Active protection system

Abstract

An active protection system for protecting a platform from an incoming threat. The system comprises: a detection system configured for providing an output data associated with an incoming threat; a first countermeasure arrangement mountable on the platform and configured to intercept an incoming threat at a far interception point; a second countermeasure arrangement mountable on the platform and configured to intercept an incoming threat at a near interception point; and a controlling unit, in communication with the detection system and with the first and second countermeasure arrangements, configured for receiving said output data and selecting a preferred countermeasure arrangement from said first and second countermeasure arrangements, with which the incoming threat is to be intercepted.

1 . An active protection system for protecting a platform from an incoming threat, the active protection system comprising:
 a detection system configured for providing an output data associated with an incoming threat;   a first countermeasure arrangement mountable on the platform and configured to intercept an incoming threat at a far interception point;   a second countermeasure arrangement mountable on the platform and configured to intercept an incoming threat at a near interception point; and   a controlling unit, in communication with the detection system and with the first and second countermeasure arrangements, configured for receiving the output data and selecting a preferred countermeasure arrangement from the first and second countermeasure arrangements, with which the incoming threat is to be intercepted.   
     
     
         2 . The active protection system according to  claim 1 , wherein the controlling unit is further configured for analyzing at least the output data to determine a type of the incoming threat and selecting the preferred countermeasure arrangement at least based on the determined type of the incoming threat. 
     
     
         3 . The active protection system according to  claim 1 , wherein the controlling unit is further configured for analyzing at least the output data for detecting launch of the incoming threat and tracking the incoming threat. 
     
     
         4 . The active protection system according to  claim 2 , wherein the controlling unit is further configured to base the selection of the preferred countermeasure arrangement on at least one of the following: the distance of the incoming threat from the platform; the expected residual impact of the determined type of the incoming threat if intercepted; the caliber of the determined type of the incoming threat; the weight of the determined type of the incoming threat; or the effectiveness of each of the first and second countermeasure arrangements against the determined type of the incoming threat. 
     
     
         5 . The active protection system according to  claim 4 , wherein the first countermeasure arrangement is selected for incoming threats having an expected residual impact that is greater than the expected residual impact for which the second countermeasure arrangement is selected. 
     
     
         6 . The active protection system according to  claim 1 , wherein the controlling unit is further configured for instructing the preferred countermeasure arrangement to intercept the incoming threat. 
     
     
         7 . The active protection system according to  claim 1 , wherein the detection system comprises a radar system at least for tracking the incoming threat. 
     
     
         8 . The active protection system according to  claim 8 , wherein the detection system further comprises a radio frequency (RF) system operative at least prior to the operation of the radar system for at least one of the following: detecting launch of the incoming threat or determining the type of the incoming threat. 
     
     
         9 . The active protection system according to  claim 1 , wherein the far interception point is located farther than the near interception point, with respect to the platform. 
     
     
         10 . The active protection system according to  claim 1 , wherein the second countermeasure arrangement comprises a linear array of countermeasures configured for intercepting the incoming threat. 
     
     
         11 . The active protection system according to  claim 10 , wherein the countermeasures of the linear array are configured to be directed and launched in a plane substantially perpendicular to line of flight of the incoming threat. 
     
     
         12 . The active protection system according to  claim 11 , wherein the countermeasures of the linear array are configured to be directed and launched in the vertically downward direction. 
     
     
         13 . The active protection system according to  claim 1 , wherein the near interception point is located in close proximity to the platform's wall for reducing the collateral damage. 
     
     
         14 . The active protection system according to  claim 1 , wherein the near interception point is located at a distance of between about 0.1 meter to about 10 meter from the platform. 
     
     
         15 . A platform having the active protection system according to  claim 1 , mounted thereon. 
     
     
         16 . A method for actively protecting of a platform from an incoming threat, the method comprising:
 providing a mountable first countermeasure arrangement configured to intercept the incoming threat at a far interception point, and a mountable second countermeasure arrangement configured to intercept the incoming threat at a near interception point;   obtaining an output data from a detection system, at least for detecting the incoming threat;   selecting by a controlling unit a preferred countermeasure arrangement from the first and second countermeasure arrangements, at least based on the output data; and   instructing the preferred countermeasure arrangement to intercept the incoming threat.   
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , further comprising mounting the first and second countermeasure arrangements on the platform. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 16 , further comprising:
 analyzing by the controlling unit at least the output data to determine the type of the incoming threat; and   performing the step of selecting the preferred countermeasure arrangement at least based on the determined type of the incoming threat.   
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the controlling unit is further configured to base the selection of the preferred countermeasure arrangement on at least one of the following: the distance of the incoming threat from the platform; the expected residual impact of the determined type of the incoming threat if intercepted; the caliber of the determined type of the incoming threat; the weight of the determined type of the incoming threat; or the effectiveness of each of the first and second countermeasure arrangements against the determined type of the incoming threat. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 16 , further comprising determining at least one of the near interception point or far interception point by the controlling unit.