Optimized weapons release management system

• US 20060266203A1
• Filed: 05/26/2005
• Published: 11/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Inventors: Herman, Carl R., Moody, John O.
• Granted Patent: US 7,516,689 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 89/1.110
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 19/58 Electric firing mechanisms F41A17/10, F41A17/12 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F41F 3/00 Rocket or torpedo launchers
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 7/007 Preparatory measures taken before the launching of the guided missiles
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 9/002 for guiding a craft to a correct firing position for bombing control F41G9/02
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 13/00 Means of attack or defence not otherwise provided for details of radar or sonar systems G01S7/00

Abstract

A system determines an optimal weapon release condition of an attack vehicle engaging a target. The system includes a portion for determining the optimal weapon release condition by comparing the probability of killing the target to the probability of the attack vehicle being killed.

Claims

1. A system for determining an optimal weapon release condition of an attack vehicle engaging a target, the system comprising:

a portion for determining an optimal weapon release condition by comparing the probability of killing the target to the probability of the attack vehicle being killed.

2. The system recited in claim 1, wherein the portion for determining the optimal weapon release condition comprises a portion for determining when the difference between the probability of killing the target and the probability of the attack vehicle being killed is optimal.

3. The system recited in claim 1, wherein the portion for determining the optimal weapon release condition comprises a portion for determining the range at which the difference between the probability of killing the target and the probability of the attack vehicle being killed is optimal.

4. The system recited in claim 1, further comprising:

a portion for determining the probability of killing the target based on the range between the attack vehicle and the target; and

a portion for determining the probability of the attack vehicle being killed based on the range between the attack vehicle and the target.

5. The system recited in claim 4, wherein:

the portion for determining the probability of killing the target comprises a look-up table that associates the probability of killing the target with the range between the attack vehicle and the target; and

the portion for determining the probability of the attack vehicle being killed comprises a look-up table that associates the probability of the attack vehicle being killed with the range between the attack vehicle and the target.

6. The system recited in claim 5, wherein the look-up table for selecting the probability of killing the target and the look-up table for selecting the probability of the attack vehicle being killed are populated with statistical data regarding potential battlefield engagement scenarios.

7. The system recited in claim 1, wherein the portion for determining the optimal weapon release condition comprises a portion for implementing a mathematical criterion for evaluating the probability of killing the target and the probability of the attack vehicle being killed.

8. The system recited in claim 7, wherein the mathematical criterion comprises an evaluation of the first derivative of the difference between the probability of the attack vehicle being killed and the probability of killing the target with respect to the range between the attack vehicle and the target.

9. The system recited in claim 7, wherein the mathematical criterion comprises an evaluation of a probability of kill threshold.

10. The system recited in claim 7, wherein the mathematical criterion comprises one of a Newtonian method, a least squares method, and a discrete subtraction algorithm based on values for P_kill—

_T1 and P<sub>kill—

AV</sub>.

11. The system recited in claim 1, further comprising a portion for applying a risk tolerance factor to the optimal weapon release condition determination.

12. The system recited in claim 11, wherein the risk tolerance factor is adjustable.

13. A computer program product for determining an optimal weapon release condition of an attack vehicle engaging a target, the computer program product comprising:

an instruction for determining an optimal weapon release condition by comparing the probability of killing the target to the probability of the attack vehicle being killed.

14. The computer program product recited in claim 13, wherein the instruction for determining the optimal weapon release condition comprises an instruction for determining when the difference between the probability of killing the target and the probability of the attack vehicle being killed is optimal.

15. The computer program product recited in claim 13, wherein the instruction for determining the optimal weapon release condition comprises an instruction for determining the range at which the difference between the probability of killing the target and the probability of the attack vehicle being killed is optimal.

16. The computer program product recited in claim 13, further comprising:

an instruction for determining the probability of killing the target based on the range between the attack vehicle and the target; and

an instruction for determining the probability of the attack vehicle being killed based on the range between the attack vehicle and the target.

17. The computer program product recited in claim 16, wherein:

the instruction for determining the probability of killing the target comprises a look-up table that associates the probability of killing the target with the range between the attack vehicle and the target; and

the instruction for determining the probability of the attack vehicle being killed comprises a look-up table that associates the probability of the attack vehicle being killed with the range between the attack vehicle and the target.

18. The computer program product recited in claim 17, wherein the look-up table for selecting the probability of killing the target and the look-up table for selecting the probability of the attack vehicle being killed are populated with statistical data regarding potential battlefield engagement scenarios.

19. The computer program product recited in claim 18, wherein the instruction for determining the optimal weapon release condition comprises an instruction for implementing a mathematical criterion for evaluating the probability of killing the target and the probability of the attack vehicle being killed.

20. The computer program product recited in claim 19, wherein the mathematical criterion comprises an evaluation of the first derivative of the difference between the probability of the attack vehicle being killed and the probability of killing the target with respect to the range between the attack vehicle and the target.

21. The computer program product recited in claim 19, wherein the mathematical criterion comprises an evaluation of a probability of kill threshold.

22. The computer program product recited in claim 19, wherein the mathematical criterion comprises one of a Newtonian method, a least squares method, and a discrete subtraction algorithm based on values for P_kill—

_T1 and P<sub>kill—

AV</sub>.