GB2320316A - Laser countermeasure - Google Patents
Laser countermeasure Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2320316A GB2320316A GB9626117A GB9626117A GB2320316A GB 2320316 A GB2320316 A GB 2320316A GB 9626117 A GB9626117 A GB 9626117A GB 9626117 A GB9626117 A GB 9626117A GB 2320316 A GB2320316 A GB 2320316A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- electromagnetic energy
- laser
- elements
- countermeasure
- accordance
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 11
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 abstract description 11
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 abstract description 9
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 abstract description 2
- 230000005670 electromagnetic radiation Effects 0.000 abstract 1
- 230000008685 targeting Effects 0.000 description 6
- 238000005474 detonation Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000003466 anti-cipated effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000006185 dispersion Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000009977 dual effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000011888 foil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002028 premature Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000035755 proliferation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002459 sustained effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000010409 thin film Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000007 visual effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
- H01Q19/00—Combinations of primary active antenna elements and units with secondary devices, e.g. with quasi-optical devices, for giving the antenna a desired directional characteristic
- H01Q19/06—Combinations of primary active antenna elements and units with secondary devices, e.g. with quasi-optical devices, for giving the antenna a desired directional characteristic using refracting or diffracting devices, e.g. lens
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F41—WEAPONS
- F41H—ARMOUR; ARMOURED TURRETS; ARMOURED OR ARMED VEHICLES; MEANS OF ATTACK OR DEFENCE, e.g. CAMOUFLAGE, IN GENERAL
- F41H11/00—Defence installations; Defence devices
- F41H11/02—Anti-aircraft or anti-guided missile or anti-torpedo defence installations or systems
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
- H01Q15/00—Devices for reflection, refraction, diffraction or polarisation of waves radiated from an antenna, e.g. quasi-optical devices
- H01Q15/14—Reflecting surfaces; Equivalent structures
- H01Q15/145—Reflecting surfaces; Equivalent structures comprising a plurality of reflecting particles, e.g. radar chaff
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Remote Sensing (AREA)
- Radar, Positioning & Navigation (AREA)
- Electromagnetism (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
- Optical Radar Systems And Details Thereof (AREA)
- Details Of Measuring And Other Instruments (AREA)
- Optical Elements Other Than Lenses (AREA)
- Surface Treatment Of Optical Elements (AREA)
- Radar Systems Or Details Thereof (AREA)
- Analysing Materials By The Use Of Radiation (AREA)
Abstract
Apparatus for disrupting a beam of electromagnetic radiation, e.g. a laser beam incident upon a target, comprises a plurality of elements each having a partially reflective coating, the elements being adapted in use to be ejected into the path of the electromagnetic energy. The elements may be in the form of a flat surface (figure 1), a metallised lens (figure 2) or a sphere 16 having a hemispherical metal coating 20.
Description
2320316 ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION- DISRUPTION ELEMENTS
This invention relates to the field of disruption of electromagnetic energy incident upon an object and more particularly, but not exclusively to decoys used to protect aircraft, ships and land vehicles against the potential threat posed by weapons and weapon systems.
Many modem weapon systems utilise the abilities of seeking apparatus to identify, follow and ultimately detonate in the vicinity of a target. Such weapons systems utilise a range of methods by which targets may be identified, including both the thermal signature of the vehicle and/or the use of radar to locate and track the target. More recently weapon systems have begun to incorporate the use of electromagnetic energy systems, usually in the form of lasers, which enable such systems to provide high quality targeting information to give highly accurate missile and/or gun fire in ground to air, air-to-air and air-to-ground scenarios. Additionally some weapon systems utilise lasers as a target proximity detonation system for determining the detonation time and/or distance of the weapon from the target.
A more recent addition to the field of military weapon systems has been that of the new classes of high powered lasers (Laser Directed Energy Weapons) These can be used to dazzle and/or damage crew and/or electrooptic sensors on board both military and civilian vehicles. The use of such high powered lasers poses a threat ftom both hostile military forces and that of terrorists whereby such weapon system could easily be utilised to threaten the safety of civilian aircraft. The invention has particular advantages in the field of decoys used for vehicle protection against weapon systems which additionally utilise lasers to enable high quality targeting information.
The proliferation of these threats has resulted in the development of a relatively small number of laser warning systems now fitted to United States aircraft, helicopters and tanks, but as yet no in service UK aircraft has been fitted with such a laser warning system. It would be anticipated that most future vehicles designed for use in military conditions will require a laser warning system as standard.
Research into the field of laser warning systems indicates that although audio and/or visual warnings can be flagged to the crew of a vehicle to which they are fitted, there are currently no countermeasures which can be deployed when the vehicle is illuminated by laser energy or targeted by a laser/radar tracking system.
The invention provides apparatus and a method to provide a passive countermeasure to laser threats, including such threats from both directed energy laser weapons and lower power targeting/ proximity detonation lasers.
Accordingly there is provided apparatus for the disruption of electromagnetic energy, comprising a plurality of element means, each said element means having at least part of one surface adapted to reflect incident electromagnetic energy.
Furthermore there is also provided method of disrupting electromagnetic energy incident upon an object, comprising means for ejecting a plurality of elements into the path of said electromagnetic energy, each element having at least part of one surface adapted to reflect said incident electromagnetic energy.
The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the following drawings.
Figure 1 shows a diagram of a "flat type" laser countermeasure element; Figure 2 shows a diagram of a 9ens type" countermeasure element; Figure 3 shows a diagram of a "spherical type" laser countermeasure element; In figure 1, a substantially flat type countermeasure element 2 is shown, comprising a plastic portion 4 and a metalised coating 6, forming an extruded 'V' shape. The metalised coating 6 could be applied via a spluttering process or as metal foil suitably glued to the plastic, giving the flat type element 2 a dual reflective surface on one face. The lip 5 assists in the separation of the flat elements once ejected into the air stream. The element has a thin film, anti-static, non-stick outer coating to both faces to ensure that the individual elements do not stick to each other when jettisoned from the aircraft.
Figure 2 shows a circular lens type element 8 having a plastic face 10, the reverse face 12 having both a similar metalised coating 14 and thin fihn coating to that of the flat type element 2.
In figure 3 a spherical countermeasure element 16 is shown, being comprised of a plastic material 18 comprising a hemispherical metalised coating 20, the materials therefore being identical to those described in the metalised coatings of the flat type countermeasure 2 and the flat lens type countermeasure 8. The spherical element may be solid or, for lower mass (which is important for aircraft applications), can be hollow. Hollow elements have the added advantage of increased countermeasure effectiveness time, due to the lower altitude loss rate when compared with the solid spherical elements.
In use, the method by which the three types of countermeasure elements, namely flat 2, substantially flat lens 8 and spherical 16 achieve their purpose as laser countermeasures, lies in their potential to reflect incident laser beam energy due to the nature of the mirror finished metalised coatings 6, 14, 20 and in some cases additionally act on the incident energy so as to modify its power and/or direction. The flat type elements 2 are utilised for their ability to reflect incident laser beam energy, whereas botle lens type 8 and the spherical elements 16 utilise the optical functions of their shape to both reflect and/or disperse laser energy.
The lens type elements 8 act as an effective counterTneasure to laser energy by reducing the power density of an incident laser beam, the lens being optically divergent thereby reducing the power level of any laser beam which passes through it and is still incident on the vehicle which is being targeted or tracked. This reduction in power density weakens the ability of any laser targeting or ranging equipment to assess the true distance of the vehicle from the laser seeking head thereby acting as an effective laser countermeasure.
The spherical countermeasure elements 16 are coated with a hemispherical metalised coating 20 which gives the said elements the ability to totally internally reflect any incident laser energy.
A plurality of similar types of countermeasure elements, namely 2, 8, 16 would be housed in a suitable container attached to or positioned in proximity to the vehicle which is to be protected from laser directed energy andlor targeting systems utilising these reflective type countermeasure elements. When a suitable laser warning system identifies that the vehicle is being illuminated and/or targeted by incident laser energy, the countermeasure element container would be so designed to eject the contained plurality of countermeasure elements thereby causing the vehicle.
To be most effective as a countermeasure element, a maximum potential reflective area of the countermeasure elements in the incident laser beam is required. This is achieved the required interruption and/or dispersion of the laser beam thus protecting by maximising both the number and area of the individual countermeasure elements in the containers. Each element will be dispersed so as to utilise the maximum area available within the cross section of the container in which it is fitted. In the case of the flat type element 2 the number per container is limited only by the container volume. For the lens type countermeasure element 8, a trade off between lens thickness and number per container volume has to be made. This is threat scenario dependent because the level of internal reflection which can be achieved within the flat type lens 8 is dependent on the wavelength(s) of the incident laser(s), the dielectric constant of the plastic and the lens thickness. In the extreme, the container volume could be filled with spheres, which could be much smaller than the diameter of cross-section of the container, and thus each of which would provide a total internal reflection of laser energy at a given wavelength.
When ejected at appropriate angles from the host vehicle the very low mass countermeasure elements form a floating mirror to reflectand/or divert the laser energy from the vehicle being protected. This effect is sustained for an appropriate time until the elements float down to earth. The invention also offers the opportunity to enable premature detonation of weapons which utilise laser proximity fuses, the possibility of break lock of laser targeting and ranging systems along with offering some measure of protection to the vehicle crew and electro-optic sensors from laser directed energy weapon threats.
Claims (1)
- ClaimsApparatus for the disruption of electromagnetic energy, comprising a plurality of element means, each said element means having at least part of one surface adapted to reflect incident electromagnetic energy.Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said element means comprises an optically divergent lens means.Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said element means are substantially spherical.4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 3, wherein said element means are designed to substantially totally internally reflect said incident electromagnetic energy.A method of disrupting electromagnetic energy incident upon an object, comprising means for ejecting a plurality of elements into the path of said electromagnetic energy, each element having at least part of one surface adapted to reflect said incident electromagnetic energy.A method in accordance with claim 5 wherein said element means comprises an optically divergent lens means.7. A method as in accordance with claim 5, wherein said element means are substantially spherical.8. A method in accordance with claim 7, wherein said element means is designed to substantially totally internally reflect said incident electromagnetic energy.9. An apparatus or method in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein said electromagnetic energy is produced by a laser.jo. Apparatus substantially as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings.11. A method of disrupting electromagnetic energy as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB9626117A GB2320316A (en) | 1996-12-16 | 1996-12-16 | Laser countermeasure |
EP97310092A EP0849612A3 (en) | 1996-12-16 | 1997-12-15 | Electromagnetic radiation disruption elements |
JP9369883A JPH10307195A (en) | 1996-12-16 | 1997-12-16 | Apparatus for and method of disrupting electromagnetic energy |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB9626117A GB2320316A (en) | 1996-12-16 | 1996-12-16 | Laser countermeasure |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
GB9626117D0 GB9626117D0 (en) | 1997-02-05 |
GB2320316A true GB2320316A (en) | 1998-06-17 |
Family
ID=10804532
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
GB9626117A Withdrawn GB2320316A (en) | 1996-12-16 | 1996-12-16 | Laser countermeasure |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0849612A3 (en) |
JP (1) | JPH10307195A (en) |
GB (1) | GB2320316A (en) |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2007101816A1 (en) * | 2006-03-09 | 2007-09-13 | Thales | Method for identifying by laser profilometry |
US7623059B2 (en) | 2006-10-05 | 2009-11-24 | Northrop Grumman Corporation | Disruptive media dispersal system for aircraft |
US10295658B2 (en) | 2014-10-02 | 2019-05-21 | The Johns Hopkins University | Optical detection system |
RU2698513C2 (en) * | 2017-09-12 | 2019-08-28 | Федеральное государственное казенное военное образовательное учреждение высшего образования "Военный учебно-научный центр Военно-воздушных сил "Военно-воздушная академия имени профессора Н.Е. Жуковского и Ю.А. Гагарина" (г. Воронеж) Министерства обороны Российской Федерации | Method for reducing effective scattering area of optoelectronic device |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3992628A (en) * | 1972-07-17 | 1976-11-16 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy | Countermeasure system for laser radiation |
GB2036935A (en) * | 1978-09-13 | 1980-07-02 | Marconi Co Ltd | Improvements in defence systems |
US5151819A (en) * | 1988-12-12 | 1992-09-29 | General Atomics | Barrier for scattering electromagnetic radiation |
US5495787A (en) * | 1994-06-17 | 1996-03-05 | Boyer, Iii; Lynn L. | Anti-missile missiles having means to "blind", and thus render ineffective, precision, seeker guided munitions |
Family Cites Families (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE2750776C3 (en) * | 1977-11-14 | 1980-06-04 | Precitronic Gesellschaft Fuer Feinmechanik Und Electronic Mbh, 2000 Hamburg | Azimuthally directional launcher |
DE3337941A1 (en) * | 1983-10-19 | 1985-05-09 | Bayer Ag, 5090 Leverkusen | Passive radar reflectors |
US5571621A (en) * | 1989-12-11 | 1996-11-05 | Advanced Technology Materials, Inc. | Infrared radiation-interactive article, and method of generating a transient infrared radiation response |
US5212488A (en) * | 1992-01-21 | 1993-05-18 | Konotchick John A | Ellipsoidal chaff |
-
1996
- 1996-12-16 GB GB9626117A patent/GB2320316A/en not_active Withdrawn
-
1997
- 1997-12-15 EP EP97310092A patent/EP0849612A3/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1997-12-16 JP JP9369883A patent/JPH10307195A/en active Pending
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3992628A (en) * | 1972-07-17 | 1976-11-16 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy | Countermeasure system for laser radiation |
GB2036935A (en) * | 1978-09-13 | 1980-07-02 | Marconi Co Ltd | Improvements in defence systems |
US5151819A (en) * | 1988-12-12 | 1992-09-29 | General Atomics | Barrier for scattering electromagnetic radiation |
US5495787A (en) * | 1994-06-17 | 1996-03-05 | Boyer, Iii; Lynn L. | Anti-missile missiles having means to "blind", and thus render ineffective, precision, seeker guided munitions |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2007101816A1 (en) * | 2006-03-09 | 2007-09-13 | Thales | Method for identifying by laser profilometry |
FR2898415A1 (en) * | 2006-03-09 | 2007-09-14 | Thales Sa | LASER PROFILOMETRY IDENTIFICATION METHOD |
US7623059B2 (en) | 2006-10-05 | 2009-11-24 | Northrop Grumman Corporation | Disruptive media dispersal system for aircraft |
US10295658B2 (en) | 2014-10-02 | 2019-05-21 | The Johns Hopkins University | Optical detection system |
RU2698513C2 (en) * | 2017-09-12 | 2019-08-28 | Федеральное государственное казенное военное образовательное учреждение высшего образования "Военный учебно-научный центр Военно-воздушных сил "Военно-воздушная академия имени профессора Н.Е. Жуковского и Ю.А. Гагарина" (г. Воронеж) Министерства обороны Российской Федерации | Method for reducing effective scattering area of optoelectronic device |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB9626117D0 (en) | 1997-02-05 |
JPH10307195A (en) | 1998-11-17 |
EP0849612A2 (en) | 1998-06-24 |
EP0849612A3 (en) | 1999-07-21 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |