Abstract: A beam rider guidance concept and transmitting assembly including two synchronously rotating discs with beam modulation patterns thereof positioned such that the modulation pattern on one disc passes through the centerline of the projected guidance beam in the elevation direction and the modulation pattern on the other disc passes through the beam in the azimuth direction. The discs are closely adjacent, and have clear reticles or spaces included to allow uninhibited beam passage where necessary. Where other clear reticles or spaces appear in both discs simultaneously, various digital on-off light signals are sent to a receiver in the guided projectile or projectiles, to perform functions of synchronization, calibration, and address codes and bias guidance position codes applicable to a plurality of simultaneously guided missiles or objects directed to individual respective targets.

Abstract: A jettisonable missile launcher pod has support lugs which extend upwardly through a relatively small separate hardback structure to latch into standard release hooks in an aircraft-mounted pylon. The hardback is adjustably attached to the pylon and contains the required high technology electronic gear for the missile system. When the pod is jettisoned, it drops from the release hooks as usual, but the electronic gear remains with the aircraft in the hardback. The hardback is shaped as a thin top section or portion of a conventional launcher pod.

Abstract: A tow target system for use with a remotely piloted aircraft, including deployment of the target(s) from wing launchers on a tow line, braking of the tow line, release of target and tow line from the aircraft, and parachute recovery of the jettisoned target. A dual tow reel and two tow target launchers are provided on the carrier aircraft for sequential operation of more than one towed target. Signals received from the ground control only the target deployment from its carrier and the later jettisoning of the towed target when desired. The braking system has automatically operative control means for pay-out speed, slowing, and stopping of the reels at predetermined line lengths. The parachute recovery is automatically initiated by aerodynamic control forces when target release is commanded.

Abstract: A lightweight composite structure including a continuous filament member laced through the structure to provide a plurality of tension members integral with the structure. The preferred method of manufacture is to layup and cure two or more composite structural members, such as "I" beams, with each cured "I" beam having a plurality of holes extended through its upstanding leg, its top and bottom T-cap portions. Next, an uncured composite skin panel is laced to the top T-cap portion of the "I" beams, utilizing the holes provided through the upstanding legs of the "I" beams. The laced composite structure is then cured using pressures and temperatures well known to those skilled in the art.

Abstract: An ultrasonic phased array imaging system having a received signal encoding and correlating system. Pulse echoes picked up by each of the plurality of transducers are passed by a timed gate signal only during a predetermined time interval when a return signal from a focal point is expected to arrive. The return signal is also encoded by a chirp waveform. All gated chirp signals are fed to a dispersive transversal filter where their sum occurs simultaneously.

Abstract: A noise-cancellation scheme in a system receiving acoustic information signals, where the system is carried in a vehicle having self-generated engine noise. An engine rotation sensor generates pulses driving a synchronous type filter device which passes only the engine noise frequency and its harmonics. The latter signal is then subtracted from the total input signal having information and noise combined. One filter circuit comprises a phase-locked loop with a multiplying counter whose output goes to a multiplexer having a plurality of grounded capacitors connected thereto.

Abstract: A hand-carried and self-contained receiver and indicator for producing a signal when the presence of pulsed (or pulsed doppler) radar operation is detected, either in a broad band containing all the common radar pulse frequencies, or in a limited band whereby those outside the band are rejected. A simple biconical horn antenna is provided at one end of a very short coaxial line leading to a broadband detector. From the detector, a flexible transmission line connects to the remaining receiver circuitry containing, in one mode of operation, an amplifier, a limiter, a retriggerable multivibrator and an audible beep type of tone generator driving an earphone. In another mode of operation, the retriggerable multivibrator is replaced by a dual tuned circuit having a substantially restricted bandwidth for passing only a desired pulse frequency signal.

Abstract: An active radar augmentation system in a drone target aircraft, for the purpose of decreasing damage to the target. The system includes a receiving antenna in the nose, an amplifier, and a rear mounted transmitting antenna, connected by suitable cables.

Abstract: A plurality of photodetectors in a single line exposed to a field of view transversely across the complete region of a glow discharge volume. The detectors are connected in an electronic circuit to trigger a crowbar device across the power supply circuit providing the voltage producing the discharge when any one detector receives an optical input substantially greater than normal, thereby preventing damage to the discharge electrodes due to arcing across the glow discharge.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for molding structural parts from fiber reinforced plastic composite. The apparatus is comprised of a rigid container, one or more pads of silicone rubber housed inside the container to exert pressure on the part, and one or more expandable diaphragms housed inside the container to control the pressure exerted on the part by the pads. The method used to mold a complex-shaped part from fiber reinforced plastic composite material is to lay up the part on the pads and place the pads, together with the part, between the diaphragms which are housed in the container. The container is then closed and placed in a temperature control chamber and the diaphragms connected to an external pressure control system, after which the part is cured by increasing the temperature of the chamber to the curing temperature of the part, while at the same time controlling the pressure exerted on the part by controlling the pressure in the diaphragms.

Abstract: An auxiliary flaperon control is pivotally mounted on the trailing edge of each wing of an aircraft between the outboard control surfaces and the fuselage and in close proximity to the tail of said aircraft; the auxiliary flaperon controls being operable relative to the outboard control surfaces to induce supplementary aerodynamic forces on the aircraft tail to thereby augment the effectiveness of aircraft lateral and directional control.

Abstract: An antenna diversity switch for IFF radar equipment not having such a switch incorporated in it. This new diversity switch requires no modification of the existing IFF components. The blanking pulses generated by the IFF system when an interrogating signal is received are used to trigger a monostable multivibrator which stops a free-running flip-flop controlling the switching between two antennas so that the antenna connected at that time remains connected. When the blanking pulses stop, i.e., the interrogating signal is too weak to be received, the monostable multivibrator is returned to its untriggered condition which allows the flip-flop and its controlled antenna switch to resume switching between the antennas. Suitable timing controls are provided to switch antennas at the desired rate and to keep the diversity switch connected to a receiving antenna for a desired delay time after the received interrogating signal ceases.

Abstract: A composite structure capable of withstanding multidirectional stress loads in general and in particular high tension and compression loads transmitted to an aircraft center fuselage by wing loading. The structure is essentially a beam formed by inserting two stepped metal end caps into the ends of a graphite/epoxy B-staged tubular strut and subsequently laying-up multidirectional and unidirectional fibers to provide a structure which is in turn cocured and results in a unitized composite wing trunnion structure.

Abstract: A process for depositing an oxide layer on a titanium surface in preparation for adhesive bonding, the oxide layer being cathodically deposited in a solution containing isoproponol and a metal salt.

Abstract: A mirror for high power lasers comprising a high reflectivity superlattice surface formed of a copper-gold alloy on a copper base, and the method of making the same.

Abstract: A method and apparatus utilized in forming a hemispherical shape from a cast thermoplastic acrylic resin sheet or the like, dyeing the inside surface of the hemisphere to provide a uniform color density or a color density variation increasing from light to dark from the horizon to the zenith point of the hemisphere, heating the hemisphere to its forming temperature, causing it to revert to a flat sheet, and reverse forming the hemisphere to have the dyed surface on the outside.

Abstract: A system for programming the radar return signal from an airborne target carrier to gradually increase its frequency and attenuate its amplitude timed with respect to the launching of a target from the carrier, the target having its own fixed radar return, so that the velocity gate of the doppler tracking radar of a missle fired at the carrier will be smoothly handed off from the carrier to the target when the target is launched from the carrier. The programming equipment comprises timed serrodyne modulation of a traveling wave tube phase shifter to control the frequency change, and a controlled attenuator to reduce the amplitude of the returned "reflected" signal, together with necessary timing controls, the operation of the system being initiated by a command signal to launch the target.

Abstract: A vacuum lifter in the form of a pair of saucer-shaped clamps securing between them a segmented, resilient, thin metal sealing ring surrounding a vacuum chamber defined in the underside of the lifter. The clamping surfaces of the lifter are angularly disposed in such a way that the sealing ring engages the surface of a part to be lifted at a shallow angle. Suction is applied to the underside of the lifter creating a vacuum which draws the sealing ring segments together into substantially airtight formation around the lifter vacuum chamber sealing the underside of the lifter from atmosphere and causing the lifter to adhere to the surface engaged thereby while the part is lifted and conveyed from one location to another.

Abstract: An interconnect system between an off-center-line gun of an aircraft and the aircraft rudder control. When the off-center gun is fired, the trigger actuation creates a signal modified by dynamic compressible pressure Q.sub.c to cause the interconnect system to automatically deflect the rudder an amount to cancel the yaw moment produced by the gun firing. Circuitry is also disclosed to additionally compensate for any yaw moment which may arise from an extendable gun gas deflector door. The full specification must be consulted for an understanding of the invention.

Abstract: A gun aiming system having target ranging means, wherein the operator observes the position of backscattered radiation from a bullet or bullets at the target range relative to a simultaneous visually observed target position. A diverged laser beam is reflected back from a special reflector in the rear of the bullet and received in an optical system which produces an image-like indication in an operator's combining glass. A range gating technique images only the bullets at the same range as the target. The resulting real-time display of the target and the bullet in the target plane simultaneously permits the operator to place the direction of fire so that the two images coincide, thus producing a hit.