System, apparatus and method for protection of a vehicle against a possible threat

Abstract

A system for protection of a vehicle against a possible threat approaching the vehicle. A sensor is configured to detect the possible threat and to transmit raw data and to continue the detection as long as there is a possible or confirmed threat. A control unit is configured to receive the raw data transmitted from the sensor and to evaluate the possible threat in view of the raw data to produce and transmit processed information. A counter-measure apparatus is configured to receive the processed information of the threat from the control unit if the evaluation by the control unit confirms that there is a threat. A launcher is configured to receive preliminary processed information of the direction of the threat from the control unit and to receive a launching signal from the control unit for launching the counter-measure apparatus towards the threat when the threat is confirmed. The counter-measure apparatus includes a guiding unit configured to guide the counter-measure apparatus towards the threat based on the processed information of the threat that is continuously received via the control unit, during acceleration of the counter-measure apparatus. The counter-measure apparatus further includes a counter-measure element that is launched in a direction against the threat by a releasing and activating module configured to release and activate the counter-measure element when the counter-measure apparatus has reached within the vicinity of the threat, such that the counter-measure element can defeat the threat.

1 . A system for protection of a vehicle against a possible threat approaching the vehicle, the system comprising:
 a sensor configured to detect the possible threat and to transmit raw data and to continue the detection as long as there is a possible or confirmed threat,   a control unit configured to receive the raw data transmitted from the sensor and to evaluate the possible threat in view of the raw data to produce and transmit processed information,   a counter-measure apparatus configured to receive the processed information of the threat from the control unit if the evaluation by the control unit confirms that there is a threat, and   a launcher configured to receive preliminary processed information of the direction of the threat from the control unit and to receive a launching signal from the control unit for launching the counter-measure apparatus towards the threat when the threat is confirmed, wherein the counter-measure apparatus comprises a guiding unit by which the counter-measure apparatus is guided towards the threat based on the processed information of the threat that is continuously received via the control unit, during acceleration of the counter-measure apparatus, the counter-measure apparatus further comprises a counter-measure element that is launched in a direction against the threat by a releasing and activating module configured to release and activate the counter-measure element when the counter-measure apparatus has reached within the vicinity of the threat, such that the counter-measure element can defeat the threat.   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the counter-measure element is a non-explosive counter-measure. 
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the counter-measure element is an explosive counter-measure. 
     
     
         4 . An apparatus for launching a counter-measure towards a threat, comprising:
 a counter-measure element   a guiding unit by which the counter-measure apparatus is guided towards the threat, during acceleration of the counter-measure apparatus, based on continuously received information of the threat, and   a releasing and activating module configured to release and activate the counter-measure element in a direction against the threat when the counter-measure apparatus has reached within the vicinity of the threat, such that the counter-measure element can defeat the threat.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the counter-measure element is a non-explosive counter-measure. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the counter-measure element is an explosive counter-measure. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the counter-measure element comprises a net. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein counter-measure element comprises a liquid with adhesive properties. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the counter-measure element comprises a spinning wire counter-measure. 
     
     
         10 . An aircraft, comprising a system according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         11 . A method for protection of a vehicle against a threat approaching the vehicle, the method comprising:
 detecting a possible threat and transmitting raw data continuously as long as there is a possible or confirmed threat,   evaluating the possible threat in view of the raw data to produce processed information,   transmitting the processed information of the threat to a counter-measure apparatus if the evaluation confirms that there is a threat and delivering a launching signal for launching the counter-measure apparatus,   launching the counter-measure apparatus in a direction towards the threat by delivering preliminary processed information of the direction of the threat to the counter-measure apparatus,   guiding the counter-measure apparatus towards the threat based on the processed information of the threat that is continuously delivered to the counter-measure apparatus, and   launching a counter-measure element from the counter-measure apparatus in a direction against the threat, when the counter-measure apparatus has reached within the vicinity of the threat, such that the counter-measure element can defeat the threat.   
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , the evaluation of the raw data take the threats speed into consideration and/or dimensions not classified as a threat. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein an aspect angle of the possible threat is calculated and information of the aspect angle is transmitted to the counter-measure apparatus. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the guiding of the counter-measure apparatus towards the threat, during acceleration of the counter-measure apparatus, is substantially carried out in an axial direction towards the threat. 
     
     
         15 . An aircraft, comprising an apparatus according to  claim 9 .