second component, bonded to the second component, mounted to the second component, welded to the second component, fastened to the second component, or connected to the second component in some other suitable manner. The first component also may be connected to the second component using a third component. The first component may also be considered to be physically associated with the second component by being formed as part of the second component, an extension of the second component, or both.
As depicted, radar countermeasure system 304 comprises launcher system 306 and a number of decoy units 308. Decoy unit 310 in the number of decoy units 308 comprises inflatable radar decoy 312 and inflator cartridge 314 configured to inflate inflatable radar decoy 312.
In this illustrative example, inflatable radar decoy 312 has a shape selected from a group comprising a sphere, a pyramid, a cube, an octahedron, a dodecahedron, a cylinder, or some other suitable shape. Inflator cartridge 314 is configured to inflate inflatable radar decoy 312 with gas 316 selected from a group comprising air, nitrogen, helium, argon, and some other suitable gas. Gas 316 can be generated from a compressed gas, a chemical, or some other mechanism. For example, compressed air cylinders or exothermic chemical units for airbags can be used to inflate inflatable radar decoy 312.
Launcher system 306 is platform 302. Launcher system 306 is configured to hold and launch the number of decoy units 308. Launcher system 306 is further configured to hold and launch at least one of a chaff, a flare, or some other object in addition to the number of decoy units. In other words, the number of decoy units 308 have shape and size that allows the number of decoy units 308 to be used with currently available or installed launcher systems that are used for launching objects such as chaff or flares. With this type of implementation, platforms that are currently configured to use flares or chaff can be more easily reconfigured to use decoy units 308.
As used herein, the phrase “at least one of,” when used with a list of items, means different combinations of one or more of the listed items may be used, and only one of each item in the list may be needed. In other words, “at least one of” means any combination of items and number of items may be used from the list, but not all of the items in the list are required. The item may be a particular object, a thing, or a category.
For example, without limitation, “at least one of item A, item B, or item C” may include item A, item A and item B, or item B. This example also may include item A, item B, and item C or item B and item C. Of course, any combinations of these items may be present. In some illustrative examples, “at least one of” may be, for example, without limitation, two of item A; one of item B; and ten of item C; four of item B and seven of item C; or other suitable combinations.
With reference next to
In this example, inflator cartridge 314 comprises shell 400. Shell 400 includes inflator mechanism 402 and cavity 404. Cavity 404 holds inflatable radar decoy 312 and is connected to inflator mechanism 402. Inflator mechanism 402 generates gas 316 to inflate inflatable radar decoy 312. In this illustrative example, inflator mechanism 402 can be selected from at least one of a compressed gas, a chemical, or some other mechanism that generates gas 316 to inflate inflatable radar decoy 312.
With reference next to
In the illustrative example, inflatable bladder 500 is radio frequency transparent. A number of radio frequency reflective sheets 502 is attached to an interior of inflatable bladder 500. The number of radio frequency reflective sheets 502 can be configured to form a number of corner reflectors 504 located inside of inflatable bladder 500.
For example, the number of radio frequency reflective sheets 502 comprises first radio frequency reflective circular sheet 506, second radio frequency reflective circular sheet 508, and third radio frequency reflective circular sheet 509. These three radio frequency reflective circular sheets can be intersected to form eight corner reflectors within inflatable bladder 500 in which edges of the eight corner reflectors are attached to an inside surface of inflatable bladder 500 such that the eight corner reflectors are formed when inflatable bladder 500 is inflated.
In another illustrative example, decoy unit 310 in
In one illustrative example, one or more technical solutions are present that overcome a technical problem with providing a large enough radar cross-section for larger aircraft such as refueling tanks or reconnaissance aircraft using commercial airplanes. As a result, one or more technical solutions may provide a technical effect of providing an inability to increase the size of the radar cross-section.
One or more technical solutions also provide a technical effect of increasing the radar cross-section while reducing the increase in size in the radar decoys. In one illustrative example, currently used larger systems for chaff or flares may be used to launch decoy units containing inflatable radar decoys with inflator cartridges. As a result, integration costs may be decreased.
Further, one or more technical solutions also may provide for rapid inflation using compressed gas, chemicals, or the mechanism in the inflator cartridge. Additionally, one or more technical solutions also include inflatable corner reflectors that can be located within the inflatable radar decoys.
The illustration of radar decoy environment 300 and the different components in this environment in
For example, radar countermeasure system 304 can include other types of countermeasure systems in addition to decoy units 308 launched from launcher system 306. For example, radar countermeasure system 304 can include chaff and electronic countermeasure mechanisms. In another illustrative example, radar decoy environment 300 may include one or more platforms in addition to platform 302 of the same or different types in which each of these platforms also is protected using a radar countermeasure system.
With reference to
As depicted, radar countermeasure system 600 comprises launcher system 602 in a number of decoy units 604 held within slots 606 in launcher system 602. As depicted, decoy unit 608 has been launched by launcher system 602. Decoy unit 608 comprises inflator cartridge 610 and inflatable radar decoy 612 held within channel 614 of inflator cartridge 610. As depicted, decoy unit 608 is launched in the direction of arrow 616.
Turning next to
With reference to
With reference next to
As depicted, inflatable radar decoy 900 is comprised of at least one of a biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate film, a plastic sheet with a metallic coating, or some other suitable material. In this example, inflatable radar decoy 900 includes inflatable bladder 902. Inflatable bladder 902 can be inflated into an inflated state with a gas to have the shape of a sphere. Of course, in other illustrative examples, inflatable radar decoy 900 may have other shapes went inflated. These shapes include, for example, without limitation, a pyramid, a cube, an octahedron, a dodecahedron, a cylinder, or some other suitable shape.
In this example, interior 904 of inflatable bladder 902 is shown as transparent in places to show components in interior 904. As depicted, inflatable bladder 902 contains first radio frequency reflective circular sheet 906, second radio frequency reflective circular sheet 908, and third second radio frequency reflective circular sheet 909. These three sheets can be comprised of components selected from at least one of a biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate film, a plastic sheet with a metallic coating, or some other suitable material that reflects radar signals at a desired frequency or frequency range. These materials are also selected as materials that can be folded, rolled, or otherwise stored within inflatable bladder 902 when inflatable bladder 902 is in an uninflated state within inflator cartridge 610 in
In this illustrative example, first radio frequency reflective circular sheet 906, second radio frequency reflective circular sheet 908, and third radio frequency reflective circular sheet 909 intersect each other forming eight corner reflectors. As depicted, the eight corner reflectors comprise corner reflector 910, corner reflector 912, corner reflector 914, corner reflector 916, corner reflector 918, corner reflector 920, corner reflector 922, and corner reflector 924.
The illustration of inflatable radar decoy 900 in
Turning to
wherein σ is the radar cross-section of the corner reflector, α is a radius of the corner reflector, and λ is a wavelength for a radar signal.
In the illustrative example, inflatable radar decoy 900 is comprised of materials selected to be relatively inexpensive, have broad frequency and angular coverage, and produce large radar returns from a relatively small package. For example, a peak radar cross-section of 1,000 m2 can be achieved from a 19-inch radius inflatable corner reflector, such as corner reflector 914 at 10 GHz (wavelength λ=3 cm) presenting a much larger target than the protected platform. For example, a large aircraft has an average radar cross-section that could range anywhere from 10 m2 nose-on to over 1,000 m2 on a broadside view.
Turning next to
As depicted, diode networks 1104 is connected to planar member 1106 of corner reflector 1102. In this example, diode networks 1104 comprise a series of tuned, spaced diode networks configured to generate carrier suppressed Doppler sidebands in which each tuned, spaced diode networks in the series of tuned, spaced diode networks operates at a different frequency range. For example, diode networks 1104 comprise antenna 1110, antenna 1112, and antenna 1114 in which each of these antennas is connected together by a series of diodes.
In this illustrative example, diode networks 1104 is connected to planar member 1116 of corner reflector 1102. As depicted, diode networks 1104 is connected to intersection 1108 of planar member 1118 and planar member 1120. In this illustrative example, diode networks 1104 are designed to operate in a manner that modulates frequencies in response to a radar signal such that a Doppler shift occurs in the response to simulate one or more moving objects. These diode networks can be switched on and off at a desired frequency to generate a Doppler frequency shift. The switching may be performed using a switching circuit.
The illustration of Doppler shift mechanism 1100 is not meant to limit the manner in which other Doppler shift mechanisms may be implemented. For example, other Doppler shift mechanisms may have other numbers of diode networks that could be integrated onto the sides of the reflectors.
Turning next to
The process begins by detecting an event for a platform (operation 1200). In operation 1200, the event can be any event for which a radar decoy may be needed. The event can be the detection of an object, such as a missile. In another illustrative example, the event can be the detection of a radar signal at the platform. In other illustrative examples, the event can be an operator sending a signal to launch one or more decoy units. For example, a pilot of an aircraft may launch decoy units as a precaution when approaching a hostile location.
Next, the process launches a number of decoy units from a launcher system for the platform (operation 1202). In operation 1202, a decoy unit comprises an inflatable radar decoy and an inflator cartridge configured to inflate the inflatable radar decoy.
The process inflates an inflatable radar decoy using an inflator cartridge after launching the number of decoy units from the launcher system for the platform (operation 1204). The process terminates thereafter.
The flowcharts and block diagrams in the different depicted embodiments illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of some possible implementations of apparatuses and methods in an illustrative embodiment. In this regard, each block in the flowcharts or block diagrams can represent at least one of a module, a segment, a function, or a portion of an operation or step. For example, one or more of the blocks can be implemented as program code, hardware, or a combination of the program code and hardware.
When implemented in hardware, the hardware may, for example, take the form of integrated circuits that are manufactured or configured to perform one or more operations in the flowcharts or block diagrams. When implemented as a combination of program code and hardware, the implementation may take the form of firmware. Each block in the flowcharts or the block diagrams may be implemented using special purpose hardware systems that perform the different operations or combinations of special purpose hardware and program code run by the special purpose hardware.
In some alternative implementations of an illustrative embodiment, the function or functions noted in the blocks may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, in some cases, two blocks shown in succession may be performed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be performed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. Also, other blocks may be added in addition to the illustrated blocks in a flowchart or block diagram.
Illustrative embodiments of the disclosure may be described in the context of aircraft manufacturing and service method 1300 as shown in
During production, component and subassembly manufacturing 1306 and system integration 1308 of aircraft 1400 in
Each of the processes of aircraft manufacturing and service method 1300 may be performed or carried out by a system integrator, a third party, an operator, or some combination thereof. In these examples, the operator may be a customer. For the purposes of this description, a system integrator may include, without limitation, any number of aircraft manufacturers and major-system subcontractors; a third party may include, without limitation, any number of vendors, subcontractors, and suppliers; and an operator may be an airline, a leasing company, a military entity, a service organization, and so on.
With reference now to
Any number of other systems may be included. Although an aerospace example is shown, different illustrative embodiments may be applied to other industries, such as the automotive industry. Apparatuses and methods embodied herein may be employed during at least one of the stages of aircraft manufacturing and service method 1300 in
In one illustrative example, components or subassemblies produced in component and subassembly manufacturing 1306 in
For example, radar countermeasure system 304 can be implemented in aircraft 1400 during at least one of component and subassembly manufacturing 1306, system integration 1308, or maintenance and service 1314. For example, a radar countermeasure system can be implemented during operation such as refurbishment, modification, reconfiguration or reconfiguration of aircraft 1400.
The use of a number of the different illustrative embodiments may substantially expedite the assembly of aircraft 1400, reduce the cost of aircraft 1400, or both expedite the assembly of aircraft 1400 and reduce the cost of aircraft 1400.
The description of the different illustrative embodiments has been presented for purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments in the form disclosed. The different illustrative examples describe components that perform actions or operations. In an illustrative embodiment, a component may be configured to perform the action or operation described. For example, the component may have a configuration or design for a structure that provides the component an ability to perform the action or operation that is described in the illustrative examples as being performed by the component.
Thus, one or more illustrative examples provide a technical solution that includes a radar decoy that is launched from a launcher system. The launcher system can be implemented with currently used launcher systems already employed to launch other objects such as chaff or flares. When the systems are already installed in a platform such as an aircraft, installation of a new launcher system or costly modifications can be reduced or avoided.
In one illustrative example, the decoy unit comprises an inflator cartridge and an inflatable radar decoy. The inflator cartridge is configured to inflate the inflatable radar decoy using at least one of a compressed gas, a chemical, or some other mechanism that causes the inflatable radar decoy to inflate as quickly as possible when deployed from the launcher system.
Thus, one or more technical solutions are present with a technical effect reducing integration costs and providing for rapid inflation of inflatable radar decoys. Further, in some illustrative examples reflectors also may be implemented to provide a desired radar cross-section a platform.
Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Further, different illustrative embodiments may provide different features as compared to other desirable embodiments. The embodiment or embodiments selected are chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the disclosure for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
