Abstract:
The combat training system includes a transmitter of a first electroluminescent signal representative of a projectile fired at a front of a structure, which is detected at the structure&#39;s front. An extent of damage that would be expected to be experienced by the structure is determined from the detected first signal. A second electroluminescent signal is transmitted behind the structure that is representative of the expected damage extent. A target behind the structure&#39;s front detects the second signal, from which an effect expected to be experienced by the target is determined.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to simulation systems and methods, and, more particularly, to such systems and methods for training for urban combat.  
           [0003]    2. Description of Related Art  
           [0004]    Training personnel for warfare in various settings may be accomplished, for example, by simulating a plurality of weapons and opposing combatants. Exemplary systems include so-called multiple integrated laser engagement systems (MILES), which comprise a weapon simulation transmitter that “fires” at a target, which comprises a detector that senses if a “hit” is experienced. Detectors may be mounted on stationary objects or on the trainee. Calculations can also be made using the sensed “hit” data regarding damage likely to have been experienced.  
           [0005]    A particularly difficult training setting is that containing a large number of stationary objects capable of hiding opposing combatants. Such a setting is experienced in urban warfare, known as “military operations in urban terrain”(MOUT), wherein a combatant may be positioned within buildings.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a combat training simulation system and method for a structure-intensive setting.  
           [0007]    It is a further object to provide such a system and method for simulating the effects of firing a weapon at a wall or similar solid structure.  
           [0008]    It is another object to provide such a system and method that include means for calculating probable damage to the structure.  
           [0009]    It is an additional object to provide such a system and method that include means for calculating position-dependent probable damage to structure occupants.  
           [0010]    It is yet a further object to provide such a system and method that include means for simulating damage to an adjacent area.  
           [0011]    It is yet another object to provide such a system and method that eliminate ricochet effects within the structure.  
           [0012]    These and other objects are achieved by the present invention, a combat training system and method for a structure-intensive setting. The combat training system comprises means for transmitting a first electroluminescent signal representative of a projectile fired at a front of a structure. Typically such a signal will contain data relating to the type of projectile being simulated and the energy carried thereby.  
           [0013]    Means are affixed to the structure&#39;s front for detecting the transmitted first signal. Means are also provided for determining from the detected first signal an extent of damage that would be expected to be experienced by the structure. Such a damage extent may include, for example, whether the projectile would be expected to penetrate the structure, how large a hole might be made, and how far inside the structure it would travel.  
           [0014]    Another signal-transmitting means transmit a second electroluminescent signal behind the structure, wherein the second signal is representative of the expected damage extent of the first signal on the structure. For example, if the first signal were experiences as being sufficiently strong to carry the simulated projectile into the structure, the second signal would carry information on interior damage expected.  
           [0015]    Means are also affixed to a target behind the structure&#39;s front for detecting the second signal, and means are provided for determining from the detected second signal an effect expected to be experienced by the target. For example, if the target is a person, a probability of injury or death is calculated by the system.  
           [0016]    The system accurately simulates shooting through a wall or other generally solid structure with a weapon that is simulated by, for example, a laser transmitter, with a specific embodiment intended for simulating military operations in urban terrain.  
           [0017]    The features that characterize the invention, both as to organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following description used in conjunction with the accompanying drawing. It is to be expressly understood that the drawing is for the purpose of illustration and description and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. These and other objects attained, and advantages offered, by the present invention will become more fully apparent as the description that now follows is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]    [0018]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the urban combat simulation system.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 2 illustrates the scanner in use.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 3 illustrates target fireback.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 4 illustrates the effect of laser ricochet.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 5 illustrates the extended coverage device in use.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the network. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0024]    A description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be presented with reference to FIGS.  1 - 6 .  
         [0025]    The present invention includes a system and method for simulating shooting through a wall or other generally solid structure, and calculating damage done to the structure and to a target within the structure. An exemplary embodiment of the system  10  is illustrated schematically in FIG. 1, wherein the system components are in communication via, for example, a local-area-network (LAN)  11  under control of a processor  12  having software  13  resident thereon and in communication with output devices such as a monitor  14  and printer  15  and an input device such as a keyboard  16  and pointing device such as a mouse  17 .  
         [0026]    In the embodiment of FIG. 1, a plurality of troops  90  are inside a structure comprising a building  18  having a front wall  19  that has a composition the characteristics of which are resident in the processor  12 . Another troop  91  is in an adjoining room  20  at the back of the building  18 .  
         [0027]    A simulation of an attack on the building  19  includes inputting to the processor  12  a weapon type that is to be fired upon the building&#39;s front wall  19 . Alternatively, an actual simulated weapon  21  is used by an attack troop  92 . The characteristics of the weapon  21  are stored in the processor  12  and are correlated with a signal that is to be delivered by an eye-safe laser transmitter  22  to the front wall  19 . In addition to the weapon type, the user may input a plurality of firings by the same weapon.  
         [0028]    The front wall  19  comprises a laser-beam-sensitive array of detectors  23 , which provide hit and position information to the processor  12 . This information is relayed as an electrical signal to a decoder  24 , which may be positioned inside the building  18 , although this is not intended as a limitation. The decoder  24  contains a processor  25  having a routine resident thereon for calculating from the electrical signal and known data a probable extent of damage that is expected to the wall  19 , based upon the composition of the wall  19 , the position and number of hits, and the weapon and ammunition type. The decoder  24  is also adapted to simulate different fields of effectiveness for each weapon type or for an amount of a room to be destroyed by a particular weapon&#39;s impact. In addition to the composition of the wall  19 , the decoder  24  also is adapted to simulate differences in the building&#39;s reinforcement levels and changes in extent of damage depending upon the reinforcement. The damage extent probability can be altered within the decoder  24  to simulate various wall types from light to heavy reinforced walls. The decoder  24  can also have interfaced thereto a plurality of detector arrays  23 . In a particular embodiment, for example, four arrays  23  (see FIG. 6) are interfaced to the decoder  24  for permitting signals impinging on all four walls of a building  18  to be detected.  
         [0029]    As exemplary input for scan and detection criteria, Table 1 lists various weapon types recognized by a particular embodiment of the detector array  23 . NE denotes “no effect.” From these data it may be seen that each different weapons creates a varying damage and scan width within the building.  
                                                     FIG. 7. Smart Wall Probability of Kill (PK) Decoding                    PK-1, Brick   PK-2, Light                   Wall   Wall               No. of Hits   No. of Hits       WPN       to   to   Scan       Code   Description   Penetrate   Penetrate   Width               00   Universal/Controller Kill   1   1   Full       01   Maverick   1   1   Full       02   Hellfire   1   1   Full       03   AT-3, Sagger   1   1   Full       04   60 mm, 4.2″   2   1   Half       05   M15A Mine (Track Cutter)   1   1   Full       06   Weapon X   NE   1   Full       07   TOW, Shillelagh   1   1   Full       08   Dragon   1   1   Full       09   M202 Flame   2   1   Half       10   Anti-Tank   1   1   Full       11   Claymore, M6   NE   1   Half       12   105 mm   1   1   Full       13   152 mm, 122 mm   1   1   Full       14   2.75″ Rocket   1   1   Full       15   Viper   1   1   Full       16   120 mm   1   1   Full       17   90 mm   1   1   Half       18   8″, 105 mm, HOW,   1   1   Full           122 mm, 155 mm       19   40 mm Grenade   8   2   45 Deg.       20   Rockeye (Cluster Bomb)   6   1   45 Deg.       21   GAU-8   10    1   45 Deg.       22   25 mm   4   1   10 Deg.       23   Vulcan, Airborn 20 mm,   16    2   10 Deg.           30 mm       24   M2, M85 MG   16    3   10 Deg.       25   Chaparral   NE   NE       26   Stinger   NE   NE       27   M 16 Rifle, M60 MG,   NE   10    10 Deg.           Coax MG       28   Hvy Wpn Miss   NE   NE       29   Lt Wpn Miss   NE   NE       30   Optical Reset   RESET   RESET       31   Hvy Wpn Spare Miss   NE   NE                  
 
         [0030]    In electronic communication with the decoder  24  and affixed within the interior of the building  18  on the inner face of the front wall  19  is a scanner  26 . The scanner  26  provides a multidirected, variable scan the characteristics of which are dependent upon the calculated probable extent of damage from the decoder  24 . The scanner  26  comprises an eye-safe laser transmitter  27  that simulates variations in expected effects of the attack such as kill percentages and coverage areas in accordance with the identified projectile damage characteristics. The scanner  26  may be mounted along the inside of wall  19  as shown FIG. 1, or alternatively, in a corner, as shown in FIG. 2.  
         [0031]    The scanner  26  comprises a “smart” system in exerting control the transmitter  27  scanned sensor area or adjusts the scanned laser output beam width with respect to a received coded message dependent upon the results relayed by the decoder  24 . The scan direction is controlled, as are the number of energy bursts transmitted at each “dwell time” during the scan. The number of bursts is related to the probability of a “kill” along the scanned area. The scanner  26  is adapted to simulate wide-dispersion impacts by spreading the impact area with an appropriate beam scan dependent upon the predetermined weapon dispersion. In order to randomize the output, partial scans may have random start/stop points determined by the transmitter  27  and a full scan of approximately 160°, although this is not intended as a limitation.  
         [0032]    The troops  90  in the building  18  each wear a detector  28  sensitive to the scanner laser  27  energy bursts, which are interpreted as projectile hits. Each time a troop detector  28  registers a hit, this information is relayed to the processor  12  for tallying. The detector  28  is typically configured for draping over a human body, such as a vest.  
         [0033]    The system  10  also has the capability of providing for fire from an opposing troop  92  within the building  18  to a target troop  90  (FIG. 3). The element is provided within the scanner  26 , which can be directed to direct energy where the opposing troop  92 , typically a dummy in a training environment, would be capable of firing.  
         [0034]    As another feature, the system  10  can account for laser ricochet within the building  18  (FIG. 4) with an automatic sensitivity adjustment system (ASAS). This feature is provided by the scanner  26  outputting a special code and continuously sweeping the building  18  for reducing the sensitivity of the troop detectors  28  within the building  18 . By reducing the sensitivity, the simulated laser “bullets” (bursts) ricocheting off the walls (beam  29 →reflected beam  29 ′) and contents of the building  18 , which have lower energy following the ricochet, do not count as “hits”; rather, the laser  27  burst at a higher energy level must impact a troop  90  directly to achieve a “hit.” 
         [0035]    The ASAS system comprises a room entry beacon transmitter  30  and a dynamic, sensitivity-adjustable detector, along with interface codes for system integration. The beacon transmitter  30  may operate by either an optical (e.g., infrared) link providing sequential laser pulsing or an rf (e.g., 916.5 MHZ) link, and the detector comprises part of the troop detector  28 . Sensitivity control therefore may be achieved by optical or rf control, depending upon the type of beacon transmitter  30  selected. When the beacon transmitter  30  signal ceases to be received by the detector  28 , the sensitivity automatically reverts to the higher (outdoor) level.  
         [0036]    Signals from the beacon transmitter  30  can also be used to associate troops  90  with the building  18 , with the processor  12  being able to log entry time and correlate that time with the room conditions. In addition, an audible alarm  31  may be activated by the signal from the beacon transmitter  30 , alerting the troop  90  that he/she has reached a particular location. Further, a signal from the beacon transmitter  30  may be used to indicate if a predetermined perimeter has been breached by a troop  90 . The processor  12  can then log the particular troop  90  and time of the breach.  
         [0037]    As shown in FIG. 1, an adjacent room  20  may also contain personnel  91 , and, although the scanner laser  27  transmission could not reach this room  20 , in actual practice damage may be experienced there. Therefore, an additional element of the present invention comprises an extended coverage device  29  (ECD) that is mounted, for example, in a corner of the room  20  or hallway, as shown in FIG. 5. In a preferred embodiment the ECD comprises a miniaturized, nonscanning, wide-angle laser transmitter that repeats the signal of the scanner laser  27  isotropically. In this mode the troops  91  are showered with hits even though they are out of the direct path of the initial projectile.  
         [0038]    In a preferred embodiment the LAN  11  for use with the system  10  of the present invention comprises an RS  422  control link that interconnects a command and control center or computer controlling data collection in a building  18  with sensor devices  23 , 28  (FIG. 6). The LAN  11  interfaces a command center to allow triggering of the transmitters  22 , 27  directly and altering of all aspects of the damage parameters used for the array and scanner action. The LAN  11  also passes indirect fire engagements from a command center to the affected rooms, triggering the rooms&#39; scanners  26 . Further, the LAN  11  provides a capability to pass battle damage assessments, weapon type, and troop ID from the decoders  24  to the command center.  
         [0039]    It may be appreciated by one skilled in the art that additional embodiments may be contemplated, including a similar system and method adapted for game settings (e.g., “laser tag”).  
         [0040]    In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clarity, and understanding, but no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirements of the prior art, because such words are used for description purposes herein and are intended to be broadly construed. Moreover, the embodiments of the apparatus illustrated and described herein are by way of example, and the scope of the invention is not limited to the exact details of construction.  
         [0041]    Having now described the invention, the construction, the operation and use of preferred embodiments thereof, and the advantageous new and useful results obtained thereby, the new and useful constructions, and reasonable mechanical equivalents thereof obvious to those skilled in the art, are set forth in the appended claims.