System and method for simultaneously guiding multiple missiles
First Claim
1. A system for covertly providing a large number of missiles with in-flight updated guidance data improve the ability of the missiles to attack multiple mobile targets, said system comprising:
- a plurality of missiles that each comprise a receiver having a pseudo random code generator that contains a unique seed;
a monitoring device having a sensor for generating current target location data indicative of current locations of the multiple mobile targets, and having a transmitter for transmitting the current target location data;
a receiver located at a missile control location for receiving the current target location data;
transmitter means having a pseudo random code generator that contains a plurality of unique seeds that correspond to each of the plurality of missiles, for processing the current target location data to generate uniquely encoded in-flight target updates, and for transmitting the encoded in-flight target updates; and
a satellite comprising a transponder for receiving the transmitted encoded in-flight target updates and for relaying the target updates to the plurality of missiles;
and wherein the respective receivers in the plurality of missiles each process the relayed encoded in-flight target updates and decode those target updates that were encoded using the corresponding unique seed, and wherein the decoded target updates more accurately guide the missiles to their respective target locations.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method that covertly provides in-flight target update data to a large number of missiles. The system and method covertly guides the missiles using a transponder located on a satellite that relays encoded target update data to receivers located on each of the missiles. The target update data is derived from intelligence data acquired by a remote sensing device. The target update data is typically transmitted to the missile launch site where it is encoded and transmitted to the transponder on the satellite. The encoding is preferably accomplished using direct sequence spread spectrum/code division multiple access (CDMA) encoding produced using unique seeds that are supplied to pseudo random code generators that uniquely encode the data to be transmitted to each missile. The receivers on each of the missiles have pseudo random code generators that are loaded with the unique seeds. The present system and method enable rapid response to fast-changing battlefield environments, particularly where mobile or relocatable targets are involved.
62 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A system for covertly providing a large number of missiles with in-flight updated guidance data improve the ability of the missiles to attack multiple mobile targets, said system comprising:
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a plurality of missiles that each comprise a receiver having a pseudo random code generator that contains a unique seed; a monitoring device having a sensor for generating current target location data indicative of current locations of the multiple mobile targets, and having a transmitter for transmitting the current target location data; a receiver located at a missile control location for receiving the current target location data; transmitter means having a pseudo random code generator that contains a plurality of unique seeds that correspond to each of the plurality of missiles, for processing the current target location data to generate uniquely encoded in-flight target updates, and for transmitting the encoded in-flight target updates; and a satellite comprising a transponder for receiving the transmitted encoded in-flight target updates and for relaying the target updates to the plurality of missiles; and wherein the respective receivers in the plurality of missiles each process the relayed encoded in-flight target updates and decode those target updates that were encoded using the corresponding unique seed, and wherein the decoded target updates more accurately guide the missiles to their respective target locations. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for covertly providing a plurality of missiles with updated guidance data during their respective flights to improve the ability of the missiles to attack multiple targets, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing a plurality of missiles that each has a receiver embodying a pseudo random code generator having a unique seed; launching a salvo of missiles toward the multiple mobile targets; monitoring the mobile targets using sensors onboard a monitoring device; transmitting current target location data from the monitoring device to a receiver; processing received current target location data to produce target update data for each missile; encoding the target update data for each missile using a spread spectrum CDMA coding technique and the unique seed for the missile which produces an encoded in-flight target update for each missile; transmitting the encoded in-flight target update to a transponder on a satellite; retransmitting the encoded in-flight target update from the transponder to the plurality of missiles; decoding the encoded in-flight target update data at each missile for which the data is intended in the receiver by demodulating the encoded data encoded using the unique seed associated with the missile by using the unique seed in its pseudo random code generator; and retargeting the particular missile in accordance with the in-flight target update data to the vicinity of the mobile targets. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification
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- Resources
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Current AssigneeRaytheon Company (Rtx Corporation)
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Original AssigneeRaytheon Company (Rtx Corporation)
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InventorsMead, Donald C., Foster, Carl G.
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Primary Examiner(s)Jordan, Charles T.
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Assistant Examiner(s)Wesson, Theresa M.
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Application NumberUS08/888,963Time in Patent Office547 DaysField of Search244/3.11, 244/3.14, 244/3.13, 244/3.15, 244/3.16, 244/3.19US Class Current244/3.11CPC Class CodesF41G 7/308 for guiding a plurality of ...
