Abstract: There is provided a hardware device for monitoring and intercepting data packetized data traffic at full line rate. In preferred high bandwidth embodiments, full line rate corresponds to rates that exceed 100 Mbytes/s and in some cases 1000 Mbytes/s. Monitoring and intercepting software, alone, is not able to operate on such volumes of data in real-time. A preferred embodiment comprises: a data delay buffer (208) with multiple delay outputs (216); a search engine logic (210) for implementing a set of basic search tools that operate in real-time on the data traffic; a programmable gate array (206); an interface (212) for passing data quickly to software sub-systems; and control means for implementing software control of the operation of the search tools. The programmable gate array (206) inserts the data packets into the delay buffer (208), extracts them for searching at the delay outputs and formats and schedules the operation of the search engine logic (210).

Abstract: The thermal signature of a vehicle is reduced by providing a thermal shield (20) on at least one of the wheels (10) covering at least a greater part of the wheel area, in combination with a further shield (42, 50) around or depending from the wheel arch (19) and which overlaps the wheel-mounted shield (20). The shields (20, 42, 50) may also co-operate to reduce the generation of a dust cloud (45, 46) by the vehicle.

Abstract: A projectile detection system, and method of detecting a projectile (for example a bullet), for use on a vehicle (100) (for example a helicopter), the projectile detection system comprising: a radar antenna array (4) arranged to transmit and receive microwave signals so as to provide a plurality of detection segments (40, 42, 44, 46) of a volume of airspace (38); one or more processors (3) arranged to: determine which segments (40, 42, 44, 46) microwave signals reflected by a projectile (10) are received from; determine timing information relating to a time order in which the received microwave signals are received; and determine directional information relating to a direction of travel of the projectile (10) using the determined segments (40, 42, 44, 46) and the determined timing information; wherein the microwave signals have a frequency between 1 GHz and 30 GHz.

Abstract: There is disclosed a munition handling apparatus where the conventional ram is replaced with a high pressure fluid actuation. For this the apparatus is provided with a container that incorporates a piston which slides along the container to urge the munition out as the fluid pressure is applied.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for counteracting the effect which crags and other such environmental formations can have on radar returns or returns in similar sensor systems. In particular it has been found that the gaps between crags can lead to false detections because of firstly the function of certain signal processors which compare the high frequency return from a certain cell to a low frequency return from that cell, and secondly the effect of smearing of the returns from one cell to another. The invention seeks to mitigate this effect by selecting the maximum low frequency return from a group of range cells as the high frequency offset.

Abstract: A primary waveguide and a coupling waveguide are arranged so a user can view light from a forward scene through the primary waveguide. An image source generates an image which is diffractively coupled into the primary waveguide and internally reflected to an exit area for diffraction towards the user. Light from the forward looking scene is diffracted into the primary waveguide to be internally reflected and coupled to a image intensifier tube assembly. The image intensifier tube assembly enhances light from the forward looking scene and drives the image source such that an image of the enhanced light is overlaid on light from a forward scene at exit area.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for analysing a process. An exemplary method includes: generating a process template; and determining a probabilistic model specifying the process template. The method can include use of task nodes for tasks of the process; observables nodes for observables that may be caused by performance of the tasks; and a background activities node, wherein observables may further be caused by background activities of the background node. The method can include use of task nodes for tasks of the process; observables nodes for observables that may be caused by performance of the tasks; and a background activities node, observables may further be caused by background activities of the background node. The method can include measuring values of an observable corresponding to one of the observables nodes; and updating a probabilistic estimate of the process state using the measured values.

Abstract: Described herein is a sighting mechanism that includes a system (10) for modifying an optical sight which does not suffer from disadvantages associated with poor visibility. The system (10) includes a source of continuous wave (CW) radiation (16) that provides CW radiation to an antenna (22) for illuminating a field of view. The antenna (22) also collects reflections from objects within the field of view for processing. If only moving objects within the field of view are of interest, reflections from stationary objects that are at the same frequency as the illuminating radiation can be discarded. For moving objects, the reflections are modulated in accordance with the movement of the object and have a frequency that is proportional to their radial velocity. The modulated reflections can be interpreted rather well by the human brain and can be relayed directly to the user through ear phones or other similar devices.

Abstract: A method of generating an indication of a probability of a hypothesis being correct based on a set of observations includes obtaining data representing first and second sets of observations. Data representing a set of hypotheses at least partially derivable from the first and the second set of observations can also be obtained. Plural data associations can be generated between at least some data in the first and second sets to indicate a probability of at least some of the generated data associations being correct. The data representing the set of hypotheses and the indication of the probability of at least some of the generated data associations being correct can be used to generate an indication of a probability of at least one of the hypotheses represented by the data being correct.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for tracking plural targets. The method can include: estimating a state of each target; measuring values for a state of a target, and measuring a value of an identity parameter for that target to distinguish that target from another target. A state of each target can be estimated using the estimated target states for a first time-step; and updating the estimated target states for a second time-step can include performing a Joint Probabilistic Data Association process using measured state values and measured identity parameter values, wherein estimating a state of each target can be implemented using a particle filter.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are disclosed for tracking a plurality of targets (e.g. land-based vehicles) The method can include: for a first time-step, estimating a state of each target; at a second time-step, measuring values for a state of a target; for the second time-step, estimating a state of each target using the estimated target states for the first time-step; updating the estimated target states for the second time-step using the measured values; and performing an identity management process to estimate a probability that a particular state measurement corresponds to a particular target by providing a mixing matrix, wherein an element of the mixing matrix is based on an overlap between the updated estimated target states of targets in an underlying state space of the estimated target states.

Abstract: A method of assisting failure mode and effects analysis of a system having a plurality of components includes obtaining data associated with a component, or a group of components, of the system. The component or the group is associated with component type data or group type data, respectively, that includes data relating to at least one failure feature common to all components or groups, respectively, of that type. The component/group data and the component/group type data can then be stored and/or transferred for use in a failure mode and effects analysis of the system.

Abstract: Disclosed is an air vehicle mounted or mountable transmitting and/or receiving equipment including a transmitting and/or receiving turret allowing at least a forward field of view, the device being mounted or mountable on a fuselage such that it extends away from the fuselage to which it is mounted; and a fairing mounted to the fuselage adjacent the device at a rearward side of the device for reducing aerodynamic drag, the fairing being retractable by, for example, an electrically driven mechanism, to afford the device a rearward (arrow R), or more effective rearward, field of view for transmitting and/or receiving.

Abstract: An electrostatic capacitor device is disclosed including first and second spaced apart electrode structures separated by a dielectric structure in which the first and second electrode structures are each formed from a composite material which includes electrically conductive fibres in a binder matrix.

Abstract: An antenna system, comprising: a phased array antenna (4); and a dielectric lens arrangement (6), for example a single solid dielectric lens (6) comprising a substantially spherical convex surface (12) and a concave surface (14); wherein the dielectric lens arrangement (6) is arranged to magnify the effective aperture of the phased array antenna (4). The concave surface (14) is positioned within the near field of the phased array antenna (4). The phased array antenna (4) is operated at a frequency greater than or equal to 50 GHz. The antenna system retains some ability to electronically scan the beam. The antenna system may be for transmission and/or reception. The antenna system may be used for example for communication between two vehicles.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery is disclosed having electrode and separator structures which are made up of fibre-reinforced composite material, thereby allowing the battery itself to serve as an integral structural component. The utilisation or efficiency of the rechargeable battery is considerably enhanced by rendering at least part of the matrix material of the electrodes and the separator porous, thereby to facilitate improved access to active sites on the electrodes, with the porosity in the separator allowing improved ion transport, both of which enhance cell operation. The porous structure also provides improved electrolyte containment and retention in the event of damage.

Abstract: In order to discriminate between laminar flow and turbulent flow states, and to provide an indication, e.g. to a pilot of an aircraft of air flow over an aircraft wing, a sensor mounted on the wing provides an analogue signal of airflow, and an intermittency value of the analogue signal is derived in analogue circuitry including an AC coupling of the signal to an integrator for integrating the signal for a preset time. The integrated value is compared with a threshold value to indicate whether the intermittency represents quiet laminar flow or noisy turbulent flow.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a projection display (10) for displaying an image to a viewer, comprising a curved waveguide (14) made of light transmissive material and having first and second opposed curvilinear surfaces (26, 28), an image-providing light source device arranged to inject collimated image bearing light into the waveguide, an input grating (20) coupled to or within the waveguide to diffract said image bearing light to propagate internally along the curved waveguide by total internal reflection, an output grating (22) provided along a side of the waveguide by which the image bearing light is diffracted out of the waveguide for viewing by the viewer, wherein the input grating and output grating have variable pitch gratings so that a collimated image injected into the waveguide can be output from the waveguide as a collimated image having an increased exit pupil.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed which includes an aircraft wing and a sensing unit. The sensing unit includes: a blister on an underside of the aircraft wing; a first and second sensor, at least part of each sensor being either housed in the blister or mounted on or integrated with an outer surface of the blister; wherein the first sensor is arranged to measure a first parameter; the second sensor is arranged to measure a second parameter; a measured value for the first parameter is dependent on a speed of the aircraft in a first direction; a measured value for the second parameter is dependent on a speed of the aircraft in a second direction; the first direction is in a plane perpendicular to an aircraft lateral axis; and the second direction is in a plane perpendicular to an aircraft roll axis.

Abstract: A system wherein control of a safety-critical system operation is effected by sending a plurality of keywords via a low integrity transmission means.