Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) comprising a convertible body operably coupled to at least one sensor, and further configured to rotate at least about a longitudinal axis, thereby providing a full field of regard for the at least one sensor, and a plurality of arms extending laterally from the convertible body, each arm of the plurality of arms having a rotor assembly coupled thereto.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electrical circuit from bulk materials includes the steps of machining a first bulk dielectric material, forming a conductive element, and placing the conductive element on a first side the first bulk dielectric material. The method further includes the step of machining a second bulk dielectric material and placing the second bulk dielectric material on the first side of the first bulk dielectric material and over the conductive element. The first bulk dielectric material and the second bulk dielectric material may be laminated together.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) comprising a convertible body operably coupled to at least one sensor, and further configured to rotate at least about a longitudinal axis, thereby providing a full field of regard for the at least one sensor, and a plurality of arms extending laterally from the convertible body, each arm of the plurality of arms having a rotor assembly coupled thereto.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) comprising a convertible body operably coupled to at least one sensor, and further configured to rotate at least about a longitudinal axis, thereby providing a full field of regard for the at least one sensor, and a plurality of arms extending laterally from the convertible body, each arm of the plurality of arms having a rotor assembly coupled thereto.

Abstract: A connector block comprised of a plurality of spring-embedded blind mate connector assemblies. Each of the spring-embedded blind mate connector assemblies can be comprised of a first connector extending in a first direction and a second connector extending in a second direction opposite the first direction, where the first connector and the second connector can have a common axis and can be operatively coupled to pass a signal between opposite ends of the spring-embedded blind mate connector assembly. The first connector can include a captivator, a connection extension, and a spring between the captivator and the second connector, where the spring can abut the captivator and have an outer diameter no greater than an outer diameter of the captivator.

Abstract: A mounting system for functionally-coupling a line-replaceable unit with a structural manifold for supplying fluid coolant can comprise a fastener for the line-replaceable unit having a base and a projection. The projection can have a proximal portion and a distal portion, where the fastener is at least partially-threaded along the projection, and a plurality of seals are disposed radially along the projection. A channel can extend along a longitudinal axis of the fastener from the distal portion of the projection toward the proximal portion of the projection. One or more outlets can be disposed along the projection, the one or more outlets providing fluid communication between the channel and an external environment of the fastener. The fastener can be reversibly-coupled to a mating fastener of the structural manifold such that, when coupled, the line-replaceable unit is rigidly coupled to the structural manifold and fluid is able to flow therebetween.

Abstract: A connector block comprised of a plurality of spring-embedded blind mate connector assemblies. Each of the spring-embedded blind mate connector assemblies can be comprised of a first connector extending in a first direction and a second connector extending in a second direction opposite the first direction, where the first connector and the second connector can have a common axis and can be operatively coupled to pass a signal between opposite ends of the spring-embedded blind mate connector assembly. The first connector can include a captivator, a connection extension, and a spring between the captivator and the second connector, where the spring can abut the captivator and have an outer diameter no greater than an outer diameter of the captivator.

Abstract: A mounting system for functionally-coupling a line-replaceable unit with a structural manifold for supplying fluid coolant can comprise a fastener for the line-replaceable unit having a base and a projection. The projection can have a proximal portion and a distal portion, where the fastener is at least partially-threaded along the projection, and a plurality of seals are disposed radially along the projection. A channel can extend along a longitudinal axis of the fastener from the distal portion of the projection toward the proximal portion of the projection. One or more outlets can be disposed along the projection, the one or more outlets providing fluid communication between the channel and an external environment of the fastener. The fastener can be reversibly-coupled to a mating fastener of the structural manifold such that, when coupled, the line-replaceable unit is rigidly coupled to the structural manifold and fluid is able to flow therebetween.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electrical circuit from bulk materials includes the steps of machining a first bulk dielectric material, forming a conductive element, and placing the conductive element on a first side the first bulk dielectric material. The method further includes the step of machining a second bulk dielectric material and placing the second bulk dielectric material on the first side of the first bulk dielectric material and over the conductive element. The first bulk dielectric material and the second bulk dielectric material may be laminated together.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electrical circuit from bulk materials includes the steps of machining a first bulk dielectric material, forming a conductive element, and placing the conductive element on a first side the first bulk dielectric material. The method further includes the step of machining a second bulk dielectric material and placing the second bulk dielectric material on the first side of the first bulk dielectric material and over the conductive element. The first bulk dielectric material and the second bulk dielectric material may be laminated together.

Abstract: A system for selectively inserting and/or extracting an electronics module into and/or from a receiving system. The system includes a lever configured to rotatably attach to a portion of the receiving system. The lever is rotatable between a first position corresponding to an at least partially uninstalled position of the electronics module with respect to the receiving system and a second position corresponding to an installed position of the electronics module with respect to the receiving system. The lever includes a first bearing surface configured to engage with and apply a force on a portion of the electronics module when the lever is rotated in a first direction, and a second bearing surface configured to engage with and apply a force on a portion of the electronics module when the lever is rotated in a second direction.

Abstract: A multifunction electronics member combining structural and electronics functions includes in one embodiment an elongate longitudinally-extending structural body configured to support a structural load and including a first support base, a stiffening projection, and a first electrical circuit supported by the first support base. The circuit preferably is embedded between the first circuit base and a cover to form an electrically-active, or in some embodiments passive, structural member.

Abstract: A device for selectively clamping an electronic module to a heat sink comprising a frame and a camshaft rotatably attached to the frame. The camshaft comprises at least one cam lobe arranged thereon for selectively applying a clamping force on the electronic module in a direction generally normal to the heat sink.

Abstract: A phased array RADAR aperture assembly is formed of a plurality of support trusses arranged parallel to each other and supporting a plurality of RADAR modular aperture sections. Each of the RADAR modular aperture sections includes a modular column extending the length of the RADAR modular aperture sections and supporting the RADAR modular aperture section, wherein each of the modular column is configured to connect to a modular column of another RADAR modular aperture section in an end-to-end connection, wherein the end-to-end connection is made on the top surface of one of the plurality of support trusses and aligns two adjacent RADAR modular aperture sections with respect to each other and forms a seamless joint between the two adjacent RADAR modular aperture sections.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding a flight data recorder in an aircraft includes a housing that defines a compartment enclosing the flight data recorder and a flotation device encapsulating the flight data recorder. If the aircraft crashes into a body of water and become submerged, one or more releasable fasteners holding the compartment's cover in place are triggered thereby removing the cover over an opening in the compartment and ejecting the flotation device and the flight data recorder out of the compartment. The floatation device then floats the flight data recorder to the surface of the water where it can be located by the rescuers.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding a flight data recorder in an aircraft includes a housing that defines a compartment enclosing the flight data recorder and a flotation device attached to the flight data recorder. If the aircraft crashes into a body of water and become submerged, one or more releasable fasteners holding the compartment's cover in place are triggered thereby removing the cover over an opening in the compartment and ejecting the flotation device and the flight data recorder out of the compartment. The floatation device then floats the flight data recorder to the surface of the water where it can be located by the rescuers.

Abstract: A multifunction electronics member combining structural and electronics functions includes in one embodiment an elongate longitudinally-extending structural body capable of supporting a structural load and having at least one metal surface defining a first circuit base, a first electrical circuit supported by the first circuit base, and a first cover having at least one metal surface facing the electrical circuit. The circuit preferably is embedded between the first circuit base and cover to form an electrically-active, or in some embodiments passive, structural member. In one embodiment, the electrical circuit may be a circuit board including a dielectric substrate and metallic electrical conductor supported by the substrate. In one embodiment, the circuit base, circuit, and cover define a stripline. In one embodiment, the structural body includes a stiffening projection. The structural body may be made entirely of metal in some embodiments.

Abstract: An array antenna has antenna subarray elements connected to antenna ports of an array of planar beamformer boards. The beamforming elements are mounted in integrated circuits which bridge the junctions between adjacent circuit boards.

Abstract: An element support and thermal control arrangement for an active array antenna, preferably modular, using line-replaceable units (LRUs), includes a radiating-side liquid-cooled cold plate lying parallel with a liquid-cooled TR coldplate. Antenna elements are supported and cooled by the radiating cold plate, and a beamformer lies between the radiating and TR coldplates. A plurality of column coldplates are attached to the rear of the TR coldplate and define bays or volumes in which power LRUs can be fitted in thermal communication with the TR coldplate, the column coldplates, or both.

Abstract: An element support and thermal control arrangement for an active array antenna, preferably modular, using line-replaceable units (LRUs), includes a radiating-side liquid-cooled cold plate lying parallel with a liquid-cooled TR coldplate. Antenna elements are supported and cooled by the radiating cold plate, and a beamformer lies between the radiating and TR coldplates. A plurality of column coldplates are attached to the rear of the TR coldplate and define bays or volumes in which power LRUs can be fitted in thermal communication with the TR coldplate, the column coldplates, or both.