Abstract: An assembly method comprising: providing a digital model of an aircraft airframe (200), the digital model comprising digital models of component parts (202, 204) of the airframe (200); providing the component parts (202, 204), each comprising one or more predrilled fastener holes; fixing a first component part (202a) to a support structure (1102); fixing a second component part (204a) to an end effector (1112) of a robot arm (1110); using the airframe digital model, controlling the robot arm (1110) to move the second component part (204a) relative to the first component (202a) as specified in the airframe digital model to cause one or more predrilled holes in the second component (204a) part to align with one or more predrilled holes in the first component part (202a); and attaching the second component part (204a) to the first component part (202a) using fasteners through the aligned predrilled holes.

Abstract: Apparatus for a Directed-Energy Weapon An apparatus for a directed-energy weapon comprises: an assessment system arranged to, during an assessment phase, perform an assessment of a target environment, wherein the target environment comprises a target, and the assessment comprises determining a possible engagement efficiency of the target by the directed-energy weapon; and a controller arranged to, during an engaging phase, control the directed-energy weapon to direct energy towards the target environment conditionally upon the possible engagement efficiency.

Abstract: A wing member (14b) for an air vehicle (10), said wing member comprising a core section (20) defining its longitudinal axis and having upper and lower surfaces, at least one of said surfaces comprising apparatus (22) selectively configurable between at least two positions, wherein in a fully extended position, at least portions of said apparatus extend outwardly from said respective surface so as to increase the effective cross-sectional area of said wing member and define an effective aerofoil in respect thereof.

Abstract: A Launch Acceptability Region [LAR] display system and method for a payload-releasing platform, the system being configured to be communicably coupled to a LAR computing module (104) configured to compute LAR data representative of a Launch Acceptability Region in respect of said platform based on a set of input parameters and predefined payload performance parameters, the system comprising: —an input module (100) configured to obtain or receive a first input parameter value in respect of a first of said input parameters, generate a set of second input parameter values in respect of said first of said input parameters, said second input parameter values being different to and at respective intervals from, said first input parameter value, and input said first input parameter value and said second input parameter values to said LAR computing module so as to cause said LAR computing module to compute, based on each of said first and second input parameter values, a respective LAR and output a set of LAR data, e

Abstract: The present invention relates to an enclosure and method of manufacture of an enclosure arranged to define a cavity for electromagnetic shielding of equipment to be housed within the cavity, the enclosure comprising: an aperture (16) arranged to allow access to the enclosure; a conductive membrane (18) arranged to close the aperture; and a waveguide element (20) arranged between the conductive membrane (18) and the cavity; wherein the waveguide element (20) and conductive membrane (18) are configured to attenuate electromagnetic radiation originating from the equipment to be housed within the enclosure (10) thereby to inhibit the transmission of electromagnetic radiation from the enclosure via the aperture (16).

Abstract: A method of non-destructive testing of an article (20) is described. The article has a first surface (21). The article (20) article (20 comprises a set of passageways (200), including a first passageway (200 A). Respective sets of flaws (2000) are associated with respective passageways of the set of passageways (200), including a first set of flaws (2000A), optionally including a first flaw (2000AA), associated with the first passageway (200 A). The method comprises phased array ultrasonic scanning of the article (20) using a phased array probe communicatively coupled thereto through the first surface (21); and detecting the first flaw (2000AA), if included in the first set of flaws (2000A) associated with the first passageway (200A).

Abstract: A method for coordinating a plurality of vehicles (102, 104) comprising: defining, as a command vehicle (C), a vehicle in the plurality; storing, by one or more storage devices (204) located on one or more of the vehicles (102, 104), a list of capabilities of each vehicle (102, 104); receiving, by one or more processors (202) on the command vehicle (C), a specification of a goal; based on the stored vehicle capabilities, allocating, by the one or more processors (202), to one or more of the vehicles (102, 104), one or more tasks, the one or more tasks being such that, if each of those tasks was to be performed, the goal would be accomplished; and sending, from the command vehicle (C), to each vehicle (102, 104) to which a task has been allocated, a specification of the one or more tasks allocated to that vehicle (102, 104).

Abstract: There is provided a load controller for a system, the system comprising a first sub-system arranged to deliver a first load, the load controller being operable to: acquire a first target load profile, being the load initially desired for delivery by the first sub-system over an operational period; measure in real time during an update window within the operational period: a first parameter of the first sub-system, to obtain a first measured Load Controller monitor signal; and the first load, to obtain a first measured load signal; develop in real time a model of the first sub-system, using the first measured monitor signal and the first measured load signal, the model relating the first load to the first parameter; given the first target load profile, and the model of the first sub-system, generate for a future period a first predicted monitor signal, the future period being ahead of the update window; and determine whether the first predicted monitor signal satisfies at least one predetermined criterion.

Abstract: A computational ghost imaging apparatus comprising a first electromagnetic radiation source (100) and a control system configured to cause electromagnetic radiation from said first source to be applied to a selected plurality of three-dimensional portions of an atmospheric volume between a second electromagnetic radiation source (110) and object or region of interest (106) so as to heat or ionise the air within said selected portions and create an atmospheric spatial radiation modulator (108) of a specified pattern for causing said object or region of interest to be irradiated with spatially modulated electromagnetic radiation in said specified pattern, the apparatus further comprising a detector for receiving electromagnetic radiation reflected from said object or region of interest (106), and a processing module for reconstructing an image of said object or region of interest using data output by said detector.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a graphene sheet comprising the steps of: providing a container containing liquid and a volume above the liquid; supplying carbon atoms to the volume; and allowing carbon atoms to settle on the surface of the liquid and to coalesce to form the graphene sheet.

Abstract: A computing system (100) comprises a plurality of computing devices (102) configured to collectively operate a reflective memory network. Each of the computing devices executes a respective part (109) of an application set that processes a plurality of parameters. The reflective memory network is configured as sets of contiguous addresses, each associated with one of the computing devices and including a predefined number of the contiguous addresses useable only for storing parameters written by the part of the application set executed by the associated computing device. Each of the sets represents at least one partition containing the parameters written by the part of the application set executed by a computing device, and at least one of the partitions comprises addresses reserved for future use by that part. At least one of the plurality of computing devices is different in terms of configuration, version, model and/or manufacturer.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with a cable, wherein the apparatus comprises a conduit and a stopper, wherein the stopper is formed in one or more parts from a plastic; the stopper comprises an internal hole which is configured to accommodate a cable and the stopper has an outer surface of which at least a part conforms to the geometry of one end of the conduit; the geometry of the one end of the conduit is flared and accommodates the shape of the stopper; and the conduit is configured to accommodate the cable.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for displaying an operational area, the apparatus comprising a headset (10) for placing over a user's eyes, the headset including a viewing device (12) configured to provide to said user, in use, a view of a real-world environment, a display generating device for depicting an operational area, said operational area being defined within said real-world environment and comprising a plurality of functional regions each defining a different one or more selectable functions or operations that can be performed in respect of said operational area, the apparatus being configured to transfer image data from said display generating device into said user's view of said real-world environment at said viewing device to generate an augmented reality environment, the apparatus further comprising a control module (26) including a control device (28) configured to be selectively communicably coupled to all of said functional regions to enable a user to selectively perform the respective one or more fun

Abstract: A system for robot and human collaboration. The system comprises: a multi-axis robot; one or more torque sensors, each torque sensor being configured to measure a torque about a respective axis of the multi-axis robot; and a controller configured to: receive one or more torque measurements taken by the one or more torque sensors; compare the one or more torque measurements or a function of the one or more torque measurements to a threshold value; and control the multi-axis robot based on the comparison.

Abstract: A mobile communications network comprising a plurality of nodes, each node being disposed on a vehicle, wherein the plurality of nodes are configured to be connected to any one or more of a plurality of mobile devices, and the mobile communications network further comprising a planning and control module configured to: receive or obtain first location data representative of a first location of at least one of the plurality of mobile devices and receive, periodically or otherwise, respective updated location data representative of the current location of the respective mobile devices; receive, periodically or otherwise, second data from each of the nodes, the second data being representative of the respective coverage capability of the nodes; receive data representative of a coverage requirement associated with a specified one or more of the mobile devices; and generate, using the updated location data and the second data, an output to cause the coverage capability of one or more of the nodes to be adjusted

Abstract: A counter measure apparatus and method for modifying a path of an electromagnetic detector signal (204) so as to prevent incidence thereof on a platform (200), the apparatus comprising an electromagnetic radiation source, communicably coupled to a control system. The control system is configured to create an atmospheric element (202) operative to simulate a physical electromagnetic radiation path modifying device within an atmospheric volume located in said electromagnetic detector signal path (204) by causing electromagnetic radiation from the source to be applied to a selected plurality of three-dimensional portions of said atmospheric volume so as to heat and/or ionise the air within said portions, wherein said selected portions are spatially located together in a substantially unbroken, three-dimensional configuration.

Abstract: There is disclosed a heat exchanger comprising: a plurality of first fluid channels, a plurality of conduits for interconnecting the first fluid channels, a plurality of second fluid channels, a plurality of conduits for interconnecting the second fluid channels, wherein the heat exchanger is configured as a plurality of repeating units, each repeating unit comprising: a base plate comprising a first opening, and a first conduit extending from the plate, the shape of the opening corresponding to the shape of the conduit.

Abstract: According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for transmitting and/or receiving an optical signal through a fluid, the method comprising: using a pressure wave to cause a change in refractive index in the fluid, the change in refractive index causing a waveguide to be formed; and transmitting and/or receiving the optical signal through the waveguide.

Abstract: A system comprising: an additive manufacturing apparatus configured to perform an additive manufacturing process using a feedstock supplied thereto, thereby to produce an article; a feedstock storage module configured to supply feedstock to the additive manufacturing apparatus; a machining apparatus configured to perform a machining process; a controller configured to control operation of the additive manufacturing apparatus and the machining apparatus; and are cycling module configured to receive a waste material and to produce the feedstock therefrom, and to transfer the produced feedstock to the feedstock storage module. The additive manufacturing apparatus and the machining apparatus comprise a common heat source, the additive manufacturing apparatus configured to use the common heat source to perform the additive manufacturing process, and the machining apparatus configured to use the common heat source to perform the machining process.