Abstract: A coherent beam combination (CBC) system (10) includes an array of beam sources (12a, 12b and 12c) generating coherent beams directed towards a target (T). The phase modulators (14a, 14b and 14c) allow adjustment of relative phase offsets of the beams. A detector (16) monitors an intensity of the radiation impinging on an area of the target (T). A controller (18) receives the intensity parameter and controls a phase adjustment of the beams according to a deterministic (i.e., quantitative) measurement of a phase offset of each beam relative to a representative phase of the sum of all the other beams. This is achieved by using interferometric techniques, referred to herein as Target In-the-Loop Interferometry (TILI).

Abstract: A process for determining frequency allocations for efficient spectrum management and reuse, in communication between multiple users of moving platforms and ground stations using directional antennas, comprises: (a) generating a preferential ranking list; and (b) repeatedly recalculating desirable frequency allocations for communication between platforms and stations according to said preferential ranking list and user-to-user interference data.

Abstract: A heaterless hollow cathode provides electron emission current in an electric space propulsion system. A mechanical, thermal, and electromagnetic design of the cathode apparatus is presented, and a method of operation for rapid ignition and stabilization of the cathode is provided. The keeper of the cathode apparatus has a thickness change which reduces the flow of heat away from the cathode's emitter assembly. The method for heating the emitter assembly includes controlling applied voltages so that the current flowing from the emitter assembly to the keeper is maintained at a predetermined fixed value. By this method, damage to the electron emitting surfaces of the emitter assembly by electric arcing and/or by depletion of dopant materials is avoided.

Abstract: System for balancing series of cells, including circuits each having three or four cells, including: one or two central cells and additional neighboring cells in each circuit, each neighboring cell being adjacent to one central cells; a local capacitor for each neighboring cell, within a local section of each circuit; one global capacitor at a global section which is common to all the circuits; a plurality of controlled switches; a controller which periodically, repeatedly, and alternately opens and closes some switches to: within each circuit, connect each local capacitor in parallel to a respective neighboring cell; within each circuit, connect each local capacitor in parallel to the central cell if one central cell exists, or to another central cell if two central cells exist, respectively; within each circuit, connect said central cells of all circuits separately or simultaneously to said global capacitor.

Abstract: System for detecting a cyber-attack of a SCADA system managed plant. Each industrial computerized device of the system comprises a processor configured with a data validation module to determine whether data flow outputted from a SCADA-connected controller is authentic, and with an alert issuing mechanism activated following detection that the outputted data flow is indicative of a cyber-attack. The at least one dedicated industrial computerized device is operable to passively monitor in parallel data communicated between each of the controllers and the SCADA system including the outputted data at the nearest points of each of the controllers; seek mismatches between the plant state and the physical operation model; if a mismatch is detected, determine whether the mismatch is indicative of a cyber-attack perpetrated with respect to one of the controllers or an operational malfunction; and upon detecting a cyber-attack, activate the alert issuing mechanism to issue a security alert.

Abstract: A flexible protection element for reactive protection against shaped charge warheads and kinetic energy projectiles comprises a formable doughy mixture of a powder dispersed within a matrix of plastic explosive and a binder.

Abstract: An explosive system and corresponding method employ a number of explosive portions, each of sub-critical dimensions so that initiation of the portion would result in incomplete detonation. A selectively-deployable spacer arrangement or deployment mechanism is deployed between a storage state in which gaps or misalignments are maintained between the explosive portions so that the explosive system remains undetonatable, and a detonable state in which the portions are brought together sufficiently to function as a combined explosive charge having effective dimensions larger than critical dimensions, rendering the explosive system detonatable.

Abstract: A flexible protection element for reactive protection against shaped charge warheads and kinetic energy projectiles comprises a formable doughy mixture of a powder dispersed within a matrix of plastic explosive and a binder.

Abstract: The invention provides ballistic-resistant transparent objects of complex shapes consisting of magnesium aluminate spinel. The invention also provides a cost-effective industrial process for making the objects, including slip casting and sintering.

Abstract: A shutter mechanism for covering a wing's spreading opening formed in an airborne body and a method for covering such opening while implementing the shutter mechanism, wherein the shutter comprises at least one flap assembly, and wherein from the instant that a deployed wing of the airborne body passed and moved over it, it is biased by traction of at least one springy element to an angular motion around an axis, unto a condition where the flap component of the assembly is positioned so that it is substantially conformal to the outline of the outer surface of the fuselage of the airborne body and while it covers the opening through which the wing passed in its motion; and from an instant that the wing returned and connected to the flap component of the assembly, the flap is biased to an angular motion counter the spring, to the state that the wing returns and is relocated on its top surface.

Abstract: A directed energy weapon includes a number of laser units, each including a fiber laser generating an output beam with a power of at least 1 kW from a fiber, an objective lens arrangement for focusing the output beam into a focused beam directed towards a target, and a fine adjustment mechanism for adjusting a direction of the focused beam. A beam deflector arrangement is deployed to deflect a portion of the focused beam from each laser unit as a deflected beam in a direction in predefined relation to a direction of the focused beam. An angle sensing unit generates an output indicative of a current direction of said deflected beam for each of said laser units. A controller actuates the fine adjustment mechanisms based on the output from the angle sensing unit to maintain a desired relative alignment between directions of the focused beams.

Abstract: Apparatus for capturing images while in motion, including at least one CCD camera housed within an aircraft traveling along a flight path, for capturing aerial images of ground terrain, a motor for rotating an axis on which the at least one CCD camera is mounted, and for generating a sweeping back-and-forth motion for a field of view of the at least one CCD camera, the sweeping motion being transverse to the aircraft flight path, and an optical assembly connected to said at least one CCD camera.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved Inertial Navigation System (INS), which comprises: (a) an INS unit which comprises (a.1) an IMU which in turn comprises a set of at least three gyros and at least three accelerometers, all mounted on a rotatable stage; and (a.2) an INS algorithm for measuring the behavior of said gyros and said accelerometers during a mission, and calculating a navigation solution based on said measurements; and (b) a north finding determination unit, which comprises: (b.1) one or more from said IMU gyros and one or more from said IMU accelerometers; and (b.2) a north finding algorithm which utilizes measurements from said one or more north finding gyros and one or more north finding accelerometers during an initial conditions stationary state in which the stage is positioned in at least two separate stationary orientations, said north finding algorithm determines a north finding solution which is provided to the INS unit for initializing its said INS algorithm.

Abstract: Belt/Metallic Link Chain Loaded Ammunition Feeder in a Remote Controlled Weapon Station (RCWS). The feeder includes a feeding mechanism for routing chained ammunition from ammunition reservoir means towards the weapon's bullets entrance opening. The feeding mechanism has a first chute assembly for routing chained ammunition from the ammunition reservoir means towards the region of the RCWS's elevating/lowering axis, and a second chute assembly for continuing routing the chained ammunition from the region of the elevating/lowering axis towards the entry opening of the bullets entrance of the weapon. The chained ammunition traverses over the elevating/lowering axis region by passing from the first chute assembly to the second chute assembly. The first chute assembly remains static and the second chute assembly is dynamic and propelled together with the mounting bracket assembly around the elevating/lowering axis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to electro-optic guided missile systems and, in particular, it concerns systems and methods providing enhanced navigation capabilities based on ego-motion processing of seeker images. The missile system comprising: a missile; a seeker located at a nose portion of said missile, said seeker comprising an electro-optic imaging sensor; and a control arrangement for steering the missile along a flight path to a target, characterized in that the missile system further comprises: a navigation subsystem receiving images from said imaging sensor, said navigation subsystem being configured to: co-process a plurality of said images from said imaging sensor to derive ego-motion of said missile relative to a region viewed by said imaging sensor; derive from said ego-motion a calculated target direction from said missile to a target.

Abstract: The present invention relates to warheads with blast wave conditioners and in particular to devices for quickly removing a door to permit entry through the doorway. It discloses a device and method of shaping the pressure wave pattern by the use of inert material. The inert material of the present invention is used to reduce localized directional effects occurring at the point of impact, instead generating a more diffuse pressure-wave pattern across the target surface.

Abstract: Firing preventing and stoppage apparatus for remotely operated automatic weapon such as installable in RCWS (Remotely Controlled Weapon Station), that comprises a barrier component and an actuator connected to the barrier component, wherein the barrier component is suited to movement through a cartridges ejection port from an automatic weapon, to a movement path of the breech block of the weapon, for preventing in advance or stoppage of runaway firing from it, and outwards from it in a manner that enables firing, an RCWS equipped with such apparatus and a method for preventing and stopping runaway firing of automatic weapons that are mountable in an RCWS and comprises a breech block and a cartridges ejection port that is implemented in such apparatus.

Abstract: The invention relates to an interceptor type system for neutralizing a shaped charge threat, which comprises: (a) a detection system for detecting an approach of a shaped charge projectile, for calculating upon such detection its course of approach, and for activating an interceptor to create a flux of intercepting fragments within a destruction corridor; and (b) one or more of said interceptors, each comprising one or more magazines of fragments, each magazine comprises said fragments and an explosive layer which in turn explodes thereby to create said flux of intercepting fragments within said destruction corridor.

Abstract: A system and method for sampling multi-spectral images of a dynamically changing scene facilitates independently dynamically adjusting the exposure of a photosensor based on a first group of sequences of images, while disregarding a second group of sequences of images, where each sequence of images is of a distinct color of light. In addition, the current description presents an innovative technique for constructing a multi-spectral image of a scene based on individually contrast-enhanced images of the scene. Applications include video photography and high quality true color stills camera with separate sensor arrays for each color channel. The control of the present embodiment can be used to produce photographs with truer color than conventional techniques.

Abstract: Spent cartridges router means in a configuration of a four bars or four bar linkage mechanism for routing spent cartridges ejected from a chain fed automatic weapon towards means for gathering cartridges that is installable as an ad-on and independent (stand alone) mechanism on a weapon station of the type that comprises a base assembly that is rotatable for traverse motion, a cradle assembly that is located on the base assembly and linked with it in axial (pivotally) manner and chain fed automatic weapon that is affixable on the cradle assembly in a manner that it will be rotatable for elevation and lowering around the cradle's axis.