초록 ▼

Missile deflector systems for protecting a vehicle from threats that use an infrared sensor for guidance are disclosed. An exemplary missile deflector system can include, for example, a radiation source and one or more deployable smart chaff elements. The light source and the one or more deployable

Missile deflector systems for protecting a vehicle from threats that use an infrared sensor for guidance are disclosed. An exemplary missile deflector system can include, for example, a radiation source and one or more deployable smart chaff elements. The light source and the one or more deployable smart chaff elements can direct the threat, such as, for example, a missile, away from the vehicle or, in other embodiments, disable the threat. Another exemplary missile deflector system can include, for example, a smart chaff element with a near-infrared emitter and a plurality of transmitting fibers to transmit the near-infrared radiation out of the smart chaff element.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A missile deflector system for use on a vehicle comprising: a light source attached to the vehicle, wherein the light source emits ultraviolet light in a direction coincident with at least a portion of an infrared radiation emitted by the vehicle; and a deployable smart chaff

What is claimed is: 1. A missile deflector system for use on a vehicle comprising: a light source attached to the vehicle, wherein the light source emits ultraviolet light in a direction coincident with at least a portion of an infrared radiation emitted by the vehicle; and a deployable smart chaff element comprising: at least one infrared light source whose spectral emittance is detectable by a missile, an infrared light source driver, an energy storage element, a controller, a partially infrared-transmissive aerodynamic structure surrounding the infrared light source, and at least one aerodynamic feature for stabilization. 2. The missile deflector system of claim 1, further comprising a communications system that allows the deployable smart chaff element to communicate with the vehicle. 3. The missile deflector system of claim 1, wherein the communications system communicates with a plurality of smart chaff elements. 4. The missile deflector system of claim 1 wherein the at least one infrared light source emits light with wavelengths between about 2 microns and about 6 microns. 5. The missile deflector system of claim 1, wherein the aerodynamic feature for stabilization comprises one of a chute, a fin, and a spinning feature. 6. The missile deflector system of claim 5, wherein the aerodynamic feature for stabilization is actively controlled. 7. The missile deflector system of claim 1, further comprising one or more optical elements disposed adjacent to the at least one infrared light source. 8. The missile deflector system of claim 7, wherein the one or more optical elements modifies at least one of an intensity, a relative spectral distribution, and a direction of an output of the at least one infrared light source. 9. The missile deflector system of claim 1, further comprising a sensor. 10. The missile deflector system of claim 9, wherein the sensor is one of a passive electromagnetic sensor, an active electromagnetic sensor, a timer, a position sensor, and an air data sensor. 11. The missile deflector system of claim 1, further comprising an offensive system to disable the missile. 12. The missile deflector system of claim 1, further comprising an energy generation system that converts kinetic energy into electrical energy. 13. A missile deflector system for a vehicle that emits an infrared radiation detectable by a missile comprising: an ultraviolent light source disposed on the vehicle, wherein the ultraviolet light source is emits light in a direction coincident with a portion of the infrared radiation emitted by the vehicle; an infrared light source disposed within the vehicle; a deployable optical conduit having a first end configured to couple light from the infrared light source; and an optical element disposed at a second end of the optical conduit, wherein the optical element emits light to draw the missile. 14. The missile deflector system of claim 13, wherein the emitted infrared light has a wavelength between about 2 microns and about 6 microns. 15. The missile deflector system of claim 13, further comprising an optical system that projects and image. 16. The missile deflector system of claim 15, wherein the image is one of a retroreflection of the missile and a projected image of a portion of a vehicle. 17. The missile deflector system of claim 15, wherein the optical system modifies one or more of the spectral intensity and the spatial characteristics of the image to emulate the missile's target. 18. The missile deflector system of claim 17, wherein the spatial characteristics are modified to adjust the image to emulate a profile of the vehicle. 19. The missile deflector system of claim 15, wherein the image emulates a blockage of sky irradiance by the vehicle. 20. A missile deflector system for a vehicle that emits an infrared radiation detectable by a missile comprising: a housing comprising aerodynamic features; a near-infrared emitter disposed within the housing; a plurality of transmitting fibers, wherein a first end of the transmitting fibers is coupled to the near-infrared emitter; and an insulating material disposed around the near-infrared emitter. 21. The missile deflector system of claim 20, further comprising an optical element coupled to a second end of each of the plurality of transmitting fibers. 22. The missile deflector system of claim 20, wherein the aerodynamic features are dimples in a surface of the housing. 23. The missile deflector system of claim 20, wherein the transmitting fibers are doped. 24. The missile deflector system of claim 20, further comprising a conductive probe, wherein the conductive probe is connected to the near-infrared emitter and a heat source disposed within the vehicle.