Abstract:
A platform for countering terrorist devices improvised explosive devices (IEDs) that are detonated by infrared (IR) signals is used to prematurely trigger the IEDs, and scan geographic areas from covert positions to detect the planting of IEDs regardless of the fusing method. An unmanned scansorial vehicle equipped with an IR emulator can trigger IEDs to detonate as the terrorists plant them. In addition, the surveillance capabilities of the scansorial vehicles are used to identify insurgents that plant IEDs.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field 
         [0002]    The present invention relates in general to counter-terrorism systems and, in particular, to an improved system, method, and apparatus for countering terrorist devices such as improvised explosive devices that are detonated by infrared (IR) signals. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    An improvised explosive device (IED) is a “homemade” device that is designed to cause death or injury by using explosives alone or in combination with toxic chemicals, biological toxins, or radiological material. IEDs can be produced in varying sizes, functioning methods, containers, and delivery methods. IEDs can utilize commercial or military explosives, homemade explosives, or military ordnance and ordnance components. 
         [0005]    IEDs are unique in nature because the IED builder typically improvises with the materials at hand. Designed to defeat a specific target or type of target, they generally become more difficult to detect and protect against as they become more sophisticated. IEDs fall into three types of categories: package-type, vehicle-borne, or suicide bomb. Although IEDs can vary widely in shape and form, IEDs share a common set of components and comprise the following: an initiation system or fuse, explosive fill, a detonator, a power supply for the detonator, and a container. One example of an IED  11  is illustrated in  FIG. 1 , along with a remote detonation device  13  (e.g., a television remote control) for emitting a communications signal  15  to IED  11  is shown. 
         [0006]    Terrorists use IEDs to kill soldiers and civilians in Iraq and elsewhere. Current counter-measures for such devices typically use radio frequency (RF) jamming against wireless RF transmissions that are used to detonate the bombs. However, insurgents have adapted their methods to use infrared (IR) techniques that cannot be easily jammed by such methods. 
         [0007]    When IEDs are found in an undetonated state they are typically disarmed by bomb squads of personnel. Unfortunately, the IEDs often detonate before they can be found or disarmed. As described above, one option is to jam the RF signal for cell phone-attached IEDs, but the use of IR devices by terrorists can overcome RF jamming. It is difficult to jam IR since a direct line-of-sight with the IED is required between the jammer and the IED. Also, IR devices have shorter range than RF devices. Thus, an improved solution for overcoming these problems would be desirable. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    One embodiment of a system, method, and apparatus for countering terrorist devices such as IEDs that are detonated by infrared (IR) signals comprises a platform that provides (1) a method of countering IR-triggered IEDs, and (2) a means of scanning a geographic area from a covert position to detect the planting of IEDs regardless of the fusing method (e.g., IR, RF, wire, timer, etc.). 
         [0009]    In one embodiment, an unmanned scansorial vehicle is used for surveillance. An IR emulation device or emulator is housed in the vehicle and generates signals (e.g., beams, etc.) that can trigger IEDs to detonate as the terrorists plant them. Also, through the surveillance capabilities of the scansorial vehicles, the insurgents that planted a device can be detected by camera recordings and playbacks, once a device is found and/or has been detonated. To enhance covertness, the scansorial vehicles may be camouflaged to look like power line equipment or, if on the ground, common urban area artifacts such as fences, trash cans, etc. 
         [0010]    Multiple surveillance vehicles such as the scansorial units may be placed around suspected areas to provide better coverage. Also, the covert deployment of the vehicles will not tip off the terrorists from avoiding the area, and the vehicle can be operated for long periods of time using power from the urban power lines. 
         [0011]    In other embodiments, the mobility of the vehicle is improved to move along transmission towers, e.g., from pole to pole along the wires. Also, to increase coverage and save cost, the invention may be augmented with human-deployable, non-climbing derivative devices such as automobiles, motorcycles, unmanned ground vehicles, etc. Other types of IR emulators may be placed on small, low-flying unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), though the viewing angle of such a vehicle may not be as optimal as a scansorial vehicle. 
         [0012]    The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, in view of the following detailed description of the present invention, taken in conjunction with the appended claims and the accompanying drawings. dr 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       [0013]    So that the manner in which the features and advantages of the present invention, which will become apparent, are attained and can be understood in more detail, more particular description of the invention briefly summarized above may be had by reference to the embodiments thereof that are illustrated in the appended drawings which form a part of this specification. It is to be noted, however, that the drawings illustrate only some embodiments of the invention and therefore are not to be considered limiting of its scope as the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a schematic drawing of an improvised explosive device and trigger device; 
         [0015]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view of one embodiment of a unmanned scansorial vehicle deployed on an electrical and communications transmission tower and is constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
         [0016]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged view of the unmanned scansorial vehicle of  FIG. 2 ; 
         [0017]      FIG. 4   a  is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a system of countering IEDs constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
         [0018]      FIG. 4   b  is an enlarged schematic diagram of a portion of  FIG. 4   a  and depicts one embodiment of a system of countering IEDs constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
         [0019]      FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a system of countering IEDs constructed in accordance with the present invention; and 
         [0020]      FIG. 6  is a high level flow diagram of one embodiment of a method of countering IEDs constructed in accordance with the present invention. 
     
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0021]    Referring to  FIGS. 2-4 , one embodiment of system, method, and apparatus for countering terrorist devices is shown. The invention is well suited for detecting and prematurely detonating improvised explosive devices (IEDs) that operate on, for example, infrared (IR) communications signals. The invention is equally well suited for engaging and destroying other types of IEDs that operate on radio frequency (RF) and other signals and types of fuses (e.g., wire, timer, etc.). 
         [0022]    In one embodiment, a plurality of unmanned scansorial vehicles  21  provides surveillance of IEDs and suspected terrorists, insurgents, and the like, by scanning a geographic area from covert positions. The vehicles  21  detect IEDs and are automated and mobile (e.g., robotic) to travel through and relocate in the geographic area. The vehicles  21  are provided with electrical power and telecommunications capabilities via, e.g., their own independent on-board systems  27 ,  29 , or from a system of transmission towers  31  having electrical power lines  33  and a telecommunications network  35 . 
         [0023]    In one embodiment, the vehicles  21  are parasitic, such that power lines  33  provide a source of power, and telecommunications network  35  provides communications links. The vehicles  21  are mobilized (e.g., ascend, descend, transfer) to move among the transmission towers  31  along the electrical power lines  33  and the telecommunications network  35 . The location of and transmissions from vehicles  21  may be monitored from airborne or orbiting sources  37 . 
         [0024]    An emulator  41  is provided with and housed in each of the unmanned scansorial vehicles  21 . The emulators  41  emit IR or other types of communications signals to prematurely detonate IEDs. The emulators  41  are programmed and equipped to cycle through and repeat a range of the IR communications signals and code sets to detonate IEDs at different frequencies. 
         [0025]    In one embodiment, the unmanned scansorial vehicles  21  have visual recording and transmission equipment  43  to record and provide visual images of activity in the geographic area. Such information may be transmitted wirelessly or through the telecommunications network  35 . The unmanned scansorial vehicles  21  may be camouflaged or configured to resemble power line equipment, or other common urban area artifacts such as fences, trash cans, etc. 
         [0026]    In one embodiment, at least some of the unmanned scansorial vehicles  21  are human-deployable, non-climbing derivative devices  45  ( FIG. 4   b ). As shown in  FIG. 5 , other types of the scansorial equipment are placed on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV)  51  that are capable of independent flight, surveillance, reconnaissance, and detonation of IEDs. Such vehicles may utilize towers  31  as described above, or work in conjunction with a mobile nest  53  that operates in a similar manner as vehicle  21 . The mobile nest  53  itself may climb towers, engage power and communications, and assist the UAV in take off and landing operations. Power may be supplied (e.g., leeched) directly from an urban power grid when the UAV  51  is perched. The UAV  51  can also selectively hibernate such as, e.g., during a black out of the power grid. 
         [0027]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , another embodiment of the invention comprises a method of countering IEDs. The method may utilize any of the above referenced components, such as IR signal communications. One embodiment of the method begins as indicated at step  61 , and comprises providing unmanned scansorial vehicles that are automated, mobile, and equipped with emulators for emitting IR communications signals (step  63 ); deploying the unmanned scansorial vehicles in covert positions in a geographic area, the unmanned scansorial vehicles periodically relocating throughout the geographic area via a system of transmission towers having electrical power lines and a telecommunications network (step  65 ); surveying the geographic area with the unmanned scansorial vehicles to detect IEDs (step  67 ); providing the unmanned scansorial vehicles with electrical power and telecommunications capabilities from the system of transmission towers having electrical power lines and a telecommunications network (step  69 ); cycling the emulators through and repeating a range of the IR communications signals to operate at different frequencies (step  71 ); emitting IR communications signals with the emulators to prematurely detonate IEDs (step  73 ); before ending as indicated at step  75 . 
         [0028]    In another embodiment, the step  67  of the method may comprise recording and providing visual images of activity in the geographic area with the unmanned scansorial vehicles. The method may further comprise camouflaging the unmanned scansorial vehicles to resemble power line equipment and common urban area artifacts, and mobilizing at least some of the unmanned scansorial vehicles to move among the transmission towers along the electrical power lines and the telecommunications network. In addition, the method may comprise configuring at least some of the unmanned scansorial vehicles are human-deployed, non-climbing derivative devices, and other ones of the unmanned scansorial vehicles are airborne on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). 
         [0029]    While the invention has been shown or described in only some of its forms, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible to various changes without departing from the scope of the invention.