Method for assigning a target to a missile

Details Method for assigning a target to a missile Method for assigning a target to a missile

1998-06-29

2001-03-06

Gregory, Bernarr E. (Department: 3662)

Aeronautics and astronautics

Missile stabilization or trajectory control

Automatic guidance

C244S003110, C244S003160, C244S003190, C342S062000, C089S001110

Reexamination Certificate

active

06196496

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for finding and bombing a cluster of targets.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In combat operations, it is often necessary to target and destroy one or more members of a cluster of ground targets located deep behind enemy lines. For example, it may be desired to destroy an artillery or missile battery made up of a number of artillery pieces or missile launchers and one or more support vehicles, or a column of tanks which may either be camped and thus stationary or moving along an axis.
Various methods are available for effectively handling such targets. Perhaps the most effective method known heretofore is using combat aircraft which overfly the targets, identify and locate the target and then launch one or more of a variety of bombs and missiles to destroy the targets.
A disadvantage of such techniques is that they require a manned attacking aircraft to fly deep into enemy territory which can be dangerous to the aircraft and crew.
An alternative solution is the use of ground-to-ground or air-to-ground missiles. These missiles have accuracies which are at least as good as those attained by projectiles launched from manned aircraft and have the advantage of not incurring undue risk to attacking personnel. However, these missiles are very expensive, which makes them practical only for extremely sensitive or valuable targets.
Applicants' copending Israeli application 110960 describes a system for bombing one or more member of a cluster of targets. The system includes an aircraft and a multiplicity of bombs and determines the location of a cluster of targets, selects a target for each of the bombs and transmits the information to the missiles or bombs. Each missile or bomb then utilizes pattern recognition means to navigate towards the target.
Reference is now briefly made to
FIG. 1
which very generally illustrates the flight of a group of aircraft with missiles thereon for bombing a battery of targets. As shown in
FIG. 1
, a number of airplanes
10
, each of which has a set number of weapons
12
to be launched, approach an area of interest
20
in which number of batteries
22
to be bombed is thought to exist. Typically, each battery
22
comprises a plurality of targets
24
. The airplanes
10
launch their weapons
12
at a distance from the area
20
and return home. The weapons
12
, which typically include theron homing systems (not shown), make their way towards the area of interest
20
.
Unfortunately, when many missiles are launched towards the same battery, they may all attack the same target, rather than attacking the different targets within the artillery or missile battery. Still further, the missiles do not update the location of the battery from the time it is first viewed to the time it is bombed and thus, if the battery has moved, the weapons will not explode on the desired target.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for finding and bombing a stationary or moving cluster of targets. The method operates on a number of airplanes, each of which has a set number of weapons to be launched, each with their own guidance system thereon.
There is therefore provided, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a method for assigning a target within a cluster of targets to a specific one of a plurality N of weapons launched from M airplanes. The method includes the following steps:
providing the specific weapon with an index (m,n) based on the weapon bay n and the airplane m from which it is to be launched;
receiving the central location and determining the shape of the cluster;
dividing the cluster shape into N sub-clusters wherein each sub-cluster n has M sectors m;
determining the center of gravity of each sector;
associating the specific weapon with the sector having index (m,n); and assigning a target from among the targets in the associated sector to the specific weapon.
Additionally, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the method can be performed by each of the launched weapons or by the airplane prior to launching its weapons.
There is also provided, in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, a method for finding a cluster of targets. The method includes the step of scanning an area of interest in the general vicinity of a cluster a number of times. Each time, the sensor scans across the direction of flight fast enough to finish a sweep before the vehicle flies the distance covered by the footprint of the sensor of the ground. The range from the vehicle to the terrain is generally constant for each scan and is only changed between scans. The method also includes the steps of estimating, from the output of the step of scanning, an estimated location and shape of the cluster, scanning an area generally covering the estimated shape and location of the cluster and identifying a detailed location and shape of the cluster.
Moreover, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the method includes the steps of comparing the shape of the cluster to a reference image of the cluster and selecting a target from among the objects in the cluster. The step of comparing preferably includes the step of forming a three-dimensional polygon from the outer objects in the cluster. In addition, the method includes the step of generating differences between the produced three-dimensional polygon at one time to the produced three-dimensional polygon at a second time and determining if the differences indicate motion of at least one object in the customer. Typically, the three-dimensional polygon is produced by performing a Hough transform on the sensor data output from the scan of the area of the cluster.
Additionally, the sensor can be electro-optic or electromagnetic and the reference image can be received during or prior to flight.
Finally, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the method additionally includes the step of selecting a target from among the identified objects in the cluster. The step of selecting preferably includes the step of reconstructing the terrain and considering the terrain shape when determining the selected target.


REFERENCES:
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patent: 5042743 (1991-08-01), Carney
patent: 5206452 (1993-04-01), Stamper et al.
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Bar-Shalom, Yaakov and Thomas E. Fortmann, “Tracking and Data Association”, Academic Press, Inc., Boston, chapter 3 and chapter 4, pp. 101-141, 1988.
Duda, Richard O. and Peter E. Hart, “Pattern Classification and Scene Analysis”, A Wiley-Interscience Publication, chapter 6, pp. 189-260, 1973, New York.

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