Defense system for changing the course of an incoming propelled munition

Abstract

A defense system for changing the course of an incoming munition, the system comprising: a net, and a drogue chute attached to the net. The defense system also includes a pneumatic tube for launching the net and drogue chute in a desired direction, and a wire between the pneumatic tube and the net and drogue chute for deploying the net and drogue chute. The defense system also includes wings on a casing housing the net and drogue chute for keeping the drogue chute on the bottom of the net.

1 . A defense system for changing the course of an incoming munition, the system comprising:
 a net,   a drogue chute attached to the net, and   means for keeping the drogue chute on the bottom of the net.   
     
     
         2 . A defense system according to  claim 1  wherein when the net is deployed, the net is transverse to the direction of incoming travel of the munition. 
     
     
         3 . A defense system according to  claim 1  wherein the system further includes a casing housing the net and drogue chute. 
     
     
         4 . A defense system according to  claim 3  wherein the means for keeping the drogue chute on the bottom of the net comprises wings attached to the casing. A defense system according to  claim 3  wherein the system further includes launch means for launching the casing in a desired direction. 
     
     
         6 . A defense system according to  claim 1  wherein the net is made from Kevlar. 
     
     
         7 . A defense system according to  claim 1  wherein the system includes deploying means for deploying the net and drogue chute. 
     
     
         8 . A defense system according to  claim 7  wherein the deploying means deploys the net and drogue chute at a predetermined distance from the launch means. 
     
     
         9 . A defense system according to  claim 7  wherein the net includes an outer periphery frame, at least a portion of the net outer periphery frame being inflatable. 
     
     
         10 . A defense system according to  claim 9  wherein the drogue chute includes an outer periphery frame, at least a portion of the drogue chute outer periphery frame being inflatable. 
     
     
         11 . A defense system according to  claim 10  wherein the net and drogue chute inflatable frames are in air communication with each other. 
     
     
         12 . A defense system according to  claim 11  wherein the system further includes a loop connecting the drogue chute outer periphery frame to the net outer periphery frame. 
     
     
         13 . A defense system according to  claim 10  wherein the deploying means includes inflating means for inflating the net outer periphery frame and drogue chute outer periphery frame. 
     
     
         14 . A defense system according to  claim 13  wherein the inflating means comprises a high pressure reserve filled with a high pressure gas, and activation means for selectively connecting the high pressure reserve to the frames. 
     
     
         15 . A defense system according to  claim 14  wherein the high pressure gas is lighter than air. 
     
     
         16 . A defense system according to  claim 14  wherein the activation means comprises a housing having a channel in air communication with the high pressure reserve and the frames, and a slide traversing the channel and movable between a channel open position and a channel dosed position. 
     
     
         17 . A defense system according to dam  16  wherein the means for deploying the net and drogue chute comprises a wire between the means for launching the casing and the casing. 
     
     
         18 . A defense system according to  claim 17  wherein the wire is attached to the slide so that, when the casing reaches its predetermined distance from the launch means, the wire moves the slide from its channel dosed position to its channel open position. 
     
     
         19 . A defense system according to  claim 18  wherein the system further includes aiming means responsive to the firing of a munition to aim the launch means. 
     
     
         20 . A defense system according to  claim 19  wherein the aiming system further includes wire payout means for paying out a predetermined amount of wire depending on desired net and drogue chute deployment location. 
     
     
         21 . A defense system according to  claim 1  wherein the launch means is pneumatic. 
     
     
         22 . A defense system for changing the course of an incoming munition, the system comprising:
 a net,   a drogue chute attached to the net,   launch means for launching the net and drogue chute in a desired direction, and   deploying means for deploying the net and drogue chute, the deploying means including a wire between the launch means and the net and drogue chute.   
     
     
         23 . A defense system for changing the course of an incoming munition, the system comprising:
 a net,   an exploding device attached to the net, the exploding device being immediately activated once the munition contacts and pulls the net to give a brief, violent pull on the nose of the incoming munition, and   means for keeping the exploding device on the bottom of the net.