초록 ▼

A system is disclosed for administering a restricted flight zone using radar and lasers for detecting, tracking, warning and destroying airborne craft that enter restricted flight zones without authorization or that approach dangerously close to protected areas on the ground. The system comprises a

A system is disclosed for administering a restricted flight zone using radar and lasers for detecting, tracking, warning and destroying airborne craft that enter restricted flight zones without authorization or that approach dangerously close to protected areas on the ground. The system comprises a support for positioning adjacent the surface of the Earth at a bottom of the zone, detecting and defending apparatus mounted on the support for detecting airborne objects in the zone and defending against the airborne objects in the zone, and controlling apparatus for controlling the detecting and defending means.

대표청구항 ▼

I claim: 1. A system for detecting airborne objects in a zone occupying a three-dimensional space in the atmosphere above the Earth and for simultaneously defending against the airborne objects located in the zone, comprising: a support for positioning adjacent the surface of the Earth at a bottom

I claim: 1. A system for detecting airborne objects in a zone occupying a three-dimensional space in the atmosphere above the Earth and for simultaneously defending against the airborne objects located in the zone, comprising: a support for positioning adjacent the surface of the Earth at a bottom of the zone; a detecting and defending means mounted on the support for detecting airborne objects in the zone and defending against the airborne objects in the zone; and controlling means for controlling the detecting and defending means; wherein the detecting and defending means comprises a plurality of clusters mounted on the support, each of the clusters comprising: at least one radar assembly for detecting airborne objects in the zone; and at least one laser assembly for defending against airborne objects in the zone. 2. The system of claim 1 wherein each of the clusters transmits along an axis defining a detection vector, the axis of the detection vector of each cluster radiating outwardly from the support and extending into and through the zone. 3. The system of claim 1 wherein the laser assembly generates a laser beam extending along an axis of a defending vector. 4. The system of claim 3 wherein each of the plurality of clusters includes a set of more than one laser assembly, the set of laser transmitters of each cluster being oriented such that the axis of the defending vector of each laser transmitter of the set is substantially parallel to the axis of the defending vector of other laser transmitters of the set. 5. The system of claim 4 wherein the support has an outer extent with a substantially convex outer surface; and wherein the axis of the defending vector of each of the laser transmitters of the clusters is oriented at an angle with respect to a normal axis, the normal axis being oriented substantially perpendicular to a plane oriented tangent to the outer surface of the outer extent of the support, the axis of the defending vector of each of the laser transmitters of the set of a said cluster being oriented at substantially the same angle with respect to the normal axis. 6. The system of claim 3 wherein a portion of the plurality of lasers directed along an axis of a defending vector against encroaching aircraft are configured to transmit lasers of different colors within the plurality of lasers for warning pilots of their trespass into a flight restricted zone. 7. The system of claim 1 wherein the radar assembly comprises a radar transmitter, a radar receiver, and an antenna in communication with the radar transmitter and radar receiver; and the laser assembly comprises a laser transmitter. 8. The system of claim 7 wherein the laser transmitters of the laser assembly of each cluster are positioned around the antenna of the radar assembly of the cluster. 9. The system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of clusters each have an outer limit of effective range that defines an outer periphery of the zone, the outer periphery of the zone being substantially hemispherical. 10. The system of claim 1 wherein the controlling means controls the radar assemblies and the laser assemblies of the clusters, the controlling means comprising processing means for processing information from the radar transmitters and radar receivers. 11. The system of claim 1 wherein the controlling means comprises identification, means for identifying authorized airborne objects in the zone, the identification means comprising a radio receiver for receiving radio signals from an authorized airborne object, the controlling means being configured to modify operation of the clusters with respect to the authorized airborne object when the radio signals are received from the authorized airborne object until the authorized airborne object leaves the zone. 12. The system of claim 1 wherein the support has an outer extent with a substantially convex outer surface; and wherein the plurality of clusters are positioned in an array substantially covering the outer extent of the support. 13. The system of claim 1 wherein the radar assembly of each cluster transmits and receives radar signals at a frequency that is different from frequencies at which the radar assembly of each of the other clusters transmit and receive. 14. The system of claim 1 wherein the laser transmitters of the laser assemblies of the clusters are configured to selectively generate laser beams of variable intensity. 15. The system of claim 14 wherein the intensity of the laser beams generated by the laser transmitters is sufficient to destroy objects struck by the laser beam within a predetermined distance from the laser transmitter in the zone. 16. The system of claim 14 wherein the intensity of the laser beams generated by the laser transmitters is controlled by the controlling means, the controlling means increasing the intensity of the laser beams of the laser transmitters as an airborne object moves closer to the support. 17. The system of claim 16 wherein the controlling means of the system is configured to be selectively overridden by manual operation to control the intensity of the lasers and the direction of the lasers. 18. The system of claim 1 wherein the laser assembly of the cluster emits a laser beam only when an airborne object is detected entering the zone. 19. The system of claim 1 wherein the laser transmitters of the laser assemblies of the clusters could be set to generate laser beams of only one intensity. 20. A system for detecting airborne objects in a zone occupying a three-dimensional space in the atmosphere above the Earth and for simultaneously defending against the airborne objects located in the zone, comprising: a support for positioning adjacent the surface of the Earth at a bottom of the zone, the support having an outer extent with a substantially convex outer surface, the outer extent of the support comprising a substantially hemispherical-shaped dome; detecting and defending means mounted on the support for detecting airborne objects in the zone and defending against the airborne objects in the zone, the detecting and defending means comprising a plurality of clusters mounted on the support, each of the clusters transmitting along an axis defining a detection vector, the axis of the detection vector of each cluster extending into and through the zone, the axis of the detection vectors of the plurality of the clusters radiating outwardly from the support in a substantially uniformly angularly separated manner, each of the clusters comprising: at least one radar assembly for detecting airborne objects in the zone, the radar assembly comprising a radar transmitter, a radar receiver, and an antenna in communication with the radar transmitter and radar receiver, the radar transmitter transmitting along the axis of the detection vector, and the radar receiver receiving along the axis of the detection vector; at least one laser assembly for defending against airborne objects in the zone, the laser assembly comprising a laser transmitter for generating a coherent laser beam, the laser assembly generating a laser beam oriented along an axis of a defending vector, the axis of the detection vector being substantially parallel to the axis of the defending vector; wherein the plurality of clusters each have an outer limit of effective range that defines an outer periphery of the zone, the zone being substantially hemispherical; wherein each of the plurality of clusters includes a set of more than one laser assembly, the set of laser transmitters of each cluster being oriented such that the axis of the defending vector of each laser transmitter of the set is substantially parallel to the axis of the defending vector of other laser transmitters of the set; wherein the laser transmitters of the laser assembly of each cluster are positioned around the antenna of the radar assembly of the cluster; wherein the plurality of clusters are positioned in an array substantially covering the convex outer extent of the support; wherein the outer extent of the support comprises a surface, the surface of the support having a plurality supports formed therein for permitting passage therethrough of coherent laser beam of the laser assembly of the cluster and of radar signals of the radar assembly of the same cluster such that radar signals are selectively transmitted and received by the antenna of the radar assembly of the cluster; wherein the axis of the defending vector of each of the clusters is oriented at an angle with respect to a normal axis, the normal axis being oriented substantially perpendicular to a plane oriented tangent to the convex outer extent of the support, the axis of the defending vector of each of the laser transmitters of the set of a said cluster being oriented at substantially the same angle with respect to the normal axis, the angles formed by the axis of the defending vector and the normal axis having a non-zero measurement; wherein the radar assembly of each cluster transmits and receives radar signals at a frequency that is different from frequencies at which the radar assembly of each of the other clusters transmit and receive; wherein the laser transmitters are configured to generate laser beams of variable intensity, a range of intensities of the laser beams of the laser transmitters ranging from a low intensity to a high intensity, the low intensity being substantially harmless to airborne objects and the high intensity being configured to generate heat in an airborne object; wherein the intensity of the laser beams generated by the laser transmitters have sufficient energy to destroy objects struck by the laser beam within a predetermined distance from the laser transmitter in the zone; wherein the laser transmitters are configured to selectively generate laser beams having intensities greater than approximately 100 kilowatts; wherein the intensity of the laser beams generated by the laser transmitters is controlled by the controlling means, the controlling means increasing the intensity of the laser beams of the laser transmitters as an airborne object moves closer to the support; controlling means for controlling the radar assemblies and the laser assemblies of the clusters, the controlling means comprising processing means for processing information from the radar transmitters and radar receivers, the controlling means comprising storage means for storing information, the controlling means comprising identification means for identifying authorized airborne objects in the zone, the identification means comprising a radio receiver for receiving radio signals from an authorized airborne object, the controlling means being configured to modify operation of the clusters with respect to the authorized airborne object when the radio signals are received from the authorized airborne object until the authorized airborne object leaves the zone.