Abstract: A cooling air bypass prevents premature failure of an engine in the event that cooling air from an external blower is somehow obstructed or shut off. The cooling air bypass includes a normally-closed valve in a wall of a conduit. During proper operation of the blower, the conduit conducts cooling air from the blower to the engine. If the blower malfunctions, however, such that airflow from the blower is impeded or stops, the valve opens to provide an auxiliary airflow path through the valve in the wall of the conduit and into the engine.

Abstract: A level sensing device is disclosed that provides a lightweight but robust design and incorporates the use of an LVDT to determine the level of a fluid in a container.

Abstract: A technique is directed to launching an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The technique involves positioning a UAV launcher over a ground location. The technique further involves installing, after the UAV launcher is positioned over the ground location and prior to launching the UAV, an anchor into the ground location to anchor the UAV launcher to the ground location. The technique further involves operating, after the UAV launcher is anchored to the ground location, the UAV launcher to impart launching force onto the UAV to launch the UAV, the anchor holding the UAV launcher substantially in place at the ground location to minimize energy loss as the UAV launcher imparts launching force onto the UAV. In some arrangements, the UAV launcher is capable of pivoting while remaining anchored between launches to accommodate changes in wind direction while maintaining substantial connection to the ground location for enhanced consistency and performance.

Abstract: A fuzzy logic controller for controlling towed objects includes comprises a winch controller to control extension or retraction of a tow cable based on a control signal. A fuzzy logic controller controls a speed at which the tow cable is extended or retracted. The fuzzy logic controller includes an altitude controller storing a membership function defining ranges for a delta altitude variable and determines an altitude control signal based on the range for the measured delta altitude variable. A gain controller stores respective membership functions defining ranges for speed, heading rate, and cable length variables and determines a gain control signal based on the ranges for the determined speed, heading rate, and cable length variables. A command controller determines the control signal based on the gain control signal and the altitude control signal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for attachment of a payload or store to the external surface of an aerial vehicle includes a single point release feature. The apparatus includes an elongated base having a first distal end and a second distal end. A retention receptacle including a hollow tube is disposed adjacent the first distal end and is configured to removably receive and retain the store or payload. In addition, a release receptacle housing a release mechanism assembly is disposed adjacent said second distal end. When the release mechanism assembly is in the closed and locked position, the store or payload is retained to the vehicle via a spring loaded lock pin advanced into the retention receptacle. When the release mechanism assembly is in the open and unlocked position, the store or payload may be disengaged from the vehicle.

Abstract: A technique is directed to operating a UAV. The technique involves launching (or guiding) the UAV into flight. The technique further involves performing a series of aileron (or other control surface) deflection evaluations while the UAV is in flight. The technique further involves performing a UAV remedial operation in response to the series of aileron deflection evaluations indicating abnormal aileron behavior, e.g., the UAV can send a warning message to a ground control station (GCS), land the UAV at a target location, deploy a chute, and so on. Such operation enables detection of an unexpected change in the UAV's center of gravity, e.g., due to a blocked fuel bladder connection, icing on one side of the UAV, mechanical failure of an aileron, etc.

Abstract: An ammunition cartridge assembly including a case and a projectile positioned along a longitudinal axis towards the front end of the case. An endcap coupled to the front end of the case is adapted to retain the projectile entirely within the case. A primer is positioned along the longitudinal axis towards the base end of the case. A primer support is coupled to the base end of the case and is adapted to support the primer within the case. A groove is located on the interior surface of the primer support into which the primer expands under pressure during firing. Under firing pressure, the primer is deformed to create a retaining ring that locks the primer to the primer support after the pressure is released. The cartridge assembly includes at least one obturating lip seal to seal at least one of the endcap or the primer support to the case.

Abstract: A UAV includes a body. The body defines a payload opening 14. The payload opening is circular, but any shape may be used. A payload of the UAV is arranged in the payload opening. The payload may be a camera, sensors, a package, etc. A payload shroud may be installed which prohibits or reduced ingress of foreign material via payload opening. A payload shroud may include a diverter. The diverter may act as a barrier wall preventing the water or debris from entering the body of the UAV. The diverter should fit flush with the payload opening in the body of the UAV.

Abstract: A technique is directed to launching an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The technique involves attaching a UAV launcher to a hand-held weapon, and installing a UAV onto the UAV launcher while the UAV launcher is attached to the hand-held weapon. The technique further involves activating the hand-held weapon to launch the UAV into flight from the UAV launcher. Since a user already may be carrying the hand-held weapon for firing ammunition, the user simply needs to further carry the UAV launcher and the UAV which, in some situations, can be packaged into an easy-to-carry container such as a backpack, a carrying case, and so on.

Abstract: An aircraft hybrid fuel system includes a main tank and a set of flexible bladders, the main tank and the set of flexible bladders defining a fuel containment space. The system further includes a set of pathways coupling the set of flexible bladders to the main tank. The set of pathways is constructed and arranged to vent gas out of the set of flexible bladders into the main tank while fuel from a fuel source is provided into the fuel containment space defined by the main tank and the set of flexible bladders. Along these lines, each flexible bladder can be provisioned with a fuel port to provide fuel, and a separate vent port to vent gas to the main tank.

Abstract: An aircraft hybrid fuel system includes a main tank and a set of flexible bladders, the main tank and the set of flexible bladders defining a fuel containment space. The system further includes a set of pathways coupling the set of flexible bladders to the main tank. The set of pathways is constructed and arranged to vent gas out of the set of flexible bladders into the main tank while fuel from a fuel source is provided into the fuel containment space defined by the main tank and the set of flexible bladders. Along these lines, each flexible bladder can be provisioned with a fuel port to provide fuel, and a separate vent port to vent gas to the main tank.

Abstract: A technique is directed to operating a UAV. The technique involves launching (or guiding) the UAV into flight. The technique further involves performing a series of aileron (or other control surface) deflection evaluations while the UAV is in flight. The technique further involves performing a UAV remedial operation in response to the series of aileron deflection evaluations indicating abnormal aileron behavior, e.g., the UAV can send a warning message to a ground control station (GCS), land the UAV at a target location, deploy a chute, and so on. Such operation enables detection of an unexpected change in the UAV's center of gravity, e.g., due to a blocked fuel bladder connection, icing on one side of the UAV, mechanical failure of an aileron, etc.

Abstract: A command and control system is provided which links users and platforms in real time and with touch screen ease, delivering a highly intuitive, integrated user experience with minimal infrastructure. Capitalizing on a cloud based architecture, from the cloud, to the touch table, to a hand held device, the command and control system creates seamless connections between sensors, leaders and users for up-to-the-minute information clarity.

Abstract: A method, and corresponding system, apparatus, and computer program product for automated collection and correlation for tactical information includes identifying an entity in imagery based on a field of view of the imagery using a processor, creating a relationship between the imagery and the entity, and storing the relationship in a database.

Abstract: A telescoped ammunition cartridge assembly including a case having a front end and a base end positioned along a longitudinal axis. A projectile is positioned along the longitudinal axis towards the front end of the case. An endcap is coupled to the front end of the case and is adapted to retain the projectile entirely within the case. A primer is positioned along the longitudinal axis towards the base end of the case. A primer support is coupled to the base end of the case and is adapted to support the primer within the case. The cartridge assembly includes at least one obturating lip seal to seal at least one of the endcap or the primer support to the case.

Abstract: A fuzzy logic controller for controlling towed objects includes comprises a winch controller to control extension or retraction of a tow cable based on a control signal. A fuzzy logic controller controls a speed at which the tow cable is extended or retracted. The fuzzy logic controller includes an altitude controller storing a membership function defining ranges for a delta altitude variable and determines an altitude control signal based on the range for the measured delta altitude variable. A gain controller stores respective membership functions defining ranges for speed, heading rate, and cable length variables and determines a gain control signal based on the ranges for the determined speed, heading rate, and cable length variables. A command controller determines the control signal based on the gain control signal and the altitude control signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for registering time and location of a weapon firing of a weapon. The apparatus includes a microcontroller, a pressure sensor located in proximately is provided to the weapon and adapted to determine pressure data based on air pressure in proximity to the weapon and provide the pressure data to a microcontroller, an accelerometer located in proximity to the weapon and adapted to determine acceleration data based on movement of the weapon and provide the acceleration data to the microcontroller; a time device adapted to keep time and provide the time to the microcontroller; a location sensor located in proximity to the weapon and adapted to determine a location of the weapon and provide the location of the weapon to the microcontroller; and a memory coupled to the microcontroller.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product provides for estimating the range of a target. An acquisition window of an imaging device is adjusted to fit a target at an unknown range in response to a user input. An angle subtended by the largest dimension of the target viewed from the acquisition window is determined. The range of the target is estimated from a largest dimension of the target and the angle subtended by the largest dimension of the target. The device may be a man-portable aircraft survivability equipment (ASE) system trainer (MAST), or any simulator simulating a man-portable air defense system (MANPADS).

Abstract: A parser may be graphically modified without needing to directly alter the parser software and may be graphically modified to adjust for extensibility of the source test program language. The parser may be graphically modify to adjust for extensibility of the destination test program language and to translate a new text based test program language not inherently built into the parser.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product provides for estimating the range of a target. An acquisition window of an imaging device is adjusted to fit a target at an unknown range in response to a user input. An angle subtended by the largest dimension of the target viewed from the acquisition window is determined. The range of the target is estimated from a largest dimension of the target and the angle subtended by the largest dimension of the target. The device may be a man-portable aircraft survivability equipment (ASE) system trainer (MAST), or any simulator simulating a man-portable air defense system (MANPADS).