A METHOD FOR VARIABLE CONTROL OF A ZONE SENSOR IN A COMBAT AIRCRAFT
Field of the invention
The invention relates to a method for controlling a sensor in
a combat aircraft.
Background of the invention
Document EP 1688698 A l describes a method which involves
determining a drift according to environment data of a sensor,
a communication unit and/or an arm system carried by a vehicle
A mapping software is implemented to display on a screen a
terrain zone around a schematic representation of the vehicle.
A surface or a curve appears on the screen to display the
drift of the sensor, the communication unit, the arm system
and/or the detectability of the vehicle.
Highly developed functions for human machine interface, HMI
for short, and decision support as supporting functions for
the pilot environment in combat aircraft are known. All
solutions are based on and adapted for high speed in flight
and combat situations in which HMI and decision support
together describe the current position and provide the pilot
with tools and solutions. Current solutions are based on the
aircraft itself and its available resources and tools. Sensors,
such as radar, are operated by the pilot as a tool for
scanning the near field for objects for the purpose of
identification and continued pursuit. Decision support
typically supports the multi-use of sensors by merging objects
detected by several different sensors and comparing,
correlating and/or combining these objects in one situation
overview. This is usually done via networks in further steps
to create a common situation overview between aircraft within
an aircraft group.
When complexity increases because more tools and/or 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. Another
limitation is the fact that each tool and/or sensor has its
own characteristics and peculiarities. Each sensor and/or tool
therefore 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
switch sensors reliably between a defensive zone and an
offensive zone of a combat aircraft such that the pilot can
act and react mission-oriented.
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, above mentioned
object is achieved by a method for controlling a sensor in a
combat aircraft comprising the steps of: a ) determining
direction and size of a defence zone around the combat
aircraft based on a plurality of characteristic parameters of
an enemy combat aircraft, b ) determining direction and size of
at least one offence zone around the combat aircraft based on
the plurality of characteristic parameters of the enemy combat
aircraft, and c ) controlling the sensor in the combat aircraft
according to emission level and detection capacity within at
least one of the defence zone and the at least one offence
zone.
It is an idea of the invention that the environment of the
combat aircraft is divided into fields and/or zones. Around
every aircraft there is a defence zone and at least one
offence zone. The sensors of the aircraft interact on the
basis of information on the respective zones. When performing
step a ) the countermeasure capacity, i.e. the capacity of the
own combat aircraft, is preferably taken into account. This
corresponds to the volume of interest or area of interest,
wherein a tracking is not needed or not necessary. When
performing step b ) the set search area, i.e. the target of
interest, of the enemy combat aircraft is preferably taken
into account, wherein a tracking is performed.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the
method comprises the step of managing the resources needed for
the defence zone and the at least one offence zone in time
domain and/or in sensor domain.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the
plurality of characteristic parameters of the enemy combat
aircraft comprises type, sensor capacity, speed, position
and/or environmental conditions.
Further, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention,
the method comprises the step of recording the defence zone
and the at least one offence zone, wherein the recorded data
is adapted for generating a situation picture. Preferably, the
step of displaying the recorded data corresponds to displaying
a plurality of situation pictures.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the
diameter of the defence zone is set on the basis of the range
and degree of danger of the enemy combat aircraft. Preferably,
the at least one offence zone is set on the basis of the set
search area of the enemy combat aircraft. The set search area
corresponds to the volume of interest of the enemy combat
aircraft .
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the
emission level and the detection capacity are controlled by
weighting of the defence zone and the at least one offence
zone. Weighting is preferably done manually by the pilot of
the combat aircraft or preferably automatically by an
implemented decision support system. During the step of
controlling the sensor is preferably switched between the
defence zone and the at least one offence zone when a
predefined probabilistic value comprising at least one
predefined criterion is exceeded. The predefined criterion
preferably comprises a predefined attitude limit, a predefined
speed limit, a detection criterion, an identification
criterion and/or a behaviour criterion of an enemy combat
aircraft .
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the
sensor is controlled on the basis of calculating and
allocating at least one quality factor for at least one combat
sensor of the combat aircraft and calculating and allocating
at least one signature factor for at least one enemy sensor of
the enemy combat aircraft based on a predetermined model,
wherein each quality factor is adapted for indicating
identification ability of a combat sensor and each signature
factor is adapted for indicating identification ability of an
enemy sensor. The predetermined model preferably comprises one
of the probabilistic model and a linear model.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the
shape radius of the defence zone comprises a cylindrical shape
and is set constant in time domain taking into account speed
and heading of the combat aircraft and of the enemy combat
aircraft. According to other preferred embodiments of the
invention, the shape radius of the defence zone comprises a
cylindrical shape and varies in time domain taking into
account speed and heading of the combat aircraft and of the
enemy combat aircraft .
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the
enemy combat aircraft corresponds to an enemy object, such as
an enemy missile launch from an enemy helicopter, an enemy
unmanned aerial vehicle or an enemy ground station.
It is an idea of the invention that the aircraft is split in
an offensive and into a defensive part dependent on the
situation. In the defence zone the pilot should be alerted.
The pilot shall become able to act and/or react missionoriented.
Typically there are multiple offence zones which
means that there are multiple duels but there is one defence
zone in order to be survival-oriented. The defence zone and
the at least one offence zone are independent and/or
uncorrelated to one another.
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 controlling a
sensor in a combat aircraft according to a preferred
embodiment of the invention; and
Fig. 2 shows the control of a defence zone according to
another preferred embodiment of the invention.
Detailed description of embodiments
Fig. 1 illustrates the steps of a method for controlling a
sensor in a combat aircraft according to a preferred
embodiment of the invention. In a first step direction and
size of a defence zone around the combat aircraft 1 based on a
plurality of characteristic parameters of an enemy combat
aircraft 2 are determined 3 . The plurality of characteristic
parameters of the enemy combat aircraft 2 comprises type,
sensor capacity or possible further parameters according to
the preferred embodiment of the invention. In a second step,
direction and size of at least one offence zone around the
combat aircraft 1 based on the plurality of characteristic
parameters of the enemy combat aircraft 2 is determined 4 .
Finally, the sensor in the combat aircraft 1 is controlled 5
according to emission level and detection capacity within at
least one of the defence zone and the at least one offence
zone. In further steps, the method can comprise the steps of
managing 6 the resources needed for the defence zone and the
at least one offence zone in time domain and/or in sensor
domain and/or the step of recording 7 the defence zone and the
at least offence zone in order to generate a plurality of
situation pictures and further to display 8 the recorded data.
Fig. 2 shows the control of a defence zone according to
another preferred embodiment of the invention. The defence
zone is controlled on the basis of the prioritized
alternatively selected type threat in the area. It consists of
a vertical cylinder around the combat aircraft according to
this preferred embodiment of the invention. The diameter of
the defence zone is set on the basis of the range and degree
of danger of the threat, according to this preferred
embodiment of the invention to a value of 20 km. The plurality
of offence zones are controlled on the basis of objects, such
as detected targets or by indicating a bearing from one's own
aircraft, thereby creating a search area for targets as yet
undetected. According to this preferred embodiment of the
invention the aircraft shows one defence zone and warnings
and/or alarms are triggered within this single defence zone.
According to this preferred embodiment of the invention a
number of offence zones is provided and constitutes the basis
of the mission of the aircraft. The pilot controls how the
task of the aircraft is to be accomplished in the emission
concerned through the aid of these offence zones. The ambition,
such as efficiency and intensity coupled with emission level,
of the sensors and their prioritization, such as the
prioritization of the targets and target pursuit, are
controlled by weighting of the different zones. According to
this preferred embodiment of the invention the weighting is
automated by means of decision support. According to other
preferred embodiments of the invention the weighting is set
manually by the pilot.
The sensors operate differently in each field, depending on
the perceived expectation of the threat and target based on
target classification, distance or task prioritization, for
the respective fields. The general objective and/or
prioritization regulate (s) the mutual relationship between the
different zones and a weighting regulates the conflict of
resources .
In this way, the focus of the pilot is transferred from
handling sensors to working tactically with objects in the
situation overview. The pilot becomes object-focused instead
of tool-focused. It is thus an idea of the invention to reduce
the work of the pilot in controlling sensors which releases
working capacity for other tasks.
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 controlling a sensor in a combat aircraft (1)
comprising the steps of:
a ) determining (3) direction and size of a defence zone
around the combat aircraft (1) based on a plurality of
characteristic parameters of an enemy combat aircraft (2),
b ) determining (4) direction and size of at least one
offence zone around the combat aircraft (1) based on the
plurality of characteristic parameters of the enemy combat
aircraft (2), and
c ) controlling (5) the sensor in the combat aircraft (1)
according to emission level and detection capacity within at
least one of the defence zone and the at least one offence
zone.
2 . The method according to claim 1 , comprising the step of
managing (6) the resources needed for the defence zone and the
at least one offence zone in time domain and/or in sensor
domain.
3 . The method according to one of the preceding claims,
wherein the plurality of characteristic parameters of the
enemy combat aircraft (2) comprises type, sensor capacity,
speed, position and/or environmental conditions.
4 . The method according to one of the preceding claims,
comprising the step of recording (7) the defence zone and the
at least one offence zone, wherein the recorded data is
adapted for generating a situation picture.
5 . The method according to claim 4 , comprising the step of
displaying (8) the recorded data corresponding to displaying a
plurality of situation pictures.
6 . The method according to one of the preceding claims,
wherein the diameter of the defence zone is set on the basis
of the range and degree of danger of the enemy combat aircraft
(2) .
7 . The method according to one of the preceding claims,
wherein the at least one offence zone is set on the basis of
the set search area of the enemy combat aircraft (2) .
8 . The method according to one of the preceding claims,
wherein the emission level and the detection capacity are
controlled by weighting of the defence zone and the at least
one offence zone.
9 . The method according to claim 8 , wherein weighting is
done manually by the pilot of the combat aircraft (1) or
automatically by an implemented decision support system.
10. The method according to one of the preceding claims,
wherein during the step of controlling (5) the sensor is
switched between the defence zone and the at least one offence
zone when a predefined probalistic value comprising at least
one predefined criterion is exceeded.
11. The method according to one of the preceding claims,
wherein the sensor is controlled on the basis of calculating
and allocating at least one quality factor for at least one
combat sensor of the combat aircraft (1) and calculating and
allocating at least one signature factor for at least one
enemy sensor of the enemy combat aircraft (2) based on a
predetermined model, wherein each quality factor is adapted
for indicating identification ability of a combat sensor and
each signature factor is adapted for indicating identification
ability of an enemy sensor.
12. The method according to one of claims 6 to 11, wherein
the shape radius of the defence zone comprises a cylindrical
shape and is set constant in time domain taking into account
speed and heading of the combat aircraft (1) and of the enemy
combat aircraft (2).
13. The method according to one of claims 6 to 11, wherein
the shape radius of the defence zone comprises a cylindrical
shape and varies in time domain taking into account speed and
heading of the combat aircraft (1) and of the enemy combat
aircraft (2).
14. The method according to one of the preceding claims,
wherein the enemy combat aircraft (2) corresponds to an enemy
object, such as an enemy missile launch from an enemy
helicopter, an enemy unmanned aerial vehicle or an enemy
ground station.