METHOD FOR DETERMINING THREAT STATUS FOR COMBAT AIRCRAFTS

• US 20140277852A1
• Filed: 02/16/2012
• Published: 09/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Saab AB
• Original Assignee: Saab AB
• Inventors: Lundqvist, Anders, Kensing, Vibeke
• Granted Patent: US 8,909,394 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/2
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 3/22 for vehicle-borne armament, e.g. on aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 9/00 Systems for controlling missiles or projectiles, not provided for elsewhere
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 9/002 for guiding a craft to a correct firing position for bombing control F41G9/02

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for decision support of a first combat aircraft (1) in a combat situation comprising the steps of: a) detecting (3) a second combat aircraft (2), wherein the second combat aircraft (2) is different from the first combat aircraft (1), b) analyzing (4) the second combat aircraft (2) to determine its type, its sensor capacity and its total weapons capacity, and c) recording (5) the sensor capacity and the total weapons capacity of the second combat aircraft (2) to determine a first geographic zone adapted for defining the detection limit of the second combat aircraft (2) and a second geographic zone adapted for defining a shoot-down limit of the second combat aircraft (2), respectively, wherein the first and the second geographic zone are adapted for decision support of the first combat aircraft (1) in the combat situation with the second combat aircraft (2). In this way, a possibility is provided to assist the pilot in decision support in complicated combat situations while being reliable, fast and easy to handle for the pilot in order to make a quick and efficient decision.

Claims

1-12. -12. (canceled)

13. A method for decision support of a first combat aircraft (1) in a combat situation comprising the steps of:

a) detecting (3) a second combat aircraft (2), wherein the second combat aircraft (2) is different from the first combat aircraft (1),

b) analyzing (4) the second combat aircraft (2) to determine its type, its sensor capacity and its total weapons capacity, and p1 c) recording (5) the sensor capacity and the total weapons capacity of the second combat aircraft (2) to determine a first geographic zone configured for defining the detection limit of the second combat aircraft (2) and a second geographic zone configured for defining a shoot-down limit of the second combat aircraft (2), respectively, wherein the first and the second geographic zone are configured for decision support of the first combat aircraft (1) in the combat situation with the second combat aircraft (2).

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising the step of storing (6) at least one of the analyzed data in step b) or the recorded data in step c), wherein the recorded data is configured for generating a situation picture.

15. The method according to claim 13, further comprising the step of displaying (7) at least one of the analyzed data in step b) or the recorded data in step c).

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the step of displaying (7) the recorded data in step c) comprises displaying a plurality of situation pictures.

17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising the steps of:

recording (5) at least one of the altitude of the first combat aircraft (1) or of the second combat aircraft (2); and

displaying (7) the altitude together with the plurality of situation pictures such that a plurality of three dimensional plots results.

18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising the steps of recording (5) time and displaying (7) the time together with the plurality of three dimensional plots, such that a plurality of four dimensional plots results.

19. The method according to claim 13, further comprising the step of analyzing (8) at least one of a flight regulated restriction or a landing zone approach requirement configured for indicating at least one of a flight regulated area or a no-fly region.

20. The method according to claim 13, wherein the step of detecting (3) is performed by a sensor.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the sensor is at least one of a radar, a database, or a link.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein:

when the step of detecting (3) is performed by a database, such detecting comprises detecting by using a plurality of libraries for comparison purposes; and

when the step of detecting (3) is performed by a link, such comprises an object, such as to a marine object, sending the required information to the first combat aircraft (1).

23. The method according to claim 13, wherein:

the first combat aircraft (1) comprises a pilot'"'"'s own aircraft; and

the second combat aircraft (2) comprises at least one of an enemy aircraft or a ground based threat.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein the second combat aircraft (2) is an unmanned aerial vehicle.

25. The method according to claim 23, wherein the ground based threat is a surface-to-air missile site.