Abstract: A method is disclosed for forming an article made of a metal matrix composite material having particles bonded to an anodizable matrix material. The method can include anodizing the anodizable matrix material to form an anodic layer on the anodizable matrix material. The method can also include machining at least a portion of the anodic layer.

Abstract: A radar system including a narrowband radar receiver configured to receive pulsed radar return signals and a wideband receiver configured for receiving wideband signals. A noise data processor is configured to identify impulse noises by analyzing wideband signals received by the wideband receiver and a radar processor is configured to cancel the identified impulse noises from pulse signals received by the radar receiver. The wideband impulse noises utilized to cancel noise from the pulse signals corresponds to the same time period sweep of detection as that of the pulse signals.

Abstract: A positioning mechanism for aligning an optical device and an image sensor is disclosed. The positioning mechanism includes a base operable with a support for an image sensor, a tube operable with an optical device, and an adjuster disposed between the base and the tube. In one aspect, the adjuster is positionable relative to the base in a translational degree of freedom and two rotational degrees of freedom. In another aspect, the tube is positionable relative to the adjuster in two translational degrees of freedom, and a rotational degree of freedom.

Abstract: A multi-beam LIDAR optical system, that in one example includes a plurality of single mode optical fibers configured to transmit and receive light beams, and a plurality of lenses configured to collimate and focus the light beams between the plurality of single mode optical fibers and an entrance pupil of the system, wherein the system is configured to transmit and receive the light beams over an angular field of view of at least 5°.

Abstract: A system provides high-throughput radar signal processing without resorting to costly parallel processing tool kits. The system breaks the signal processing chain into a series of independent data processing units (DPUs) that execute independently and in parallel. Queuing theory is used to efficiently distribute processing across multiple processor cores and/or computers. The system scales to an arbitrary number of cores/computers. The independent nature of the DPUs readily allows addition/replacement of new filters into the system.

Abstract: A high frequency surface wave radar (HFSWR) system with improved performance. Two or more transmitters including separate transmitting antennas (120, 122, 410) are used to improve the performance of the HFSWR over the performance of a comparable system with a single transmitter. In one embodiment, two transmitters are used, and configured to transmit pulses alternately, with a time interval of at least a round-trip travel time corresponding to a maximum target range between any pair of transmitted pulses. A physical receiving antenna array (130) includes a plurality of receiving antenna elements (135), and is connected to receiver circuitry configured to distinguish returns corresponding to pulses emitted by the different transmitters. The returns are concatenated in the receiver circuitry to achieve improved resolution.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for automatically expanding the eyebox of an optical imaging device by tracking the movement of an operator's eye, and automatically repositioning the exit pupil of the optical imaging device to follow the movement of the eye.

Abstract: Optical apparatus in which a beam deflector is used to reposition the sight beam from a reflex sight. In one example, an optical apparatus includes a reflex sight configured to produce a collimated reflex sight beam directed along an optical axis, and a beam deflector coupled to an output of the reflex sight and configured to deflect the reflex sight beam by a selected angle of deflection relative to the optical axis to reposition an eyebox of the reflex sight off-axis with respect to the optical axis and remote from the reflex sight. In certain examples, the optical apparatus also includes a telescopic sight, and the beam deflector is configured to deflect the collimated reflex sight beam to overlap the reflex sight beam with the exit pupil of the telescopic sight.

Abstract: An optical assembly includes a housing having an interior region, a first lens disposed within the interior region of the housing, a second lens disposed within the interior region of the housing, the second lens being spaced from the first lens, a spacer disposed within the interior region of the housing between the first lens and the second lens, the spacer being fabricated from glass material, and a retention assembly configured to engage the second lens when assembled to retain the first lens, the spacer and the second lens in place. The housing may include a port providing fluid communication from an exterior of the housing to the interior region of the housing. The optical assembly further may include a filler material disposed in a space defined by an exterior surface of the spacer and an interior surface of the housing via the port.

Abstract: A sight mount for use with an electrically powered sight is provided. The sight mount includes a lower portion connectably securable to a mounting surface, an upper portion supportive of the sight and comprising electrodes connectable with sight circuitry and a central portion integrally interposed between the lower and upper portions. The central portion includes a body formed to define a cavity securably receptive of a power supply such that the power supply couples with the electrodes to power the sight.

Abstract: A tactile feel control device is disclosed. The tactile feel control device can include an electric motor configured to be mechanically coupled to a manual control interface that is movable by a user. The tactile feel control device can also include a bias module operable to generate a bias to be applied by the electric motor. The bias can be configured to provide a desired tactile feel to the user at the manual control interface. In addition, the tactile feel control device can include a control module operable to output a drive signal to the electric motor configured to apply the bias. The bias can be insufficient, alone, to cause movement of the manual control interface.

Abstract: A magnification zoom sighting system is disclosed. One embodiment includes an objective lens group that produces an image of a distant object at a first focal plane, a zoom lens element that relays the image from the first focal plane to a second focal plane and varies an optical magnification of the image, an ocular lens group for viewing the image at the second focal plane, a magnification adjustment mechanism coupled to the zoom lens element for adjusting an optical magnification setting of the zoom lens element to adjust the optical magnification of the image, and a reticle having magnification indicia, disposed proximate the first focal plane and such that it is configured to be viewable through the ocular lens group in a field of view thereof and superimposed upon the image. The magnification indicia conveys the optical magnification setting of the zoom lens element.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for combining radar signals of a two-dimensional primary radar covering a surveillance area and a passive adjunct radar to provide three-dimensional data for targets and weather. In exemplary embodiments, high beam and low beam data from the primary radar and elevation data from the adjunct radar can be used to mitigate interference from clutter, such as wind farms.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for combining radar signals of a two-dimensional primary radar covering a surveillance area and a passive adjunct radar to provide three-dimensional data for targets and weather. In exemplary embodiments, high beam and low beam data from the primary radar and elevation data from the adjunct radar can be used to mitigate interference from clutter, such as wind farms.

Abstract: A multispectral imaging system and method in which the zero-mode channel is used to provide imaging of any of a variety of optical properties. In one example an imaging method includes spectrally dispersing received electromagnetic radiation into its spectral components with a dispersive element to produce spectrally dispersed electromagnetic radiation, transmitting the electromagnetic radiation through the dispersive element to produce non-dispersed electromagnetic radiation corresponding to a zero order diffraction mode of the dispersive element, imaging the non-dispersed electromagnetic radiation to produce a zero-mode image, and simultaneously imaging the spectrally dispersed electromagnetic radiation to produce a spectral image.

Abstract: A system and method for exchanging information between aircraft (210). Sensors on a first aircraft (210) provide data about the first aircraft's environment, including hazards such as turbulence, icing, lightning, or birds. The system transmits the data to receiving systems in other aircraft (210), which display the data, to warn the pilots flying the other aircraft of potential hazards. The pilot of the first aircraft may supplement the information with visual observations, about birds or unmanned aerial vehicles, for example. In one embodiment, the information is transmitted from aircraft to aircraft over a data link using ADS-B. In another embodiment, a first aircraft may transmit data to a second aircraft, which may relay, or re-transmit, the data to a third aircraft.

Abstract: An imaging method and apparatus to provide digital calibration of an optical system that includes one or more removable plane parallel plates or optical wedges. One example of the method includes generating an initial estimate of an optical point spread function of an optical imaging system that includes a plane parallel plate or optical wedge positioned in the optical train based on an optical prescription of the optical imaging system, capturing a first image of a scene using the optical imaging system, and applying a blind deconvolution process to the first image using the initial estimate of the optical point spread function to produce a refined estimate of the optical point spread function and produce a second image that is substantially without blur.

Abstract: Various embodiments are described herein for a detector and method that perform various types of CFAR detection on radar data including knowledge-aided CFAR detection, hybrid-CFAR detection and simplified censored CFAR detection. Knowledge about the type of local environment of a Cell Under Test and the proximity of the Cell Under Test to various types of noise can be used to select particular types of CFAR detection methods or combinations thereof. In other instances, certain parameters of a CFAR detection method can be adapted based on this knowledge.

Abstract: A multispectral imaging system and method in which the zero-mode channel is used to provide imaging of any of a variety of optical properties. In one example an imaging method includes spectrally dispersing received electromagnetic radiation into its spectral components with a dispersive element to produce spectrally dispersed electromagnetic radiation, transmitting the electromagnetic radiation through the dispersive element to produce non-dispersed electromagnetic radiation corresponding to a zero order diffraction mode of the dispersive element, imaging the non-dispersed electromagnetic radiation to produce a zero-mode image, and simultaneously imaging the spectrally dispersed electromagnetic radiation to produce a spectral image.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for automatically expanding the eyebox of an optical imaging device by tracking the movement of an operator's eye, and automatically repositioning the exit pupil of the optical imaging device to follow the movement of the eye.