WO2019077572A1

WO2019077572A1 - Distributed system of detection and countermeasure of ir-guided missiles

Info

Publication number: WO2019077572A1
Application number: PCT/IB2018/058148
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andrea USAI; Alessandro ALBERTONI; Giorgio Mazzi; Luigi IDEO; Antonio Tafuto
Original assignee: Elettronica SpA
Current assignee: Elettronica SpA
Priority date: 2017-10-20
Filing date: 2018-10-19
Publication date: 2019-04-25
Anticipated expiration: 2020-04-20

Abstract

The invention concerns a system (10) for protecting a platform (50) against IR-guided missiles (M₁,M₂,M₃). The system (10) comprises a plurality of detection, tracking and jamming integrated devices (11), which are distributed on the platform (50) and are designed to detect, track and jam approaching IR-guided missiles (M₁,M₂,M₃) in respective coverage regions (R₁,R₂,R₃), whereby each detection, tracking and jamming integrated device (11) performs both approaching IR-guided missile detection and countermeasure functions.

Description

This application. claims priority from European Patent Application No. 17425103.3 filed on 20/10/2017, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference

The present invention relates, in general, to the field of Electronic Countermeasures (ECMs) a d, in particular, to the so-called Directed Infrared Countermeasures (DIRCMs - sometimes also referred to as Directional Infrared Countermeasures) used to deceive Infrared {IR) seekers of IR-guided missiles, such as Surface-to-Air Missiles {SAMs) and Air-to-Air Missiles (AAMs) .

More specifically, the present invention concerns a distributed system of detection and countermeasiare of IR- guided missiles including a plurality of detection, tracking and jamming integrated devices distributed on. a platform (such as an avionic platform {e.g., an aircraft, a helicopter, etc.), a land vehicle or a naval unit) to be protected against IR-guided missiles. BACKGROUND ART

As is known, a DIRCM system is an active system designed to deceive IR seekers of IR-guided missiles {in particular, the so-called first three generations of IR seekers) .

Typically, a DIRCM system is designated to a specific target by a Missile Warning System (MWS) , which is designed to detect potential threats and to keep providing an updated list of detected threats {said list reporting a coarse estimation of a direction of arrival of each detected threat) . Once activated, a DIRCM system tries deceiving the IR seeker of an approaching IR-guided missile so as to steer the latter away from its target by means of a narrow laser beam,. that is constantly kept on the missile and is modulated according to a predefined jamming code {in general, related to the seeker's generation { s ) which the DIRCM system is designed to be effective against) .

A DIRCM system typically comprises a tracking unit {or tracker), a laser unit and an electronic control unit, wherein:

• the tracker is operable to track an approaching missile {to this end, the tracker conveniently includes an IR imaging device)

® the laser unit is operable to emit a jamming laser beam towards the approaching missile {typically, an IR laser beam modulated according to a predefined frequency jamming code such that to inject spurious signals into the seeker's IR detector of the approaching missile, thereby deceiving missile's IR seeker thus causing the missile to steer away, from the platfor on which said DIRCM system is installed, towards a "fake" target) ; and

® the electronic control unit is configured to control operation of the whole DIRCM system and communicate with an on-board command and control system of the platform.

More in detail, the tracker is typically configured to:

• start tracking a {potential) threat signaled, by an on-board MWS of the platform;

• checking whether the signaled threat is an actual approaching missile; and,

® if the signaled threat is an actual approaching missile, activate the laser unit and keep it constantly pointed at the approaching missile so as to keep said approaching missile constantly under the illumination of the jamming laser beam. In. order for a DIRC system to be effective, the following (general) requirements should be met:

® the DIRCM system should ensure protection against IR-guided missile threats from any direction of arrival;

• upon reception of an alarm from the MWS, the DIRCM system shall ensure the minimum time to get its laser onto the target;

• during jamming, the DIRCM system shall ensure that its laser is on target during the whole jamming code replication in order to allow all the jamming code frequencies to reach the engaged IR seeker.

Typically, the tracker and the laser unit of a DIRCM system are integrated into a steerable turret, which is operable by the tracker to achieve the requested pointing. Nowadays,, typical DIRCM installations are based on single- turret configurations or on. multiple-turret configurations {e.g., in case of large platforms), wherein the latter configuration type is used to extend the countermeasure field of regard (FOR) all around the installation platform.

In. fact, single-turret DIRCM configurations may lead to have large blind zones around the installation platform where approaching threats are not countered at all. In fact, the FOR of a single-turret DIRCM system does not depend only on the DIRCM system itself, but also on the installation platform, which always masks several portions of the theoretically-achievable coverage area, even when considering the most, extended possible FOR for the single- turret DIRCM system. Moreover, single-turret DIRCM configurations are limited to protecting a platform against one threat at a time.

In. order to overcome the above limitations of single- turret DIRCM configurations, multiple-turret DIRCM configurations may be used to reduce blind zones around large-sized platforms and to try countering multiple concurrent threats. However, multiple-turret DIRCM systems, apart from being more expensive than single-turret ones, require more room on board platforms and this may prevent their installation on board small/medium-sized platforms, such as helicopters and fighter aircrafts.

An example of known multiple-turret DIRCM system is provided in Applicant's European patent EP 3 081 895 Bl . In particular, said multiple-turret DIRCM system is installed on a platform to be protected against IR-guided missiles and includes a plurality of DIRCM subsystems, which are operable to track and jam IR-guided missiles and comprise {at least) :

® a first DIRCM subsystem including a first tracking unit and a first laser unit; and

® a second DIRCM subsystem including a second tracking unit and a second laser unit.

The first. DIRCM subsystem is operable to track and jam IR-guided missiles in a first coverage region (by means of the first tracking unit and the first laser unit, respectively) . The second DIRCM subsystem is operable to track and jam IR-guided missiles in a second coverage region (by means of the second tracking unit and the second laser unit, respectively) . Both said first and second DIR.CM subsystems are operable to track and jam IR-guided missiles in an overlap region (by means of, respectively, the first tracking and laser units and the second tracking and laser units), wherein said overlap region includes a first handover sub-region adjacent to the first coverage region and a second handover sub-region adjacent to the second coverage region.

The multiple-turret DIRCM system according to EP 3 081

895 Bl is coupled to a MWS installed on the platform to receive threat -related data indicating a threat scenario, wherein activation and operation of the DIR.CM subsystems are coordinated based on the received threat-related data.

In particular, the method of operation of the multiple- turret DIRCM system according to EP 3 081 895 Bl comprises:

* if a first missile is in the first coverage region, carrying out a tracking and jamming operation by the first DIRCM siabsystem, wherein said tracking and jamming operation, includes tracking the first missile by the first tracking unit and jamming the first missile by the first laser unit that emits a first laser beam aimed at the first missile and modulated according to a first jamming code;

* if the first missile moves from the first coverage region to the overlap region, carrying out an overlap operation including

- keeping carrying out the tracking and jamming operation by the first DIR.CM subsystem,

- tracking the first missile also by the second tracking unit and

- emitting, by the second laser unit, a second laser beam that is not aimed at said first missile, is modulated according to the first jamming code and is synchronized with the first laser beam; and,

* if the first missile in the overlap region enters the second handover sub-region, carrying out a handover operation including

- keeping tracking said first missile by the second tracking unit,

- aiming the second laser beam at the first missile thereby starting jamming said first missile by the second laser means and

- stopping carrying out the tracking and jamming operation by the first DIRCM subsystem.

Obviously, the same applies, mutatis mutandis, also if a second missile moves from the second coverage region to the overlap region and then to the first handover sub- region ,

More in general, EP 3 081 895 Bl teaches how to effectively manage threat handover among different DIRCM turrets still guaranteeing jamming code reproduction continuity on target and avoiding destructive interference between/⁷among laser beams of different DIRCM turrets during jamming. Moreover, EP 3 081 895 Bl teaches also how to appropriately coordinate operation of several DIRCM turrets to be effective against more than one threat simultaneously ,

As previously explained, a MWS is a system installed on board a platform to be protected against IR-guided missiles, which is designed to monitor surrounding scenario, detect approaching IR-guided missiles, estimate their directions of arrival and provide an early warning for triggering activation of on-board Infrared Countermeasure (IRCM) system(s) , such as a DIRCM system.

In general, current MWSs use IR or Ultraviolet (UV) sensors that may provide different performances depending on different technologies on which said sensors are based. However, all MWSs substantially have a common architecture, namely a plurality {e.g., from four to six) of detection units based on IR/UV technology and distributed on a platform to be protected against IR-guided missiles, wherein each detection unit has a limited field of view (FOV) and the detection units are installed on the platform so as to provide, on the whole, a total coverage of all possible angles of arrival of missile threats.

Another type of IRCM systems commonly used on board platforms for protection against IR-guided missiles are those employing flares (sometimes also referred to as decoy flares) . In particular, nowadays there exist several types of flares, each characterized by a specific technology, designed to decoy IR-guided missiles and to thwart ECM systems which missile IR guidance systems are equipped with. Typically, flares are deployed/' launched {for example, by means of a flare dispenser) according to predefined flare deployment/launch sequences programmed before a mission .

Nowadays, existing DIRCM systems and flare-based IRCM systems are unable to effectively deceive missile IR seekers of the latest generation (i.e., fourth generation and beyond) . In fact, the state-of-the-art IR seekers are designed to implement ECMs based on IR image processing such that to defeat conventional DIRCMs and conventional flare-based IRCMs .

However,. an improved IRCM system that is actually effective against missile IR seekers of the latest generation (i.e., of the fourth generation and beyond, which implement IR-image-processing-based ECMs) is disclosed in Applicant's International application No. PCT/EP2017/084260 filed on 21.12.2017. In particular said improved IRCM system is designed to be installed on a platform for protection against IR-guided missiles and to be connected to a MWS that is installed on said platform and is configured to detect approaching IR-guided missiles.

In particular, said improved IRCM system comprises:

* a DIRCM system operable to track and jam approaching IR-guided missiles;

® a flare deployment/launch apparatus operable to deploy/launch flares; and

• a self-protection suite manager configured to

- store one or more DIRCM-flare coordination libraries indicative of a predefined policy of coordination of flare deployment/launch with operation of the DIRM system,

- operate the DIRCM system to track and jam an approaching IR-guided missile detected by the MWS and,

- when the DIRCM system is tracking and jamming an approaching IR-guided missile, operate also the flare deployment/launch apparatus to deploy/launch flares based on the stored DIRCM- flare coordination library (ies) .

More in detail,, the self-protection suite manager is configured to:

• receive, from the MWS, messages related to IR- guided missiles detected by said MWS, wherein said messages related to detected IR-guided missiles include

- pre-alarm messages signaling potential approaching IR-guided missiles,

- pre-alarm update messages indicative of updates on potential approaching IR-guided missiles previous 1y s igna1ed,

- alarm confirmation messages confirming actual approaching IR-guided missiles, and

- alarm update messages indicative of updates on actual approaching IR-guided missiles;

• receive, from the DIRCM system, tracking update messages indicative of updates on approaching IR-guided missiles tracked and jammed by said DIRM system;

^® in response to a pre-alar message received from the MWS and indicative of a potential approaching IR-guided missile, operate the DIRCM system to track and jam said potential approaching IR-guided missile;

* carry out a scenario analysis based on

- the pre-alarm message and pre-alarm update messages received from the MWS and related to said potential approaching IR-guided missile, and

- tracking update messages received from the DIRCM system and related to said potential approaching IR-guided missile tracked and jammed by said DIRCM system;

* in response to an alarm confirmation message received from the MWS and confirming that said potential approaching IR-guided missile is an actual approaching IR- guided missile, operate also the flare deployment /launch apparatus to deploy/launch flares based on the stored DIRCM-flare coordination library {ies) and the scenario analysis carried out;

® inform the DIRCM system of flare deployment launch, whereby said. DIRCM system disregards flares' glares during tracking thereby keeping tracking and jamming the actual approaching IR-guided missile; and,

• for a predefined blanking period after flare deployment/launch,, keep carrying out the scenario analysis only based on tracking update messages received from the DIRCM system and related to the actual approaching IR- guided missile tracked and jammed by said. DIRCM system, while disregarding messages received from the M S and related to IR-guided missile is) detected by said MWS in a given space sector where the actual approaching IR-guided missile is located.

OBJECT AMD SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

As previously explained, nowadays, in order to fit a platform for IRCMs, it is necessary to equip said platform with a MWS and at least an IRCM system {such as a DIRCM system and/or a flare-based IRCM system) . This means {at least) double purchase/manufacturing and installation expenses, besides efforts, times and costs for ensuring proper integration and interoperability of the different systems. Additionally, the platform must have sufficient room to house the various units of the different systems. All these factors hinder {and, in extreme cases, render infeasible) the installation of IRCM systems, especially on small/medium-sized platforms {e.g., helicopters and fighter aircrafts), although these systems have widely proven their efficacy in protection against IR-guided missiles {in particular, IR-guided SAMs and AAMs) .

Moreover, it is worth also noting that, in order to ensure the desired. level of protection, performance features of the M S {in terms of angular accuracy and detection times) must be sufficient to assure proper- operation of the DIRCM system. This means that it is often necessary to replace an existing MWS already present on board a platform in order not to degrade protection performance of the DIRCM, thereby increasing installation costs .

Thence, an object of the present invention is that of providing a technological solution that allows overcoming, at least in part, the above drawbacks.

This and other objects are achieved by the present invention in that it relates to as defined in the appended claims .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, preferred embodiments, which are intended purely by way of example and are not to be construed as limiting, will now be described with reference to the attached drawings {not to scale), where:

• Figure 1 schematically illustrates a distributed system of detection and countermeasure of IR-guided missiles according to an example of preferred embodiment of the present invention;

• Figure 2 schematically illustrates an architecture suitable, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, for carrying out detection, tracking and jamming integrated devices of the distributed system of detection and countermeasure of IR-guided missiles of Figure 1; and

• Figure 3 schematically illustrates an example of operational scenario of the distributed system of detection and countermeasure of IR-guided missiles of Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE IMVENTIOH The following discussion is presented to enable a person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. Various modifications to the embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, without departing from the scope of the present invention as claimed. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown and described, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein and defined in the appended claims.

The present invention stems from Applicant's idea of integrating both the detection function peculiar to a MWS system and the countermeasure function peculiar to a DIRCM system into devices that are distributed on a platform to be protected against IR-guided missiles, are designed to perform both said detection and countermeasure functions and have a size that is comparable with the typical one of traditional MWS detection units (whereby it is possible to replace currently installed MWS detection units with said detection and countermeasure integrated devices with no need for more space for DIRCM system installation) .

In other words, in order to fit a platform with a complete self-protection (i.e., MWS+DIRCM) system, the present invention teaches to distribute on the platform a plurality of detection, tracking and jamming integrated devices with size comparable with that of traditional MWS detection units, wherein each of said detection, tracking and jamming integrated devices is designed to perform, in an integrated manner and in a respective coverage region,, both the detection function peculiar to a MWS system and the countermeasure function peculiar to a DIRCM system, in particular by means of:

* a respective detection and tracking unit designed to detect and track approaching IR-guided missiles in the respective coverage region; and

• a respective laser unit designed to ja approaching IR-guided missiles detected and tracked by said respective detection and tracking integrated unit.

In this way, there is no longer need for a platform to have sufficient room to house a double set of devices, namely a plurality of M S detection units plus one or more DIRCM turrets. Thence, the present invention allows fitting even small/medium-sized platforms (e.g., helicopters and fighter aircrafts) with a complete self-protection system since the latter has reduced size with respect to conventional MWS+DIRCM installations. Moreover, in consideration of the fact that, according to the present invention, only one system is necessary, also purchase/manufacturing and installation expenses and integration and interoperability efforts, times and costs are dramatically reduced.

More in detail, the present invention concerns a system for protecting a platform against IR-guided missiles. Said system comprises a plurality of (preferably, four or more) detection, tracking and jamming integrated devices, which are distributed on the platform and are designed to detect, track ana jam approaching IR-guided missiles in respective coverage regions, whereby each detection, tracking and jamming integrated device performs both approaching IR- guided missile detection and countermeasure functions.

Conveniently, each detection, tracking and jamming integrated device is installed in a respective position on the platform and is designed to detect, track and jam approaching IR-guided missiles in a respective coverage region, wherein the respective positions and the respective coverage regions of the detection, tracking and jamming integrated devices are such that the system provides a full detection, tracking and jamming coverage of all possible angles of arrival of approaching IR-guided missiles.

Preferably, each detection, tracking and jamming integrated device includes: • a respective IR-sensor-based detection and tracking unit for detecting and tracking approaching IR-guided missiles; and

® a respective laser unit for jamming approaching IR- guided missiles, said respective laser unit comprising

- a respective laser emitting module designed to operate in IR band and based on quantum cascade laser and diode technology and

- a respective laser aiming module based on mirrors .

Conveniently_/ the respective laser aiming module of each detection, tracking and jamming integrated device is based on galvanometer mirror technology.

Preferably, each detection, tracking and jamming integrated device further includes a respective unified cooling system designed to maintain the respective detection and tracking unit at one or more first predefined temperatures and the respective laser unit at one or more second predefined temperatures.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the system further comprises a control unit that is configured to control operation of the detection, tracking and jamming integrated devices by managing coordination thereof and handover thereamong of approaching IR-guided missiles.

Preferably, the control unit is configured to receive, from the detection, tracking and jamming integrated devices, detection-tracking-jamming-related data indicating approaching IR-guided missiles respectively detected and/or tracked and/or jammed by said detection, tracking and jamming integrated devices; wherein said control unit is programmed to:

• carry out a data processing of the received detection-tracking-jamming-related data;

• perform a centralized tracking of the approaching IR-guided missiles based on the data processing carried out ; and

® manage, based on the performed centralized tracking and the data processing carried out, the coordination of the detection, tracking and jamming integrated devices and the handover among said detection, tracking and jamming integrated devices of the approaching IR-guided missiles.

Conveniently, the system further comprises a control panel designed to allow a user to control operation of the system; wherein the control unit is configured to:

• receive, from the control panel, user commands provided by a user by means of said control panel; and

• provide the control panel with system-operation- related data indicating operation of the system to be displayed to the user by said control panel .

Preferably, the control unit is configured to coordinate operation of the system with one or more additional IRCM systems installed on the platform.

Conveniently, the system further may comprise:

• one or more detection and/or tracking devices designed only to detect and/or track approaching IR-guided missiles; and/or

® one or more jamming devices designed only to jam approaching IR-guided missiles.

In the following, only for the sake of description simplicity and, thence, without losing generality, a preferred, non-limiting embodiment of the present, invention will be described in detail by making explicit reference to installation on board an aircraft. Anyway, it is important to stress the point that the present invention can be advantageously exploited, without any substantial modification, on board platforms of any type, such as:

® land vehicles, conveniently of the military type (e.g., armored military vehicles, tanks, mine-clearance vehicles, armed land vehicles, etc.); ® avionic platforms, conveniently of the military type (e.g., aircrafts, helicopters, drones, etc.); and

• naval units, conveniently of the military type (e.g., cruisers, patrol boats, corvettes, etc.).

For a better understanding of the present invention,

Figure 1 shows a block diagram schematically representing a functional architecture of a distributed system of detection. and countermeasure of IR-guided missiles according to an example of preferred embodiment of the present invention. In particular, in Figure 1 said distributed system of detection and countermeasure of IR- guided missiles is denoted as a whole by 10 and is concisely named D³IRCM system, whereby hereinafter it will be also referred to as D³IRCM system (which stands for Detection and DIRCM Distributed system) .

More in detail, the D³IRCM system 10 is installed on board an aircraft (not shown in Figure 1) to be protected against IR-guided missiles and comprises:

• a plurality of detection, tracking and jamming integrated devices 11 (in particular, in the example of

Figure 1, six detection,, tracking and jamming integrated devices concisely named jamHEAD 1, jamHEAD 2, jamHEAD 3, jamHEAD 4, jamHEAD 5 and jamHEAD 6), which are distributed on the platform (i.e., each is installed in a respective position on the aircraft) and are designed, each, to detect, track and jam approaching IR-guided missiles in a respective coverage region, wherein the respective positions and the respective coverage regions of the detection, tracking and jamming integrated devices 11 are such that the D³IRCM system 10 has a full detection, tracking and jamming coverage of all possible angles of arrival of approaching IR-guided missiles;

• a control panel 12 installed in a cockpit of the aircraft to allow a user (e.g., a pilot or a co-pilot of the aircraft) to control operation of the D³IRCM system 10; and

* a control unit 13 that is

- connected to the detection, tracking and jamming integrated devices 11 and the control panel 12 via a high-speed data bus 14 of the D³IRCM system 10 and

- interfaced to a Defensive Aids System (DAS) bus 20 provided on. board the aircraft, wherein also a platform manager 30 and an additional IRCM system 40 (e.g., a flare deployment/launch apparatus, such as a flare dispenser) are connected to said DAS bus 20.

The control unit 13 is configured to receive, from each detection, tracking and jamming integrated device 11, respective detection-tracking-jamming-related indicating approaching IR-guided missiles respectively detected and/or tracked and/or jammed by said detection, tracking and jamming integrated device 11 in its respective coverage region .

Moreover, the control unit 13 is programmed to:

* process the received detection-tracking-jamming- related (conveniently, by carrying out one or more predefined data fusion algorithms);

* perform, based on the data processing carried out, a centralized tracking of the approaching IR-guided missiles detected and/or tracked and/or jammed by the detection, tracking and jamming integrated devices 11; and

* manage coordination of, and missile threat handover among, the detection, tracking and jamming integrated devices 11 based on the performed data processing and centralized tracking (preferably, by carrying out the teachings of EP 3 081 895 Bl) .

Conveniently, the control unit 13 is configured to: ® receive, from the control panel 12, user commands provided by a user (e.g., the pilot /co-pilot of the aircraft) by means of said control panel 12; and

* send D³IRC -system-operation-related data indicative of operation of the D³IRCM system 10 (e.g., indicative of presence and position of approaching IR- guided missiles and of which detection, tracking and jamming integrated device (s) 11 has/have detected them and/or is/are tracking and/or jamming them) to the control panel 12 (so that said D³IRCM-system-operat ion-related, data may be conveniently displayed to the pilot/co-pilot of the aircraft by said control panel 12} .

Additionally, the control unit 13 may be conveniently configured to coordinate operation of the D³IRC system 10 with the additional IRCM system 40 (preferably, on the assumption that the additional IRCM system 40 is a flare deployment /launch apparatus, by carrying out the teachings of PCT/EP2017/084260) .

Figure 2 schematically shows a block diagram schematically representing a functional architecture suitable for carrying out the detection, tracking and jamming integrated devices 11 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

In particular, as shown in Figure 2, each detection, tracking and jamming integrated device 11 includes:

* a respective detection and tracking unit 111 configured to

- monitor the respective coverage region (pertaining to the detection, tracking and jamming integrated device 11) to detect one or more approaching IR-guided missiles therein and

- track the detected approaching IR-guided missile ( s ) ;

* a respective laser unit 112 configured to jam an approaching IR-guided missile tracked by the detection and tracking unit 111; and

* a respective housing structure (or chassis - not shown in Figure 2) in which said respective detection and tracking unit 111 and said respective laser unit 112 are housed,. wherein said respective housing structure is equipped with a respective unified cooling system 113 designed to maintain the respective detection and tracking unit 111 at one or more first predefined temperatures and the respective laser unit 112 at one or more second predefined temperatures .

Preferably, the respective laser unit 112 of each detection, tracking and jamming integrated device 11 includes a respective miniaturized laser emitting module designed to operate in multiple (e.g., two or three) sub- bands of the IR band, conveniently of the Short-Wavelength Infrared (SWIR) band and/or Mid-Wavelength Infrared (MWIR) band and/or Long-Wavelength Infrared (LWIR) band, more conveniently of the thermal IR band. Said miniaturized laser emitting unit is conveniently based on Quantum Cascade Laser (QCL) technology (beams in fourth band) and on the use of miniaturized high-power diodes (beams in first band) .

Moreover, the respective laser unit 112 of each detection, tracking and jamming integrated device 11 preferably includes also a respective laser aiming module based on two (or more) miniaturized mirrors (e.g., galvanometer mirrors with extremely reduced size) . The use of miniaturized-mirrors-based laser aiming (e.g., a micro- galvanometer-mirrors-based laser aiming) applied to the laser beams allows obtaining high accuracy in laser aiming and also remarkable performance advantages.

Preferably, the respective detection and tracking unit 111 of each detection, tracking and jamming integrated device 11 is based on a respective high resolution IR imaging device (or high resolution IR sensor) , conveniently with FOV of at least 90° along the diagonal and instantaneous field of view (IFOV) of, at the maximum, 2 mrad {.i.e., 2 miHiradians) .

Conveniently, the angular aperture of the emitted laser beams, i.e., the divergence of the lasers, is designed so as to exceed both the pixel angular dimension (i.e., IFOV) of the IR sensors of the detection and tracking units 111, and the positioning angular accuracy of the laser aiming modules {e.g., of the galvanometer servomechanisms) of the laser units 112.

Again conveniently, the FOV of each laser unit 112 is of at least 90° along the diagonal, since a 90° FOV represents the minimum theoretically necessary to cover a full angle of 360° {and, hence, a whole platform) by means of four detection, tracking and jamming integrated devices 11. However, in consideration of the typically non-regular shapes of the platforms to be protected, it may be convenient to install five or more detection, tracking and jamming integrated devices 11 so as to have expedient overlaps .

Preferably, the respective unified cooling system 113 of each detection, tracking and jamming integrated device 11 is designed to carry out a predefined heat management method within said detection, tracking and jamming integrated device 11, conveniently so as to maintain IR core of the respective IR sensor of the respective detection and tracking unit 111 at cryogenic temperature, while maintaining an operating temperature of 20 °C for the cold plate of the respective laser emitting module of the respective laser unit 112.

Additionally, the D³IRCM system 10 may conveniently include also first additional units designed only for IR- guided missile detection and tracking {i.e., only for MWS function) and/or second additional units designed only for IR-guided missile jamming {i.e., only for DIRCM function) . More in general, in view of the of the foregoing, it. is possible to exploit a modular and flexible architecture for carrying out a distributed system of detection and countermeasure of IR-guided missiles, wherein three configurations are available for the distributed units of said system:

1) full configuration (both M S and DIRCM functions - i.e., both detection and tracking unit 111 and laser unit 112) ;

2) detect,ion-tracking-only configuration (only MWS function - i.e., only detection and tracking unit 111);

3) jamming-only configuration {only DIRCM function - i.e., only laser unit 112) .

This modular and flexible architecture represents an advantageous aspect of the present invention, since it allows having complete freedom to choose among the full configuration {i.e., installation of one or more detection, tracking and jamming integrated devices 11), the detection- tracking-only configuration {i.e., installation of only one or more detection and tracking units 111 for controlling one or more conventional IRCM and/or DIRCM systems already available on board), or the j amming-only configuration {i.e., installation of only one or more laser units 112 enslaved to a conventional MWS already available on board) .

Figure 3 schematically illustrates an example of operational scenario of the D³IRCM system 10, wherein three detection and tracking units 111 (in particular, those of the detection, tracking and jamming integrated devices 11 jamHEAD 2, jamHEAD 3 and jamHEAD 6) have detected and are tracking, in the respective coverage regions Ri, R2 and R3, three IR-guided missiles Mi, M2 and M3 that are approaching the aircraft {in Figure 3 denoted by 50) on which the D³IRCM system 10 is installed. Moreover, Figure 3 shows also four laser units 112 that are jamming the three approaching IR-guide missiles Mi, M₂ and M3. In particular, the laser unit 112 of the jamHEAD 2 is emitting a first laser beam Bi against the first approaching IR-guide missile Mi, the laser unit 112 of the jamHEAD 3 is emitting a second laser beam B2 against the second approaching IR- guide missile M2, while the laser units 112 of the jamHEAD 5 and of the jamHEAD 6 are countering, in a coordinated way, the third approaching IR-guide missile M3 (third and fourth laser beams B3 and B¾ in Figure 3} .

From the foregoing, innovative features and technical advantages of the present invention are immediately clear to those skilled in the art .

In particular, it is worth noting that the present invention completely removes the necessity of communication and cooperation between different systems {.i.e., MWS and DIRCM system) and related errors, maximizes DIRCM effectiveness by reducing reaction times {in fact, one and the same device detects a missile threat and counters the detected missile threat), removes the need to make different systems for different platforms by providing complete freedom to use the desired number of detection, tracking and jamming integrated devices depending on the size of the platform to be protected, and eases DIRCM upgrade of a legacy platform by avoiding installation of additional systems/devices and allowing reusing already available MWS emplacements to install the detection, tracking and jamming integrated devices.

As it is clear from the foregoing, the present invention represents a new and innovative way of conceiving IR protection exploiting a set of distributed devices having reduced size and integrating detection, tracking and jamming functions, wherein the detection sensor is directly the driver of the countermeasure laser. This enables operational scenarios that are not possible with a traditional MWS+DIR.CM configuration. In fact, there is no longer need for complex trackers with the most possible wide FOV, since 90-100° are sufficient for each single detection, tracking and jamming integrated device. Moreover, there is no longer need for gimbal-based systems for laser aiming, since a light, small and cheap mirror- based system is sufficient.

Additionally, contrary to traditional alert generation process performed by a legacy MWS+DIRCM configuration wherein the alert generated by the MWS must be confirmed by the IR tracker of the DIRCM turret, the detection, tracking and jamming integrated devices skip this step thereby enabling faster and more efficient DIRCMs.

It is worth also noting that there is no longer need for the complex, extremely-high-frequency IR sensors of the conventional DIRCM systems, since the present invention allows exploiting modern, high-resolution, low-frame-rate IR sensors which allow obtaining the same, or even improved, results, enhancing lifetime of the detection, tracking and jamming integrated devices, and reducing complexity thereof.

Moreover, the present invention, thanks to appropriate coordination and cooperation between the detection, tracking and jamming integrated devices, allows enhancing DIRCM efficacy in multiple-threat engagement scenarios.

Finally, it is worth also highlighting the fact that the present invention allows:

* implementing all the most advanced countermeasure techniques as conventional DIRCM systems;

® implementing and enhancing advantages of the multiple-turret DIRCM system according to EP 3 081 895 Bl {since the system according to the present invention is intrinsically a multiple-turret system with distributed countermeasure units) ;

® implementing and enhancing also advantages of the coordinated management of flares and DIRCMs according to PCT/EP2017/084260;

® minimizing room necessary for installation of a DIRCM system (since the system according to the present invention exploits detection, tracking and jamming integrated devices with size comparable with the typical one of traditional M S detection units) , thereby allowing installation also on board small/medium-sized platforms {which can hardly be fitted with traditional DIRCM systems, in particular traditional multiple-turret DIRCM systems, due to lack of sufficient room) ; and

• minimizing also purchase/manufacturing and installation expenses and integration and interoperability efforts, times and costs necessary to equip a platform with a DIRCM system.

In. conclusion, it is clear that numerous modifications and variants can be made to the present invention, all falling within the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims. In this connection, it is worth stressing the point that, as previously explained, the distributed system of detection and countermeasure of IR- guided missiles according to the present invention can be advantageously installed on board any type of land vehicle, avionic platform and naval unit.

Claims

1. System (10) for protecting a platform (50) against infrared-guided missiles Mi,M2,M3 , said system (10) comprising a plurality of detection, tracking and jamming integrated devices (11), which are distributed on the platform (50) and are designed to detect, track and jam approaching infrared-guided missiles (ΜΙ , ΜΤ , ΜΒ) in respect ive coverage regions (Ri, !½,]¾), whereby each detection,, tracking and jamming integrated device (11) performs both approaching infrared-guided missile detection and countermeasure functions ,

2. The system of claim 1, wherein each detection, tracking and jamming integrated device (11) is installed in a respective position on the platform (50) and is designed to detect, track and jam approaching infrared-guided missiles (Mi, M2, 3) in a respective coverage region

(Ri,R2,R3) _f wherein the respective positions and the respective coverage regions of the detection, tracking and jamming integrated devices (11) are such that the system

(10) provides a full detection, tracking and jamming coverage of all possible angles of arrival of approaching infrared-guided missiles (Mi, M2, M3) .

3. The system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each detection, tracking and jamming integrated device (11) includes :

• a respective infrared-sensor-based detection and tracking unit (111) for detecting and tracking approaching infrared-guided missiles (Mi, M2, M3) ; and

* a respective laser unit (112) for jamming approaching infrared-guided missiles (Mi,M2,Ms), said respective laser unit (112) comprising

- a respective laser emitting module designed to operate in infrared band and based on quantum cascade laser and diode technology and

- a respective laser aiming module based on mirrors .

4, The system of claim 3, wherein the respective laser aiming module of each detection, tracking and jamming integrated device (11) is based on galvanometer mirror technology,

5. The system according to claim 3 or 4, wherein each detection, tracking and jamming integrated device (11) further includes a respective unified cooling syste (113) designed to maintain the respective detection and tracking unit (111) at one or more first predefined temperatures and the respective laser unit (112) at one or more second predefined temperatures .

6, The system according to any preceding claim, further comprising a control unit (13) that is configured to control operation of said detection, tracking and jamming integrated devices (11) by managing coordination thereof and handover thereamong of approaching infrared- guided missiles (Μ;,Μ·,Μ ) .

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the control unit (13) is configured to receive, from the detection, tracking and jamming integrated devices (11), detection-tracking- jamming-related data indicating approaching infrared-guided missiles (Mi,M2,M.3) respectively detected and/or tracked and/or jammed by said detection, tracking and jamming integrated devices (11); wherein said control unit (13) is programmed to:

* carry out a data processing of the received detection-tracking-jamming-related data

* perform a centralized tracking of the approaching infrared-guided missiles (Mi, M₂, M3) based on the data processing carried out; and

* manage, based on the performed centralized tracking and the data processing carried out, the coordination of the detection, tracking and jamming integrated devices (11) and the handover among said detection, tracking and jamming integrated devices {11) of the approaching infrared-guided missiles (Mi, 2, 3) .

8. The system according to claim 6 or 7, further- comprising a control panel (12) designed to allow a user to control operation of the system (10); wherein the control unit (13) is configured to:

® receive, from the control panel (12), user commands provided by a user by means of said control panel (12); and

• provide the control panel (12) with system- operation-related data indicating operation of the system (10) to be displayed to the user by said control panel (12) ,

9. The system according to any claim 6-8, wherein the control unit (13) is configured to coordinate operation of the system (10) with one or more additional infrared countermeasure systems (40) installed on the platform (50) ,

10. The system according to any preceding claim, further comprising:

• one or more detection and/or tracking devices designed only to detect and/or track approaching infrared- guided missiles (Mi,M2,M3) ; and/or

® one or more jamming devices designed only to jam approaching infrared-guided missiles (Mi,M2,M.3) .

11. Platform (50) equipped with the system (10) as claimed in any preceding claim.

12. The platform of claim 10, wherein said platform is a land vehicle, or an avionic platform (50), or a naval unit .