This invention is in the field of performing exo-atmospheric missile's interception trials.
Ground to Ground (GTG) missiles have become an efficient weapon which can cause significant damage to military and civilian infra-structures, and thereby they serve as a strategic tool in favor of states which attack their enemies (either offensively or defensively as a result of an attack originated by the enemy). In light of this ever increasing threat, an anti missile technology has been developed, such as the plan designated “star war”, the “Arrow” anti-missile technology (deployed and used by the Israel Defense Forces) and others. The anti missile technology, such as the Arrow system is capable of tracking the oncoming ground to ground missiles and launch e.g. from a protected territory an anti-missile missile (AMM) (referred to also as kill vehicle—KV) which flies along a flight trajectory which substantially collides with that of the oncoming threat. The anti-missile missile approaches the oncoming threat (at a safe distance from the protected territory) and destroys it by using the hit to kill method or by activating an appropriate kill warhead which destroys at least the active warhead of the threat and thereby prevents the arrival of the threat (or damaging debris) to the protected territory.
In the last few years a wide range of new threats have been introduced such as the Shihab 3, Sihab 2000, Zelzal, Scud D and others, each of which having its unique flight characteristics, such as missile geometry, flight dynamics, IR and or RF signature, etc. The different flight characteristics of each threat impose a new challenge for kill vehicles, which should be upgraded to handle also new threats.
In order to assure proper operation in real life scenarios, the upgraded kill vehicle should be tested against a simulated threat having flight characteristics that resemble that of the real threat. Thus, for example, with the introduction of the Shihab 3 and after obtaining sufficient intelligent information as to the missile's flight characteristics, the kill vehicle should be retrofitted in order to duly handle also this newly introduced threat. In order to validate the efficiency of the kill vehicle against the threat in a real-life scenario, it must undergo field experiments in which it is launched and attempts to intercept the threat. However, typically a country which develops an arsenal of KVs such as Israel, does not have access to a real GTG missile (in the latter example, Israel is not likely to have at its disposal a sample Iranian Shihab 3,) and accordingly the technological challenge is not only to duly retrofit the KV, but also to develop a dummy threat which simulates the flight characteristics of the GTG missile. The latter is normally a costly and long procedure which not only poses financial constraint on the defense project, but also extends the turnkey date, since it normally takes a few years to develop a dummy missile that has exactly the same flight characteristics as that of the GTG missile. By the time that the KV has been successfully retrofitted and tested against the newly introduced threats, new threats may emerge that have not, as yet, been adequately addressed. The defending state is thus exposed to absorb significant damages due to the fact that the KV is not adapted (and duly tested) to destroy newly introduced threats.
It is also known that the destruction of a GTG missile before it hits friendly territory is a difficult task, considering the very high relative velocities between the KV and the GTG missile. The kill duration is thus very short and should be viewed accurately in order to determine whether the warhead portion of the GTG missile has been destroyed. The very short duration during which the hit occurs, as well as the far distance from a ground station (considering that the interception is performed Exo-Atmospheric), poses a significant challenge on tracking means for providing high quality kill assessment.
There is thus a need in the art to provide for a technique for performing Exo-Atmospheric missile's interception trials which can be applicable shortly after introducing of new threats and which significantly simplify (in terms of cost and time) the procedure of developing a dummy threat that emulates the flight characteristics of the GTG missile.
There is a further need in the art to provide for a method which will facilitate a high quality kill assessment of the interception.
In accordance with an embodiment of the invention there is provided 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 said GTG missile characteristics include IR signature, RF signature and GTG missile geometry.
In accordance with an embodiment of the invention there is further provided 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 manifesting exo-atmospheric flight dynamics that resemble GTG missile exo-atmospheric flight dynamics.
In accordance with an embodiment of the invention there is still further provided a carrier missile accommodating at least one inflatable dummy target, each dummy target 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 manifesting characteristics that resemble GTG missile characteristics, wherein said GTG missile characteristics include IR signature, RF signature and GTG missile geometry.
In accordance with an embodiment of the invention there is still further provided a carrier missile accommodating at least one inflatable dummy target, each dummy target 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 manifesting characteristics that resemble GTG missile characteristics, wherein said GTG missile characteristics include exo-atmospheric flight dynamics.
In accordance with an embodiment of the invention there is still further provided a method for generating dummy target characteristics that resemble (GTG) missile characteristics, comprising:
In accordance with an embodiment of the invention there is still further provided a method for generating dummy target characteristics that resemble (GTG) missile characteristics, comprising:
releasing an inflatable dummy target from a carrier missile; inflating said dummy target or portion thereof using gas; and releasing gas through at least one nozzle that is fitted in the dummy target manifesting exo-atmospheric flight dynamics that resemble exo-atmospheric flight dynamics of a GTG missile.
In accordance with an embodiment of the invention there is still further provided an inflatable dummy target fittable into a carrier missile capable of being released in a wrapped form from the carrier missile during exo-atmospheric flight; upon release, the dummy target or portion thereof is capable of being inflated and manifesting exo-atmospheric flight dynamics that resemble GTG missile exo-atmospheric flight dynamics, whereby said dummy target exo-atmospheric flight dynamics are achieved in said inflated form notwithstanding of initial uncontrolled perturbations of the dummy target in a wrapped form.
In accordance with an embodiment of the invention there is still further provided a method for performing exo-atmospheric Ground-to-Ground missile's interception trial, comprising:
In accordance with an embodiment of the invention there is still further provided a method for simplifying exo-atmospheric Ground-to-Ground (GTG) missile's interception trial, comprising:
whereby said common carrier missile is capable of being launched and being configured to release at least one dummy target at selected exo-atmospheric location, for testing the ability of an interceptor missile to intercept said dummy target at exo-atmospheric interception point, thereby testing the interceptor's operational feasibility to destroy the GTG missile.
In order to understand the invention and to see how it may be carried out in practice, a preferred embodiment will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparent from the following discussions, it is appreciated that throughout the specification discussions, utilizing terms such as, “processing”, “computing”, “calculating”, “determining”, or the like, refer to the action and/or processes of a computer or computing system, or processor or similar electronic computing device, that manipulate and/or transform data represented as physical, such as electronic, quantities within the computing system's registers and/or memories into other data, similarly represented as physical quantities within the computing system's memories, registers or other such information storage, transmission or display devices.
Before moving on, it should be noted that in the context of the invention whenever the term ground to ground (GTG) missile is referred to, it likewise applies to reentry vehicle (RV) e.g. in the case of multi stages missiles.
Note also that in the case of an axi-symmetric dummy target, any reference to the pitch axis likewise applies to the yaw axis. For example, pitch angular velocity likewise applies to yaw angular velocity.
Bearing this in mind, attention is first drawn to
Note that there are two main killing mechanisms used by target interceptions by interceptors well known from prior art:
Choosing of killing method depends on many technical and other uncertainties like typical miss distance at interception, sensitivity of lethality on incidence angle, target characteristics, uncertainties including the exact place of GTG warhead/warhead activator etc. The technique according to the invention is suitable for both types of interceptors killing mechanisms. The only additional limitation for success kill assessment performance in the case of killing warhead mechanisms is that the carrier should be away from the interceptor's warhead fragments beam.
As specified above, in order to assure proper operation in a real life scenario, the KV should be tested against a missile having flight characteristics that resemble that of the real GTG missile threat. Providing an accurate simulated threat of the kind specified normally involves long and costly design and manufacturing procedures which pose inherent limitations that were discussed in detail above.
Thus, in accordance with the invention, there is provided a method for performing exo-atmospheric Ground-to-Ground missiles interception trials. To this end, in accordance with certain embodiments, a carrier 11 that accommodated at least one dummy target (not shown in
Reverting now to
After having sensed the kill scene, e.g. by acquiring images of the interception process, the sensed data can be communicated, for example, to a remote ground station, for, say assessing the quality of the kill—determining of the key kill parameters like miss distance, incidence angle etc.
The interception scenario that was described in
Having described a typical interception scenario, there follows a description (with reference to
Next (23), the dummy target is inflated such that it has RF signature geometry and other flight characteristics that resemble those of a GTG missile of interest. At this stage 24, the flight trajectory of the dummy target is re-routed (see, for example, 17 in
Note that in accordance with certain embodiments, the re-routing of the flight trajectory of the carrier is designed accordingly to the interception test objectives:
Reverting to
Simultaneously, the ground control controls the interception sequence 202.
Next, the carrier senses the interception point. The sensing can be achieved by, e.g. image acquisition means attached to the carrier or by way of another non-limiting example by image acquisition means that are released from the carrier for acquiring a sky view of the interception scene at the interception point, all as will be described in greater detail below. The interceptor now homes onto the dummy target 203 and intercepts the dummy target 204 at the interception point. The dummy target is destroyed 205, and the carrier which senses the interception point performs kill assessment 206 and the sensed data is communicated e.g. to a remote ground station 207 which is capable of assessing the success extent of the interception 208. In accordance with certain embodiments, the ability to acquire a sky view of the interception point from a proximate location (say from the carrier or from acquisition means released therefrom) constitutes a significant advantage compared to a situation where the view of the interception scene is obtained from a remote location such as a ground station. Obtaining a sky view from a shorter distance allows a clear view of the kill scene which may facilitate accurate assessment of the interception and, in case of partial or full failure, applying the desired modifications in order to achieve successful results in subsequent trials.
Reverting now to
Bearing this in mind, attention is drawn to
As may be recalled, the dummy target has substantially the same characteristics as those of the simulated GTG missile, and accordingly, if the interceptor succeeds in destroying the dummy target, then the likelihood of successful interception of a real GTG threat by the same type of interceptor, significantly increases.
In accordance with certain embodiments, the Exo-Atmospheric missile's interception trial allows to destroy in a controlled fashion both the interceptor and the carrier missiles after the interception event. This is shown schematically in 101 of
In accordance with certain other embodiments, there is a need to simulate a GTG missile that is likely to be launched from a far distance (e.g. from an enemy state). To this end, the carrier should have been launched from a trial territory being of substantially similar distance to what would have been the distance, had the real GTG been launched and in this case the carrier would fly along the longer flight trajectory. Similar to the GTG missile, the dummy target (which simulates the GTG missile) is likely to fly in a similar flight trajectory as that of the real threat, thus simulating a real threat scenario. However, for certain countries (for instance, Israel) which would desire to perform the interception trial in accordance with the teachings of the invention, there is no access to such far territory for launching the carrier therefrom. There is thus a need to launch the carrier missile from a shorter distance (giving rise to shorter flight trajectory), however achieving a flight trajectory that resembles the long one which a GTG missile would have flown, had it been launched from the farther enemy territory. Thus, in accordance with certain embodiments, and as illustrated by way of non-limiting example in
Having described a typical dummy target interception scenario and a sequence of operational stages in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention, there follows a description that pertains to the dummy target structure and operation in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention.
Turning now to
Turning now to
Another case of dummy target assembling and releasing is described in
More specifically, by this embodiment, the rigid second carrier stage body 406 simulates a warhead, e.g. a rigid compartment 415 accommodating different kinds of warheads. The interceptor is thus required to penetrate not only the external surface of the dummy target, but rather also the internal rigid structure 406 that simulates the warhead compartment. In accordance with certain embodiments, known per se means can be utilized to assess whether the rigid structure has been destroyed. Typically although not necessarily, the inflation of a dummy target portion around the second stage rigid structure 406 is feasible by virtue of the rigid shroud structure 408 that protects (including thermal protection) the inflatable dummy target portion. By this particular embodiment the rigid warhead compartments forms part of the second stage but this form of rigid structure is not binding.
Turning now to
In accordance with certain embodiments the dummy target is devoid of active self inflation means (such as the specified gas generator), and therefore the dummy target is inflated utilizing a source that is accommodated in the carrier platform. By this embodiment, the inflatable dummy target is released in a wrapped form and is inflated e.g. by using a passive inflating source such as passive pressure vessels (that a priori accumulate pressure or are charged through the carrier source.
A non limiting manner for achieving desired RF signature is by coating the skin of the dummy target with a proper material, thereby achieving RF signature that resembles that of the flying missile and the temperature such that it manifests an IR signature that resembles that of the flying missile. The dummy target skin may be heated by using known prior art methods like:
The dummy target surface may be heated also by using sun power when the interception test is performed in daylight conditions. The needed IR signature can be achieved by using an appropriate coating layer of the dummy target skin.
In accordance with the embodiments described above, the dummy target manifests IR signature and/or RF signature and/or geometry characteristics that resemble those of the missile.
There follows a description in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention which concerns achieving exo-atmospheric flight dynamics of the dummy target that substantially match that of the missile. Thus, attention is now drawn to
In the case of using the carrier, capabilities as were noted above with reference to
Note also that the invention is not bound by the specific locations of the nozzles in the periphery of the dummy target. The invention is likewise not limited to the specific nozzle shape as depicted in
Turning now to
Turning at first to the side view, it shows one nozzle fitted in the dummy target (at locations 83). Note that unlike
As will be explained below with reference to
It should be noted that in order to achieve exo-atmospheric flight dynamics of the dummy target that resembles that of the missile, the dummy target should develop angular accelerations in the pitch channel and the roll channel that will give rise to corresponding angular velocity which substantially matches that of the missile. Moreover, the angular accelerations (in the respective channels) should be dropped to substantially zero once the target velocities are achieved. Having achieved the desired velocities (and eliminating the acceleration), the dummy target will maintain these angular pitch and roll velocities as it flies in space, thus achieving exo-atmospheric flight dynamics that resemble those of the GTG missile. The set of equations described below with reference to
Bearing this in mind, attention is drawn to
The angular accelerations in the roll channel and the pitch channel (96 and 97, respectively) are calculated as Inertial Moment M divided by Inertia I. As shown, for example in equation 97, M is calculated as a summed product of F and 1 where the former is given in equation 91 (and discussed above) and the latter is a priori known (see 85 in
Similarly, in equation 96 (defining the angular acceleration in the roll channel), M is calculated as a summed product of F and R where the former is given in equation 91 (and discussed above) and the latter is a priori known (see 87 in
Moving on to
Thus, PC (t) is dependent upon a constant R (which is determined by pressure vessel or gas generator property), Gas temperature T 903 inside the dummy target, VOL signifies the volume of the dummy target. min 904 signifies the rate of flow per unit time generated by the pressure vessel or gas generator. This value is determined according to the generator specification. mout 905, in its turn, stands for the rate of flow of the gas flowing out of the dummy target (through the nozzles) and complies with equation 906. Note that the parameters that affect mout are Pc(t) which is determined iteratively (see 901), Aexit which is the nozzle's area, T standing for the gas temperature (see 901) and const that is determined by the geometry of the nozzle and the gas property.
It is thus appreciated that the number of nozzles (i and i), the area of the nozzle (Aexit), the Inertia IYY, IXX, gas temperature T, dummy target's volume VOL, nozzle location (relative to the center of gravity) R and l, mout (calculated based on the above parameters) and, min can all be determined in order to obtain the specified desired angular velocity in the pitch and roll channels.
Note also that there is an inherent behavior of the dummy target which supports the desired achievement of pitch and roll angular velocities. Thus, when the dummy target is ejected to space in a wrapped form, it has a small moment of inertia around the three axes and due to a random parasitic load resulting from the ejection process, the wrapped dummy target manifests random angular velocities in the respective axes. After inflation, the moment of inertia dramatically increases (e.g. in about 3 order of magnitude) and consequently the angular velocities in the respective axes are significantly reduced, thereby allowing to control the specified angular roll and pitch velocities, so as to achieve dummy target exo-atmospheric flight dynamics that resemble that of the RV. It is therefore appreciated that the specified process facilitates obtaining desired dummy target exo-atmospheric flight dynamics (in the pitch and roll channels) notwithstanding the initial uncontrolled perturbations.
The required dynamic characteristics may be achieved also by using well known prior art flywheel mechanisms but their use seem problematic for present application because of relatively high weight consumption (flywheels and their power sources).
Note also (and as will be explained in greater detail below), that the invention is not bound by the specified technique for generating appropriate dummy target dynamics.
The exo-atmospheric Ground-to-Ground missile's interception trial has been described with reference to non limiting embodiments of dummy targets as described with reference to
The invention is not bound to the means for generating flight dynamics in the manner specified above. Thus, in accordance with certain other embodiments and as illustrated with reference to
As may be recalled, the trial is in fact fully controlled since the launch timing of the carrier and the interceptor are fully controlled, and likewise also the release timing of the dummy target as well as the timing of the interception and the location of the interception point are all planned in advance. It is also noted that the operational specification of the interceptor are well known insofar as the minimal distance from target that is required to sense IR signature are concerned. In other words, when the interceptor is too far away from the target (by this embodiment the dummy target) it is insensitive to the IR signature of the target. Accordingly, in accordance with certain embodiments, the dummy target's IR signature is activated only during the homing stage and the END GAME such that the interceptor can sense the IR signature. With reference to the embodiment of
As specified above, the carrier is capable of acquiring a sky view of the kill scene. In accordance with certain embodiments, this is achieved by utilizing the technique disclosed in WO 2006/025049 “a system and method for destroying a flying object”.
Those of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that in accordance with various embodiments of the invention there is provided a method for simplifying exo-atmospheric Ground-to-Ground (GTG) missile's interception trial, that includes:
whereby said common carrier missile is capable of being launched and being configured to release at least one dummy target at a selected exo-atmospheric location, for testing the ability of an interceptor missile to intercept said dummy target at an exo-atmospheric interception point, thereby testing the interceptor's operational feasibility to destroy the GTG missile.
As used herein, the phrase “for example,” “such as” and variants thereof describing exemplary implementations of the present invention are exemplary in nature and not limiting. Reference in the specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “some embodiments”, “another embodiment”, “other embodiments” or variations thereof mean that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment(s) is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. Thus the appearance of the phrase “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “some embodiments”, “another embodiment”, “other embodiments” or variations thereof do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment(s). It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination. While the invention has been shown and described with respect to particular to embodiments, it is not thus limited. Numerous modifications, changes and improvements within the scope of the invention will now occur to the reader. In embodiments of the invention, fewer, more and/or different stages than those shown in the drawings may be executed.
The present invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, but those of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that various alterations and modifications may be carried out without departing from the scope of the following Claims.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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190197 | Mar 2008 | IL | national |
This is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 12/405,664 filed Mar. 17, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,593,328, which claims the benefit of Israeli Application No. 190197 filed Mar. 17, 2008. The disclosure of the prior applications is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20140240160 A1 | Aug 2014 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 12405664 | Mar 2009 | US |
Child | 14063645 | US |