Ordnance – Shields
Reexamination Certificate
1983-03-23
2001-01-30
Buczinski, Stephen C. (Department: 3662)
Ordnance
Shields
C244S00100R, C244S11700R, C244S121000, C250S352000, C374S129000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06178865
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
When an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) is launched into an orbit toward a target, it can be readily detected by radar as it approaches a target area. Several decoy missiles, which are designed to appear to a radar system as though they are ICBM's, may accompany one or more ICBM's so that a cluster of missiles will appear to a tracking radar, thereby camouflaging the identity of the true ICBM's. However, this cluster of missiles is also being observed by detection systems other than radar. For example, passive infrared detection systems such as forward looking infrared systems (FLIRS) in the 3-5 micron band and the 8-14 micron band are used. These systems sense the temperature of an object by observing the thermal energy which it radiates. Thus, when an ICBM and accompanying decoys are launched into a polar orbit they will pass from a sun lit region into a region shaded by the earth's shadow. When this happens, both the massive ICBM's and any decoys which accompany them begin to radiate energy to the cold regions of outer space and begin to cool down. Since each radiates energy at about the same rate, the ICBM's with their large thermal mass tend to change temperature very slowly. However, the light weight decoys, because of their small thermal mass, change temperature very rapidly by comparison, allowing the FLIRS to quickly discriminate between the ICBM's and the decoys.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A light weight decoy for deployment in the vicinity of an ICBM for deceiving radar and FLIR tracking systems. The decoy is thermally massive across the entire black body spectrum, providing the same radar cross-section and thermal cross-section as that of an ICBM. A thermal source within the decoy causes it to cool at the same rate as the ICBM which it represents. The temperature of the decoy's outer surface is measured and compared with the temperature of the space surrounding the decoy. A differential temperature is obtained and heat is generated within the decoy to maintain the surface thereof at a temperature similar to that of an ICBM. Two temperature sensors, and a microcomputer provide the differential signal which drives a current control device to supply electrical power to a resistance heater for generating the heat at a variable rate.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2300067 (1942-10-01), Schwab
patent: 3219826 (1965-11-01), Letaw, Jr.
patent: 3694624 (1972-09-01), Buchta
patent: 3944167 (1976-03-01), Figler et al.
patent: 4323012 (1982-04-01), Driver, Jr.
patent: 4439767 (1984-03-01), Hefley et al.
patent: 4609034 (1986-09-01), Kosson et al.
patent: 4801113 (1989-01-01), Engelhardt
Buczinski Stephen C.
Bush Freddie M.
The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of
Tischer Arthur H.
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