Abstract: A circuit comprises a receive processing window formation subsystem, a matched filter subsystem, a keystone interpolation subsystem, a phase modulation subsystem, and an image forming subsystem. The receive processing window formation subsystem forms, for each radar return from a scene, a receive processing window containing the radar return as an unbroken radar return. The matched filter subsystem creates a motion model for a reference point target disposed at a predetermined location within the scene, based on a set of motion compensation parameters for range and range rate, to compensate for at least some effects of fast time Doppler on the reference point target. The keystone interpolation subsystem rescales slow time information from the matched filter subsystem. A phase modulation subsystem applies phase modulations to a keystone-interpolated 2-D output array of information associated with the scene, to ensure proper registration in a range-Doppler map output of the scene.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an in-line reflective optical system configured to receive an input optical beam and provide an output optical beam. The in-line reflective optical system includes first and second powered mirrors aligned back-to-back. The first powered mirror is configured to reflect the input optical beam as a first intermediate beam. The in-line reflective optical system also includes first and second reflective surfaces respectively configured to reflect the first intermediate beam as a second intermediate beam and to reflect the second intermediate beam as a third intermediate beam. The second powered mirror is configured to reflect the third intermediate beam as the output optical beam. A spacing between the first and second reflective surfaces and the first and second powered mirrors is adjustable to control a focus of the output optical beam without introducing boresight error in the output optical beam.

Abstract: Embodiments of a system for simulating a radio frequency (RF) scene associated with a moving maritime surface are generally described herein. An RF scene is generated using an RF scene generation model and a moving maritime surface is generated using a maritime surface model. The RF scene is integrated with the moving maritime surface model. The RF scene generation model is configured to apply a radar model to generate and update the RF scene based on simulated radar returns at a radar pulse repetition frequency (PRF) and the maritime surface model is configured to update the moving maritime surface at a maritime surface update rate, access previous and current maritime surfaces, and interpolate surface facet properties to pulse times of the radar model. The maritime surface model is configured to update the moving maritime surface once every subdwell.

Abstract: A locking fastener assembly comprising a fastener having a threaded portion, and a head having a first end and a second end axially spaced from the first end, the second end comprising a fastening surface and a locking washer recess. The locking fastener assembly further comprises a locking washer disposed at least partially within the locking washer recess, the locking washer comprising a locking tab extending in a first direction and a stop biased in a second direction opposing the first direction, wherein the locking tab is operable to lock rotation of the locking washer relative to an item being secured upon a torqueing rotation and a loosening rotation of the fastener. A locking member is supported by the fastener, and operable to interface with the stop of the locking washer upon the loosening rotation of the fastener to lock the fastener relative to the item being secured.

Abstract: A bidirectional drawer system is disclosed. The bidirectional drawer system can include a frame. The bidirectional drawer system can also include first and second drawers slidably coupled to the frame. Each of the first and second drawers can be movable between a retracted position and first and second extended positions on opposite sides of the retracted position. In addition, the bidirectional drawer system can include a drawer interlock mechanism. The drawer interlock mechanism can include first and second interlock portions associated with the first and second drawers, respectively. The first interlock portion can have a cam with a cam surface, and a cam follower operable to interface with the cam surface. The second interlock portion can have a cam lock with a cam lock surface, and cam follower operable to interface with the cam lock surface.

Abstract: An electrical device includes a substrate, an insulating layer supported by the substrate, and an electrically conductive vertical interconnect disposed in a via hole of the insulating layer. The insulating layer may be configured to provide a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) that is equal to or greater than a CTE of the vertical interconnect to thereby impart axial compressive forces at opposite ends of the interconnect. The vertical interconnect may be a hybrid interconnect structure including a low CTE conductor post having a pocket that contains a high CTE conductor contact. At low operating temperatures, the high CTE conductor contact is under tension due to the higher CTE, and thus the high CTE conductor contact relieves strain in the device by void expansion and elongation.

Abstract: Optical sensors and particularly gimbaled optical sensors transmit an active signal at a given wavelength(s) and receive passive signals over a range of wavelengths and the active signal in a common aperture. The sensor includes a Tx/Rx Aperture Sharing Element (ASE) configured with a center region that couples the active signal to the telescope for transmission and an annular region that couples the passive emissions and the returned active signal to the detector. A filter wheel may be positioned behind the ASE to present separate passive and active images to the detector. These optical sensors may, for example, be used with guided munitions or autonomous vehicles.

Abstract: A joint between dissimilar thermoplastic materials comprising a first thermoplastic material layer; a second thermoplastic material layer having a melting point temperature different from a melting point temperature of the first thermoplastic material layer; and an interface layer coupled between the first thermoplastic material layer and the second thermoplastic material layer; wherein the interface layer is configured to join the first thermoplastic material layer and the second thermoplastic material layer together to form the joint, wherein the interface layer comprises a melting point temperature having a value selected from the group consisting of between the melting point temperature of the first thermoplastic material layer and the melting point temperature of the second thermoplastic material layer; or lower than the melting point temperature of the first thermoplastic material layer and the melting point temperature of the second thermoplastic material layer.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for optical beam steering including a laser to generate a beam having an optical frequency and an optical phase modulator (OPM) to impart a shift in the optical frequency of the beam from the laser. A dispersive optical element maps the shift in the optical frequency to a corresponding angle with respect to the dispersive optical element, which can comprise a diffraction grating.

Abstract: A HgZnTe detector on a silicon substrate provides significant advantages over conventionally used HgCdTe detectors on silicon substrates, as HgZnTe is a harder material than HgCdTe, and has less lattice mismatch with silicon than HgCdTe. HgZnTe also has a higher dislocation energy than HgCdTe, as well as a higher thermal stability than HgCdTe, making it more resistant to dislocation.

Abstract: An assembly is configured for connection to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and comprises a plurality of emulator devices each configured for attachment to the UAV and a plurality of first connection tethers each configured to operably couple a respective one of the plurality of emulator devices to the UAV at a respective spacing from the UAV. The emulator devices each comprise an emulation component configured to provide, to a target detection system, a characteristic associated with a respective type of airborne object. The plurality of respective first connection tethers each comprises material that does not substantially reflect RF energy. During flight of the UAV, when the assembly is connected, each respective emulator device maintains the respective spacing from the UAV and emulates the characteristic to the target detection system, such that the assembly emulates, to the target detection system, a plurality of airborne objects.

Abstract: A system includes a container configured to hold one or more items contaminated with a contaminant. The system also includes a power amplifier configured to output radio frequency (RF) energy at a frequency substantially equal to a resonant frequency of the contaminant. The system further includes a horn connected to the power amplifier and configured to propagate the RF energy along a length of the container and through the one or more items to deactivate, damage, or destroy the contaminant by molecular resonance. In addition, the system includes an RF absorbing liner disposed on interior surfaces of the container and configured to absorb and reduce reflection of at least some of the RF energy.

Abstract: A multi-pulse propulsion system includes at least one pulse chamber containing at least one propellant for igniting during at least one pulse of the multi-pulse propulsion system, at least one additional pulse chamber containing at least one additional propellant for igniting during at least one additional pulse of the multi-pulse propulsion system, and at least one passive fuzing system configured to initiate the at least one additional pulse. The at least one passive fuzing system includes a sensor and an igniter. The sensor is configured to sense an environmental condition and/or a ballistic condition. The igniter is configured to provide a stimulus that causes ignition of the at least one additional propellant in response to the sensor sensing that the environmental condition and/or the ballistic condition has reached or exceeded one or more threshold values.

Abstract: An ignition safety device (ISD) used in an ignition system of a missile is configured to selectively control the ignition of two or more pulses or stages of a rocket motor propulsion system, based on a flight profile mode selection of a flight velocity mode, in which the missile is configured to travel at an optimized flight velocity, or a flight distance mode, in which the missile is configured to travel an optimized flight distance. The ISD is configured to selectively ignite the pulses or stages substantially simultaneously upon selection of the flight velocity mode, or in a delayed sequential manner upon selection of the flight distance mode. The ISD is also configured to selectively inhibit the delayed sequential ignition of the pulses or stages in the event of incidental ground or water impact of the missile after ignition of the primary pulse or stage.

Abstract: The present disclosure sets forth a rigid, self-aligning radio frequency (“RF”) connector comprising a rigid body with a first connection end and a second connection end opposite the first connection end. The RF connector can also comprise a recess disposed on an outer surface of the rigid body between the first and second connection ends, and a collapsible connector support that can comprise a connection portion and a collapsible portion. The collapsible connector support can be disposed within and protrude from the recess while also being configured to collapse into the recess. The collapsible connector support can also be configured to interface with an interfacing surface to facilitate generation of a reaction force sufficient to support the RF connector in an offset position relative to the interfacing surface and to nominally align the RF connector with a device to be connected.

Abstract: A dual-polarized PCB array antenna includes one or more PCBs and a radiating antenna array. Each PCB has a PCB mounting surface that extends from a first PCB end to an opposing second PCB end. The radiating antenna array includes one or more radiator substrates. Each radiator substrate has a patch mounting surface that extends from a first substrate end to an opposing second substrate end. The dual-polarized PCB array antenna further includes one or more orthogonal interfaces configured to arrange the patch mounting surface of a given radiator substrates in an orthogonal position with respect to the PCB mounting surface of a given PCB.

Abstract: A method includes generating a mixed optical beam using an optical phased array that includes multiple array elements, where each array element includes an antenna element and a phase modulator. The mixed optical beam includes a combination of (i) an output optical beam produced by the optical phased array and (ii) a reference optical beam. The method also includes capturing near-field measurements of the mixed optical beam, where the near-field measurements are captured while scanning phase angles of the phase modulators. The method further includes generating calibration data based on the near-field measurements, where the calibration data identifies phase and amplitude responses of the array elements. In addition, the method includes storing the calibration data.

Abstract: A flow deflector for an aerial vehicle system has a flow deflector body, a clip arranged in an interior of the flow deflector body, and a spring within the clip. The flow deflector body includes a first portion at a forward end shaped to engage a surface of an aerial vehicle body and a second portion at an aft end shaped to engage a surface of a booster engine. The flow deflector body can include a plurality of body segments arranged to form the flow deflector body. The clip may be configured to fit around and engage a portion of an aft flange of the aerial vehicle body. The spring can be preloaded and arranged to press on the aft flange when the clip engages the portion of the aft flange.

Abstract: Discussed herein are devices, systems, and methods for rule-based weather impact assessment. A method can include receiving, by a user interface, a request for environmental condition impact data for specified equipment at a specified location, retrieving weather model data for the specified location, comparing the retrieved weather model data to user-defined rules associated with the specified equipment, and providing, by the user interface, a graphic depiction indicating whether the user-defined rule is satisfied in the specified location based on the comparison.

Abstract: An acoustic system and method of fabricating the acoustic system, wherein the acoustic system comprises at least one tube having at least one opening through which an acoustic wave travels to increase sensitivity of the acoustic system and at least one hydrophone in the at least one tube, wherein the at least one hydrophone is encapsulated and the method comprises inserting at least one encapsulated hydrophone in at least one tube with at least one opening through which an acoustic wave travels to increase sensitivity of the at least one hydrophone, inserting the at least one tube into a fluid, and receiving the acoustic wave through the fluid by the at least one hydrophone.