A method for determining threat status for combat aircrafts
Field of the invention
The invention relates to a method for decision support of a
first combat aircraft in a combat situation.
Background of the invention
Document US 4,947,350 describes a tactical routing apparatus,
for instance for an aircraft, which comprises stores for
storing data representing the geographical domain through
which the aircraft is to pass and data representing the
location and type of a plurality of threats, and a processor
for determining and displaying on a video display unit the
optimal route connecting two points and the probability of
successfully completing the route.
In combat aircrafts highly developed functions for human
machine interface, HMI for short, and decision support exist
and work as support functions for the pilot environment. These
solutions are typically based on and adapted for high tempo in
flight and combat situations where HMI and decision support
together describe the current situation and display tools and
solutions to the pilot. The solutions are usually based on the
aircraft itself and its available resources and tools. Sensors,
such as radar, are operated by the pilot as a tool for closerange
scanning or for scanning objects for identification and
continued pursuit. Typically, decision support supports the
multiple use of sensors by merging objects detected by several
different sensors and coordinating and correlating these
objects in a situation picture. This is usually done via
networks in further steps to create a common situation picture
between several aircraft within an aircraft group.
When complexity increases because more tools and sensors are
supplied, the possibilities available to the pilot to control
his tools and/or sensors in time are limited and made
difficult. In time=critical situations, for instance in air
combat, the pilot risks becoming the underdog in combat.
Another limitation is the fact that each tool and/or sensor
has its own characteristics and peculiarities. Each sensor
and/or tool thus requires its own interface and control
functions which the pilot needs to be able to understand and
use correctly.
Summary of the invention
It is the object of the invention to provide a possibility to
assist a pilot in decision support in complicated combat
situations while being reliable, fast and easy to handle for
the pilot in order to make a quick and efficient decision.
This object is achieved by the subject matter of independent
claim 1 . Preferred embodiments are defined in the sub claims.
According to an aspect of the invention, this object is
achieved by a method for decision support of a first combat
aircraft in a combat situation comprising the steps of: a )
detecting a second combat aircraft, wherein the second combat
aircraft is different from the first combat aircraft, b )
analyzing the second combat aircraft to determine its type,
its sensor capacity and its total weapons capacity, and c )
recording the sensor capacity and the total weapons capacity
of the second combat aircraft to determine a first geographic
zone adapted for defining the detection limit of the second
combat aircraft and a second geographic zone adapted for
defining a shoot-down limit of the second combat aircraft,
respectively, wherein the first and the second geographic zone
are adapted for decision support of the first combat aircraft
in the combat situation with a second combat aircraft.
It is an idea of the invention to use information for a pilot
or an unmanned aerial vehicle, UAV for short, in order to
handle a complicated situation. Usually obstacles, such as
hills, have an impact on the geographic zone. Furthermore, the
geographic zone typically moves with the second combat
aircraft. It is noted that the first geographic zone and the
second geographic zone are independent from each other and
that the first geographic zone refers to the sensors available
and the second geographic zone refers to the weapons and/or
fire control systems available.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the
second combat aircraft corresponds to at least one second
combat aircraft arranged near the ground or on the ground
and/or to another threat object which is arranged near the
ground or on the ground, i.e. to a ground based threat, such
as to a surface-to-air missile site, SAM for short. By adding
a plurality of second combat aircrafts and/or by adding a
plurality of ground based threats preferably a single
geographic zone is integrated as the sum of the pluralities of
the second combat aircrafts and/or the ground based threats.
Preferably, by combining the SAM zone and the enemy aircraft
zone, i.e.. the aircraft zones of the second combat aircrafts,
an integrated detection area and an integrated shoot-down area
is obtained. Each enemy aircraft preferably comprises its own
detection area. In case of a plurality of enemy aircrafts
and/or a plurality of ground stations it preferably becomes
possible to add their parts into a larger sum, i.e. to a
larger detection area and/or to a longer range. The first
combat aircraft preferably recognizes the larger sum as an
integrated defence detection area. The plurality of enemy
aircrafts preferably communicate their information between
them such that when the first combat aircraft is detected
and/or shot down by any of the enemy aircrafts the other enemy
aircrafts become aware of this.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the
method comprises the step of storing the analyzed data in step
b ) and/or the recorded data in step c ) , wherein the recorded
data is adapted for generating a situation picture. Preferably,
the method comprises the step of displaying the analyzed data
in step b ) and/or the recorded data in step c ) . The step of
displaying the recorded data in step c ) preferably comprises
displaying a plurality of situation pictures. The method
preferably records the altitude of the first combat aircraft
and/or of the second combat aircraft and displays the altitude
together with the plurality of situation pictures such that a
plurality of three dimensional plots results. The method
preferably records time and displays the time together with a
plurality of three dimensional plots such that a plurality of
four dimensional plots results.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the
method further comprises the step of analyzing a flight
regulated restriction and/or a landing zone approach
requirement adapted for indicating a flight regulated area
and/or a no-fly region. A flight regulated area preferably
corresponds to a landing area or to a commercial flight
"corridor". A no-fly region or no-fly zone preferably
corresponds to a third country border.
The step of detecting is preferably performed by a sensor,
such as radar, a database and/or a link. When the step of
detecting is performed by a database this preferably
corresponds to detecting by using a plurality of libraries for
comparison purposes and when the step of detecting is
performed by a link this preferably corresponds to an object,
such as to a marine object, sending the required information
to the first combat aircraft. Preferably, the first combat
aircraft comprises a pilot's own aircraft and the second
combat aircraft comprises an enemy aircraft and/or a ground
based threat, such as a SAM, arranged near or on the ground or
to a marine vessel. However, according to other preferred
embodiments, also UAVs can be involved. Preferably, the second
combat aircraft corresponds to an UAV. The ground based threat
preferably corresponds to a SAM.
It is an idea of the invention to provide an HMI
implementation whic analyzes and summarizes the integrated
ability of the enemy to detect and/or to destroy the pilot's
own aircraft in a combat situation. All detected or assumed
enemies with their assessed characteristics are summarized to
form an integrated position evaluation. Their total sensor
capacity is preferably recorded as a detection limit and the
total weapons capacity preferably corresponds to a shoot-down
limit or to a destroy limit. The invention thus serves for
reducing the work load and stress level of the pilot before
entering a combat situation. The pilot can then plan his entry
into a detection zone more effectively and achieves a position
of superiority before the subsequent duel. Thus the pilot can
completely avoid approaching a shoot-down zone.
Brief description of the drawings
These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from
and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described
hereinafter .
In the drawings :
Fig. 1 illustrates the steps of a method for decision
support of a first combat aircraft in a combat
situation according to a preferred embodiment of the
invention; and
Fig. 2 illustrates the geographic zones integrated on the
basis of the total capacity of the enemy according
to another preferred embodiment of the invention.
Detailed description of embodiments
Fig. 1 illustrates the steps of a method for decision support
of a first combat aircraft 1 in a combat situation according
to a preferred embodiment of the invention. The method
comprises the step of detecting 3 a second combat aircraft 2 ,
wherein the second combat aircraft 2 is different from the
first combat aircraft 1 . In a second step, the second combat
aircraft 2 is analyzed 4 in order to determine its type, its
sensor capacity and its total weapons capacity. In a third
step, the sensor capacity and the total weapons capacity of
the second combat aircraft 2 is recorded 5 in order to
determine a first geographic zone adapted for defining the
detection limit of the second combat aircraft 2 and a second
geographic zone adapted for defining a shoot-down limit of the
second combat aircraft 2 . In further steps, the method can
comprise the step of storing 6 the analyzed data in step b )
and/or the recorded data in step c ) . Further, the method can
comprise the step of displaying 7 the analyzed data in step b )
and/or the recorded data in step c ) . Moreover, the method can
comprise the step of analyzing 8 a flight regulated
restriction and/or a landing zone approach requirement adapted
for indicating a flight regulated area and/or a no-fly region.
Fig. 2 shows the geographic zones 9 , 10 integrated on the
basis of the total capacity of the enemy according to another
preferred embodiment of the invention. Every detected or
assumed enemy is type-classified. Typing enables an idea to be
gained of the detectability of the sensor system of the enemy
and also of the shoot-down capacity, i.e. the weapons system,
of the enemy. All detected enemies are incorporated in the
situation picture in the position perceived. The sensor limit
range of the enemy or enemies involved are linked together by
means of union such that a total sensor limit area can be
illustrated to the pilot. The union of the sensor coverage
forms the total detection area of the enemy framed by
detection limit and corresponds to the first geographic zone 9
It is noted that the corresponding limit for the weapons range
forms the shoot-down limit corresponding to the second
geographic zone 10. Fixed limits of another type, for instance
of a no-fly region and third party landing limits, are also
incorporated in the HMI implementation according to this
preferred embodiment of the invention.
It is an idea of the invention that before combat the pilot
becomes able to prioritize his overview in the whole situation
picture. Further, a more effective idea of the situation is
given by means of an integrated situation picture for
situations which do not contain a duel. The invention provides
a possibility of being able to visualize decision support
quickly and reliably relating to the risk based on being
detected by the enemy aircraft or threat object and of being
shot down.
While the invention has been illustrated and described in
detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such
illustration and description are to be considered illustrative
or exemplary and not restrictive and it is not intended to
limit the invention to the disclosed embodiments. The mere
fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different
dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these
measures cannot be used advantageously.

Claims
1 . A method for decision support of a first combat aircraft
(1) in a combat situation comprising the steps of:
a ) detecting (3) a second combat aircraft (2), wherein
the second combat aircraft (2) is different from the first
combat aircraft (1),
b ) analyzing (4) the second combat aircraft (2) to
determine its type, its sensor capacity and its total weapons
capacity, and
c ) recording (5) the sensor capacity and the total
weapons capacity of the second combat aircraft (2) to
determine a first geographic zone adapted for defining the
detection limit of the second combat aircraft (2) and a second
geographic zone adapted for defining a shoot-down limit of the
second combat aircraft (2), respectively, wherein the first
and the second geographic zone are adapted for decision
support of the first combat aircraft (1) in the combat
situation with the second combat aircraft (2) .
2 . The method according to claim 1 , comprising the step of
storing (6) the analyzed data in step b ) and/or the recorded
data in step c ), wherein the recorded data is adapted for
generating a situation picture.
3 . The method according to one of the preceding claims,
comprising the step of displaying (7) the analyzed data in
step b ) and/or the recorded data in step c ) .
4 . The method according to claim 3 , wherein the step of
displaying (7) the recorded data in step c ) comprises
displaying a plurality of situation pictures.
5 . The method according to claim 4 , further recording (5)
the altitude of the first combat aircraft (1) and/or of the
second combat aircraft (2) and displaying (7) the altitude
together with the plurality of situation pictures such that a
plurality of three dimensional plots results.
6 . The method according to claim 5 , further recording (5)
time and displaying (7) the time together with the plurality
of three dimensional plots such that a plurality of four
dimensional plots results.
7 . The method according to one of the preceding claims,
further comprising the step of analyzing (8) a flight
regulated restriction and/or a landing zone approach
requirement adapted for indicating a flight regulated area
and/or a no-fly region.
8 . The method according to one of the preceding claims,
wherein the step of detecting (3) is performed by a sensor,
such as radar, a database and/or a link.
9 . The method according to claim 8 , wherein when the step of
detecting (3) is performed by a database this corresponds to
detecting by using a plurality of libraries for comparison
purposes and when the step of detecting (3) is performed by a
link this corresponds to an object, such as to a marine object,
sending the required information to the first combat aircraft
(1) .
10. The method according to one of the preceding claims,
wherein the first combat aircraft (1) comprises a pilot's own
aircraft and the second combat aircraft (2) comprises an enemy
aircraft and/or a ground based threat.
11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the second
combat aircraft (2) corresponds to an unmanned aerial vehicle.
12. The method according to claim 10, wherein the ground
based threat corresponds to a surface-to-air missile site.