EP3800483B1 - Alignment of a detector of a dircm module relative to a target - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to DIRCMs (Directed Infrared Counter Measures) or corresponding DIRCM systems.

Out of " https://www.diehl.com/defence/de/presse-und-medien/themen-im-fokus/, 'Laser to protect Bundeswehr transport aircraft', accessed on 04.02.2019 " is a laser-based DIRCM (Directed Infrared Counter Measure) system for protecting tactical transport aircraft, other aircraft types or helicopters from rocket attacks or modern guided missiles. The protection system uses high-tech sensors from the manufacturer Elbit Systems to fend off seeker-controlled guided missiles. Such missiles, used by portable air defense systems, pose a great danger, especially during takeoff and landing. Diehl Defence integrates three of Elbit's already proven J-MUSIC (Multi-Spectral Infrared Countermeasure) laser devices into an expanded overall system to ensure complete 360° all-round protection for the aircraft. The new DIRCM system works in conjunction with the on-board missile warning system and focuses the highly dynamic and precisely guided laser beam directly onto the infrared seeker head of the attacking object.

Such a DIRCM system contains at least one DIRCM module. These modules contain a detector for detection, i.e. determining the location of the target. Once the target is detected, the target is tracked and the laser beam is emitted towards the target ("jamming"). The laser beam thus reaches the target with the help of the detector.

First, however, the detector must be directed towards the target, i.e. roughly oriented towards it, so that the target is in the detection range (target range) of the detector. in which it can then successfully and accurately detect the target. The basis for at least an approximate alignment or guidance of the detector to the target is provided by guidance data from a warning system, e.g. a missile warning system (MWS).

From the EP 2 527 865 A1 A system for protecting an aircraft against one or more incoming threats is known. The system includes one or more electro-optical sensors for scanning an area around the aircraft for one or more possible incoming threats and for generating an indication signal when an incoming threat is detected; an integrated unit that combines a Missile Approach Confirmation Sensor (MACS) with Directed Infra-Red Counter Measure (DIRCM) to verify the incoming threat and activate a countermeasure against the verified incoming threat; and a processor for receiving data from the one or more electro-optical sensors and the integrated MACS-DIRCM unit and for selecting a countermeasure technique for use against the incoming threat.

From the DE 101 48 071 A1 A method is known for detecting and tracking objects on the basis of preferably speed- or depth-resolved images of objects in a field of view of at least one sensor, in particular a laser scanner, arranged in particular on a vehicle, in which the detection and tracking takes place using a model assigned to each of the objects for the temporal development of state parameters that describe at least one sensor-specific property of the object, wherein the model has a model type and can be parameterized by at least one model parameter. In the method, several object classes are provided for classifying objects, which relate to at least one property of objects that can be determined from at least one of the speed- or depth-resolved images, wherein at least one object is assigned one of the object classes and the object is assigned a model type and a value for the corresponding model parameter depending on the assigned object class.

The object of the invention is to propose improvements with regard to the guidance of the detector towards the approaching target.

The problem is solved by a method according to patent claim 1.

Preferred or advantageous embodiments of the invention and other categories of invention emerge from the further claims, the following description and the attached figures.

The method is used to guide a movable detector of a DIRCM module of a DIRCM system to an approaching target. The invention is based on a DIRCM system that contains an interface to a warning system. The interface is used to receive a guide position for the target from the warning system. The DIRCM system also contains at least one DIRCM module. This contains the detector that is used to detect the target. The detector has a target position for alignment with the target. By moving the detector, in particular pivoting it (e.g. gimbal-mounted), the target position is also pivoted. The target position is therefore firmly connected to the detector and is moved or pivoted together with it. The target position indicates the direction in which the laser beam of the associated DIRCM module is emitted and should therefore be aligned as precisely as possible with the target. Tracking or tracing of the target also takes place at the target position. Or the detector is moved and tracked to the target in such a way that the target is kept in the target position as much as possible.

"Positions" and "ranges" in the sense of the present application are in particular pairs of azimuth and elevation values or ranges. "Target/instruction position", "target/instruction range", etc. in this sense therefore refer in particular to values or ranges or areas of azimuth and elevation of a beam, solid angle, etc. emanating from a pivot/pivot point of the detector.

In the process, the instruction position is first received via the interface. A instruction area is assigned to the instruction position. The reason for this is that the detection itself and the position determined by the warning system of a recognized target are associated with uncertainties. The instruction area therefore describes the area in which the target or a target is actually located with a first minimum probability.

The method also assigns a target area to the target position. The detection of a target by the detector is also subject to uncertainty. In accordance with the above, the target area is the area in which a Detection of a (actually present) target with a second minimum probability. The target area is smaller than the instruction area.

The method also provides a search area according to a search strategy. The search area is selected to be larger than the target area. The search area is also selected so that it covers at least the instruction area.

The search area is then searched for the target according to the search strategy. To do this, the target position and thus the target area is moved across the search area - by or with the help of the movement of the detector. The target is always searched for in the target area.

The search area is searched until either the target has been successfully detected or until the entire search area has been searched unsuccessfully for the target, i.e. no target has been found.

If the target is detected in the search area, the detector is determined to have been successfully directed towards the target. In particular, now that the target has been detected by the detector, the target can be engaged in the conventional manner by means of target tracking and laser irradiation.

Alternatively, if the entire search area has been searched unsuccessfully for the target, an unsuccessful targeting of the detector is detected.

The "mobility" of the detector is therefore in particular a pivotability about at least one, in particular two or three axes, which are in particular perpendicular to one another.

A "region" in the sense of the present application is therefore in particular a pair of an azimuth interval and an elevation interval. Starting from a central point (pivot point of the detector), these are in particular regions on a concentric spherical surface. The regions in particular have a circular shape or represent a spherical cap.

According to the invention, successful alignment or instruction of the detector to the target is therefore possible even with inaccurate instruction data/instruction position. The "inaccuracy" arises as follows: The instruction area in which the target should be located according to the instruction position of the warning system is larger than the target area in which a target can be detected (given a given alignment of the detector to a specific target position). If the target area is concentrically aligned to the instruction position, targets that are located at the edge of the instruction area could therefore be outside the target area and thus no longer be detected.

Thanks to the method, a search area is created that covers at least the instruction area and this search area is "scanned" for the target by moving/swivelling the detector and thus the target area. In this way, a target can be detected by the detector within the first and second minimum probabilities in the entire instruction area.

A wide variety of embodiments are conceivable for corresponding "search strategies". A search strategy is developed in particular in an application-specific manner with regard to the individual object to be protected by the DIRCM system, the individual, expected threat in the form of the target, expected individual tactical measures of the target, etc. A general characteristic of the search strategy is therefore to adapt it as case-specifically / empirically / tactically / etc. as possible to the expected characteristics of a threat from an approaching target and to the object to be protected in order to be able to align the detector to the target as quickly and safely as possible.

In a preferred embodiment, if unsuccessful guidance is detected, this unsuccessful guidance is reported to a receiver, in particular the warning system or a higher-level DIRCM control system, etc. Such a report is also understood to mean, in particular, the request for a new guidance position for the approaching target.

Alternatively or additionally - in the event that the successful guidance is determined (i.e. the target is somewhere in the target area) - the target position is (exactly) aligned with the target using the detector. This is a core property of the detector / DIRCM module: the so-called "tracking", i.e. that the detector aligns itself exactly and centrally, i.e. with the target position, with the target and this Dynamically maintains alignment with the target. As a result, targeted irradiation (jamming) can be carried out while tracking the target.

Thus, further measures are available for both variants (successful / unsuccessful admission).

In a preferred embodiment, a three-sigma range is selected as the guidance range with regard to the presence of the target in the guidance range. Alternatively or additionally, a three-sigma range is selected as the target range with regard to the successful detection of the target in the target range. The ranges are therefore selected to be large enough that a 3-sigma probability (three times the standard deviation) of approximately 99.7% applies to the first and second probability. The target is then located within the guidance range with a sufficiently high probability for practical use and is detected within the target range with an equally high probability. The successful guidance of the detector to a target detected by the warning system will therefore occur with sufficient probability.

In a preferred embodiment, the search area is formed by combining and/or superimposing the target areas for at least two orientations of the detector to different target positions. The target areas (which are different because they are located in different locations or areas - azimuth/elevation) are searched at least partially or completely at the corresponding fixed orientation of the detector at the respective target position. Only then is the detector moved to a new, different target position and held there. The next target area is then searched again, and so on. This makes it particularly easy to search the search area.

In a preferred embodiment, a search strategy is selected that avoids multiple searches for the target at the same locations in the search area. In particular, when target areas overlap, the overlap area is only searched once. Target areas are then only partially searched and not in an overlap area with a previously searched (part of) another target area. This speeds up the search for the target overall.

In a preferred embodiment, a search strategy is selected that takes into account a movement of the target and/or a movement of the DIRCM system. For example, given a certain predicted flight path of the target relative to the DIRCM system, certain sections of the search area in which the target is particularly likely to be found can be searched first in order to be able to detect the target as quickly as possible. This also avoids the target being in a first target area at an initial point in time that is only searched later because the second target area is currently being searched. Later, when the first target area is searched, the target has then moved into the second target area that has already been searched. The target would not be detected simply because of the "wrong" search sequence. A movement of the DIRCM system can occur, for example, if it is attached to a flying aircraft and the aircraft is performing a flight maneuver relative to the target. The movement of the aircraft can be obtained, for example, from sensors or flight computer data of the aircraft. This can also increase the speed and quality of target detection.

In a preferred embodiment, a search strategy is used that takes into account a distance between the warning system and the detector and/or a relative movement between the warning system and the detector. A corresponding distance arises, for example, by mounting a warning system on the bow and a detector on the tail of an aircraft. A corresponding distance creates a parallax error between the two components, which can then be compensated for in the process. A corresponding relative movement can occur in the same example situation by twisting an aircraft fuselage between the bow and tail. The warning system and detector would then lose their mutually coordinated spatial alignment. Such a corresponding error can also be recorded using data from a flight computer, sensors, etc. and compensated for in the process. This can also increase the speed and quality of target detection.

In a preferred embodiment, a search strategy is selected according to which the detector is aligned step by step to at least two target positions, and the target area is searched at least partially or completely (in particular depending on the overlap, see above) at the respective fixed target position. The corresponding procedure has already been explained above. The search area is thus processed step by step or successively, alternating between Holding the detector in one position, scanning the target area, changing position, holding, scanning, etc. In particular, by placing/ordering the target positions in the search area, a favorable local sequence for the search in the search area can be established, for example, searching first in the places where the target is most likely to be found.

In a preferred embodiment, a search strategy is chosen in which three or four target positions are selected that lie on rays (half-lines) that emanate from the instruction position and are rotated relative to one another on a circle circumference by 120° (with three) or 90° (with four). According to the corresponding formation law (360° divided by the number of rays), more than four or fewer than three rays can also be selected and corresponding target positions distributed across them. This makes it possible to find search areas and search strategies that are particularly effective. The target positions on the rays are spaced apart from the instruction position.

In a preferred variant of this embodiment, the distances between the three or four (or more or fewer) target positions on the beams are chosen to be the same distance from the instruction position. This creates symmetrical search areas in conjunction with the same target areas. The target positions are therefore located on a circle around the instruction position.

However, it is also possible to choose different distances between the three or four (or more or fewer) target positions on the beams from the instruction position. This means that search areas that deviate from the circular shape can also be realized.

The object of the invention is also achieved by a DIRCM system according to claim 11. The DIRCM system corresponds to that already explained above and contains the interface to the warning system for receiving the guidance position for the approaching target from the warning system. The DIRCM system also contains at least one DIRCM module with the movable detector for detecting the target, the detector having the target position for alignment with the target. The DIRCM system also contains a control and evaluation unit for carrying out the method according to the invention.

The DIRCM system and at least some of its embodiments as well as the respective advantages have already been explained in connection with the method according to the invention.

In a preferred embodiment, the DIRCM system contains a combat module for tracking and combating the target based on the target position provided by the detector. In particular, the detector is part of the combat module. Alternatively or additionally, the DIRCM module is also designed to track and/or irradiate the target. With such a DIRCM system, in addition to guiding or aiming at the target or detecting it, it is also possible to combat and track it.

The object of the invention is also achieved by a DIRCM system according to patent claim 13. This contains a DIRCM system according to the invention and the above-mentioned warning system.

The DIRCM system and at least some of its embodiments as well as the respective advantages have already been explained in connection with the method according to the invention and the DIRCM system.

The warning system can completely protect an object.

The object of the invention is also achieved by such an object according to patent claim 14, with a DIRCM system according to the invention protecting the object, wherein the DIRCM system is mounted on the object. The object is in particular an air, land or water vehicle, an aircraft, airplane, helicopter, ship or land vehicle, but can also be a fixed facility on the ground.

The object and at least some of its embodiments as well as the respective advantages have already been explained in connection with the method according to the invention, the DIRCM system and the DIRCM facility.

In a preferred embodiment, the warning system is arranged at a distance from at least one of the DIRCM modules on the object. This causes the above-mentioned parallax, twisting errors, etc. This is especially true if the warning system and DIRCM modules or detectors are distributed over, for example, the front / middle / rear of an aircraft. Tolerances etc. cause alignment errors between the components of the system, so that there are usually comparatively large guidance areas compared to target areas. Using the method/system/system according to the invention, the search area can then still be effectively searched for the target in order to guide the detector to the target.

The invention is based on the following findings, observations and considerations and also has the following embodiments. The embodiments are sometimes referred to as "the invention" for the sake of simplicity. The embodiments can also contain parts or combinations of the above-mentioned embodiments or correspond to them and/or possibly also include embodiments not previously mentioned.

The invention is based on the consideration that for the DIRCM jamming module (containing the detector) to be successfully locked onto the target, the inaccuracy of the MWS (missile warning system) instruction data (warning system/instruction position/area), quantified by the three-sigma error, must not exceed a certain threshold. For example, the accuracy must be less than a degree (a°) azimuth/elevation, the three-sigma target range of the detector. In a large transport aircraft, this threshold cannot be met under certain conditions, e.g. due to elastic deformation of the aircraft fuselage. Nevertheless, the DIRCM jamming module must be locked onto the threat (target) within a short time with a high degree of probability in order to successfully combat it.

The invention is based on the realization that, until now, the instruction of a DIRCM jamming module was only possible with data from an MWS whose sensor (IR camera) is located directly next to the DIRCM jamming module (and thus the detector), so that elastic deformations of the aircraft fuselage cannot cause the MWS data to become too inaccurate. In addition, very high requirements have previously applied with regard to the assembly and subsequent measurement and calibration of the MWS sensors and DIRCM jamming modules (their sensors) relative to the aircraft.

For example, a detector operates in a detection range of b degrees (b°; where b° > a°) azimuth / elevation. However, reliable target detection (with 3-sigma probability) is only possible within a range of a degrees (a°). A warning system usually provides guidance data in the accuracy range of c Degrees (c°; where c° < a°) (instruction range, three-sigma probability). If the two systems are mounted remotely, for example at the bow and tail of a large aircraft, parallax errors, deformation errors and design adjustment errors worsen this value so that only instruction data in the accuracy range of d degrees (d°; where d° > a°) (instruction range, three-sigma probability) are available. Safe instruction is therefore no longer possible because the required a degrees (a°) (of the target range of the detector in the DIRCM module) are exceeded.

The invention is based on the following idea: Instead of aligning the DIRCM jamming module (or its detector / target position of the detector) precisely to the nominal position of the threat (instruction position), which may be so faulty due to excessive inaccuracy of the MWS data that no connection is possible there, the DIRCM jamming module (detector) runs through a search pattern (search strategy). The inaccuracy is known, for example, from the object to be protected (e.g. aircraft or its manufacturer) and is added up in particular from the parallax error, the deformation of the object between the warning system and detector and basic alignment inaccuracies between the warning system and detector. This search pattern is either generated in the DIRCM jamming module itself or by a superimposed DIRCM control software. The search pattern covers a search area around the nominal position of the threat (instruction position), whereby the size of the search area depends on the expected inaccuracy of the MWS data (i.e. it covers at least the instruction area). The search pattern is optimized so that it completely covers the search area resulting from the accuracy of the MWS data with as few search positions as possible, taking into account possible movements of the threat (target) and aircraft (object to be protected) during the processing of the search pattern (processing of the search strategy). The possible movements influence, for example, the order in which the detector is aligned to different target positions.

The invention is further based on the following finding: At the moment when the detection of a threat (target) detected by the warning system by the detector at the instruction position transmitted by the warning system fails, the DIRCM module (Jamming Turret) ends its acquisition (search for the target in the target area) without further searching for the target with the help of the detector and reports the failed acquisition to the DIRCM control system.

The invention is therefore also based on the following improvement idea: When a threat (target) is reported/transferred to a DIRCM module (jamming turret), the detector (jamming turret) does not move exactly to the transmitted target position (instruction position), but moves - using a suitable search pattern (search strategy) - in sequence to one or more neighboring positions (target positions for the detector) that surround the transmitted instruction position. For example, three or four neighboring target positions that are evenly distributed on a circular path around the instruction position are conceivable.

At each of these neighboring positions (target positions according to the search pattern), the detector (jamming turret) starts an acquisition, i.e. searches for the target within the target area. If the target is successfully detected, the DIRCM module starts tracking. Otherwise, if the acquisition fails, the detector (jamming turret) moves to the next neighboring position until the target is successfully acquired or all neighboring positions have been processed without successful acquisition. Only in this case does the DIRCM module (jamming turret) report the failed acquisition back to a receiver, e.g. the DIRCM control system.

According to the invention, the current search pattern (search strategy, e.g. how many target positions, which order of the target positions, ...) can be defined depending on specific boundary conditions of the DIRCM module (jamming turret) and the data provided by the warning system (instruction data, MWS data). In addition to maximizing the resulting radius (the search area), additional boundary conditions can be taken into account, which take into account the possible movement of the aircraft (on which the DIRCM system is mounted) and the approaching threat (target, missile) during the time it takes to process the complete search pattern.

According to the invention, the following advantages arise: By applying the search pattern (search strategy), less stringent requirements for the accuracy of the MWS instruction data (instruction position / instruction area) must be met. This means that, for example, despite possible elastic deformations of the aircraft fuselage, instruction of a DIRCM jamming module at the rear of the aircraft is possible using data from an MWS sensor at the front of the aircraft. This is necessary, for example, if the threat approaches from below during the landing approach and is detected by an MWS sensor at the front of the aircraft, but only one DIRCM jamming module at the rear is available for combat. Furthermore, by applying the search pattern (search strategy), lower requirements apply, e.g. for the installation and subsequent measurement and calibration of the MWS sensors and DIRCM jamming modules relative to the aircraft, as well as for the maximum permissible parallax error when transferring between two DIRCM jamming modules at the front and rear of the aircraft.

1. 1. Einweisung DIRCM Störmodul (Detektor) mit Suchmuster (Suchstrategie), statt Einweisung auf nominelle Position (Einweisungsposition) der Bedrohung (Ziel).
2. 2. optimale Auslegung des Suchmusters für Abdeckung des aus der Einweisungsgenauigkeit der MWS-Daten resultierenden Suchbereichs mit möglichst wenig Suchpositionen (Zielpositionen) unter Berücksichtigung der möglichen Bewegungen von Bedrohung (Ziel) und Flugzeug (Objekt) während der Abarbeitung des Suchmusters.

The invention is characterized by, among other things:

1. 1. Instruction of DIRCM jamming module (detector) with search pattern (search strategy), instead of instruction on nominal position (instruction position) of the threat (target).
2. 2. optimal design of the search pattern to cover the search area resulting from the accuracy of the MWS data with as few search positions (target positions) as possible, taking into account the possible movements of the threat (target) and aircraft (object) during the processing of the search pattern.

According to the invention, this results in a "DIRCM jamming turret search pattern". This results in a search pattern for a DIRCM jamming turret that enables locking on to the approaching threat (target) even when the missile warning system (MWS) has inaccurate guidance data (guidance position/area).

• Figur 1 ein DIRCM-System an einem Flugzeug im Betrieb,
• Figuren 2 und 3 alternative Suchbereiche gemäß alternativer Suchstrategien.

Further features, effects and advantages of the invention emerge from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention and the attached figures. Each of these shows a schematic principle sketch:

• Figure 1 a DIRCM system on an aircraft in operation,
• Figures 2 and 3 alternative search areas according to alternative search strategies.

Figure 1 shows an object 2, in this case a military transport aircraft or its fuselage, in a merely symbolic manner. A DIRCM system 4 is attached to the fuselage, in this case at the rear of the aircraft, as well as a warning system 6, in this case a MWS (Missile Warning System), in this case at the bow of the aircraft. The DIRCM system 4 contains two DIRCM modules 8a, b, each of which contains a movable detector 10. Each of the detectors 10 is movable in the sense that it can be rotated around a pivot point 12. can be pivoted gimbal-mounted. The DIRCM system 4 also contains an interface 14 to the warning system 6.

Figure 1 shows a situation in which the object 2 is in flight and a threat in the form of a target 16, in this case an enemy surface-to-air missile, is flying towards the object 2 in order to destroy it. With the help of the DIRCM system 4, the target 16 is to be rendered harmless in the usual way, which is not explained in detail here, i.e. by tracking and illuminating the IR (infrared) seeker head of the missile with a laser beam 18 (jamming).

For this purpose, the laser beam 18 must first be aligned with the target 16. For this purpose, the target 16 must be detected or located by the detector 10 and then tracked. For this purpose, the detector 10 must in turn be at least roughly aligned or directed towards the target 16.

The target 16 is first noticed and recorded by the warning system 6 and its determined position is transmitted as the instruction position EP from the warning system 6 via the interface 14 to the DIRCM system 4 or received by it. The interface 14 is therefore used by the DIRCM system 4 to receive the instruction position EP for the target 16. However, the corresponding instruction position EP is subject to inaccuracies. Therefore, the instruction position EP is assigned an instruction area EB. The instruction area ensures that the target 16 is actually located in the instruction area EB with a first minimum probability. This probability is a so-called 3-sigma probability of approximately 99.7%. As in Fig. 1 shown, the target 16 is actually located away from the guidance position EP.

The target 16, as well as positions and areas etc. are in Figure 1 symbolically represented in an azimuth (A) / elevation (E) representation of a spherical environment of object 2.

A target position ZP is assigned to the detector 10 or the detector 10 has such a target position ZP. The detection by the detector 10 is also subject to uncertainty. This target position ZP is therefore also assigned a target area ZB. If the target 16 is actually located in the target area ZB, it will actually be detected by the detector 10 with a second minimum probability. This probability is also a 3-sigma probability of approximately 99.7%.

According to a search strategy, a search area 20 is now provided. The target 16 is now to be searched for in this search area 20 using the detector 10. The search area 20 is selected to be larger than the target area ZB in order to be able to expand the search compared to the target area ZB. At the same time, the search area 20 is selected so that it covers or includes at least the instruction area EB. This ensures that the entire instruction area EB is also searched for the target 16. In the example, the search strategy consists of executing the search area 20 in a circle with 1.2 times the radius of the instruction area EB concentrically to the instruction position EP.

According to the search strategy, the search area 20 is now searched for the target 16 by moving the target area ZB over the search area 20 by moving the detector 10. The target 16 is searched for within the target area ZB.

In the example, according to the search strategy, a first target position ZP1 is initially positioned 45° to the right below the instruction position at 75% of the radius of the instruction area EB. With the target area ZB1 held at this target position ZP1, this is searched for target 16 - in this case unsuccessfully. The next location selected as the second target position ZP2 is a location 45° to the left below the instruction position at 75% of the radius of the instruction area EB. With the corresponding target area ZB2 held, this is searched for target 16 - in this case successfully. The detector 10 at the target position ZP2 is thus successfully guided to target 16, and successful guidance is therefore determined. The usual automatic tracking of target 16 in detector 10 is now activated and this is therefore aligned exactly with target 16 with its target position ZP3. The irradiation of target 16 with laser beam 18 now begins, successfully attacking target 16.

In an alternative situation - not shown - the target 16 is not detected by the detector 10 in the entire search area 20 according to the above procedure: By successively moving the target position ZP and searching the respective target area ZB, the entire search area 20 is searched unsuccessfully for the target 16. As a result, the unsuccessful guidance of the detector 10 to the target 16 is determined and reported to the warning system 6. The warning system then supplies a new guidance position EP and the above procedure is repeated.

The entire described procedure is carried out with the help of or by a control and evaluation unit 22 of the DIRCM system 4. The tracking and Irradiation or combating of the target 16 takes place with the help of or by a conventional combat module 24 (not shown in detail in the figures) in the DIRCM modules 8a, b. The DIRCM modules 8a, b are therefore also designed to track the target 16 with the detector 10 and irradiate the target 16 with the laser beam 18. Together with the warning system 6, the DIRCM system 4 forms a DIRCM system 26.

The Figures 2 and 3 show possible alternative search areas 20 or search patterns that result from the superposition of the target areas ZB of three or four target positions ZP, whereby the target positions ZP are adjacent to the instruction position EP. Again, azimuth A and elevation E are shown or - starting from the instruction position EP as the zero point - azimuth and elevation errors during the instruction. Figure 2 assumes three, Figure 3 from four neighboring target positions ZP1-3 / ZP1-4. The guidance position EP and the guidance area EB with radius r around it represent the maximum possible three-sigma error of the ice guidance accuracy of the warning system 6 relative to the installation level of the DIRCM module 8a, b (jamming turret). The three or four target areas ZB1-3 / ZB1-4 around the respectively selected target positions ZP1-3/ZP1-4 have the same radius r.

For each search pattern (here clockwise, starting from the target area ZB1), a respective search area 20 results in which the detection of a target 16 is ensured with a three-sigma probability. This means that the interior of the search area 20 is completely covered by target areas ZB around the respective target positions ZP. For Figure 2 This results in a radius of the search area 20 of 1.15 r, for Figure 3 of 1.41 r. The three-sigma error range is thus correspondingly increased compared to the target range ZB or the reference range EB.

Figure 2 shows an alternative search area 20. This is represented by a total of three target positions ZP1-3 and the associated target areas ZB1-3. The target positions ZP1-3 are adjacent to the instruction position EP or are located on beams 28 at angles of 0°, 120° and 240° on a circle around the instruction position EP. The distances to the instruction position EP are the same and amount to two thirds of the radius of the target area ZB. Figure 2 shows the size of the search area 20 in comparison to the briefing area EB.

In Figure 3 A total of four target positions ZP1-4 with associated target areas ZB1-4 are selected. The target positions ZP1-4 are located on corresponding beams 28 at 0°, 90°, 180° and 270°. Each at the radius r of the target areas ZB. Here too, the size of the search area 20 is shown in comparison to the instruction area EB.

list of reference symbols

2

object

4

DIRCM system

6

warning system

8a, b

DIRCM module

10

detector

12

pivot point

14

interface

16

Goal

18

laser beam

20

search area

22

control and evaluation unit

24

control module

26

DIRCM facility

28

beam

EP

instruction position

EB

instruction area

ZP

target position

ZB

target area

A

azimuth

E

elevation

r

radius

Claims (16)

1. Method for the orientation of a movable detector (10) of a DIRCM module (8a, b) of a DIRCM system (4) with respect to an approaching target (16), the DIRCM system (4) containing:

   - an interface (14) to a warning system (6) for receiving an orientation position (EP) for the target (16) from the warning system (6),

   - at least one DIRCM module (8a, b) having the detector (10) for detecting the target (16), the detector (10) having a target position (ZP) for the alignment with respect to the target (16), the target position (ZP) indicating that direction in which a laser beam (18) - which combats the target (16) by illumination - of the associated DIRCM module (8a, b) is emitted, and the target position (ZP) being fixedly linked with the detector (10) and being moved together with the latter, in which method:

   - the orientation position (EP) is received via the interface (14),

   - the orientation position (EP) is assigned an orientation range (EB) in which the target (16) is actually situated with a first minimum probability,

   - the target position (ZP) is assigned a target range (ZB) in which a detection of the target (16) is possible with a second minimum probability and which is smaller than the orientation range (EB),

   - in accordance with a search strategy a search range (20) is provided which is chosen to be larger than the target range (ZB) and which covers at least the orientation range (EB),

   - in accordance with the search strategy the search range (20) is searched for the target (16) by virtue of the fact that the target range (ZB) is moved over the search range (20) by movement of the detector (10) and in the process the target (16) is searched for in each case in the target range (ZB), wherein

   - the search range (20) is searched until either the target (16) has been detected or the entire search range (20) has been unsuccessfully searched for the target (16),

   - if the target (16) has been detected in the search range (20), a successful orientation of the detector (10) with respect to the target (16) is ascertained,

   - if the entire search range (20) has been unsuccessfully searched for the target (16), an unsuccessful orientation of the detector (10) with respect to the target (16) is ascertained.
2. Method according to Claim 1,
   characterized
   in that if the unsuccessful orientation is ascertained, the latter is reported to a receiver, and/or if the successful orientation is ascertained, the target position (ZP) is aligned with respect to the target (16) with the aid of the detector (10).
3. Method according to either of the preceding claims, characterized
   in that a three-sigma range in relation to the presence of the target (16) in the orientation range (EB) is chosen as orientation range (EB), and/or a three-sigma range in relation to the successful detection of the target (16) in the target range (ZB) is chosen as target range (ZB).
4. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized
   in that the search range (20) is formed by merging and/or superimposing the target ranges (ZB) for at least two alignments of the detector (10) with respect to different target positions (ZP).
5. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized
   in that a search strategy is chosen which avoids a multiple search for the target (16) at identical locations of the search range (20).
6. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized
   in that a search strategy is chosen which takes account of a movement of the target (16) and/or a movement of the DIRCM system (4).
7. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized
   in that a search strategy is used which takes account of a distance and/or a relative movement between the warning system (6) and the detector (10).
8. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized
   in that a search strategy is chosen in accordance with which the detector (10) is aligned stepwise with respect to at least two target positions (ZP), and the target range (ZB) is at least partly searched at the respective captured target position (ZP).
9. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized
   in that a search strategy (20) is chosen which involves choosing three or four target positions (ZP) which lie on rays (28) which proceed from the orientation position (EP) and are offset relative to one another by in each case 120° or 90°.
10. Method according to Claim 9,
    characterized
    in that the spacings of the three or four target positions (ZP) on the rays (28) are chosen to be at an equal distance from the orientation position (EP).
11. Method according to Claim 9,
    characterized
    in that the spacings of the three or four target positions (ZP) on the rays (28) are chosen to be at different distances from the orientation position (EP).
12. DIRCM system (4), having

    - an interface (14) to a warning system (6) for receiving an orientation position (EP) for an approaching target (16) from the warning system (6),

    - at least one DIRCM module (8a, b) having a movable detector (10) for detecting the target (16), the detector (10) having a target position (ZP) for the alignment with respect to the target (16),

    - a control and evaluation unit (22) for carrying out the method according to any of the preceding claims.
13. DIRCM system (4) according to Claim 12, characterized in that

    - this system contains a combating module (24) for tracking and combating the target (16) on the basis of the target position (ZP) supplied by the detector (10) and/or

    - the DIRCM module (8a, b) is also designed for tracking and/or irradiating the target (16).
14. DIRCM apparatus (26) having a DIRCM system (4) according to Claim 12 or 13 and having the warning system (6) .
15. Object (2), having a DIRCM apparatus (26) according to Claim 14 that protects the object (2),
    wherein the DIRCM apparatus (26) is mounted on the object (2) .
16. Object (2) according to Claim 15,
    characterized
    in that the warning system (6) is arranged at a distance from at least one of the DIRCM modules (8a, b) on the object (2).

Images