Unmanned tactical platform

• US 7,584,045 B2
• Filed: 06/30/2005
• Issued: 09/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Israel Aerospace Industries Limited (Government of Israel)
• Original Assignee: Israel Aerospace Industries Limited (Government of Israel)
• Inventors: Peretz, Yossef
• Primary Examiner(s): Black; Thomas G
• Assistant Examiner(s): Olsen; Lin B
• Application Number:
  US11/170,184
• Publication Number:
  US 20060229773A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,524 Days
• Field of Search: 701/23, 701/28, 701/24, 701/25, 104/88.04, 104/288, 104/295, 104/188
• US Class Current: 701/117
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 27/00 Fire-fighting land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B61B 12/12 Cable grippers; Haulage clips
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0229 in combination with fixed guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0255 using acoustic signals, e.g. ultra-sonic singals sonar systems designed for anti-collision purposes G01S15/93
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0257 using a radar radar systems designed for anti-collision purposes between land vehicles or between land vehicle and fixed obstacles G01S13/931
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0278 using satellite positioning signals, e.g. GPS
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0282 generated in a local control room

Abstract

An unmanned tactic platform (UTP) mounted on a two-stage locomotive system of which a first locomotive stage is a significantly high-speed travel stage where the UTP reaches an arena, and a second locomotive stage is a tactical maneuver stage in which the UTP maneuvers at the arena for executing a mission.

Claims

1. A system for rapid deployment of an unmanned tactical platform (UTP), to an arena in a territory via a predetermined route on said territory and for maneuvering said UTP at the arena for executing a mission, comprising:

a first locomotive system and a ground vehicle,

said ground vehicle comprising a self-propelled second locomotive system and said UTP, said UTP being mounted onto said second locomotive system,

said ground vehicle being configured for unmanned operative missions and said second locomotive system being configured for enabling tactical maneuvering of said ground vehicle on said territory at said arena,

said ground vehicle being detachably mounted to said first locomotive system,

said first locomotive system being configured for propelling said ground vehicle at significantly high-speed travel along said predetermined route to said arena when said ground vehicle is connected to said first locomotive system,

wherein said first locomotive system comprises a propelling system secured to the ground and extending along said predetermined route.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said ground vehicle comprises an arrangement for detachably mounting to said first locomotive system and for selectively disengaging from said first locomotive system.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein said second locomotive system comprises self/independent locomotive means.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein said second locomotive system comprises any one of a suspended wheeled system or track motivation.

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein wheels or tracks at opposite sides of the ground vehicle are configured for rotating in opposite directions to increase maneuvering ability.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the unmanned tactical platform comprises a modular payload designed and equipped for executing one or more missions.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the unmanned tactical platform is a module pre-designed and equipped for execution of certain one or more missions and adapted for removable mounting on the second locomotive system.

8. The system according to claim 6, wherein the unmanned tactical platform is a module in the form of a platform adapted for mounting thereon a payload by a variety of adaptors.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein the payload comprises one or more of weapon systems, pyrotechnic equipment, illumination and audio equipment, fire-fighting equipment, hazardous material handling equipment, robotic manipulators, communication equipment, intelligence/surveillance equipment and day/night vision and imaging equipment.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein said ground vehicle is equipped with information collecting sensors for generating information signals responsive to different conditions of the UTP and of the arena, along said predetermined route and at the arena.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein the information collecting sensors comprise at least one of location and position sensors, speed and acceleration sensors, image sensors, temperature sensors, radar, sniffer and acoustic sensors.

12. The system according to claim 10, wherein said information signals from said information collecting sensors are transferred to a control center by wire or wireless communication means.

13. The system according to claim 1, wherein said ground vehicle is propelled by means of an integral power system.

14. The system according to claim 1, wherein the UTP is configured to be engaged with a guide system during said high-speed travel.

15. The system according to claim 1, wherein said high speed travel of said first locomotive system comprises an average speed exceeding about 60 Km/h.

16. The system according to claim 1, wherein said ground vehicle is configured for disengagement from said first locomotive system after arriving at said arena.

17. The system according to claim 16, wherein said ground vehicle is configured for re-engagement with said first locomotive system.

18. The system according to claim 1, wherein said first locomotive system comprises means to facilitate fast locomotion of the first locomotive system along said predetermined route and wherein said ground vehicle comprises a powered vehicle fitted for cooperation with such means.

19. The system according to claim 18 wherein said locomotive system comprises different mechanical displacing arrangements including any one of a catapult system, stored mechanic energy.

20. The system according to claim 18, wherein said predetermined route is a path formed with a paved or tightly pressed track.

21. The system according to claim 18, wherein said first locomotive system comprises two tracks for facilitating cooperation with two or more said ground vehicles.

22. The system according to claim 18, said predetermined route is a path further comprising a protection field fence and optionally further comprising delaying obstacles.

23. The system, according to claim 18, further comprising a control system.

24. The system according to claim 23, wherein the control system is mounted onboard said UTP, whereby the UTP is autonomous.

25. The system according to claim 23, wherein the control system comprises an automated decision-making system.

26. The system according to claim 23, wherein the control system is a remote manned control system.

27. The system according to claim 26, wherein said ground vehicle is equipped with information collecting sensors for generating information signals responsive to different conditions of the UTP and of the arena, along said predetermined route and at the arena, wherein the control system is remote and wherein said information signals are received at a control center for processing thereof and in turn generating control signals for maneuvering and operation of the UTP.

28. The system according to claim 23, wherein the control system comprises a pre-programmed controller for controlling and managing the UTP during execution of one or more missions according to different pre-defined mission plans and scenarios.

29. The system according to claim 28, wherein the control system is programmed for carrying out a predetermined routine mission and in case of an event at an arena at or adjacent the predetermined route, further control of the UTP is taken over by a decision making system.

30. The system according to claim 18, wherein said means to facilitate fast locomotion of the first locomotive system comprises any one of:

a monorail or rails, a cable, a magnetic induction transfer system including a so-called MAGLEV system, a virtually inductive electric propelling system, a chained track, provided along said predetermined route.

31. The system according to claim 18, wherein said ground vehicle of said first locomotive system is powered by various systems including any one of fuel or electric engine, jet, pneumatic, magnetic, or combinations thereof.

32. A method for rapid deployment of an unmanned tactical platform (UTP) to an arena in a territory via a predetermined route on said territory and for maneuvering said UTP at the arena for executing a mission, comprising:

providing a first locomotive system and a ground vehicle,

said vehicle being configured for unmanned operative missions and comprising said UTP for executing said mission,

said ground vehicle also comprising a self-propelled second locomotive system configured for enabling tactical maneuvering of said ground vehicle on said territory at said arena, wherein

said UTP is mounted to said second locomotive system;

propelling said ground vehicle to said arena at significantly high-speed by means of said first locomotive system along said predetermined route while said ground vehicle is removably attached to said first locomotive system, wherein

said first locomotive system is configured for propelling said ground vehicle at significantly high-speed travel along said predetermined route to said arena when said ground vehicle is connected to said first locomotive system and comprises a propelling system secured to the ground and extending along said predetermined route; and

enabling tactical maneuvering of said ground vehicle on said territory at said arena by means of said second locomotive system.

33. The method according to claim 32, wherein the said ground vehicle is undetached from said first second locomotive system at said arena.

34. The method according to claim 32, wherein the said ground vehicle is detached from said first locomotive stage after arriving at said arena via said first locomotive system.

35. The method according to claim 32, wherein the first locomotive system comprises a support track continuously extending along portions of the said predetermined route and fitted for propelling the ground vehicle at significantly high speed;

said ground vehicle being detachably engageable with the track.

36. The method according to claim 32, comprising a stage of detaching the ground vehicle from the first stage locomotive system and deploying it from the predetermined route into the arena.

37. The method according to claim 36, wherein the ground vehicle is re-engageable with the locomotive system of the first locomotive state for displacement along the predetermined route.

39. The method according to claim 32, wherein said first locomotion system transfers said ground vehicle at an average speed exceeding about 60 Km/h.

38. The method according to clam 32, wherein said predetermined route comprises a border.