초록 ▼

An exo-atmospheric intercepting method for intercepting in space multiple objects, including acquiring and tracking multiple inflated objects which fly towards a protected territory. The method further includes launching an interceptor missile accommodating a plurality of kill vehicles each hosting

An exo-atmospheric intercepting method for intercepting in space multiple objects, including acquiring and tracking multiple inflated objects which fly towards a protected territory. The method further includes launching an interceptor missile accommodating a plurality of kill vehicles each hosting a plurality of punching objects and classifying the multiple objects into clusters. In respect of each cluster of objects, determining an ejection condition responsive to meeting of which a kill vehicle is ejected from the interceptor missile towards the cluster of objects and thereafter releasing from the kill vehicle a plurality of punching objects such that every inflated object in the cluster is likely, with a high degree of certainty, to be punched by one or more punching objects.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An exo-atmospheric intercepting method for intercepting in space multiple objects, comprising (a) acquiring and tracking multiple inflated objects which fly towards a protected territory;(b) launching an interceptor missile accommodating a plurality of kill vehicles each hosting a plurality of pu

1. An exo-atmospheric intercepting method for intercepting in space multiple objects, comprising (a) acquiring and tracking multiple inflated objects which fly towards a protected territory;(b) launching an interceptor missile accommodating a plurality of kill vehicles each hosting a plurality of punching objects;(c) classifying the multiple objects into at least one cluster; and(d) determining an ejection condition, with respect to each cluster of objects, responsive to meeting of which a kill vehicle is ejected from the interceptor missile towards the cluster of objects and thereafter releasing from the kill vehicle a plurality of punching objects such that every inflated object in the cluster is likely, with a high degree of certainty, to be punched by at least one of the punching objects. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the ejection condition includes orientation of the warhead towards the cluster. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the ejection condition further includes determination of modified flight trajectory of the interceptor towards the cluster. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the ejection condition further includes evaluation of volume uncertainty. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the ejection condition further includes evaluation of time uncertainty. 6. The method according to any claim 1, wherein said interceptor employs an Attitude Control System (ACS) that facilitates rotation of the interceptor, constituting a further parameter of ejection condition. 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein said ejection condition prescribes the release timing of the punching object from the kill vehicle. 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein said (c) includes utilizing an external station for classifying the multiple objects into at least one cluster and communicating said cluster data to said interceptor missile. 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein said (d) includes utilizing said external station for determining said ejection condition and communicating said ejection condition data to said interceptor missile, for ejecting said kill vehicle responsive to meeting said ejection condition. 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein said (c) is performed in said interceptor missile. 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein determining said ejection condition is performed in said interceptor missile. 12. The method according to claim 1, wherein said at least one of inflatable objects accommodates a Reentry Vehicle (RV), such that the flight characteristics of said at least one inflatable object resemble the flight characteristics of another inflatable object that does not accommodate an RV. 13. The method according to claim 1, wherein said punching object being longitudinal fiber optics having a density larger than the density of the surface of said inflatable object. 14. The method according to claim 1, wherein said classifying includes, determining at least two objects that are launched from a given platform and classifying them to a cluster of objects. 15. The method according to claim 14, wherein said determining includes performing backtracking to said at least two objects in order to determine whether they originate from the same missile. 16. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: detecting and tracking objects that proceed to fly towards protected territory following said punching stage and launching at least one interceptor missile towards at least one of said objects. 17. The method according to claim 1, wherein said (a) includes classifying any tracked suspected inflated object into corresponding inflated object. 18. The method according to claim 17, wherein said suspected inflated object is classified as an inflated object if it has a flat or substantially flat RCS. 19. A two phase exo-atmospheric intercepting method for intercepting in space multiple objects, comprising: (a) activating a first phase interception including: i. acquiring and tracking multiple inflated objects which fly towards protected territory;ii. classifying at least two of said objects into at least one cluster;iii. launching an interceptor missile accommodating a plurality of kill vehicles each hosting a plurality of punching objects;iv. ejecting at least one kill vehicle towards each cluster and releasing from the vehicle punching objects that are designated to punch the objects of the cluster;(b) activating a second phase interception, including i) acquiring and tracking objects that continue to fly towards the protected area; andii) launching at least one interception missile for destroying the objects tracked in said (b)(i). 20. A two phase exo-atmospheric intercepting method for intercepting in space multiple objects, comprising: (a) activating a first phase interception which punches inflated objects in space which fly towards a protected territory; and(b) activating a second phase interception which destroys warheads that were concealed in the so punched inflatable objects and which fly towards the protected territory. 21. An exo-atmospheric intercepting system for intercepting in space multiple objects, comprising: a station configured to acquire and track multiple inflated objects which fly towards a protected territory;a launcher configured to launch an interceptor missile accommodating a plurality of kill vehicles each hosting a plurality of punching objects;the station being configured to classify the multiple objects into at least one cluster and to communicate said data to the interceptor missile;the station being configured to determine an ejection condition in respect of each cluster of objects;the station being configured responsive to meeting said condition to command said interceptor to eject a kill vehicle towards the cluster of objects;the kill vehicle being configured to release a plurality of punching objects accommodated therein, such that every inflated object in the cluster is likely, with a high degree of certainty, to be punched by at least one of the punching objects. 22. The system according to claim 21, said interceptor employing at least one warhead having compartments each accommodating a killing vehicle. 23. A two phase exo-atmospheric intercepting system for intercepting in space multiple objects, comprising a first phase interception system being configured to: acquire and track multiple inflated objects which fly towards protected territory;classify at least two of said objects into at least one cluster;launch an interceptor missile accommodating a plurality of kill vehicles each hosting a plurality of punching objects; andeject at least one kill vehicle towards each cluster and releasing from the vehicle punching objects that are designated to punch the objects of the cluster; anda second phase interception system, being configured to: acquire and track objects that continue to fly towards the protected area; andlaunch at least one interception missile for destroying the tracked objects. 24. A two phase exo-atmospheric intercepting system for intercepting in space multiple objects, comprising: a first phase interception system which is configured to punch in space inflated objects which fly towards a protected territory; anda second phase interception system which is configured to destroy warheads that were concealed in the so punched inflatable objects and which fly towards the protected territory.