Abstract:
An Ottawa Convention—compliant system that replaces the current battlefield utility provided by anti-personnel landmines. This system utilizes obscurants to inhibit and deter the enemy&#39;s ability to breach and clear ground based mine and munition systems.

Description:
GOVERNMENTAL INTEREST 
     The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by, or for the Government of the United States for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to the field of munitions such as landmines. Particularly, the present invention relates to an Ottawa Convention—compliant system that replaces the current battlefield utility provided by anti-personnel landmines. The present system utilizes obscurants to inhibit and deter the enemy&#39;s ability to breach and clear ground-based mine and munition systems. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Current United States Army tactics are to utilize anti-vehicular landmines during military operations to limit the enemy&#39;s ability to maneuver on the battlefield. Anti-personnel landmines emplaced among the anti-vehicular landmines are used solely to inhibit the enemy in their ability to clear the anti-vehicular landmines. 
     In an effort to end the risk to noncombatants from unexploded landmines, the United States developed anti-personnel landmines (APLs) and anti-vehicle landmines (AVLs) that self-destruct and self-deactivate with a high degree of reliability. 
     The current United States landmine policy stems from its obligations under the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (COW) and Amended Protocol II of the CCW and a desire to mitigate civilian casualties caused by landmines. This policy seeks to strike a balance between maintaining the ability to use landmines in future military conflicts and addressing the humanitarian concerns raised by persistent landmines. 
     The United States has been assessing the effects of the Ottawa Convention on its landmine policy. The Ottawa Convention bans the manufacture and use of all anti-personnel landmines, which it defines as “a mine designed to be exploded by the presence, proximity or contact of a person and that will incapacitate, injure or kill one or more persons.” The convention, however, does not apply to anti-vehicle landmines. 
     Membership in the Ottawa Convention would obligate the United States to cease the manufacture and use of all anti-personnel landmines regardless of circumstances. The entire United States stockpile of anti-personnel landmines would be banned, regardless of whether they are detectable, self-destructing, self-deactivating, or deployable pursuant to the requirements of Amended Protocol II. 
     As a result, the United States would rely purely on anti-vehicle landmines for military fields operations. However, anti-vehicle landmines can be cleared by personnel or de-miners who will no longer be deterred by the presence of anti-personnel landmines. 
     There is therefore a need for a system for use as an integral part of anti-vehicle landmines/munitions or as a standalone device that deters enemy de-mining efforts. This system should pose no risk to non-combatants yet still prevent de-miners from having free movement within the anti-vehicle landmine/munition field. This in turn would mitigate the ability to de-mine the anti-vehicle munitions within the field. The need for such a system has heretofore remained unsatisfied. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention complies with the intent of the Ottawa convention by addressing the humanitarian concerns related to anti-personnel landmines while still providing an effective means of deterring enemy de-miners from clearing anti-vehicle mine/munition fields through the use of obscurants. This system prevents de-miners from having free movement within the landmine/munition field, which in turn would mitigate the ability to de-mine the anti-vehicle mines/munitions within the field. 
     To this end, the present system incorporates an obscurant generating device (or obscurant generator), and can be integral to an anti-vehicle landmine/munition or used as a standalone device. The system uses personnel sensors to detect movement within a mine/munition field. Based on the sensed movement, the system selectively initiates the optimal number of obscurant generators. This will prevent the intruders from having free movement within the field, which in turn will mitigate their ability to defeat the anti-vehicle mines/munitions within the field. 
     The system can be networked with a plurality of other munitions/sensor systems to activate the obscurant generators that provide optimal concealment. The system is also capable of preventing multiple, concurrent intrusions and can be used in a fully autonomous mode. 
     As a result, the present system will be compliant with the Ottawa Convention. It maintains overall effectiveness of ground based anti-vehicle mine/munition systems. 
     The present invention provides mine/munition field protection by deterring or delaying the clearing of the anti-vehicle mine/munition systems. This system can be fully autonomous and does not require any additional modifications to existing Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTP&#39;s) to meet the requirements of the Ottawa treaty nor does it add additional Military Occupational Specialties (MOS&#39;s) or manpower to employ. 
     Furthermore, this system can be used to inhibit the enemy&#39;s ability to clear or counter other ground based systems including, but not limited to, networked munitions systems and sensors. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The embodiments illustrated herein are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of an exemplary mine field in which an exemplary system or network of obscurant generating munitions are emplaced according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is another schematic view of the mine field of  FIG. 1 , showing the networked munitions generating an obscuring field to shield the munitions from the view of intruders; 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged, isometric view of an obscurant generating munition according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged bottom view of the obscurant generating munition of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of the obscurant generating munition of  FIGS. 3 and 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a sectional view of the obscurant generating munition of  FIG. 5 , taken along line B-B; 
         FIG. 7  is a sectional view of a standalone obscurant generating device according to the present invention, with the cross-hatching removed for clarity of illustration; and 
         FIG. 8  represents a device logic diagram of an exemplary obscurant generator munition of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     Similar numerals refer to similar elements in the drawings. It should be understood that the sizes of the different components in the figures are not necessarily in exact proportion or to scale, and are shown for visual clarity and for the purpose of explanation. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate a mine field  10  in which an exemplary network (or system)  100  of obscurant generating munitions or devices  101 ,  102 ,  103 ,  104 ,  105 ,  106  are emplaced according to the present invention. While the network  100  is shown as including six munitions  101 - 106 , it should be clear that the concept of the present invention is equally applicable to a different number of munitions (or to a single munition). 
     In the present illustration, the munitions  101 - 106  represent anti-vehicle mines or devices that are physically distributed across the mine field  10 . The munitions  101 - 106  are also wirelessly networked to exchange sensed, collected, and calculated data, in order to ensure an optimal cloaking obscurant coverage. Alternatively, some or all the munitions  101 - 106  can be connected via cables or wires, for a selective distribution of data and power. 
     The arrows that are labeled  140  indicate various, exemplary, non-exclusive, data and/or power interconnections between the munitions  101 - 106 . In addition, while the munitions  101 - 106  are shown as being interconnected to form an internal network with a distributed processing power, it should be clear that the munitions  101 - 106  can also be connected to an external network for added control. 
     In operation, some or all the munitions  101 - 106  continuously scan the mine field  10  for movement of intruders  143 . The various scanning fields of the munitions  101 - 106  are indicated by the numeral reference  152 . Scanning is performed by some combination of widely available personnel detection sensors  199 , including but not limited to electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensors, radars, passive infrared (FIR) sensors, and seismic sensors. Complementary sensing modes and tailored algorithms perform target discrimination to prevent false detections on non-humans. 
     While the sensors  199  are exemplified by a single box that is placed within the mine field  10 , it should be understood that some or all the sensors  199  may be distributed and networked throughout the mine field  10 . Alternatively, some or all the sensors  199  may be incorporated within the munitions  101 - 106 . 
     Once the intruder for intruders)  143  is identified, then the munitions  101 - 106  start an internal communication to share data that are sensed by the various munitions  101 - 106 . As an example, the sensed data can be the intruder&#39;s position, proximity, and direction of movement  155 , the wind direction  157 , and any other relevant data, such as human or non-human intruder, speed of intruder, number of intruders, etc. that are sensed by the munitions  101 - 106 . 
     Based on the sensed data, the munitions  101 - 106  individually or collectively calculate the optimal cloaking obscurant coverage and trigger the appropriate munitions, such as  103 ,  104  to dispense an obscurant field  200 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , in order to conceal the munitions that are expected to be detected and demined by the intruder  143 . 
     While the munitions  101 - 106  can be identical in function and design, it should be clear that only some of the munitions may include the obscurant generation feature, while other munitions can assume specialized functions, such as telecommunications, processing, obscurant generation, etc. 
       FIGS. 3 ,  4 , and  5  illustrate an exemplary obscurant generating munition, i.e.,  101 , according to one embodiment of the present invention. The munition  101  generally includes a housing  300  that contains and protects the inner components, as it will be explained later. The housing  300  and the inner components have to withstand forces that are expected be exerted on the munition  101 . The housing needs to be sufficiently strong, and could be made of plastic, metal, a composite material, or any other suitable material. 
     The shape of the housing  300  is not crucial to the implementation of the present invention. In this particular embodiment, the housing  300  has a generally circular cross-section. 
     The munition  101  further includes a munition housing  333  that protects the internal components of the munition  101 . 
     The housing  300  further includes a plurality of obscurant compartments  305 ,  306 ,  307 ,  308  that protrude from a peripheral body  302  of the housing  300 . Preferably but not necessarily, the obscurant compartments  305 - 308  are symmetrically, peripherally disposed relative to the peripheral body  302 . In addition, while only four obscurant compartments  305 - 308  are illustrated, it should be clear that a different number of compartments may be used. 
     As an example, a single compartment may be formed. Furthermore, while in the preferred embodiment, the obscurant compartments  305 - 308  are filled with the same obscurant material (or obscurant generator), it should be clear that each of some of the obscurant compartments  305 - 308  may dispense an obscurant of a different composition. 
     When the munition  101  is triggered, it dispenses the obscurant contained in the obscurant compartments  305 - 308  in the form of a cloud  200  that minimizes the intruder&#39;s  143  visibility. 
     As an example, each obscurant compartment  305 - 308  includes a volume that is filled with Terephthalic Acid (TA, having a chemical formula C8H6O4). If should be understood that obscurant compositions are available, known, or will become available. 
     Once a valid target signature is obtained based on the collected data, an obscurant controller electronics and processor  630  ( FIG. 6 ) issues a fire command. The fire command functions an electric match (i.e.,  732 ,  FIG. 7 ) which in turn, ignites a starter slug (i.e.,  733 ,  FIG. 7 ). The burning started slug catches fire, causing the TA smoke mixture to produce a thick white smoke. The duration of smoke screen or cloud  200  may range between approximately 25 to 70 seconds, average burn-time. 
     In addition, based on the collected data, the triggering of the munition  101  does not necessarily cause the entire load of obscurant within the obscurant compartments  305 - 308  to be dispensed. Rather, it would be preferable to dispense only the required amount of obscurant that is necessary to provide the desired cloaking result. 
     The obscurant release ports  605 ,  606 ,  607 ,  608  ( FIG. 6 ) from which the obscurant is dispensed, are opened since the obscurant is of a solid composition and does not require protection from the elements. The obscurant release ports  605 ,  606 ,  607 ,  608  can be designed so that they are out of direct line with the actual obscurant material. 
     Furthermore, the triggering of the munition  101  may cause the obscurant compartments  305 - 308  to be activated sequentially rather than concurrently, after a predetermined (or desired) time delay, such as one second or a fraction thereof, to achieve the desired cloaking cloud density. 
       FIG. 6  is a sectional view of the obscurant generating munition  101  of  FIG. 5 , taken along line B-B thereof, illustrating an exemplary disposition of the internal components of the munition  101 . Each obscurant compartment, i.e.,  305 ,  307 , contains an obscurant generator  615 ,  617 . 
     As further illustrated in  FIG. 4 , each obscurant compartment  305 ,  306 ,  307 ,  308  includes a valved obscurant release port  605 ,  606 ,  607 ,  608  that selectively allows the release of the obscurant, as instructed by the obscurant controller electronics and processor  630 . 
     In this embodiment, the obscurant controller electronics and processor  630  is illustrated as being housed within the housing  300  of the munition  101 . It should be clear that the obscurant controller electronics and processor  630  can be a separate, standalone device that collects the data from the various munitions  101 - 106 , in the field  10 . 
     The obscurant controller electronics and processor  630  can be located within the field  10 , at a close distance from the field  10 , or remotely from the field  10 . The obscurant controller electronics and processor  630  can include a telecommunications module (e.g., a transceiver) and a processor (or CPU). 
     The function of the obscurant controller electronics and processor  630  is to collect the data that are collected or sensed by the various munitions  101 - 106  and to calculate the most optimal cloaking path, which will prevent the intruders  143  from having free movement within the field  10 , and will thus mitigate their ability to defeat the anti-tank/anti-vehicle munitions within the field  10 . The munition  101  can be designed to prevent multiple intrusions and can be used in a fully autonomous mode. 
     Upon determination of the optimal cloaking path, the obscurant controller electronics and processor  630  activates an obscurant initiator  620 , in order to selectively open the obscurant release ports  605 - 608 , for releasing the obscurant. As shown in the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 7 , the obscurant initiator  720  houses an electronic match  732  and starter slug  733 ). 
     A communications module  650  is emplaced within the housing  300 , to enable the munition  101  to communicate with the other munitions  102 - 106  in the field, or with a remote location. 
     The remaining components of the munition, include a warhead  640 , a warhead energetic charge  680 , warhead electronics, and a power module  660 , all of which are either known or available in the art, and thus will not be described herein in detail. The power module  660  provides the necessary power to the munition warhead and related energetic function, and further to the other internal electronic components described herein, that relate to the dispensation of the obscurant. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a standalone obscurant generating device  700  according to the present invention. The obscurant generating function of the device  700  is generally similar to that of the munition  101 .  FIG. 7  also illustrates the design flexibility of the present invention in allocating the physical placement of the internal components within the obscurant generating device  700 . 
     The obscurant generating device  700  includes a housing  701  that is generally similar in structure and composition to the housing  300 . A flat or dome shaped munition housing  733  that accommodate the various valved obscurant release ports, i.e.,  705 ,  706 ,  707  of the obscurant generators  715 ,  717  (only two obscurant generators are illustrated in  FIG. 7 ). 
     A power module  760 , that is similar in design and function to the power module  660  is placed centrally (or axially) to power the obscurant generators  715 ,  717 , the obscurant controller electronics and processor  720 , and an obscurant initiator  730 . 
     In this embodiment, the obscurant initiator  730  is placed near a bottom plate  777 , along side the obscurant controller electronics and processor  720 . The obscurant initiator  730  houses an electronic match  732  and a starter slug  733 . 
       FIG. 8  represents a device logic diagram  800  of an exemplary obscurant generator munition  101  according to the present invention. According to this specific, exemplary embodiment, input sensor data, such as local target data  805  and local wind data  810  are sensed by onboard sensors  815  and/or by sensors  199 . 
     The sensed data  805 ,  810  are fed to an onboard processor  820  that forms part of the obscurant controller electronics and processor  630 . In turn, the onboard processor  820  determines at decision step  825 , if a target, such as an intruder  143  has been detected or verified by the sensor processor  820 . If it has not, then the sensor processor keeps analyzing the input sensor data  805 ,  810 . 
     If, however, the sensor processor  820  determines at decision step  825  that the target has been verified, a central processor  830  that forms part of the obscurant controller electronics and processor  630 , analyses additional data, such as target data from the field  835 , wind data from the field  840 , target data to the field  845 , and wind data to the field  850 . The additional data may be transmitted to the central processor  830 , via a wireless or radio network  855 . 
     The central processor  830  determines at step  860  if the dispensation conditions for dispensing the obscurant (i.e.,  615 ,  617 ) are met. If it is determined that these conditions have not been met, then the central processor  860  keeps analyzing the acquired data and monitoring dispensation conditions. 
     Once the central processor  830  determines, at decision step  860 , that the dispensation conditions are met, then it determines the dispensation pattern, including the selection of the obscurant compartments  305 - 308  from which the obscurant will be dispensed, as well as the obscurant dispensation rate. 
     In this particular example, four obscurant dispensers  865 ,  866 ,  867 ,  868  are respectively associated with the obscurant compartments  305 ,  306 ,  307 ,  308 . The dispensation pattern of the obscurant is optimized so that the obscurant cloud  200  is maximized. 
     It should be understood that other modifications might be made to the present obscurant generating, ground-based, networked munition design without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.