Abstract: The Rotational Canted-Joint Missile (RCJM) Control System utilizes a single or multiple body joints that rotate in planes that are not perpendicular to the missile body axis. The result is the deflection of a portion of the missile body for flight control purposes. The canted interface plane between any two adjacent movable sections of the missile body and a joint at the interface plane that allows one of the sections to be rotated by a pre-determined angle with respect to the other section comprise a rotational plane mechanism that offers an inclined bearing plane with a large mechanical advantage over typical “brute force” ball joint methods.

Abstract: Sets of coefficient polynomials are used to design embedded-component architectures that have capability for asynchronous parallel execution at an advantageous arithmetic level where algebraic merging is realized with other operations, algorithms or applications. Asynchronous parallel execution is use to produce image cross-correlation from a freshly-created target image and a pre-existing filter image. Arrays of pixels for both images are input to Cauchy registers where a correlation value is computed by obtaining the sum of all the individual products of corresponding pixels from the target image and the filter image. The cross-correlation value is obtained by the accumulation of each corresponding bit of the individual bit positions of each Cauchy product into a set of coefficient polynomials of the final cross-correlation value. The final cross-correlation value is input to a suitable tracking means to increase the level of accuracy and case in recognizing and tracking a potential target.

Abstract: In the monolithically integrated photonic circuit, light travels through multiple quantum well channel waveguides and is coupled into and out of the devices that reside in common on a single semiconductor substrate. Each device, which is co-planar with any other device on the substrate, is comprised of a quantum well channel waveguide of a pre-determined length and an electrical contact pad mounted on the waveguide that facilitates the application of electric field to the device. The function of any particular device as an optical source, an optical modulator or a photo-detector is determined by the bias mode of electric field applied to that particular device. The circuit is comprised of multiple rows of such devices. Each of these rows contains at least three devices which function as an optical source, an optical modulator and a photo-detector, respectively, and are separated from each other by electrical isolation gaps.

Abstract: The Collapsible Support Frame for Kinetic Energy Penetrator supports a long-rod kinetic energy penetrator inside a kinetic energy missile air frame in handling and flight environments but, upon impact of the missile on the selected high-obliquity target, gives way. This greatly reduces the lateral loading inflicted on the penetrator by the interaction of the missile body and the target and consequently maximizes the effectiveness of the penetrator against the target. The Collapsible Support Frame comprises concentric outer and inner rings that are mounted inside the missile and designed to hold and support the penetrator. When the missile strikes the target and the extremely high impact shock loading conditions of the penetrator process occurs, the outer ring captures a high impact shock loading pulse and transmits it to the inner ring, whereupon the inner ring fails in its supportive function, thus freeing the penetrator.

Abstract: The Side-Scatter Beamrider Missile Guidance System projects into the guidance field a pulsed beam that is spatially encoded with azimuth and elevation scans of pre-determined angles. This pulsed beam is indirectly relayed to side-looking missile-borne receivers by way of scattered radiation effected by atmospheric particles. Multiple optical receivers mounted on the exterior of the missile, each receiver having a different field-of-view from its adjacent receivers, receive light from the transmitting laser that is thusly scattered by atmospheric particles. In response to the received scattered radiation, the missile's signal processor calculates the missile's position within the guidance field by determining which of the receivers detects the scattered energy and when the detection shifts from that receiver to an adjacent receiver.

Abstract: The interferometric alignment device is a small, compact device that can be attached to any two optical instruments that need to be aligned precisely in both pitch and yaw angles. The device utilizes light reflecting from mirrors that are permanently mounted inside the instruments, one mirror in each of the instruments. The reflected light beams exit their respective instruments via a window built into the frame of the instrument and re-enters the attached alignment device wherein they combine to form an interference pattern. The operator of the alignment device observes the fringes of this pattern and adjusts the azimuth and elevation of one instrument relative to the other instrument until the fringes are at an acceptable minimum number or are eliminated altogether.

Abstract: Tactical missile propellant formulations are inherently sensitive to impact and friction stimuli. The impact and friction insensitivity of some tactical propellant formulations is improved significantly when internal conductive polymers PERCOL®292, (copolymer of a quaternary acrylate salt and acrylamide, Allied Colloids, Inc.) and VERSICON®, (Polyaniline)(Emeraldine salt), green/black powder, Monsanto Company) are added to the formulation. These two conductive polymers were evaluated in a high performance propellant formulation containing the same ingredients now being used in fielded tactical missiles. The impact and friction insensitivity of propellants containing these conductive polymers was improved thirty and sixty six percent, respectively.

Abstract: A missile system and method for performing automatic fire control in which a reconnaissance vehicle is used to gather video reference information of a target and this information is then communicated to a launching vehicle from which missiles are caused to be trained on the selected target by utilizing an automatic target handoff correlator that identifies the selected target, causes an autotracker to be locked on and finally a computer is signaled by the automatic target handoff correlator to cause a missile to be fired.

Abstract: A fire control system for a short range guided missile in which the system is contained on a vehicle such as a track vehicle that can be easily camouflaged from the enemy and including video means for acquiring a target desired to be destroyed and utilizing this video information as reference information in an automatic target handoff correlator which correlates the reference information from video signals from a missile that was launched from the vehicle and guided by a missile control computer to the field of view of the selected target with the automatic target handoff correlator comparing the reference video signals and the seeker video signals from the missile to place the target in the center of the field of view of the seeker and once this is done a missile autotracker is commanded to lock-on and guide the missile to the selected target.

Abstract: The Magnetostrictive Missile Guidance System pivots the missile nosecone about a multi-directional joint on the missile axis to produce aerodynamic control forces for missile flight path control. The nosecone is driven by magnetostrictive materials in conjunction with displacement amplification devices. The determination of the nosecone deflection angle necessary to achieve any change in the flight path is made by a sensing device that produces position signals and a guidance computer that produces the desired flight path command signals. The sensing device senses the current position of the nosecone and this position signal is compared with the command signal by the computer to yield an error signal, which is indicative of the difference between the two input signals. Then appropriate magnetic field is applied to the magnetostrictive materials to cause them to grow in length and deflect the nosecone until the error signal is eliminated and flight path is changed.

Abstract: A steel projectile assuming the general shape of a teardrop compensates for the lower density of the material as compared to lead and still achieves penetration into the target that is comparable to spherical lead pellets. Additional benefit of the elongated exterior geometry of the projectile is less scatter and less aerodynamic drag during flight.

Abstract: In-Seeker Jamming Device, suitable for an RF missile, utilizes the high-gain antenna and amplifier that are already a part of the missile. During the “blind range” between the termination of the missile's active tracking of the target at a pre-selected distance from the target and its impact on the target, the Jamming Device produces signals that are broadcast via the missile's antenna and are designed to jam and frustrate the active protection system (APS) radars, thereby rendering the APS radars ineffective and the intended targets vulnerable.

Abstract: Parallel data busses are embedded in multiple parallel grooves that are inscribed onto the exterior surface of a rectangular substrate or a cylindrical substrate that has a cylindrical hole running through the center thereof. These grooves which run along the length of the substrate may contain a suitable polymeric optical medium such as plexiglass or lexan or left entirely vacant to be filled with air. Optical transceivers placed to be orthogonal to the data busses and reflective conical structures positioned within the busses expedite the injection and retrieval of optical signals travelling through the data busses.

Abstract: The Dynamic Bendloss Measuring Device allows easy, repeatable determination of the bend sensitivity of a single-mode optical fiber by subjecting the fiber to dynamically changing bend angles under varying degrees of tension and bend diameters. It utilizes a swing arm capable of sweeping an arc subtending a range of angles at any given bend diameter and fiber tension and calculating the bendloss from the light attenuation at each degree of the range. The varying bend diameters are provided by pins of diverse diameters that are singly inserted into an adjustably-sized aperture while the variation in the applied tension can be effected by changing the input current setting in the tension assembly. With each new pin and tension setting, the swing arm sweeps through the pre-selected range of bend angles, resulting in varying degrees of attenuation of light.

Abstract: The photonic band gap (PBG) dual-spectrum sensor utilizes the frequency-selective properties of a photonic band gap device constructed in accordance with this invention to separate incident electromagnetic wave into two frequency bands. The parameters of the PBG device are chosen so that one frequency band is transmitted through the device with low attenuation while the second band is reflected with low attenuation from the front face of the device. This separation of the two frequency bands allows separate detection processes to be performed to recover the information content of the two signals before the information is fused in subsequent signal processing operation. Such a PBG device would be useful in missile seekers that seek to distinguish a target object from its background.

Abstract: A Non-Protrusive Expandable Clamping Device fastens together two bodies when conventional fastening devices cannot be used because of the unique space constraints and/or the shape of the joining surfaces of the bodies. The expandable clamping device, which has two tenons on opposite sides of its housing, can be slid into the bodies that have corresponding mortises on their joining surfaces to accommodate the tenons. The clamping device connects the bodies in one linear plane using motion in an orthogonal plane. When the clamping process is completed, facilitated by the rotational motion of a threaded bolt within the cavity inside the housing, what results is a joint that is strong in all directions as well as flush and airtight between the surfaces when an appropriate gasket or O-ring is utilized. Such a joint ensures proper alignment of the bodies while providing fixity in six degrees of freedom.

Abstract: Polarization phase plate Assembly comprises at least two uniaxial crystal plates which are identical to each other in structure and dimension and a retarder plate sandwiched between the two uniaxial crystal plates. Initially the optic axes of the crystal plates are aligned to be parallel with each other. Then the plates are subsequently rotated around the normals of the plates by an equal twist angle but in opposite directions. When a beam of light is passed through the assembly post-twist, the result is high-quality fringes that are straight, smooth and capable of exhibiting close to 100% contrast. The fringes have a sinusoidal cross-fringe profile and vary in number in relation to the degree of the twist angle.

Abstract: The Multispectral-Hyperspectral Sensing System (MHSS) comprises a control center, a surveillance platform and at least one weapon battery with known sensing and destroying capabilities. The control center has access to pre-existing information relating to the target scene and potential targets, although not necessarily current, as well as the capabilities and limitations of the available weapons. This pre-existing information is communicated to the surveillance platform to be used in collecting hyperspectral/multispectral image data of the target scenery and to derive from the collected image data the relevant current target data subset. The derived data subset is then down-linked to the control center, which performs further processing to make it useful to the selected weapon. The weapon receives the target signature update from the control center and, in response, performs a significantly more precise strike at the selected target than based just on the a priori knowledge base.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for generating simulated radar targets that eliminates the necessity for large outdoor test ranges and is relatively low in cost. The simulated radar target generating system provides complex targets of given simulated dimensions at given simulated distances when stimulated by signals emitted by the radar sensor in the sensor's operational frequency. The dimensions are simulated by the use of multi-tap delay device while the distances (or, range) are simulated by routing the signal, in the form of light, through a fiber optic delay of a desired length. This system, which costs less than $50 thousand, can be located as close as eight feet to the sensor under test.

Abstract: A method is disclosed by which filters are created optically in real time—and tested. This technique is made possible by recent advances in Charge Couple Detector (CCD) detector array technology. Pixel (picture element) size has decreased to the point that real fringes can be detected and displayed. The fringes result from the interference of the optical Fourier transform of a displayed scene with a specified plane wave. Phase information is thus preserved. This is the critical information required in producing a hologram or a holographic matched filter.