Even after the height of improvised explosive device threats to U.S. troops deployed abroad, they remain a key concern for researchers and engineers. To combat the ongoing IED threat, small cadre of engineers working for the Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center have been granted a patent for development of a universal "smart fuze" for unmanned aerial systems (UAS) capable of several tasks, one being disarming IEDs.
"Currently, there are very few man-portable unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) that can effectively identify and neutralize light-armored targets or [IEDs] with energetic warheads while minimizing collateral damage," the patent notice stated. "The lack of such tactical capabilities constrains the warfighter's ability to function in an urban environment where the targets might be in areas where the potential for civilian casualties is relative high. This lethal UAV program is a first step toward achieving a solution to such needs."
The team of three researchers filed the patent application in 2014 as a continuation of a 2011 patent; the latest patent was awarded in August 2016.
Despite the boom of UAS in combat operations in recent years, which in many respects protect human assets by conducting the intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, the patent notes these systems are typically only capable of identifying threats, not eliminating them -- still putting humans at risk. As such, there is a demand for a lethal UAS that can identify hostile targets and defeat them in the same mission.
"By using a small remote armament system (RAS) camera and sensors capable of delivering warheads, we can neutralize the IED and urban warfare targets," Lloyd Khuc, a patent recipient, said in an Army release. "There currently are very few man-portable UAVs that can effectively identify and neutralize light-armored targets through the utilization of energetic warheads while minimizing collateral damage."
"Using the robot or [UAV] which has the camera, fuze and warhead provides the ability to remotely detonate a low-cost explosive charge to defeat the IED from a safe location without putting any soldiers in danger," Kuhc said.
According to the ARDEC, this new lethal UAS, or L-UAS, program is the first step toward generating a solution to mitigate casualties related to ordnance disposal in urban environments. L-UAS could have a variety of capabilities to include:
- Added lethality component to non-tactical small UAV
- Elimination of UAV capture
- Technology protection through self-destruction
- Added lethality to projectile (increase lethal range)
- Deterrence to terrorism activities
- Force protection
Targets, the patent states, could be identified, targeted and neutralized by a small RAS equipped with energetic warheads, with the RAS remotely destroying IEDs. The universal smart fuze would be provided in the UAS platform serving as the warhead, making it a lethal aircraft.
Both the aircraft and the fuze would be controlled by a remote operator at a ground control station. The UAS platform the patent specifies was used in testing is three feet long, with a three foot wingspan, a range of 1.2 hours, a speed of about 30-45 nautical miles per hour and the ability to "carry a 0.5- to 3-pound explosive warhead such as C-4 explosive (or a fragmentation warhead) in a space about 1 inch by 4.25 inches, set off 8 inches from the nose of the UAV."
Mark Pomerleau is a reporter for C4ISRNET, covering information warfare and cyberspace.
