Target-Interception Feasibility Assessment Methodology for Air-Launched Weapon Systems

Air-launched weapon systems have a specific requirement of identification of an optimal release point for a better interception of the target. The weapon will have a maximum and minimum range of reachability based on the factors viz. the altitude of release, velocity of release, relative azimuth between the target and the weapon at the time of release, and the available propellant etc. The range coverage of the weapon continuously keeps changing as the aircraft keeps maneuvering and moving at higher velocities. Computation of the maximum and minimum reachable range of the weapon from the current location and checking whether the target is within the reachable zone of the weapon or not is a crucial aspect in the pre-launch activity of the weapon employment. The weapon integration scheme has to ensure that the weapon will be released at an optimal point and in an optimal orientation so that the mission objectives can be met. There are various algorithms involved in achieving this objective. Here, we present one among them; the target interception feasibility assessment. The algorithm is tested with a set of simulated geographic input data of the aircraft and target and the results are accurate.

I. Introduction

Air-launched weapon systems play a crucial role in the creation of a favorable asymmetry during an intense scenario. The initial velocity imparted to the weapon and the altitude of the launch are the major advantages of the air-launched weapons compared to their surface-launched counterparts.[1] The success of the weapon system is directly proportional to the reliability of the weapon system hardware and the algorithms. The design of the algorithms of the weapon system has a direct impact on the safety of the pilot and the aircraft. There will be various algorithms involved in the air-launched weapon employment cycle which can be categorised into three phases; the pre-launch phase, auto-launch phase and the post-lift off phase. One of the crucial aspects in pre-launch phase is the target interception assessment. Before giving launch permit to the pilot, the FCC(fire control computer) has to ensure that the target is interceptable from the current location and with the current dynamics of the aircraft. If the dynamics of the aircraft changes or the location changes and the target becomes un-interceptable, then the FCC withdraws the launch permit to the pilot. If the pilot presses the trigger during the time when launch permit is enabled by the FCC, then the auto-launch activity will be initiated and the weapon will be released from the aircraft. The weapon starts executing the post-lift-off phase activities from then on-wards to reach & intercept the target.