Optimized weapons release management system

• US 7,516,689 B2
• Filed: 05/26/2005
• Issued: 04/14/2009
• 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.
• Primary Examiner(s): JOHNSON, STEPHEN
• Application Number:
  US11/138,601
• Publication Number:
  US 20060266203A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,419 Days
• Field of Search: 89/11.1
• US Class Current: 89/1.11
• 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 weapon system for determining an optimal weapon release condition of an attack vehicle engaging a target, the system comprising:

a weapon

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

2. The weapon 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 weapon 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.

4. The weapon system recited in claim 3, 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.

5. The weapon system recited in claim 4, 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.

6. The weapon 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.

7. The weapon system recited in claim 6, 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.

8. The weapon system recited in claim 6, wherein the mathematical criterion comprises an evaluation of a probability of kill threshold.

9. The weapon system recited in claim 6, 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>.

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

11. The weapon system recited in claim 10, wherein the risk tolerance factor is adjustable.

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

a weapon

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

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

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

13. The weapon system recited in claim 12, 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.

14. The weapon system recited in claim 13, 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.

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

a weapon

a portion for determining an optimal weapon release condition of the weapon by comparing the probability of killing the target to the probability of the attack vehicle being killed, the portion for determining the optimal weapon release condition comprising a portion for implementing a mathematical criterion for evaluating the probability of killing the target and the probability of the attack vehicle being killed, wherein the mathematical criterion comprises one of a Newtonian method, a least squares method, and a discrete subtraction algorithm based on values for P<sub>kill—

T1</sub> and P<sub>kill—

AV</sub>.