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Balloon Deployment Strategies for Projectile Deterrence

  1. Sayali Fund Department of Aerospace Engineering, MIT School of Engineering and Sciences, MIT Art, Design and Technology University, Pune
  2. Samia Shameer Department of Aerospace Engineering, MIT School of Engineering and Sciences, MIT Art, Design and Technology University, Pune
  3. Drashya Rawal Department of Aerospace Engineering, MIT School of Engineering and Sciences, MIT Art, Design and Technology University, Pune
  4. Pandi Siddharth Department of Aerospace Engineering, MIT School of Engineering and Sciences, MIT Art, Design and Technology University, Pune

Abstract

This paper presents a defense strategy inspired by historical precedents, aimed at neutralizing subsonic projectiles using a swarm of balloons filled with explosive and buoyant gases, such as hydrogen. The balloons are arranged in a swarm to effectively intercept multiple incoming projectiles. Numerous military and security uses are possible for them. Operating costs for lighter-than-air aircraft are lower than those of traditional fixed-wing aircraft. Lighter-than-air vehicles can be made less apparent to radar systems by using designs with reduced radar cross-sections. This ability to fit in can be helpful in a variety of defense-related circumstances. Within the confines of this article, we hope to clarify the system's operation and illustrate its numerous defense industry applications. Upon detection, the balloons are deployed using an array of launching devices, releasing a reaction mixture that rapidly produces hydrogen and oxygen, which is ignited to trigger a chain reaction of explosions within the swarm. The resulting shockwaves cause irreversible harm to the incoming missile, potentially deflecting it from its trajectory or destroying it entirely. While drawing inspiration from historical balloon applications, further research and collaboration are necessary to optimize this strategy for modern defense, addressing technical challenges and refining operational capabilities.

Keywords

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