Patent · US Expired

Self-powered tethered decoy for heat-seeking transport aircraft missile defense

US7028947B2 · kind B2 · utility

70Cited by
29References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMar 25, 2005
Grant dateApr 18, 2006
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 25, 2025

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF41J9/10
  • WIPO fieldOther special machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A low-cost airliner defense system utilizing self powered, retrievable, towed decoys against man portable heat-seeking missile (MANPAD) systems provides both high power and a large IR radiating surface area. An efficient and lightweight integrated turbine-alternator extracts sufficient electric power from an air stream directed through a small decoy deployed and towed behind an aircraft during the vulnerable phases of a flight to power a large and intense IR emitter. Unfurled IR radiator “petals” present large area arrays of rear-facing IR emitters. During the high-altitude cruise phase the radiating petals furl down folding around the retrieved decoy body as it is stowed in a streamlined housing for minimizing fuel consumption and maneuverability penalties.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.