Active protection method and system

Abstract

There is provided an active protection system and an active protection method preferably for airborne platforms. According to the embodiment of the invention, the active protection system is mounted onboard a platform for protecting the platform, and comprises a radar system configured for generating output data including threat output data corresponding to a velocity, a range, and an angle of the threat with respect to the platform in an airspace around the platform, the output data being useful for detecting, identifying and tracking of at least one threat approaching the platform; a countermeasure system capable of launching at least one non-fragmentation interceptor projectile in response to receiving a control command; and a control unit configured for receiving the output data from the radar system and for generating the control command and transmitting the control command to the at least one non-fragmentation interceptor projectile, thereby enabling countering the threat.

1 - 40 . (canceled) 
   
   
       41 . An active protection system mountable onboard an aerial platform for protecting the aerial platform, the protection system comprising:
 a multi-beam or phased array radar system configured for generating output data including threat output data corresponding to a velocity, a range, and an angle of a threat with respect to the aerial platform in an airspace around the platform, said output data being useful for detecting, identifying and tracking of at least one threat approaching the platform, said radar system enabling reduced weight of the protection system, and a reduced response time of the protection system;   a countermeasure system comprising a plurality of projectiles and being capable of launching at least one projectile in response to receiving a control command; and   a control unit configured and operable for receiving and analyzing said output data from said radar system, to thereby detect, identify and track said at least one threat approaching the platform; determining a desired engagement point for said at least one threat; and utilizing said determined desired engagement point for generating the control command indicative of selection of one or more projectiles from said plurality of projectiles suitable for intercepting said threat at said engagement point and transmitting said control command to said countermeasure system, thereby enabling countering said threat.   
   
   
       42 . A system according to  claim 41 , wherein the selected projectile is suitable for engagement with said threat at said engagement point by at least one of a type of the projectile and its location within the platform. 
   
   
       43 . A system according to  claim 41 , wherein said platform is one of the following platforms: helicopter, UAV (Unmanned Airborne Vehicle), RPV (Remotely Piloted Vehicle), light aircraft, hovering platform, low speed traveling platform. 
   
   
       44 . A system according to  claim 41 , wherein said threat is one of the following threats: non-guided missile or rocket; guided missile or rocket; self-guided and maneuvering missile or rocket; heat seeking missile or rocket; radar lock missile or rocket; laser guided missile or rocket; short range missile or rocket; shoulder missile or rocket; RPG (Rocket Propelled Grenade); TOW (Tube-launched, Optically tracked, Wire-guided missile); Hot; Milan; Cornet; Stinger; Strela; and Sager. 
   
   
       45 . A system according to  claim 41 , wherein said projectile is one of the following: non-guided rocket or missile; guided rocket or missile; and self-guided and maneuvering rocket or missile. 
   
   
       46 . A system according to  claim 41 , wherein said multi-beam or phased array radar system comprises one or more sensor units, located at selected locations onboard the platform. 
   
   
       47 . A system according to  claim 41 , wherein said radar system is further configured for tracking of said at least one projectile, and generating output data corresponding to a velocity, a range and an angle of the projectile with respect to the platform. 
   
   
       48 . A system according to  claim 41  wherein said multibeam radar system comprises a digital multibeam radar. 
   
   
       49 . A system according to  claim 48  wherein the radar system is a 32-beam multi-beam radar system. 
   
   
       50 . A system according to  claim 49  wherein the radar system is designed to operate in a 10-20 GHz frequency range. 
   
   
       51 . A system according to  claim 41 , wherein weight of said radar system is in the range of 10-100 Kg. 
   
   
       52 . A system according to  claim 41 , wherein said countermeasure system comprises one or more recoilless battery of the projectiles, located at selected locations onboard the platform, and is associated with at least one activation unit, the activation unit being operatively connected to the control unit and configured for responding to a command signal from the control unit by launching one or more projectiles. 
   
   
       53 . A system according to  claim 41 , wherein said countermeasure system comprises at least one recoilless battery of the projectiles, associated with at least one activation and aiming unit, the activation and aiming unit being operatively connected to the control unit and configured for responding to a command signal from the control unit by aiming and launching one or more projectiles. 
   
   
       54 . A system according to  claim 53  wherein said aiming is performed by aiming the battery as a whole or by aiming at least one part thereof. 
   
   
       55 . A system according to  claim 41 , wherein said countermeasure system is further capable of launching flairs and/or chaffs. 
   
   
       56 . A system according to  claim 41 , further comprising a guidance system capable of guiding the projectile toward an engagement with the threat. 
   
   
       57 . A system according to  claim 41 , further comprising communication unit operable to facilitate at least uplink communication with the projectile, thereby enabling guiding the projectile toward a predicted engagement point with the threat. 
   
   
       58 . A system according to  claim 41 , wherein said control unit is a hardware/software utility configured for performing the following operations:
 (a) detecting, identification and tracking the threat based on processing of said output data from the radar system;   (b) calculating at least trajectory of the threat and the platform and determining the engagement point for the detected threat with respect to the platform;   (c) determining said at least one suitable projectile to be launched, if at all, and generating the control command comprising a fire control command; and   (d) repeating any of operations (a) to (c) as many times as required.   
   
   
       59 . The system according to  claim 58 , wherein said control command generated by the control unit comprises an aiming and fire control command. 
   
   
       60 . A system according to  claim 58 , wherein said control unit is communicatively coupled to platform instrumentation for receiving at least platform trajectory data and said calculating is carried out based on platform trajectory data received from said platform instrumentation. 
   
   
       61 . A system according to  claim 58 , wherein said control unit is further configured for processing platform trajectory data based on said output data, and said calculating is carried out based on said platform trajectory data. 
   
   
       62 . A system according to  claim 58 , wherein said transmitting said control command to said countermeasure system is carried out prior to launch. 
   
   
       63 . A system according to  claim 58 , wherein said transmitting said control command to said countermeasure system is carried out in a dynamic manner prior to launch and afterwards. 
   
   
       64 . A system according to  claim 41 , wherein said plurality of projectiles comprises substantially non-fragmentation type projectiles. 
   
   
       65 . A system according to  claim 58 , wherein said control unit is further configured for tracking said at least one projectile, after it was launched, and to perform operations (b) and (c) based on information corresponding to velocity, range and angle of the projectile with respect to the platform that is measured after launch. 
   
   
       66 . A system according to  claim 41 , wherein said countermeasure system comprises one or more battery of the projectiles, each located at different locations onboard the platform, the control unit being configured and operable for selecting one from among said batteries, in accordance with a predefined criteria, for launching the projectile, and directing the command signal accordingly. 
   
   
       67 . An active protection method for protecting an aerial platform against an approaching threat, the protection method comprising:
 (a) generating radar output data measured by a multi beam or phased array radar system mounted onboard the aerial platform, the output data including threat output data corresponding to a velocity, a range and an angle of the threat with respect to the aerial platform in an airspace around the platform, and detecting, identifying and tracking of at least one threat approaching the platform based on processing of at least said output data, thereby providing a reduced response time of the protection system;   (b) providing onboard the platform a countermeasure system comprising a plurality of projectiles and being capable of launching at least one projectile in response to receiving a control command;   (c) receiving and analyzing said output data, and detecting, identifying and tracking said at least one threat approaching the platform;   (d) determining a desired engagement point for said at least one threat;   (e) utilizing said determined desired engagement point for generating said control command, indicative of selection of one or more projectiles from said plurality of projectiles suitable for intercepting said threat at said engagement point; and,   (f) transmitting said control command to said countermeasure system thereby enabling countering said threat.   
   
   
       68 . A method according to  claim 67 , wherein the selected projectiles are suitable for engagement with said threat at said engagement said engagement point by at least one of a type of the projectile and its location within the platform. 
   
   
       69 . A method according to  claim 67 , wherein said platform is one of the following platforms: helicopter, UAV (Unmanned Airborne Vehicle), RPV (Remotely Piloted Vehicle), light aircraft, hovering platform, low speed traveling platform. 
   
   
       70 . A method according to  claim 67 , wherein said threat is one of the following threats: non-guided missile or rocket; guided missile or rocket; self-guided and maneuvering missile or rocket; heat seeking missile or rocket; radar lock missile or rocket; laser guided missile or rocket; short range missile or rocket; shoulder missile or rocket; RPG (Rocket Propelled Grenade); TOW (Tube-launched, Optically tracked, Wire-guided missile); Hot; Milan; Cornet; Stinger; Strela; and Sager. 
   
   
       71 . A method according to  claim 67 , wherein said generating radar output data is carried out based on measurements received from one or more sensor unit, located at selected locations onboard the platform. 
   
   
       72 . A method according to  claim 67 , further comprising:
 (g) tracking of said at least one projectile, and generating countermeasure output data corresponding to a velocity, a range and an angle of the projectile with respect to the platform.   
   
   
       73 . A method according to  claim 67 , further comprising:
 (h) providing uplink communication with the projectile, thereby enabling guiding the projectile toward a predicted engagement point with the threat.   
   
   
       74 . A method according to  claim 67 , further comprising:
 (i) calculating at least trajectory of the threat and the platform and determining the engagement point for the detected threat with respect to the platform;   (j) determining said at least one suitable projectile to be launched, if at all;   (k) repeating any one of operations (a) to (g) as many times as required.   
   
   
       75 . A method according to  claim 67 , wherein said transmitting said control command to said countermeasure system is carried out prior to launch. 
   
   
       76 . A method according to  claim 67 , wherein said transmitting said control command to said countermeasure system is carried out in a dynamic manner prior to launch and afterwards. 
   
   
       77 . A method according to  claim 74 , further comprising tracking said at least one projectile, after it was launched, and performing said calculating operation and/or determining operation based on information corresponding to velocity, range and angle of the projectile with respect to the platform, measured after launch. 
   
   
       78 . A method according to  claim 74 , wherein the countermeasure system comprises one or more battery of the projectiles each located at different locations onboard the platform, operation (j) further comprising: selecting one from among said batteries, in accordance with a predefined criteria, for launching the projectile, and directing the command signal accordingly. 
   
   
       79 . A method according to  claim 67 , further comprising:
 (l) receiving platform trajectory data from platform instrumentation; and wherein said calculating is carried out based on platform trajectory data received from said platform instrumentation.   
   
   
       80 . A method according to  claim 67 , further comprising:
 (i) processing platform trajectory data based on said output data; and wherein said calculating is carried out based on said platform trajectory data.