Abstract: An airborne docking method is provided for an unmanned aerial vehicle. The airborne docking method includes securing an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to a host aircraft via a docking assembly having a base coupled to the host aircraft, a tug device, and a cable connecting the tug device to the base, the tug device being engaged with the base, and the UAV being engaged to the tug device. The tug device is deployed from the base and the cable is extended therebetween to distance the tug device from the base. The UAV is then disengaged from the tug device.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a deployment device that is operative to deploy Special Material (SM) to protect the vehicle when an enemy infrared (IR) threat is present. The deployment device constructed in accordance with the present invention comprises at least one, and preferably a pair of canisters which are each filled or loaded with SM, then factory sealed to prevent oxidation or contamination. Each of the canisters included in the deployment device includes an input shaft which, when rotated, is operative to transmit the rotary motion to each of four threaded rods. The rods have two primary functions, which are to advance a piston thereby preloading the SM within the canister toward the open end thereof, and to turn rotary metering devices which are located at the open end of the canister. The advancing piston maintains consistent compression in the SM stack within the canister.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a deployment device that is operative to deploy Special Material (SM) to protect the vehicle when an enemy infrared (IR) threat is present. The deployment device constructed in accordance with the present invention comprises at least one, and preferably a pair of canisters which are each filled or loaded with SM, then factory sealed to prevent oxidation or contamination. Each of the canisters included in the deployment device includes an input shaft which, when rotated, is operative to transmit the rotary motion to each of four threaded rods. The rods have two primary functions, which are to advance a piston thereby preloading the SM within the canister toward the open end thereof, and to turn rotary metering devices which are located at the open end of the canister. The advancing piston maintains consistent compression in the SM stack within the canister.

Abstract: Provided is a reel-out reel-in apparatus that is specifically configured to rapidly deploy and retrieve a towed device such as an aerial decoy towed behind an aircraft. The reel-out reel-in apparatus comprises a spool, a towline wound around the spool and connected to the towed device, a drive mechanism for rotating the spool during retrieval of the towed device, and an electronically controlled levelwind assembly. The levelwind assembly is adapted to evenly distribute the towline across a spool width of the spool during retrieval of the towed device. In addition, the apparatus may include a towline cartridge which integrates the spool, towline and levelwind assembly and a braking mechanism into a single, replaceable unit. The levelwind assembly is adapted to accommodate towlines of variable diameters and is also operative to sever the towline on command by driving the towline into a cutter assembly.

Abstract: There is provided an electrically powered augmenter device that has a silicon window. The silicon window emits the infrared radiation from the augmenter in a specific waveband, to attract heat seeking missles. Moreover, the augmenter may be mounted on the fuselage of an unpowered aerial towed target or other airborne vehicle.

Abstract: There is provided an electrically powered augmenter device that has a silicon window. The silicon window emits the infrared radiation from the augmenter in a specific waveband, to attract heat seeking missles. Moreover, the augmenter may be mounted on the fuselage of an unpowered aerial towed target or other airborne vehicle.

Abstract: A method of packaging a multiplicity of infrared decoy foils into a canister having an aft end and a drive screw extending therein. The present method allows for the controlled dispensing and dispersal of the decoy foils from within the canister and comprises the initial step of assembling the decoy foils into at least one stack. The stack is advanced into the canister, with a preload being applied to at least a portion of the stack through the use of at least one separator plate cooperatively engaged to the drive screw. The preload applied to the decoy foils is of a force greater than or equal to that required to dispense the decoy foils from the canister.

Abstract: A method of packaging a multiplicity of infrared decoy foils into a canister having an aft end and a drive screw extending therein. The present method allows for the controlled dispensing and dispersal of the decoy foils from within the canister and comprises the initial step of assembling the decoy foils into at least one stack. The stack is advanced into the canister, with a preload being applied to at least a portion of the stack through the use of at least one separator plate cooperatively engaged to the drive screw. The preload applied to the decoy foils is of a force greater than or equal to that required to dispense the decoy foils from the canister.

Abstract: A method of packaging a multiplicity of infrared decoy foils into a canister having an aft end and a drive screw extending therein. The present method allows for the controlled dispensing and dispersal of the decoy foils from within the canister and comprises the initial step of assembling the decoy foils into at least one stack. The stack is advanced into the canister, with a preload being applied to at least a portion of the stack through the use of at least one separator plate cooperatively engaged to the drive screw. The preload applied to the decoy foils is of a force greater than or equal to that required to dispense the decoy foils from the canister.

Abstract: A method of packaging a multiplicity of infrared decoy foils into a canister having an aft end and a drive screw extending therein. The present method allows for the controlled dispensing and dispersal of the decoy foils from within the canister and comprises the initial step of assembling the decoy foils into at least one stack. The stack is advanced into the canister, with a preload being applied to at least a portion of the stack through the use of at least one separator plate cooperatively engaged to the drive screw. The preload applied to the decoy foils is of a force greater than or equal to that required to dispense the decoy foils from the canister.

Abstract: A glide target comprising a fuselage having forward and aft ends. Movably attached to the fuselage is at least one control surface, while releasably attached to the fuselage is a tow line adaptor. Disposed within the fuselage is a tow line adaptor release mechanism which mechanically couples the tow line adaptor to the control surface in a manner wherein the (control surface is effectively locked into a set position until the tow line adaptor is detached from the fuselage. The glide target further comprises a glide target parachute which is disposed within the fuselage and a parachute launching mechanism which is also disposed within the fuselage and is used for selectively deploying the glide target parachute therefrom. The tow line adaptor, when attached to the fuselage, is cooperatively engaged to the parachute launching mechanism in a manner preventing the deployment of the glide target parachute from within the fuselage.

Abstract: An aerial decoy comprising a fuselage having forward and aft ends. Disposed within the fuselage are a plurality of decoy discs. Rotatably connected to the forward end of the fuselage is a ram air turbine which is cooperatively engaged to the decoy discs such that the rotation of the ram air turbine facilitates the dispensation of the decoy discs from the aft end of the fuselage.

Abstract: A towed vehicle deployment apparatus comprising a rotatable spool defining a rotor portion. The spool is rotatably connected to a stationary brake drum in a manner wherein the cylindrical outer surface of the rotor portion is disposed in sliding contact with the cylindrical inner surface of the brake drum. Dispensably stored in windings about the spool is a tow line having a decoy connected thereto. Disposed within the rotor portion of the spool is a brake assembly comprising at least one brake element which is adapted to yield at a predetermined rotational speed of the spool and move radially outward upon yielding so as to contact the inner surface of the brake drum and apply a braking force to the spool.

Abstract: A towed vehicle deployment apparatus comprising a stationary housing having a spool rotatably connected thereto. Dispensably stored in windings about the spool is the tow line. Rigidly attached to the housing is a line guide and a standoff bar. The tow line is extended from the spool over the standoff bar and subsequently over the line guide for purposes of reducing the pull-off angle of the tow line from the spool.

Abstract: A towed vehicle deployment apparatus comprising a stationary housing having a spool rotatably connected thereto. Dispensably stored in windings about the spool is the tow line. Rigidly attached to the housing is a line guide and a standoff bar. The tow line is extended from the spool over the standoff bar and subsequently over the line guide for purposes of reducing the pull-off angle of the tow line from the spool.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ram air turbine which is preferably used in conjunction with a refueling pod on an aircraft for purposes of operating a fuel pump and/or reeling mechanism for paying in and paying out a fuel line. The turbine generally comprises a rotatable housing having a main turbine output shaft disposed therein and rigidly connect thereto. A plurality of variable pitch turbine blades extend outwardly from and are cooperatively engaged to the housing such that rotation of the turbine blades causes simultaneous rotation of the housing and output shaft. Means are provided within the housing for establishing a preset reference rotational speed for the output shaft. Additionally, a control means cooperatively engaged between the turbine blades and the reference means is provided for adjusting the pitch of the turbine blades in response to a difference in the rotational speed of the output shaft and the preset reference rotational speed.

Abstract: This invention relates to an aerodynamically braked vehicle deployment device. The deployment device system generally comprises a spool member. A tow line is bifilar wound about the spool member in a manner wherein one end of the tow line is attached to an aircraft while the other end is attached to a towed vehicle. The towed vehicle and the deployment device are deployed simultaneously, and the spool, by nature of its bifilar winding, assumes a position between the aircraft and the towed vehicle. An aerodynamic braking means is interfaced to the spool in a manner operable to provide a braking force during payout of the towed vehicle to control the payout speed of the towed vehicle. At the end of the towed vehicle payout, the deployment device is adapted to disengage itself from the tow line and propel itself away from the tow line and clear of the towed vehicle.

Abstract: This invention relates to a mechanically braked vehicle deployment device. The deployment device comprises a spool member having a guide member rigidly connected thereto. A tow line is bifilar wound about the spool member in a manner wherein one end of the tow line extends through the guide member and is attached to an aircraft while the other end extends from the spool member and is attached to a towed vehicle. The towed vehicle and the deployment device are deployed simultaneously, and the spool, by nature of its bifilar winding, assumes a position between the aircraft and the towed vehicle. A braking assembly is interfaced to the spool member in a manner operable to provide a braking force during payout of the towed vehicle to control the rotational speed of the spool during tow line payout. At the end of the towed vehicle payout, the deployment device is adapted to disengage itself from the tow line and propel itself away from the tow line and clear of the towed vehicle.

Abstract: A decoy system is disclosed characterized by use of a rotating towline spool having an axial bore therethrough adapted to receive a pyrotechnic charge adjacent one end thereof and communicate gas pressure upon detonation of the charge to the decoy to deploy the decoy from an aircraft. Pyrotechnic charges for both decoy ejection and towline cutting may be externally loaded into the system without the need to disassemble the decoy system and the use of the axial bore through the spool results in desired space economies. The interior of the decoy cannister is provided with plural guide rails and contoured guide rollers which facilitate ejection of the decoy from the cannister in directions even or perpendicular to the airstream of the aircraft. Towline spool and decoy terminations and a method of fabricating the same are disclosed which yield sufficient strength to withstand peak tensile forces exerted during initial acceleration and subsequent maximum pay out of the decoy.

Abstract: A turbine/air vent reeling machine for use in aerial towed target applications and the like disclosed characterized by use of a novel turbine head/air vent design which extracts ram air energy from the wind stream impinging upon a moving aircraft for the purpose of driving and braking the reeling machine for pay-in and pay-out of a towed target. Control of the turbine rotational speed is achieved through plural variable opening vents located aft of the turbine head which are driven through an open and closed orientation by a servo-motor to throttle the air mass flow through the turbine head. Turbine speed is sensed by a tachometer which is coupled to a shaft driven by the turbine. The tachometer output voltage is introduced into a closed loop control circuit including processing electronics which compares the tachometer voltage to a pre-selected set point voltage corresponding to the desired rotational speed of the turbine.