When a potential missile attack is detected, an airborne balloon deployed at a higher altitude suspends a curtain around the ship like a matador’s capote. The curtain is deployed across a path identified as a potential attack path for an incoming threat. When the curtain is impacted by an incoming cruise missile, a portion of the curtain separates from the remaining portions of the curtain and enwraps or entangles the missile. Covering the flight control surfaces deprives the missile of lift, preventing relative air movement over the flight control surfaces. When deprived of lift, the missile falls due to the force of gravity and strikes the surface before the missile is able to reach the intended target.
Patent Information
Publication number: US 9228807
Patent Title: Anti-ship cruise missile barrier
Application number: US 13/763,954
Publication date: 05 Jan 2016
Filing date: 11 Feb 2013
Inventors: Kenneth M. Adams
Original Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
