Patent ID: 7422175
Filing Date: 2008-09-09
Classification: F41G

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for intercepting at least one target comprising: a plurality canisters each adapted to be deployed from a platform; said plurality of canisters each having means operable for the destruction of a target; said plurality of canisters each having means operable for guidance, position determination, target detection, target tracking, target assignment, target intercept, and fuzing the means for the destruction of a target; said plurality of canisters each having means operable for measurement, collection, storage, and processing of information relating to guidance, position, target detection, target tracking, target assignment, target intercept, and fuzing the means for the destruction of a target; said plurality of canisters each having means operable for wireless communication with each other canister of said plurality of canisters to form a distributed database of said information shared amongst said plurality of canisters; said plurality of canisters each adapted upon deployment to operate said wireless communication, information measurement, information collection, information storage, information processing, target detection, target tracking, guidance, and position determination means to detect and track a plurality of targets; said plurality of canisters each adapted to operate a predetermined algorithm operable to determine a probability of intercept for each said tracked target; said plurality of canisters each adapted to operate a predetermined algorithm operable to assign one tracked target for intercept by said canister according to said probability of intercept; said plurality of canisters each adapted to operate said wireless communication, information measurement, information collection, information storage, information processing, target detection, target tracking, guidance, and position determination means to calculate and periodically update a trajectory for intercept of said assigned target by said canister; said plurality of canisters each adapted to operate said wireless communication, information measurement, information collection, information storage, information processing, target detection, target tracking, guidance, and position determination means to guide said canister along an intercept trajectory until said assigned target is intercepted; each canister adapted upon intercept of said assigned target to deploy said means for the destruction of a target.