METHODS AND APPARATUS TO PROVIDE TRAINING AGAINST IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICES

• US 20070166667A1
• Filed: 09/27/2006
• Published: 07/19/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Raytheon Company (Rtx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Raytheon Company (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Ourn, Lee, Jannati, Saman, Jones, Giles, Ha, Quang
• Granted Patent: US 7,922,491 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 434/11
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 33/02 Light- or radiation-emitting guns ; Light- or radiation-sensitive guns; Cartridges carrying light emitting sources, e.g. laser
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 11/12 Means for clearing land minefields; Systems specially adapted for detection of landmines
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 33/06 Dismantling fuzes, cartridges, projectiles, missiles, rockets or bombs F42B33/004 and F42B33/04 take precedence; elimination of undesirable components of explosives C06B21/0091
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 8/28 Land or marine mines; Depth charges

Abstract

In one embodiment, an explosive device (IED) simulator usable with a laser detector is provided, the IED simulator comprising a laser transmitter and a first switch. The laser transmitter is capable of directing a laser signal to the laser detector, the laser signal comprising information readable by the laser detector, wherein the laser signal is designed to simulate at least a first type of explosion of an IED. The first switch is operably coupled to the laser transmitter, the first switch permitting a user to trigger the laser signal from the laser transmitter. The first type of explosion that is simulated can comprise at least one type selected from the group consisting of an indoor IED explosion, an outdoor IED explosion, a long range IED explosion, an IED explosion of 2 m to 5 m away from a target, an IED explosion of up to 600 m from a target, and an IED explosion having a predetermined kill pattern. Advantageously, the laser transmitter is constructed and arranged to generate a laser signal encoded with a MILES code.

Claims

1. An improvised explosive device (IED) simulator usable with a laser detector, the IED simulator comprising:

a laser transmitter capable of directing a laser signal to the laser detector, the laser signal comprising information readable by the laser detector, wherein the laser signal is designed to simulate at least a first type of explosion of an IED; and

a first switch operably coupled to the laser transmitter, the first switch permitting a user to trigger the laser signal from the laser transmitter.

2. The IED simulator of claim 1, wherein the first type of explosion that is simulated comprises at least one type selected from the group consisting of:

an indoor IED explosion;

an outdoor IED explosion;

a long range IED explosion;

an IED explosion of 2 m to 5 m away from a target;

an IED explosion of up to 600 m from a target; and

an IED explosion having a predetermined kill pattern.

3. The IED simulator of claim 1, wherein the predetermined kill pattern comprises a pattern of laser energy that is approximately 67 m long by 31 m wide by 4 m high.

4. The IED simulator of claim 1, further comprising a physical effect simulator in communication with the switch, the physical effect simulator responsive to the switch to produce at least one physical effect that simulates the explosion of an IED.

5. The IED simulator of claim 4, wherein the physical effect comprises at least one effect selected from the group consisting of a noise, a visual effect, a gaseous effect, muzzle flash, smoke, an audible effect, a blast sound, and a pyrotechnic effect.

6. The IED simulator of claim 4, wherein the physical effect simulator comprises at least one of an anti-tank weapons effect systems simulator (ATWESS) and a pyrotechnic device.

7. The IED simulator of claim 4, wherein the switch is coupled so as to trigger both the laser transmitter and the physical effect simulator substantially simultaneously.

8. The IED simulator of claim 1, further comprising a controller in operable communication with the laser transmitter and the first switch, the controller operable to:

respond to triggering of the first switch; and

direct the laser transmitter to generate and transmit the laser signal simulating the explosion of an IED, wherein the controller selects a type of an IED explosion to simulate based on one or more predetermined conditions.

9. The IED simulator of claim 8, wherein the predetermined condition comprises at least one condition selected from the group consisting of:

the setting of a second switch, wherein the second switch selects the type of IED explosion to be generated; and

a control signal received at the controller, the control signal directing the controller to simulate a type of IED explosion.

10. The IED simulator of claim 9, wherein the control signal is provided by at least one of the following:

a computing device;

a remote trigger device constructed and arranged to permit a user to remotely trigger the laser transmitter;

a receiver in operable communication with a third switch, the third switch directing the controller to simulate a type of IED explosion; and

a receiver in operable communication with a wireless remote trigger device, the receiver capable of receiving a radio frequency (RF) signal from the wireless remote trigger device, the wireless remote trigger device permitting a user to remotely trigger the laser transmitter.

11. The IED simulator device of claim 1, further comprising a display in communication with the controller, wherein the display is constructed and arranged to display information related to operation of the IED simulator to an operator of the IED simulator.

12. The IED simulation simulator of claim 11, where the information related to operation of the IED comprises at least one piece of information selected from the group consisting of round count, player identification number, laser power level, rounds remaining, weapon type, and battery level.

13. The IED simulator of claim 1, further comprising a first indicator capable of indicating to a user that a laser signal has been transmitted.

14. The IED simulator device of claim 1, further comprising a second indicator capable of enabling alignment of the laser transmitter.

15. The IED simulation device of claim 1, wherein the laser transmitter is constructed and arranged to generate a laser signal encoded with a MILES code.

16. The IED simulation device of claim 1, wherein the laser transmitter is constructed and arranged to generate an alignment laser signal.

17. The IED simulation device of claim 1, wherein the controller performs at least one additional operation selected from the group consisting of tracking number of rounds fired;

tracking a player identification number, tracking a power level of a laser signal emitted by the laser transmitter;

tracking a battery level;

generating a programmable hit and near miss word, adjusting a power level of the laser signal emitted by the laser transmitter;

adjusting an alignment of the laser signal emitted by the laser transmitter;

generating a signal to control the laser signal where the laser signal further comprises a MILES code;

tracking MILES code related information in a laser signal that comprises a MILES code;

receiving an instruction from an external computing device;

providing data to an external computing device;

providing information to a display;

providing reverse voltage protection;

responding to a controller key;

responding to a push to read switch;

responding to a magnetic switch;

responding to a trigger switch; and

responding to a safety switch.

18. The IED simulator of claim 1, wherein the laser signal is capable of being read by a laser detector used with the MILES system.

19. A method for simulating the explosion of an improvised explosive device (IED), the method comprising:

generating a laser signal readable by a laser detector, the laser signal simulating at least a first type of explosion of an IED; and

.

providing a user accessible control enabling a user to cause the laser signal to be generated.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the laser signal is constructed and arranged to simulate at least one type of IED explosion selected from the group consisting of:

an indoor IED explosion;

an outdoor IED explosion;

a long range IED explosion;

an IED explosion of 2 m to 5 m away from a target;

an IED explosion of up to 600 m from a target; and

an IED explosion having a predetermined kill pattern.

21. The method of claim 19, further comprising providing a physical effect simulator in operable communication with the user accessible control, the physical effect simulator capable of producing at least one physical effect that simulates the explosion of an IED.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the physical effect comprises at least one effect selected from the group consisting of a noise, a visual effect, a gaseous effect, muzzle flash, smoke, an audible effect, a blast sound, and a pyrotechnic effect.

23. The method of claim 19, further comprising displaying information related to operation of the IED simulator to a user.

24. The method of claim 19, further comprising encoding the laser signal with a MILES code that is readable by a MILES laser detector.

27. The system of claim 24, further comprising means for generating a physical indicator simulating the IED explosion.

25. A system usable with a detector responsive to a laser signal for simulating the operation of an improvised explosive device (IED), the system comprising:

means for enabling a user to trigger a simulated explosion of an IED; and

means for directing a laser signal to the detector in response to the trigger from the user, the laser signal having a pattern that simulates a first type of IED explosion.

26. The system of claim 25, further comprising means for directing a laser signal to the detector in response to the trigger from the user, the laser signal having a pattern that simulates at least one event selected from the group consisting of:

an indoor IED explosion;

an outdoor IED explosion;

a long range IED explosion;

an IED explosion of 2 m to 5 m away from a target;

an IED explosion of up to 600 m from a target; and

an IED explosion having a predetermined kill pattern.

28. The system of claim 25, further comprising means for generating at least one of the physical effects selected from the group consisting of:

a noise, a visual effect, a gaseous effect, muzzle flash, smoke, an audible effect, a blast sound, and a pyrotechnic effect.

29. The system of claim 35, further comprising means for providing a laser signal encoded with a MILES code that is readable by a MILES laser detector.