Abstract: A method includes analyzing testing capabilities information associated with multiple pieces of testing equipment by performing a first natural language processing (NLP) operation to identify capabilities of the testing equipment during hardware testing. The method also includes analyzing testing requirements information associated with a design of a hardware device by performing a second NLP operation to identify characteristics of testing requirements to be used to test the hardware device. The method further includes identifying at least one gap between the testing requirements to be used to test the hardware device and the capabilities of the testing equipment. In addition, the method includes generating a graphical user interface identifying the at least one gap.

Abstract: An autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) is disclosed for transporting and delivering a positively buoyant payload and/or a negatively buoyant payload to a destination. The AUV can be gravitationally propelled through the sea. The AUV can comprise a flexible vehicle body that receives a positively buoyant payload (e.g., incompressible fluid, like fuel) and can comprise a negative buoyancy component (e.g., elongated spine, electronics, cargo, etc.). A weight of the negative buoyancy component is correlated to a volume of the positively buoyant payload whereby the AUV is substantially neutrally buoyant at sea. The positively buoyant payload can be hydrostatically pressurized to hydrodynamically shape the body. The vehicle body can be collapsible for storage. The AUV can collect underwater intelligence data and transmit said data when surfacing. The AUV can loiter at sea for long periods of time. Associated system and methods are disclosed for transporting a positively buoyant payload with an AUV.

Abstract: An autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) is disclosed for transporting and delivering a positively buoyant payload and/or a negatively buoyant payload to a destination. The AUV can be gravitationally propelled through the sea. The AUV can comprise a flexible vehicle body that receives a positively buoyant payload (e.g., incompressible fluid, like fuel) and can comprise a negative buoyancy component (e.g., elongated spine, electronics, cargo, etc.). A weight of the negative buoyancy component is correlated to a volume of the positively buoyant payload whereby the AUV is substantially neutrally buoyant at sea. The positively buoyant payload can be hydrostatically pressurized to hydrodynamically shape the body. The vehicle body can be collapsible for storage. The AUV can collect underwater intelligence data and transmit said data when surfacing. The AUV can loiter at sea for long periods of time. Associated system and methods are disclosed for transporting a positively buoyant payload with an AUV.

Abstract: A rotary wing aircraft, a rotor blade and a horizon scanning system are provided. The rotary wing aircraft, for example, may include, but is not limited to, a mast, an engine configured to provide rotational force to the mast and a controller. The rotary wing aircraft may further include a rotor blade connected to the mast having a leading edge, a plurality of tubercles positioned on the leading edge of the rotor blade, and a sensor housed within at least one of the plurality tubercles communicatively connected to the controller.

Abstract: Some embodiments pertain to a projectile that includes a propellant and a casing that encloses the propellant such that the casing acts as a reaction chamber during flight of the projectile. The casing includes a plurality of flechettes. When the projectile strikes (or is near) a target, a large internal sheer pressure forms within the casing. This sheer pressure causes the flechettes to sheer apart at the thinnest sections of the casing. Once the thin sections of the casing are sheered apart, the flechettes will be unconstrained such that the flechettes take individual flight paths.

Abstract: Embodiments of a bubble weapon system and methods for inhibiting movement and disrupting operations of vessels are generally described herein. In some embodiments, a bubble weapon is configured to generate a plume of bubbles in water. The plume reduces buoyancy of the water to inhibit movement of a vessel or disrupt operations of the vessel. In some embodiments, the bubble weapon includes a configurable diffuser section that may be configured in a thrust-neutral configuration or a thrust-engaged configuration.

Abstract: A rotary wing aircraft, a rotor blade and a horizon scanning system are provided. The rotary wing aircraft, for example, may include, but is not limited to, a mast, an engine configured to provide rotational force to the mast and a controller. The rotary wing aircraft may further include a rotor blade connected to the mast having a leading edge, a plurality of tubercles positioned on the leading edge of the rotor blade, and a sensor housed within at least one of the plurality tubercles communicatively connected to the controller.

Abstract: One embodiment includes a launch vessel defining an elongate, linear interior extending from a bottom portion to an exit opening. The embodiment includes a ram slidably disposed in the launch vessel, the ram sealed to the vessel. The embodiment also includes one or more wedges coupled to the launch vessel along the interior proximal the exit opening, with each wedge shape sized to increasingly narrow a cross section of the interior along an exit vector extending from the bottom portion toward the exit opening. In the embodiment, the vessel is to house a charge proximal the bottom portion, the charge to propel the ram along the exit vector, with the one or more wedges sized to stop be ram inside the interior.

Abstract: Some embodiments pertain to a projectile that includes a propellant and a casing that encloses the propellant such that the casing acts as a reaction chamber during flight of the projectile. The casing includes a plurality of flechettes. When the projectile strikes (or is near) a target, a large internal sheer pressure forms within the casing. This sheer pressure causes the flechettes to sheer apart at the thinnest sections of the casing. Once the thin sections of the casing are sheered apart, the flechettes will be unconstrained such that the flechettes take individual flight paths.

Abstract: Embodiments of a bubble weapon system and methods for inhibiting movement and disrupting operations of vessels are generally described herein. In some embodiments, a bubble weapon is configured to generate a plume of bubbles in water. The plume reduces buoyancy of the water to inhibit movement of a vessel or disrupt operations of the vessel. In some embodiments, the bubble weapon includes a configurable diffuser section that may be configured in a thrust-neutral configuration or a thrust-engaged configuration.

Abstract: An acoustic weapon comprises a sonic pulse generator configured to generate discrete sonic pulses at a repetition rate. A sensor is configured to measure a range-to-target. A controller is configured to control the sonic pulse generator to generate a single shot including a burst of multiple pulses at a fixed repetition rate, to adjust the fixed repetition rate to shift the frequency content of the burst in accordance with a target coupling efficiency towards improving energy transfer to the target and to adjust the peak pressure of the burst in accordance with the range-to-target towards applying a specified peak pressure to the target. The controller may incorporate the target coupling efficiency as well as other parameters such as target apparent area and beam width when adjusting the weapon peak pressure. A pulse detonation engine (PDE) or pulse manifold (PM) may be modified and controlled to provide the large discrete peak pressures required at a periodic repetition rate.

Abstract: Embodiments of an unmanned gyrokite for use in conjunction with a tether are provided. In one embodiment, the unmanned gyrokite includes an airframe configured to be attached to the tether, an autogyro rotor assembly mounted to the airframe and configured to generate lift when deployed in winds aloft, and a generator mechanically coupled to the autogyro rotor assembly and configured to be driven thereby. An electronic system coupled to the airframe is configured to be powered by the generator.

Abstract: One embodiment includes a launch vessel defining an elongate, linear interior extending from a bottom portion to an exit opening. The embodiment includes a ram slidably disposed in the launch vessel, the ram sealed to the vessel. The embodiment also includes one or more wedges coupled to the launch vessel along the interior proximal the exit opening, with each wedge shape sized to increasingly narrow a cross section of the interior along an exit vector extending from the bottom portion toward the exit opening. In the embodiment, the vessel is to house a charge proximal the bottom portion, the charge to propel the ram along the exit vector, with the one or more wedges sized to stop be ram inside the interior.