SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TARGETED OPERATIONAL DISABLEMENT
Systems and methods for targeted operational disablement that may utilize, for example, UAV-delivered shaped charges coupled to specific features of a target object. A UAV may navigate to, identify, and attach a disabling device to a critical component of a target such as a barrel of a tank main gun, a crew hatch cover, a tank tread, an engine compartment, or a magazine.
1 . A system for targeted operational disablement of a target feature, comprising:
an electronic processing device;
a sensor device in communication with the electronic processing device;
a propulsion device in communication with the electronic processing device;
a coupling device in communication with the electronic processing device;
a disabling device in communication with the electronic processing device; and
a non-transitory data storage device in communication with the electronic processing device, the non-transitory data storage device storing predefined target acquisition data and instructions that when executed by the electronic processing device, result in:
acquiring, by the sensor device, target data descriptive of a target location;
identifying, by comparing the target data to the predefined target acquisition data, at least one target;
identifying, by comparing a subset of the target data that corresponds to the target to the predefined target acquisition data, at least one target feature;
maneuvering, by selectively activating the propulsion device, the coupling device to the target feature;
coupling, by activating the coupling device, to the target feature; and
disabling, by activating the disabling device, the target feature.
2 . The system for targeted operational disablement of a target feature of claim 1 , wherein the non-transitory data storage device further stores navigational routing instructions that when executed by the electronic processing device, further result in:
plotting, by an execution of the navigational routing instructions, a route from a starting location to the target location; and
maneuvering, by selectively activating the propulsion device and in accordance with the plotted route, from the starting location to the target location.
3 . The system for targeted operational disablement of a target feature of claim 1 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the electronic processing device, further result in:
identifying a friendly location remote from the target location; and
maneuvering, after the disabling and by selectively activating the propulsion device, from the target location to the identified friendly location.
4 . The system for targeted operational disablement of a target feature of claim 1 , wherein the sensor device comprises a LiDAR device and wherein the predefined target acquisition data comprises a geometric signature of at least one of the target and the target feature.
5 . The system for targeted operational disablement of a target feature of claim 1 , wherein the sensor device comprises a thermal imaging device and wherein the predefined target acquisition data comprises a thermal signature of at least one of the target and the target feature.
6 . The system for targeted operational disablement of a target feature of claim 1 , wherein the sensor device comprises a visual imaging device and wherein the predefined target acquisition data comprises a visual object signature of at least one of the target and the target feature.
7 . The system for targeted operational disablement of a target feature of claim 1 , wherein the at least one target comprises at least one of a tank and an artillery vehicle.
8 . The system for targeted operational disablement of a target feature of claim 7 , wherein the at least one target feature comprises at least one of a main gun barrel, a munitions store, a crew hatch, and an engine compartment.
9 . The system for targeted operational disablement of a target feature of claim 1 , wherein the propulsion device comprises (i) a set of motorized rotors and (ii) ground-engaging treads.
10 . The system for targeted operational disablement of a target feature of claim 1 , wherein the coupling device comprises a claw.
11 . The system for targeted operational disablement of a target feature of claim 1 , wherein the coupling device comprises at least one bistable spring band.
12 . The system for targeted operational disablement of a target feature of claim 1 , wherein the coupling device comprises a magnetic mounting device.
13 . The system for targeted operational disablement of a target feature of claim 1 , wherein the disabling device comprises a shaped charge.
14 . The system for targeted operational disablement of a target feature of claim 1 , wherein the disabling device comprises a thermite delivery device.
15 . The system for targeted operational disablement of a target feature of claim 1 , wherein the maneuvering comprises:
selecting, from a plurality of available maneuvers and based on the target data descriptive of the target location, at least one maneuver to execute; and
maneuvering, in accordance with the at least one selected maneuver, by selectively activating the propulsion device.
16 . The system for targeted operational disablement of a target feature of claim 15 , wherein the at least one selected maneuver comprises a plurality of maneuvers that define a path of travel from a current location to the target feature.
17 . The system for targeted operational disablement of a target feature of claim 15 , wherein target data descriptive of the target location comprises data descriptive of a characteristic of the at least one target.