System, method and computer program for timing interceptor missile warhead initiation

Abstract

An interceptor missile comprising: a warhead; a processing unit; one or more sensors configured to obtain at least one reading enabling determination of a passing direction of the interceptor missile with respect to a target; wherein the processing unit is configured to: receive the reading from the sensors; determine a passing direction utilizing the reading; and obtain a required time T go for initiating the warhead, utilizing the determined passing direction.

1 . An interceptor missile comprising:
 a warhead;   a processing unit;   one or more sensors configured to obtain at least one reading enabling determination of a passing direction of the interceptor missile with respect to a target;   wherein the processing unit is configured to:
 receive the reading from the sensors; 
 determine a passing direction utilizing the reading; and 
 obtain a required time T go  for initiating the warhead, utilizing the determined passing direction. 
   
     
     
         2 . The interceptor missile of  claim 1  wherein the reading enables determination of a range and a range rate of the interceptor missile with respect to the target and wherein the processing unit is further configured to obtain the range and the range rate from the readings and initiate the warhead when T go  is substantially equal to, or smaller then, the range multiplied by the range rate and divided by a power of two of a closing velocity of the interceptor. 
     
     
         3 . The interceptor missile of  claim 2  wherein T go  is obtained utilizing target information indicative of a target type. 
     
     
         4 . The interceptor missile of  claim 2  wherein T go  is a default value when the target type is unknown. 
     
     
         5 . The interceptor missile of  claim 1  wherein the initiation time is determined such that the number of fragments of the interceptor expected to hit the target is optimal. 
     
     
         6 . The interceptor missile of  claim 1  wherein the initiation time is determined such that the number of fragments of the interceptor expected to hit a selected part of the target is optimal. 
     
     
         7 . The interceptor missile of  claim 6  wherein the selected part is the front of the target or the rear of the target. 
     
     
         8 . The interceptor missile of  claim 1  wherein the required time T go  in case the passing direction is indicative of a tail-passing scenario, wherein the interceptor trajectory passes above the target, is different than the required time T go  in case the passing direction is indicative of a head-passing scenario, wherein the interceptor trajectory passes below the target. 
     
     
         9 . The interceptor missile of  claim 1  wherein the sensors are proximity sensors. 
     
     
         10 . The interceptor of  claim 9  wherein the proximity sensors are proximity fuses. 
     
     
         11 . The interceptor missile of  claim 9  wherein the passing direction is determined also utilizing information relating to the location of the proximity sensors on the interceptor missile, and information of the interceptor missile roll angle and attack angle. 
     
     
         12 . The interceptor missile of  claim 1  wherein the warhead is omni-directional. 
     
     
         13 . An interceptor missile comprising a warhead and a processing unit, the processing unit configured to determine an initiation time of the warhead based on a passing direction, the passing direction being indicative of a tail passing, wherein the interceptor trajectory passes above the target, or a head passing, wherein the interceptor trajectory passes below the target. 
     
     
         14 . An interceptor missile comprising a warhead and a processing unit, the processing unit is configured to:
 provide data representative of at least two warhead initiation times, each corresponding to a distinct passing scenario associated with a passing direction;   calculate an interception passing direction based on data received from one or more sensors of the interceptor;   initiate the warhead at an initiation time substantially equal to the warhead initiation time corresponding to the interception passing direction.   
     
     
         15 . A method for timing initiation of a warhead of an interceptor missile, the method comprising:
 receiving, by a processing unit, readings from one or more sensors configured to obtain at least one reading enabling determination of a passing direction of the interceptor missile with respect to a target;   determining a passing direction utilizing the readings; and   obtaining a required time T go  for initiating the warhead, utilizing the determined passing direction.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the reading enables determination of a range and a range rate of the interceptor missile with respect to the target and wherein the method further comprising obtaining the range and the range rate from the readings and initiating the warhead when T go  is substantially equal to, or smaller then, the range multiplied by the range rate and divided by a power of two of a closing velocity of the interceptor missile with respect to the target. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein T go  is obtained utilizing target information indicative of a target type. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein T go  is a default value when the target type is unknown. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the initiation time is determined such that the number of fragments of the interceptor expected to hit the target is optimal. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the initiation time is determined such that the number of fragments of the interceptor expected to hit a selected part of the target is optimal. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the selected part is the front of the target or the rear of the target. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the required time T go  in case the passing direction is indicative of a tail-passing scenario, wherein the interceptor trajectory passes above the target, is different than the required time T go  in case the passing direction is indicative of a head-passing scenario, wherein the interceptor trajectory passes below the target. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the sensors are proximity sensors. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23  wherein the proximity sensors are proximity fuses. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23  wherein the passing direction is determined also utilizing information relating to the location of the proximity sensors on the interceptor missile, and information of the interceptor missile roll angle and attack angle. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the warhead is omni-directional. 
     
     
         27 . A method for timing initiation of a warhead of an interceptor missile, the method comprising determining an initiation time of the warhead based on a passing direction, the passing direction being indicative of a tail passing, wherein the interceptor trajectory passes above the target, or a head passing, wherein the interceptor trajectory passes below the target. 
     
     
         28 . A method for timing initiation of a warhead of an interceptor missile, the method comprising:
 providing data representative of at least two warhead initiation times, each corresponding to a distinct passing scenario associated with a passing direction;   calculating, by a processing unit, an interception passing direction based on data received from one or more sensors of the interceptor; and   initiating the warhead at an initiation time substantially equal to the warhead initiation time corresponding to the interception passing direction.   
     
     
         29 . A computer program comprising computer program code means for performing the following steps when said program is run on a computer:
 receiving readings from one or more sensors configured to obtain at least one reading enabling determination of a passing direction of the interceptor missile with respect to a target;   determining a passing direction utilizing the readings; and   obtaining a required time T go  for initiating the warhead, utilizing the determined passing direction.   
     
     
         30 . A computer program comprising computer program code means for performing the following steps when said program is run on a computer:
 determining an initiation time of the warhead based on a passing direction, the passing direction being indicative of a tail passing, wherein the interceptor trajectory passes above the target, or a head passing, wherein the interceptor trajectory passes below the target.   
     
     
         31 . A computer program comprising computer program code means for performing the following steps when said program is run on a computer:
 providing data representative of at least two warhead initiation times, each corresponding to a distinct passing scenario associated with a passing direction;   calculating an interception passing direction based on data received from one or more sensors of the interceptor; and   initiating the warhead at an initiation time substantially equal to the warhead initiation time corresponding to the interception passing direction.