Fiber laser based directional infrared countermeasure (DIRCM) system

• US 7,688,247 B2
• Filed: 06/03/2004
• Issued: 03/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ELOP Electro-Optics Industries Limited
• Original Assignee: ELOP Electro-Optics Industries Limited
• Inventors: Sacks, Zachary, Schiffer, Zeev, David, Doron, Luria, Elena, Shoshan, Itamar, Krupkin, Vladimir, Chomski, Doron, Lovett, Andrew, Grossman, Kuti, Anschel, Israel
• Primary Examiner(s): Gregory; Bernarr E
• Application Number:
  US10/558,992
• Publication Number:
  US 20070206177A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,126 Days
• Field of Search: 244/3.1, 342 13- 20, 342/175, 342/195, 455/1, 89/11.1, 398/118, 398/121, 398/125, 398/173, 398/178
• US Class Current: 342/14
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 11/02 Anti-aircraft or anti-guided missile or anti-torpedo defence installations or systems cartridges or missiles for producing smoke or for dispensing radar chaff or infrared material F42B5/15, F42B12/48, F42B12/70; informative reference: details of radar or sonar systems G01S7/00; jamming or electronic countermeasures G01S7/38, G01S7/495, H04K3/00
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 13/0056 for blinding or dazzling, i.e. by overstimulating the opponent's eyes or the enemy's sensor equipment
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 12/382 emitting an electromagnetic radiation, e.g. laser beam or infrared emission
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/481 Constructional features, e.g. arrangements of optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/495 Counter-measures or counter-counter-measures using electronic or electro-optical means
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/39 for parametric generation or amplification of light, infrared or ultraviolet waves
• CPC Class Codes: H04K 2203/14 for the transfer of light or images, e.g. for video-surveillance, for television or from a computer screen
• CPC Class Codes: H04K 2203/24 for communication related to weapons
• CPC Class Codes: H04K 3/42 characterized by the control of the jamming frequency or wavelength
• CPC Class Codes: H04K 3/45 characterized by including monitoring of the target or target signal, e.g. in reactive jammers or follower jammers for example by means of an alternation of jamming phases and monitoring phases, called "look-through mode"
• CPC Class Codes: H04K 3/825 by jamming

Abstract

A DIRCM (Direct IR Counter Measures) system includes a detection and warning apparatus for detecting a missile that might pose a threat on the platform to which said system is allocated, and for generating a warning of its existence. The warning may include data that enable the calculation of the expected direction from which the missile is approaching. The DIRCM system may also include an acquisition device for performing acquisition of the approaching missile in accordance with the data provided by the detection and warning apparatus, and issuing data that may enable the calculation in real time of the updated position of the missile, a fiber laser for generating a laser beam, and a motion and aiming enabled turret, coupled with the laser, for directing the laser beam onto the approaching missile. The laser beam may be generated in accordance with the missile'"'"'s updated position as calculated based on data received from the acquisition device, and processing means, linked to the detection and warning apparatus and also to the acquisition device, the laser and the turret.

Claims

1. A DIRCM (Direct IR Counter Measures) system comprising:

detection means for detecting an approaching vessel that might pose a threat to a mobile platform to which said system is allocated;

acquisition means to generate position-related data of said approaching vessel;

fiber laser means to generate a multi-spectral laser beam having one or more bands for jamming a homing means of said vessel; and

a movable turret means, coupled with said laser means to direct said laser beam towards said vessel.

2. A DIRCM system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising warning means to generate a warning when a threatening vessel is detected.

3. A DIRCM system in accordance with claim 2, wherein said fiber laser means includes a Er/Yb:

silica fiber laser to produce a first wavelength by third harmonic generation and to produce at least one additional wavelength to be combined with said first wavelength, to provide a multi-spectral source for generating said laser beam.

4. A DIRCM system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said acquisition means calculates an updated position of the approaching vessel in real time.

5. A DIRCM system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising processing means being associated with said detection means, said acquisition means, said fiber laser means and said moveable turret means.

6. A DIRCM system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said platform to which said system is allocated is selected from one platform of a group consisting of an aircraft, vehicle, armored vehicle, tank, and ship.

7. A DIRCM system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising means for mounting said system on said platform.

8. A DIRCM system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising warning means including a sensor selected from a group consisting of an IR sensor, UV sensor, visible light sensor, radar sensor or of any combination of said sensors.

9. A DIRCM system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said acquisition means includes a FLIR device.

10. A DIRCM system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said laser beam is a dual wavelength beam.

11. A DIRCM system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a telescope means for collimating a plurality of beams from said multi-spectral beam.

12. A DIRCM system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said fiber laser means comprises:

a fiber laser pumped bulk laser for providing a first wavelength beam; and

a LW Tm;

silica fiber laser pumped ZGP (zinc germanium phosphide) OPO (optical parametric oscillator) array for providing a second wavelength beam.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein said fiber laser means comprises a holmium doped material that when pumped by said fiber laser generates at least one of a SW or LW laser beam.

14. A DIRCM system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said fiber laser means comprises:

a laser generator assembly mounted at a position away from said turret means

an array of flexible fibers coupled to said laser generator, to direct said laser beam from said laser generator towards said turret means; and

a laser head unit linked to said fibers array.

15. A DIRCM system according to claim 14, further comprising a wavelength converter in said turret means.

16. A DIRCM system according to claim 14, wherein said array of flexible fibers includes polarization maintaining fibers.

17. A DIRCM system according to claim 14, wherein said array of flexible fibers includes single polarization fibers.

18. A DIRCM system in accordance with claim 14, wherein said turret means includes an array of optical lenses and mirrors, linked to said laser head, to route said laser beam within said turret means.

19. A DIRCM system in accordance with claim 14, wherein said laser head unit is mountable in said turret means and said laser beam is generated from within said turret means.

20. A DIRCM system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said fiber laser means includes a silica type fiber laser to directly pump a ZGP (zinc germanium phosphide) OPO (optical parametric oscillator).

21. A DIRCM system in accordance with claim 20, wherein said OPO is pump-polarization independent.

22. A DIRCM system in accordance with claim 20, wherein said OPO is pump-polarization dependent.

23. A DIRCM system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said fiber laser means includes a Tm:

silica fiber, which is used to pump a bulk Ho;

YLF laser, which is used to pump a ZPG OPO.

24. A DIRCM system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said fiber laser means includes at least one fiber laser selected from a group consisting of:

Yb;

silica fiber laser, Er/Yb;

silica fiber laser, Tm/Ho;

ZBLAN fiber laser, Yb/Ho;

silica fiber laser, Yb/Mo;

ZBLAN fiber laser, Tm;

ZBLAN fiber laser,

Tm;

silica fiber laser, Tm/Ho;

silica fiber laser, Er;

silica fiber laser, Nd;

silica fiber laser and

Nd/Yb;

silica fiber laser for producing a beam of a first wavelength; and

at least one fiber laser to provide at least one beam of an additional wavelength combined with said beam of a first wavelength, thereby providing a multi-spectral source for generating said laser beam.

25. A DIRCM system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said fiber laser means includes a Yb:

silica pumped Tm;

ZBLAN laser to produce a first wavelength by upconversion.

26. A DIRCM system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said fiber laser means includes a Yb:

silica pumped Tm/Ho;

ZBLAN laser to produce a first wavelength by upconversion.

27. A DIRCM system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said fiber laser means includes a Er/Yb:

silica fiber laser to produce a first wavelength by second harmonic generation and to produce at least one additional wavelength to be combined with said first wavelength, to provide a multi-spectral source for generating said laser beam.

28. A DIRCM system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said fiber laser means includes a Yb:

silica fiber laser to produce a first wavelength by second harmonic generation and to produce at least one additional wavelength to be combined with said first wavelength, to provide a multi-spectral source for generating said laser beam.

29. A DIRCM system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said fiber laser means includes:

at least one fiber laser taken from a group consisting of;

Yb;

silica fiber laser, Tm/Ho;

ZBLAN fiber laser, Tm;

silica fiber laser, Tm/Ho;

silica fiber laser, Er;

silica fiber laser, Er/Yb silica fiber laser and Nd/Yb;

silica fiber laser; and

a wavelength converter;

wherein said fiber laser pumps said wavelength converter to produce a first wavelength and wherein said first wavelength is combined with at least one additional wavelength to provide a multi-spectral source for generating said laser beam.

30. A DIRCM system in accordance with claim 29, wherein said wavelength converter is at least one converter selected from the group consisting of an OPO, an OPO with multiple crystals, a series of OPOs, a seeded OPO, an OPO and OPA, a combination of OPG and OPA, a seeded OPA, a four wave mixing amplifier, a bulk laser, and a Raman amplifier.

31. A DIRCM system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said fiber laser means produces a collinear multi-spectral high brightness source comprised of a plurality of bands of laser radiation.

32. A DIRCM system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said laser means is single polarized.

33. A DIRCM system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said laser means is randomly polarized.

34. A DIRCM system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said laser means is not polarized.

35. A DIRCM system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said fiber laser means are included within said movable turret.

36. A DIRCM system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said laser beam includes a plurality of wavelengths enabling simultaneous multi band jamming.

37. A DIRCM system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said laser beam includes any jamming-suitable single wavelength band of at least one available wavelength band implemented either independently from, or sequentially with, another wavelength band.

38. A DIRCM system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said laser beam corresponds to at least one wavelength selected from the group consisting of ultraviolet radiation, visible light, and infrared radiation.

39. A DIRCM system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said laser means is pulsed, and wherein pulse rate, pulse duration and pulse wavelength are set by at least one injection diode that is connected to a fiber.

40. A DIRCM system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said laser means is pulsed, and further including at least one pulse generator selected from the group consisting of fiber lasers, solid state lasers and micro-lasers.

41. A DIRCM system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said laser means generates 3-5 μ

m radiation independently of an OPO.

42. A DIRCM system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said laser means generates a narrow multi-spectral IR jamming beam.

43. A DIRCM system in accordance with claim 1, wherein a first beam of said multi-spectral beam is a pulsed radiation beam in band I and a second beam of said multi-spectral beam is a pulsed radiation beam in band IV.

44. A DIRCM system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said fiber laser means includes one or more fibers selected from the group consisting of Er/Yb:

silica fiber, Yb;

silica fiber, Tm;

silica, Tm/Ho;

silica fiber, Tm;

ZBLAN fiber, and Tm/Ho;

ZBLAN.

45. A DIRCM system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said fiber laser means includes a short wavelength ZBLAN device to generate pulsed radiation beam in band I.

46. A DIRCM system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said fiber laser means includes a long wavelength ZGP device to generate pulsed radiation beam in band IV.

47. A DIRCM system in accordance with claim 46, wherein said ZGP device includes a fiber laser device of a long wavelength silica fiber laser and a nonlinear crystal Zinc Germanium Phosphide (ZPG) Optical Parametric Oscillator (OPO) directly coupled to said silica fiber laser.

48. A DIRCM system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said fiber laser means comprises:

ZBLAN fiber laser to provide a first wavelength beam, and a LW Yb;

silica fiber laser pumped PPLN or PPSLT (periodically poled lithium niobate or periodically poled stiochiometric lithium tantalate) OPO (optical parametric oscillator) array to provide a second wavelength beam.

49. A DIRCM system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said fiber laser means comprises fiber laser pumped bulk Ho:

YAG laser to provide a first wavelength beam; and

a LW Yb;

silica fiber laser pumped PPLN or PPSLT (periodically poled lithium niobate or periodically poled stiochiometric lithium tantalate niobate) OPO (optical parametric oscillator) array to provide a second wavelength beam.

50. A DIRCM system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said fiber laser means comprises fiber laser pumped bulk Ho:

YLF laser to provide a first wavelength beam; and

a LW Yb;

silica fiber laser pumped PPLN or PPSLT (periodically poled lithium niobate or periodically poled stiochiometric lithium tantalate niobate) OPO (optical parametric oscillator) array to provide a second wavelength beam.

51. A DIRCM system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said fiber laser means comprises:

a fiber laser pumped OPO selected from the group consisting of PPKTP, PPSLT, and PPLN to provide a first wavelength beam; and

a LW Yb;

silica fiber laser pumped PPLN or PPSLT (periodically poled lithium niobate or periodically poled stiochiometric lithium tantalate niobate) OPO (optical parametric oscillator) array to provide a second wavelength beam.

52. A DIRCM system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said fiber laser means include one or more nonlinear crystals selected from the group consisting of silver gallium selenide (AGSE), optically patterned gallium arsenide, periodically poled lithium niobate or tantalate doped with magnesium oxide or in the stiochiometric form, and silver thiogallate (AGS).

53. A DIRCM system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said fiber laser means includes a Tm:

silica fiber, which is used to pump a bulk Ho;

YAG laser, which is used to pump a ZGP OPO.

54. A method for jamming homing means of a vessel posing a threat to a mobile platform, the method comprising:

detecting an approaching vessel;

acquiring data related to the position and movement of said approaching vessel;

generating a laser beam from a fiber laser, said laser beam being a multi-spectral beam having one or more bands for jamming the homing means of said approaching vessel; and

directing said laser beam towards said approaching vessel to jam said homing means of said vessel.