System and method for arresting and neutralizing unmanned vehicles

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017253348-A1
Application number	US-201615246850-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Aug 25, 2016
Priority date	Mar 3, 2016
Publication date	Sep 7, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

The use of shielded material in a deployable vehicle arresting and containment device that, when used for the interception of an unmanned vehicle, effectively achieves RF isolation of that vehicle, breaking all external communications with that vehicle. This apparatus, which may have internal and external antennas, could enable a variety of advanced effects such as localized GPS and command and control link spoofing and jamming as well as providing a vehicle for signal intercept and intelligence solutions. Additionally, due to the shielding properties of the arresting and containment device, semi-destructive means such as localized EMPs could be used to damage the encapsulated unmanned vehicle electronics.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A system for arresting and neutralizing unmanned vehicles, comprising:
an unmanned aerial vehicle; an arresting means being deployable from said unmanned aerial vehicle, wherein said arresting means further comprises a physical containment means and an electrical isolation means; and an attachment means for effectuating said deployment.

2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein said electrical isolation means further comprises at least one layer of conductive material.

3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein said electrical isolation means further comprises at least one layer of radio frequency absorptive material.

4 . The system of claim 3 , wherein said physical containment means further comprises at least one layer of structural supportive material in cooperation with said electrical isolation means.

5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein said attachment means further comprises a tethering means.

6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein said attachment means further comprises a detachment means.

7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein said physical containment means further comprises:
a closed end proximate to said attachment means; an open end distal to said attachment means; and a closure means coincident with said open end.

8 . The system of claim 7 , wherein said closure means further comprises a plurality of weights.

9 . The system of claim 8 , wherein said closure means further comprises a plurality of magnets.

10 . The system of 9 , wherein said plurality of weights incorporate said magnets, and at least one of said plurality of said weights further comprises a payload compartment.

11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein said payload compartment comprises electronic countermeasures, wherein said electronic countermeasures are electrically connected to the interior of said arresting means so as to transmit radio frequency signals thereto and receive radio frequency signals therefrom, respectively.

12 . A method arresting and neutralizing unmanned vehicles, comprising the steps of:
maneuvering an unmanned aerial vehicle within proximity of an unmanned vehicle; deploying, via an attachment means, an arresting means from said unmanned aerial vehicle onto said unmanned vehicle; physically entrapping said unmanned vehicle within said arresting means; and electrically isolating said unmanned vehicle within said arresting means.

13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein said step of electrically isolating further comprises integrating a conductive material into said arresting means.

14 . The method of claim 12 , wherein said step of physically entrapping further comprises integrating a structural supportive material into said arresting means.

15 . The method of claim 12 , wherein said step of electrically isolating further comprises integrating a conductive material into said arresting means.

16 . The method of claim 12 , wherein said step of deploying further comprises the step of tethering.

17 . The method of claim 12 , wherein said step of physically entrapping further comprises the steps of:
weighting an end of said arresting means so as to ensure envelopment of said unmanned vehicle; and closing said weighted end of said arresting means by magnetic means.

18 . The method of claim 12 , wherein said step of electrically isolating further comprises the steps of:
transmitting and receiving radio frequency signals to and from said unmanned vehicle for the purpose of spoofing.

19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the step of transmitting radio frequency signals to said unmanned vehicle is for the purpose of destruction.

20 . The unmanned vehicle of claim 1 , being any one of: an unmanned aerial vehicle, an unmanned ground vehicle, or an unmanned watercraft.

21 . The unmanned vehicle of claim 12 , being any one of: an unmanned aerial vehicle, an unmanned ground vehicle, or an unmanned watercraft.

Assignees

• Us Gov Air Force

Inventors

• Ashdown Jonathan
• Sikora Paul
• Poland Brendon

Classifications

• B64U70/30

  for capturing UAVs in flight by ground or sea-based arresting gear, e.g. by a cable or a net · CPC title

• B64C2201/12

  Operations & Transport · mapped topic

• F41H13/00

  Means of attack or defence not otherwise provided for {(details of radar or sonar systems G01S7/00)} · CPC title

• B64C39/024

  of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV · CPC title

• B62D63/04

  Component parts or accessories · CPC title