Advanced cooperative defensive military tactics, armor, and systems

• US 8,058,990 B2
• Filed: 09/13/2009
• Issued: 11/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jeffrey David Mullen
• Original Assignee: Jeffrey David Mullen
• Inventors: Mullen, Jeffrey David
• Primary Examiner(s): Swarthout; Brent
• Application Number:
  US12/558,566
• Publication Number:
  US 20110030537A1
• Time in Patent Office: 793 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.82, 340/573.1, 3405391-53917, 4554041-4042, 89 3602- 3609, 89 4106- 4108, 245/5, 342/14, 342/20, 342/57, 102/482, 102/293, 42105-106
• US Class Current: 340/539.13
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 3/147 based on detection of a firing weapon
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 1/02 Armoured or projectile- or missile-resistant garments; Composite protection fabrics F41H5/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 7/005 Unmanned ground vehicles, i.e. robotic, remote controlled or autonomous, mobile platforms carrying equipment for performing a military or police role, e.g. weapon systems or reconnaissance sensors F41H11/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 17/00 Testing of vehicles testing fluid tightness G01M3/00; testing elastic properties of bodies or chassis, e.g. torsion-testing, G01M5/00; testing alignment of vehicle headlight devices G01M11/06; testing of engines G01M15/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/00 Control of position, course, altitude or attitude of land, water, air or space vehicles, e.g. using automatic pilots drive control systems specially adapted for autonomous road vehicles B60W60/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0278 using satellite positioning signals, e.g. GPS
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0295 by at least one leading vehicle of the fleet

Abstract

This invention provides impact detection and vehicle cooperation to achieve particular goals and determine particular threat levels. For example, an impact/penetration sensing device may be provided on a soldier'"'"'s clothing such that when this clothing is impacted/penetrated (e.g., penetrated to a particular extent) a medical unit (e.g., a doctor or medical chopper) may be autonomously, and immediately, provided with the soldiers location (e.g., via a GPS device on the soldier) and status (e.g., right lung may be punctured by small-arms fire).

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a first armed unmanned vehicle; and

a second armed unmanned vehicle, wherein said first armed unmanned vehicle detects an attack on said first armed unmanned vehicle, said first unmanned vehicle communicates information regarding said attack, wherein said communicated information includes the location of said first armed unmanned vehicle, said second armed unmanned vehicle receives said communicated information, and said second unmanned vehicle assists said first unmanned vehicle in defending said first armed unmanned vehicle against said attack.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said first and second armed unmanned vehicles are land-based vehicles.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said detection of said attack is based on said first armed unmanned vehicle determining an impact on an armor located on said first armed unmanned vehicle.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said detection of said attack is based on heat sensing.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said detection of said attack is based on motion sensing.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said detection of said attack is based on sound sensing.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said detection of said attack is based on residue sensing.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said second armed unmanned vehicle shields said first unmanned vehicle from said attack.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said second armed unmanned vehicle counter attacks after said communicated information is received by said second armed unmanned vehicle.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein said second armed unmanned vehicle communicates second information to said first armed unmanned vehicle, wherein said second communicated information includes instructions on how said first armed unmanned vehicle is to operate.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein said communicated information includes instructions on how said second armed unmanned vehicle is to operate.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein said first and second armed unmanned vehicles are operable to autonomously move in formation.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein said communicated information includes damage information with respect to said first armed unmanned vehicle.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein said first armed unmanned vehicle processes an image to detect a projectile.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein said first armed unmanned vehicle includes a spectrometer.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein said first armed unmanned vehicle includes a speech recognition sensor.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein said first armed unmanned vehicle includes radar.