Methods and apparatus for countering a projectile
First Claim
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1. A countermeasure system for countering a projectile according to a fire control solution, comprising:
- a beam source adapted to generate an electromagnetic beam; and
a beam control system configuredto aim the electromagnetic beam at the projectile according to the fire control solution, andto control and maintain a spot size of the electromagnetic beam on the projectile so that the spot size is approximately the same size as the projectile,wherein the electromagnetic beam is configured to heat the projectile until at least a portion of the projectile reaches a disruption temperature to deflagrate the projectile.
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus for countering a projectile according to various aspects of the present invention may operate in conjunction with a countermeasure system. The countermeasure system may comprise a beam source adapted to generate an electromagnetic beam. The countermeasure system may further include a beam control system adapted to aim the electromagnetic beam at the projectile according to a fire control solution. The beam heats at least a portion of the projectile to a disruption temperature to deflagrate the projectile.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A countermeasure system for countering a projectile according to a fire control solution, comprising:
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a beam source adapted to generate an electromagnetic beam; and a beam control system configured to aim the electromagnetic beam at the projectile according to the fire control solution, and to control and maintain a spot size of the electromagnetic beam on the projectile so that the spot size is approximately the same size as the projectile, wherein the electromagnetic beam is configured to heat the projectile until at least a portion of the projectile reaches a disruption temperature to deflagrate the projectile. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An apparatus for countering a projectile, comprising:
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a detection system adapted to identify a position of the projectile and generate a corresponding detection signal; a tracking system responsive to the detection system wherein the tracking system generates a fire control solution in response to the detection signal; and a laser system responsive to the tracking system, wherein; the laser system generates a laser beam to intercept the projectile according to the fire control solution, the laser system controls and maintains a spot size of the laser beam on the projectile so that the spot size is approximately the same size as the projectile, and the laser bear heats the projectile until at least a portion of the projectile reaches a disruption temperature to deflagrate the projectile. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for countering a projectile, comprising:
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detecting the projectile; generating a fire control solution for intercepting the projectile; intercepting the projectile with an electromagnetic beam according to the fire control solution; controlling and maintaining a spot size of the electromagnetic beam on the projectile so that the spot size is approximately the same size as the projectile; and heating the projectile with the electromagnetic beam until at least a portion of the projectile reaches to a disruption temperature to deflagrate the projectile. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification