Abstract: A system for forming an image of an object in a turbid medium comprises a light source for producing a coherent light beam of a selected frequency that is divided by a beamsplitter into a reference beam directed along a first optical path and a signal beam directed along a second optical path where the object to be imaged is located. The signal beam impinges upon the object and reflects back toward the beamsplitter. The reference beam is modulated to shift its frequency. A mirror reflects the reference beam back toward the beamsplitter for combination with the signal beam to produce an output optical signal. A photodetector receives the output optical signal from the beamsplitter and produces an electrical signal having a frequency related to shifts in frequency between the reference beam and the signal beam and having an amplitude proportional to the image intensity.

Abstract: A safety and arming device has first and second portions of an explosive train fixably supported in a housing. A third portion of the explosive train is fixable in a first position such that the first and second portions remain operably separated from one another, and is further movable to a second position such that the first and second portions are operably coupled to one another via the third portion. An integrated water sensor/actuator is coupled to the third portion to provide the motive force that moves the third portion to its second position. The water sensor/actuator is based on a fibrous cellulosic material having anisotropic moisture-absorbing properties such that dried-in strain of the cellulosic material is greatest along one axis thereof. In the invention, a plug of the dry and compressed fibrous cellulosic material has a powder material coated thereon and mixed therewith.

Abstract: A mounting bracket is defined by three pairs of parallel planes. Each pair is orthogonal to the other two pair. The first pair provides a first plane for the mounting of an object thereto and a second plane for the attaching of the mounting bracket to a flat surface. The second and third pair are configured for use in a cooperative fashion when attaching the mounting bracket to a cylindrical surface.

Abstract: An underwater propulsion system and method are more efficient and reduce vortex wake effects. A submersible has a cylindrically-shaped hull, a nose portion connected forward and a sinusoidal-shaped tapered portion aft coaxially symmetrically disposed around a longitudinally extending axis. The tapered portion has a leading end the same diameter as the hull, a symmetrical apex at its trailing end on the longitudinal axis, and symmetrical rounded laterally extending contours and rounded longitudinally extending contours. An internal pump creates volumes of pressurized water from ambient water for equal-distantly-spaced-apart jets extend through the tapered portion in a circumferential row extending around the tapered portion. The jets point in an asymptotical relationship with respect to a down slope surface of the tapered portion and emit jetted water that creates a spinning toroidal vortex of swirling jetted water along the down slope of the tapered portion.

Abstract: An apparatus emits radiation on curable adhesives to bond things together under different ambient conditions. An insulating housing has a cylindrical section and a disc-shaped section defining an interior. A plurality of batteries and an LED array are separated in the interior by an insulating spacer to prevent shorting of batteries. A switch relay in the interior connects power from the batteries to the LED array when a switching mechanism on the outside of the housing is displaced. This displacement closes the switch relay and connects power to the LED array that emits high-intensity radiation. A cover connected to the cylindrical-shaped section seals the interior from ambient and transmits the high-intensity radiation to cure an adhesive. A modular envelope of transparent disc, adhesive, and removable foil can be releasable connected to the housing to secure mounting structure to a surface.

Abstract: A method of fusing outputs from multiple detection/classification (D/C) schemes is provided. Each of a plurality of D/C schemes provides output scores for an area of interest. Each output score corresponds to a detected object at a known location in the area of interest and indicates a degree of confidence with respect to a detection of a target at the known location. Each output score is normalized and then categorized into a group based on the known location associated therewith. The normalized output scores for each group are fused in accordance with a fusion rule.

Abstract: A method and combination creates an air tight CBR impervious barrier for combatants. Protective garments including a protective overgarment, gloves, and over-boots are donned. The protective garments have an annular drawstring interface between a hooded-coat and trousers of the protective overgarment, an annular interface between each sleeve of the hooded-coat and each glove, and an annular interface between each leg portion of the trousers and each over-boot. Dilating elastomeric sheaths to an extended or stretched disposition and placing each elastomeric sheath over a separate one of the interfaces allow constricting of each elastomeric sheath over a separate one of the interfaces and compressedly engaging of the interfaces and the wearer's body by the constricting elastomeric sheaths to create an air-tight CBR impervious barrier at the interfaces. Elastomer, adhesive, or other coatings can be on inside surfaces of elastomeric sheaths to create better friction surfaces.

Abstract: An apparatus emits radiation on curable adhesives to bond objects or surfaces together under a variety of ambient conditions. An insulating housing has a cylindrical section and a disc-shaped section defining an interior. A plurality of batteries and an LED array are separated in the interior by an insulating spacer to prevent shorting of the batteries. A switch relay in the interior connects power from the batteries to the LED array when a switching mechanism mounted on the outside of the housing is displaced. This displacement closes the switch relay and connects power to the LED array that emits high-intensity radiation. A cover connected to the cylindrical-shaped section seals the interior from ambient and transmits the high-intensity radiation to cure an adhesive.

Abstract: A reconnaissance system and method utilizes an unmanned surface vehicle (USV) and at least one micro-aerial vehicle (MAV). The MAV, equipped for unmanned flight after a launch thereof, is mounted on the USV. Each MAV has onboard wireless communications coupled to an onboard video surveillance system. Each MAV launched into the air collects video data using its video surveillance and transmits the video data using its wireless communications.

Abstract: An untethered communications buoy system has an untethered buoy freely floating on the surface of water to not compromise the location of the submersible. The submersible has a cavity containing a first data interface member connected to a computer/data-storage that is connected to an acoustic transducer. The untethered buoy has a computer/memory module connected to a radio transceiver and acoustic transceiver. A second data interface member is connected to the computer/memory module and is mounted on the untethered buoy for fitting into the cavity and mating with the first data interface member. A ship is remotely located from the submersible and buoy and has a radio transceiver and an acoustic transceiver. Mating the first and second data interface members permits bidirectional downloading of data between the computer/data-storage and the computer/memory module.

Abstract: An unmanned, real-time, printed material generation and dispersal system includes a standardized shipping container houses at least one printing module capable of generating printed materials, a controller module for controlling the generation of the printed materials and monitoring status of the printing module, a communications module for communicating with the printing module and transmitting the status to a remote location, and a dispenser for receiving the printed materials so-generated and expelling them from the shipping container.

Abstract: A rocket propelled textile and cordage net fire extinguishing system is deployed from a platform at a safe standoff distance from a fire. The rocket propelled matrix-like net flies over, lands on, and drapes over the burning site. A detonating means, or detonating network on the net is actuated to rupture spaced-apart canisters on the net that are filled with halon and/or other fire extinguishing compounds. The detonating network quickly disperses the fire extinguishing compounds to engulf and extinguish the fire safely and efficiently without unduly exposing fire fighters to danger. The net fire extinguisher system can extinguish fires aboard a maritime vessel, particularly when the burning craft cannot be safely boarded or burns so fiercely that it cannot be approached closely. The net fire extinguisher system can combat highly dangerous fires including chemical and oil fires, (oil rig fires) on land and at sea.

Abstract: An underwater swim board enables diver navigation under conditions of zero visibility. A rectangular member has a timer, depth gauge, and compass on its topside to provide a visual indication of time, depth and direction. An enhanced display module on the bottom side of the member contains a microprocessor to receive time, depth, and direction signals from separate electronic timer, depth transducer, and magnetic compass modules in the display module creates representative control signals. The display module also has a display screen and an LCD having variable backlight to vary its light intensity. The LCD receives the control signals and displays the information of the time, depth, and direction signals on the screen. A virtual image display lens mounted on the screen allows binocular viewing of the displayed information as magnified near-to-the-eye apparent screen images for a diver holding a dive mask faceplate against the screen.

Abstract: A method for controlling operation of a remotely piloted vehicle by an operator. The method includes the steps of accepting an operator directional command from a control device, accepting a control device compass reading, adding the operator directional command to the control device compass reading to generate a heading command, and sending the remotely piloted vehicle the heading command. In this manner, the method of the present invention relieves the operator of having to orient himself relative to the direction of the vehicle in order to control the vehicle and thereby provides for instinctive control of the vehicle through elimination of observer translation.

Abstract: A load reduction device is mounted on a piling to reduce flow-drag created by fluid flowing on and past the piling. Upper and lower collars engage the piling to support and guide a bi-directionally tapered hydrodynamic foil having a tapered leading vane portion and tapered trailing vane portion extending between the collars. The bi-directionally tapered hydrodynamic foil is rotatably supported in the collars to permit its rotation about the longitudinal axis of the piling. The tapered trailing vane portion has an extended tapered shape to orient the leading edge of the tapered leading vane portion into the direction of flowing fluid and reduce hydrodynamic drag on the piling. Load reduction devices of this invention can reduce the loads on pilings attributed to flowing water by at least two hundred percent for a given set of hydrodynamic flow conditions.

Abstract: An unmanned system is provided for the delivery and control of an operational payload. A standardized shipping container houses the operational payload. Mounted in the shipping container are a controller for controlling functions of the operational payload and a communication module providing for communication with the operational payload via the controller.

Abstract: A system is provided for slowing the speed of a product released into the air from an aircraft. A flexible material wrapped about a product includes a tethered portion thereof that is collapsible against the product prior to release thereof from the aircraft. The tethered portion expands to form an air drag device after the product is released from the aircraft.

Abstract: A system for generating an approximate GPS position of a vehicle traveling under the surface of the water includes a tether coupled to the vehicle, floatable structures coupled to the tether at spaced-apart positions therealong, a position determination system, and at least one GPS antenna provided at each floatable structure and coupled to the position determination system. The position determination system uses the GPS signals received at the GPS antenna that is nearest the vehicle to generate a global position fix that approximates a GPS position of the vehicle.

Abstract: A submersible vehicle's hull has an outer wall that is at least partially constructed of a multi-wall fabric having a sealed space between at least two walls thereof. The sealed space is controllably filled with one of air, water, and a combination of air and water in order to control the buoyancy of the hull formed from the multi-wall fabric. Means are provided for propelling and steering the hull in the water. The interior volume of the hull can remain dry or can be filled with water for a wet mode of operation.

Abstract: A hybrid craft can operate as a high speed SES in open water and deploy a retracted flexible skirt to operate as a hovercraft across beaches and overland. A downwardly extending boundary structure on a hull periphery reaches through the surface of water. The boundary structure has thin rigid side-walls extending downward from lateral sides, a forward seal wall extending downward from a forward portion, and an aft seal wall extending downward from an aft portion. Machinery creates a pressurized air cushion under the hull inside of the boundary structure to support and transport the hull. A flexible skirt system on said hull inwardly of and adjacent to the boundary structure can be retracted to a first position above the boundary structure and the water and extended to a second position below the boundary structure and the surface of the water to transit beaches and overland on the air cushion.