Forced premature detonation of improvised explosive devices via laser energy

Abstract

An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) defense system is described that forces premature detonation of IEDs by radiated laser energy signals (i.e., laser beams). Embodiments of the invention provide for radiating laser beams from a stationary or mobile platform to a stationary or mobile area defining an “IED detonation zone.” IEDs within the IED detonation zone that are triggered by laser energy will receive the radiated laser beams, thereby forcing premature detonation of IEDs in the detonation zone.

1 . An IED defense system for forcing premature detonation of IEDs having a triggering mechanism responsive to laser energy signals in the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, the IED defense system comprising:
 one or more laser energy platforms including lasers for radiating laser beams in the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum; and   one or more controllers for activating the platforms to radiate the laser beams within a zone defining an IED detonation zone, thereby forcing premature detonation of IEDs having a triggering mechanism responsive to laser energy in the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum within the IED detonation zone.   
   
   
       2 . The IED defense system of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more reflectors adapted to receive and reflect the laser beams radiated within the IED detonation zone. 
   
   
       3 . The IED defense system of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the platforms define stationary platforms adapted to radiate laser beams within a geographic zone defining a stationary IED detonation zone. 
   
   
       4 . The IED defense system of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the platforms define mobile platforms adapted to traverse a transportation path, the mobile platforms adapted to radiate laser beams while advancing along the transportation path defining a mobile IED detonation zone. 
   
   
       5 . The IED defense system of  claim 4 , wherein the mobile platform comprises a terrestrial vehicle adapted to traverse a terrestrial path, the mobile IED detonation zone defining at least a portion of the terrestrial path. 
   
   
       6 . The IED defense system of  claim 4 , wherein the mobile platform comprises an aircraft adapted to traverse an airway, the mobile IED detonation zone defining at least a portion of the airway. 
   
   
       7 . The IED defense system of  claim 4 , wherein the mobile platform comprises a sea craft adapted to traverse a seaway, the mobile IED detonation zone defining at least a portion of the seaway. 
   
   
       8 . The IED defense system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more controllers include a system controller for activating a plurality of platforms to radiate laser beams within the IED detonation zone. 
   
   
       9 . The IED defense system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more controllers defines an independent controllers for independently activating a corresponding at least one platform to radiate laser beams within the IED detonation zone. 
   
   
       10 . (canceled) 
   
   
       11 . A method for implementing an IED defense system comprising:
 deploying one or more stationary platforms about a designated geographic area defining a stationary IED detonation zone, the stationary platforms including lasers for radiating laser beams in the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum within the stationary IED detonation zone; and   activating the platforms to radiate laser beams in the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum within the stationary IED detonation zone, thereby forcing premature detonation of IEDs having a triggering mechanism responsive to laser energy in the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum within the stationary IED detonation zone.   
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 deploying one or more stationary reflectors adapted to receive and reflect the laser beams radiated within the stationary IED detonation zone.   
   
   
       13 . A method for implementing an IED defense system comprising:
 deploying one or more mobile platforms adapted to traverse a transportation path, the mobile platforms including lasers for radiating laser beams along at least a portion of the path thereby defining a mobile IED detonation zone; and   activating the platforms to radiate laser beams within the mobile IED detonation zone, thereby forcing premature detonation of IEDs triggered by laser energy within the mobile IED detonation zone.   
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 deploying one or more mobile reflectors adapted to receive and reflect the laser beams radiated within the mobile IED detonation zone.   
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the step of activating the platforms yields laser energy in the visible orange-to-red spectrum. 
   
   
       16 . The IED defense system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more laser energy platforms include lasers for radiating laser energy in the visible orange-to-red spectrum.