Abstract: A spin-stabilized missile includes two or more spin nozzles along a perimeter of the missile, the nozzles being operatively coupled to a pressurized gas source. The pressurized gas source provides pressurized gas which passes through the nozzles and external to the missile, thereby providing circumferential thrust which causes a torque on the missile that results in the missile rolling or spinning. The pressurized gas source may be a pressure container containing solid rocket fuel. The pressurized gas source for spinning the missile may be the same as that for the missile's main propulsion system.

Abstract: A rotating tubular projectile for increasing the stability of the projectile and the accuracy of the firearm. The rotating tubular projectile includes a cylindrical body having an open first end. The cylindrical body has an axial passageway that extends through the open first end. Additionally, a spiraled airfoil is mounted in the axial passageway of the cylindrical body for impinging a flow of air flowing through the axial passageway. In one embodiment of the present invention the spiraled airfoil rotates the cylindrical body with respect to a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical body as it travels through the barrel and away from the firearm.

Abstract: A rocket spin control system for a tube launched rocket has a fixed position nozzle on the rocket and a set of internally positioned erodible or retractable vanes inside of the nozzle. The vanes are removed from the rocket propelling thrust at rocket exit from the tube.

Abstract: A projectile includes an elongated forebody and an aft section secured to the forebody. The aft section includes a pair of fins affixed to an aerodynamic, cylindrical section. The lift generated by the low-drag pair of fins is sufficient to counteract most foreseeable angles of attack to be experienced by the projectile. The aft section further includes a bearing that couples the aft section to the forebody of the projectile and is capable of allowing the aft section to rotate freely about the longitudinal axis of the projectile and independently of the forebody. Thus, during flight the aft section rotates into the maximum lift plane and provides a restoring moment to the projectile, thus providing necessary stability to the projectile while imparting minimum drag.

Abstract: A cross-section of a missile 1 with the missile attachment 2. The missile attachment consists of a cylindrical tube 3 which encircles part of the missile 1, and a protruding section 4 with a concave forward facing surface area 5. Shown also is a friction inducing moveable component in the form of a lever 11 pivotly attached to the missile by a bracket 12, such that the lever 11 can be pivotly moved an actuating mechanism which is in the form of an electric motor 13 using a rotor arm 14. When the lever is pivoted by the electric motor 13, using the rotor arm 14, a part of the lever is pressed through a hole 15 in the missile 1 so that the part of the lever that is pressed through the hole can reach the cylindrical tube. As the rotor arm 14 presses harder against the lever, the lever is pressed harder against the cylindrical tube.

Abstract: A smart bullet capable of in-flight maneuvers generated by the selective extension of a spoiler from a de-spun control section of the bullet into the stream of air passing the bullet. A micro gyro located in the control section provides a rotation signal used in the control of a motor rotatably attached between the control section and a spinning section of the bullet. A rearward facing lens and optical detector receive guidance information from a gun-mounted guidance system. The direction of extension of the spoiler is selectively controlled by controlling the operation of the motor in response to the guidance information. The detector and pre-amplifier circuit are bonded to the lens structure to minimize microphonic noise generation. An optical link is used to communicate information between the spinning and control sections of the bullet.

Abstract: A missile nose is tiltable and rotatable relative to a missile body through the action of an actuator system. In an exemplary embodiment, the actuator systems uses two electro-mechanical actuators mounted co-axially and having the output shaft of one actuator fed through the shaft of the other. One of the actuators controls a tilt angle between a longitudinal axis of the body and a longitudinal axis of the nose. The other actuator rotates the nose about the longitudinal axis of the body. A method of steering a missile includes using the actuator system to maintain the missile nose pointed at a target or other desired destination.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for controlling an object spinning at a first rate in a first direction. The apparatus includes a swash plate, a rotor, a spin actuator, a roll actuator, and a pitch actuator. The rotor is coupled to the swash plate. The spin actuator is coupled to the rotor and is configured to spin the rotor in a second direction opposite the first direction at a second rate. The roll actuator is coupled to the rotor and is configured to displace the swash plate along a longitudinal axis. The pitch actuator is coupled to the rotor and is configured to tilt the swash plate in a tilt direction about the longitudinal axis, the tilt direction being adjustable by adjusting the second rate relative to the first rate. The roll actuator may be coupled to the pitch actuator so that the pitch actuator keeps a substantially identical orientation with the swash plate as the swash plate is displaced along the longitudinal axis by the roll actuator.

Abstract: A system which is packaged within a projectile fuze body and obtains data relative to the projectile during a launch. Sensors are provided which obtain in-bore data as well as in-flight data. The in-bore data is recorded at a fast rate during in-bore travel of the projectile and is read out, continuously, at a slower rate during in-flight travel. Both in-bore data and in-flight data are encoded and transmitted to a ground station for analysis.

Abstract: In a projectile launched by a gun, the projectile including a fuze with a longitudinal axis of symmetry and a braking device, an apparatus disposed in the fuze for determining a time of deployment of the braking device, the apparatus including a first accelerometer having a sense axis and mounted with its sense axis coincident with the longitudinal axis of symmetry of the fuze; a second accelerometer having a sense axis and mounted a known axial distance from the first accelerometer and with its sense axis coincident with the longitudinal axis of symmetry of the fuze; a magnetometer having a sense axis and mounted with its sense axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of symmetry of the fuze; a field-programmable memory unit loaded with aiming data of the gun, magnetic field direction at the gun, a nominal path length table, and a braking device maneuver authority table; and a microprocessor connected to the first and second accelerometers, the magnetometer, the field-programmable memory unit and the braking

Abstract: A method of velocity precision pointing of spin-stabilized spacecraft or rockets is disclosed.

Abstract: A spin-stabilized artillery projectile (11) can be easily subsequently fitted with an axially symmetrical aerodynamic braking device for reducing the ballistic trajectory if the tip (14) which is equipped with the fuse (13) and which is easily removable from the projectile body (12) is equipped at approximately half its height with flap-shaped sectors (24) which are pivotably mounted in such a way that they can be pivotably extended and which in their launch position fit snugly into the conical peripheral surface of the tip (14) and in the operative position are pivotably extended to form a radial ring which is closed or which has gaps.

Abstract: An optical system includes a curved window, an asymmetric, scoop-shaped optical corrector adjacent to a curved inner surface of the window, an optical train positioned such that the optical corrector lies between the curved window and the optical train, a movable optical train support upon which the optical train is mounted, and a sensor disposed to receive an optical ray passing sequentially through the window, the optical corrector, and the optical train. The optical corrector has an inner surface and an outer surface, at least one of which has a shape defined by an asymmetric polynomial.

Abstract: An aerodynamic projectile, preferably a non-lethal projectile, including a projectile shell having an aerodynamic structure and a controlled center of gravity which exhibits improved aerodynamics and resulting accuracy and which fractures in a predetermined pattern to disperse a fill contained therein. A method of making an aerodynamic projectile.