Abstract: A method for direction limitation of a firing system. A first calculating unit controls the firing system and knows direction limitation positions. An elevation of the firing system and a traverse of the firing system are measured. A position of the firing system is calculated in the first calculating unit based on the elevation and traverse. The position of the firing system is calculated in a second calculating unit based on the elevation and traverse. The calculated positions of the firing system are compared with direction limitation positions. It is decided whether the firing system is positioned outside the direction limitation positions. Also, a direction limitation system for a firing system.

Abstract: An optical selector arrangement (22), comprising: a first set of optical ports (30), having a first number of optical ports, the first number being greater than or equal to 2; a second set of optical ports (42), having a second number of optical ports, the second number being greater than the first number; the second set of optical ports being for communicating with the first set of optical ports, a selector interface (40) for the optical selector arrangement, the selector interface comprising the second set of optical ports (42), a part of the optical selector arrangement functioning as a selector (44), the selector being arranged to selectively optically couple the first set of optical ports (30) to a set of ports of the second set of optical ports (42) of the selector interface, the selector (44) being rotatable relative to the selector interface (40) to facilitate the selection by optically aligning the first set of optical ports (30) to the second set of optical ports (42) of the selector interface (40);

Abstract: There is disclosed an acoustic transducer for communications within an operational bandwidth, the transducer comprising: A signal generator for generating a signal at a centre-frequency within the operational bandwidth; A piezoelectric element having a dielectric constant that varies with temperature; A driving electrode at the surface of the piezoelectric element; A matching network, having a natural frequency at a given temperature, and operable to transfer the signal from the signal generator to the piezoelectric element whilst mitigating electrical loss, the matching network being connected to the driving electrode; Wherein the matching network comprises a temperature compensating capacitor connected in parallel with the piezoelectric element, the temperature compensating capacitor being for counteracting temperature-induced changes to the dielectric constant of the piezoelectric element such that the electrical natural frequency of the transducer is substantially constant over a range of temperatures.

Abstract: The invention relates to Insensitive Munition (IM) energetic materials particularly IM propellant compositions, and yet further to nitrocellulose-free IM propellants. An energetic composition suitable for use as a propellant comprises the following components in the following relative proportions: component A; from 5% to 25% by weight of an IM energetic filler; component B: from 50% to 80% by weight of a highly energetic filler comprising at least one nitramine compound; component C of from 5% to 20% by weight of a binder; and component D of from 3% to 15% by weight of a plasticizer; the percentages by weight of components A, B, C and D together with minor additives, if any, adding to 100%.

Abstract: A heat exchanger assembly (201) comprises: a hot fluid flow channel (210); a cold fluid flow channel (220); and a heat exchanger (230) disposed between the channels. The heat exchanger comprises a heat sink (240) and a thermoelectric device (250). In some embodiments the fluid flow channels (210, 220) may be arranged to provide a cross-flow of the hot and cold fluids.

Abstract: An electricity generation apparatus is disclosed. An exemplary apparatus includes a plasma container for containing a plasma sustained by radioactive decay. The plasma container has an inlet through which, in use of the apparatus, water can be introduced to the plasma container, and an outlet through which, in use of the apparatus, material can be expelled from the container. The exhausted material can include hydrogen and oxygen resulting from the dissociation of water molecules caused by interactions within the plasma. A separator can separate hydrogen from the material exhausted from the plasma container, which separator is coupled to the outlet, and a generator can generate electricity using the hydrogen as a fuel.

Abstract: A fabric antenna for telecommunications is disclosed. The fabric antenna comprises a host yarn, which is substantially electrically non-conducting, and an antenna yarn, which is substantially electrically conducting. The host yarn and antenna yarn are knitted together to form a host fabric comprising an antenna grid. The antenna grid comprises a plurality of intersecting antenna tracks formed of antenna yarn. The tracks are separated by regions of the host fabric and are electrically coupled together at the regions where the tracks intersect.

Abstract: A machine is on a first side of a plate (20) and a rod (50) passes along or through the plate (20). The plate (20) is susceptible to vibrations arising from operation of the machine. An active vibration suppressor (60) is mounted on the rod (50), and a controller is configured to control the active vibration suppressor (60) to suppress vibrations of the plate (20).

Abstract: The invention relates to a distributed display device for a vehicle comprising a set of subsystems, wherein said display device comprises at least one operator station, comprising at least one display unit arranged to receive and present information from at least one subsystem of a set of subsystems of the vehicle, wherein said at least one display unit comprises at least one dedicated safety critical input and at least one shared non safety critical input so as to be able to receive and present information from said at least one predetermined subsystem via at least one dedicated safety critical link and at least one shared non safety critical link.

Abstract: A device for liquid cooling an electric motor having a rotor and a stator includes at least one cooling liquid applicator arranged to apply cooling liquid from the side of the stator onto an end portion of the stator. The cooling liquid applicator is moveably arranged relative to the stator so that the cooling liquid by means of the movement of the cooling liquid applicator is applied onto different areas of the end portion. In this way a continuous stream of cooling liquid can be applied onto the end portion of the stator leading to a reduced risk for erosion of located coil ends.

Abstract: A method for forming a joint between a fiber reinforced composite component and a metallic component and a joint are provided. The metallic component and the composite component each define a joint surface for mating with the joint surface of the other to join the two components together and the composite component defines a free surface opposed to the joint surface thereof. The joint surface of the metallic component defines an array of pins extending therefrom with each pin defining a pin head at an end distal from the joint surface. The method includes the steps of pressing together the joint surfaces of the two components whereby to cause the array of pins to penetrate through the fiber reinforcing material, and modifying the effective cross sectional shape of the pin heads whereby to increase the constraint applied to the composite component against peeling of the composite component from the joint surface of the metallic component.

Abstract: A cartridge casing comprising a casing tube formed substantially of metal with a closed end and an open end. The casing tube bounds at least part of a head cap entered into the open end of the tube. The head cap is fixed relative to the tube. An end wall defines the closed end opposite the head cap end of the cartridge. The end wall comprises a weakened region.

Abstract: A method for estimating values lost to inoperable pixels on ultraviolet (UV) sensor arrays comprising identifying an inoperable pixel on a UV sensor array, applying a three by three kernel to the inoperable pixel, the three by three kernel being centered on the inoperable pixel, acquiring a centroid value for the inoperable pixel, applying a compensation algorithm based on the three by three kernel radial centroid value, and calculating estimated values for the inoperable pixel.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a high-power fiber laser by forming a first assembly of fiber optic components on a common first fiber; forming a second assembly of other fiber optic components on a common second fiber; forming a further fiber optic component on a third optical fiber; connecting the first fiber to the third optical fiber by a first splice to fix the first assembly of fiber optic components to the further fiber optic component; and connecting the third optical fiber to the second fiber by a second splice to fix the second assembly of fiber optic components to the further fiber optic component.

Abstract: A system and method for generating high power pulses including a photoconductive semiconductor switch (PCSS), a laser for triggering the PCSS and a bipolar pulse generator coupled to the PCSS. The bipolar pulse generator is activated when the PCSS is triggered. A bipolar pulse is generated by the activated bipolar pulse generator. A modulator unit modulates the bipolar pulse to create a modulated bipolar pulse. The modulator unit is a nonlinear transmission line (NLTL).

Abstract: Methods and systems for non-stationary image sensor frame registration include receiving a data capture from an image sensor in motion, spatially filtering at least one pixel intensity value within the data capture to create a spatially filtered image, predictively differencing a filtered pixel intensity value of the spatially filtered image from a predicted intensity value, and generating a predictively differenced image based on the predictive differencing.

Abstract: This invention describes a method for operating a weapon targeting system comprising the steps of using a laser to fire a single pulse at a target to obtain a reflected laser pulse; detecting the reflected laser pulse as a signal by a SWIR focal plane; detecting background illumination by using the SWIR focal plane; scene clutter filter and using optical filtering if it is necessary to suppress background illumination.

Abstract: A device, system and method for a wideband low noise amplifier is provided. The device may include a main amplifier and an error amplifier. In each amplifier is a phase inverter configured to invert the incoming signal. Additionally, rather than being formed from discrete components, the conductors of this wideband low noise amplifier are formed from microwave monolithic integrated circuits to provide for greater efficiency, which enables the low noise amplifier to operate in wideband rather than narrowband. A method of using the same is also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for delivering a load on-board an aircraft to a target. The method comprises: acquiring a position of the target; acquiring parameter values relating to aircraft maneuverability; acquiring load properties; acquiring parameter values relating to environmental conditions; using the acquired information, determining a position and a velocity value; performing, by the aircraft, the procedure; and, at a point in the procedure that the aircraft has the determined position and its travelling at a velocity equal to the determined velocity value, releasing the load. The determined position and velocity value are such that, were the aircraft to release the load while having the determined position and velocity, the load would travel to be within a predetermined distance of the target. The procedure is such that the aircraft would have the determined position and velocity at some time-step.

Abstract: An aircraft fuselage (4) comprising: an aircraft door or access panel (2) comprising a receiving element (14); and locking apparatus for securing the aircraft door/panel (2) in an opening of aircraft fuselage (4), the locking apparatus comprising: a shaft (8); a mounting member (10) for mounting the shaft (8) to the fuselage (4); securing means (12) fixedly mounted to the shaft (8) and arranged such that rotation of the shaft (8) about its longitudinal axis moves the securing means (12) from being not coupled to a receiving element (14) to being coupled to a receiving element (14) or vice versa; a locking member (52) for coupling to the shaft (8) such that rotation of the shaft (8) causes movement of the locking member (52); and fixing means for fixedly attaching the locking member (52) to the aircraft fuselage (4) thereby preventing rotation of the shaft (8).