Patent ID: 7675012
Filing Date: 2010-03-09
Classification: F41G

Abstract:
1. A method for intercepting at least one target comprising: providing a plurality of canisters adapted to be deployed from a platform each having an address and an explosive warhead; providing each of said plurality of canisters with a sensor operable to detect one or more targets operably coupled to a signal processing circuit; coupling said signal processing circuit with a computer processing unit (CPU) operable to run routines and algorithms for wireless communication, information measurement, information collection, information storage, information processing, guidance, position determination, target detection, target tracking, target assignment, target intercept, and fuzing said warhead; operationally coupling said CPU with a transceiver antenna and a wireless communications transceiver; operationally coupling said CPU with a global positioning system (GPS) antenna and a GPS receiver; operationally coupling said CPU with an inertial measurement unit (IMU); operationally coupling said CPU with an altimeter; operationally coupling said CPU with a flight controller operably coupled to at least one flight control device; deploying a plurality of said canisters from a deployment platform at an altitude above at least one target; establishing a fast wireless communications network between said deployed plurality of canisters via said wireless communications transceivers; detecting one or more targets satisfying specified criteria with said sensor, signal processing circuit, and CPU of each of said deployed plurality of canisters; transmitting each canister's address, position, velocity, acceleration, altitude, time-to-go until impact, target position, GPS, IMU, and sensor data to each other of said plurality of canisters over the fast wireless communications network to form a distributed database stored within each of said plurality of canisters; calculating each canister's envelope of reachability; calculating each target's envelope of reachability; calculating a probability of intercept of each target based upon a predetermined probability of intercept algorithm; assigning each of said plurality of canisters to a target based upon a probability of intercept algorithm; calculating a trajectory to intercept the target assigned to each of said plurality of canisters; guiding each of said plurality of canisters along a trajectory to intercept its assigned target; and, detonating the warhead upon intercept by a canister of its assigned target.