Abstract: An alignment jig (10) configured to support and orient a load (500). The alignment jig (10) may form part of an alignment system (300). The alignment jig (10) comprises a first base unit (100) configured to carry a first support unit (200), the first support unit (200) being configured to support the load (500) and to space the first base unit (100) apart from the load (500). The first support unit (200) is moveable relative to the first base unit (100). The first base unit (100) comprises a first base unit actuation system (110) operable to act on the first support unit (200) along a first base unit operational axis X1. The first support unit (200) comprises a first support unit actuation system (210) operable to act on the load (500) along a first support unit operational axis Y1.

Abstract: An on-chip firewall circuit for providing secure on-chip communication is disclosed. The firewall circuit includes a configurable table of port IDs along with a configurable setting for each port ID to either provide the corresponding port ID with open access to the components of a secure enclave (SE) module or restricted access. If access is restricted, then the command is rerouted to a portion of the secure memory within the SE module, where it can be read only via a secure processing device within the SE module. The secure processing device may require additional verification of the port ID before executing the command stored within the secure memory. In this way, unsecure devices from outside of the SE module can be configured to have no direct access to any of the components within the SE module.

Abstract: An unmanned vehicle (20) for relaying radio frequency signals in a tactical communications network is described. The unmanned vehicle comprises a processor (22) arranged to receive the location of a first asset (40a); select a relay site (30) from at least one relay site; and control the unmanned vehicle to move to the selected relay site, wherein at the selected relay site, communication between the first asset and the unmanned vehicle is enabled. The unmanned vehicle also comprises a receiver for receiving data from the first asset; and a transmitter for transmitting the data to a second asset (40b, 20, 10). A control unit (60) for an unmanned vehicle, a tactical communications network comprising a plurality of unmanned vehicles, and a method of relaying signals in a tactical communications network using an unmanned vehicle are all also described.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) receiver includes a transceiver, a programmable logic device (PLD), and a digitally tunable high-pass and low-pass filter bank. The transceiver is configured to receive a mission data file (MDF) specifying a plurality of RF frequencies to be tuned by the receiver and to convert the MDF into a binary file. The PLD is configured to receive the binary file from the transceiver and, based on the binary file, to transmit one or more commands that cause the filter bank to enter a selected one of a plurality of predefined filter states corresponding to one or more of the RF frequencies. In operation, the receiver receives an input signal and the filter bank dynamically filters the input signal in response to the one or more commands from the PLD.

Abstract: A wheel arm (114) for a chassis (140) of a towed howitzer system (100). The wheel arm (114) comprises a chassis coupling feature (116) centred on a wheel arm pivoting axis (160), and a wheel coupling feature (118) centred on a wheel rotation axis (162). The chassis coupling feature (116) is spaced apart from the wheel coupling feature (118). The wheel arm (114) comprises a lever engagement feature (122). The lever engagement feature (122), the wheel coupling feature (118) and the chassis coupling feature (116) are provided in series along the length of the wheel arm (114).

Abstract: There is provided a projectile, a system and a related method of operation of a projectile comprising: a front ogive section; an aft section; and a control module; wherein the front ogive section is rotatably connected to the aft section by a coupling device, the front ogive section further comprising an asymmetric surface such that the asymmetric surface exerts an imbalance upon the projectile, where in use, the angular rotation of the front ogive section can be selectively adjusted relative to the aft section by commands from the control module to the coupling device influencing a helical trajectory of the projectile in flight thereby causing a change in direction thereby steering the projectile towards a target.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for a delay compensated analog beam forming network. A transceiver implementing the techniques according to an embodiment includes an array of circuit elements. Each of the circuit elements includes an analog frequency converter to up-convert an analog signal to radio frequency (RF) for transmission and to down-convert an RF signal to an analog signal for reception. The circuit element also includes an analog beam weighting circuit configured to apply a beam weight to both of the analog signals to form a beam for transmission and reception. The circuit element further includes an analog delay element configured to impart a time delay to the analog signals. The time delay is based on the position of the circuit element in the array and is selected to compensate for propagation delay of the analog signals along the electrical path that couples the circuit elements of the array, reducing beam squint.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved thermal management system for a heat source, such as a high-powered electronic device. Thermal management systems work to maintain the optimal operational temperature of a device to maximise reliability, operational lifespan and/or efficiency, for example by using a fluid coolant to transfer thermal energy from the device to a heat exchanger. The present invention seeks to provide an improved thermal management system by incorporating a phase change material into a heat exchanger.

Abstract: There is described a reconfigurable array for facilitating dynamic combination and distribution of RF signals.

Abstract: A method for charging a battery includes coupling an electrical device in a circuit between the battery and an electrical power source. The electrical device having on and off states that are mechanically different. The method includes charging the battery by setting the electrical device to the on state, measuring current flowing through contacts of the electrical device while in the on state, determining current as a function of time flowing through the contacts of the electrical device, using the current as a function of time as a variable in a thermal model based on heating of the contacts and cooling of the contacts, determining by the thermal model a predicted temperature of the contacts based on the current as a function of time and the heating and cooling of the contacts and controlling the on and off state of the electrical device based on the predicted temperature.

Abstract: A system and method to aid in guidance, navigation and control of a guided projectile including a precision guidance munition assembly is provided. The system and method obtain raw position data during flight of the guided projectile, the raw position data including a plurality of position data points from the guiding sensor for determining positions of the guided projectile, establish a window including a portion of the plurality of position data points, smooth the portion of the plurality of position data points in the window, and determine a reduced noise position estimate of the guided projectile, based, at least in part, on the smoothed portion of the plurality of position data points in the window. The system and method may determine a velocity estimate of the guided projectile and predict an impact point of the guided projectile relative to a target.

Abstract: A control system for assisting a pilot to control an aircraft operating under control of an active inceptor, the control system comprising: a receiver for receiving pilot-inputs on an active inceptor; an instruction generator to generate an instruction, the instruction based on an external signal associated with the geographical location of the aircraft; a tactile cue generator to generates a tactile cue which causes the active inceptor to move from a nominal position to a first offset position within a predetermined time period in response to the instruction.

Abstract: A optical apparatus to display an image to a user is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an image source to generate an image bearing light beam having a first numerical aperture; and a diffuser screen. The diffuser screen is configured to increase the numerical aperture of the image bearing light beam to a second numerical aperture. The diffuser screen comprises a first part comprising: a first face and second face substantially parallel to each other, a first array of a plurality of waveguides forming an optical path between the first face and the second face. A value of an optical property of each of the plurality of waveguides is selected randomly from a set of values of the optical property. The first array of a plurality of waveguides is arranged such that each of the plurality of waveguides has an optical axis that is substantially parallel to it's nearest neighbour.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system for intercepting a rogue drone, the system comprising: a broad-angle electromagnetic radiation emitter for illuminating a cone of sky with coded electromagnetic radiation; and an air vehicle. The air vehicle comprises: an electromagnetic radiation detector for receiving coded electromagnetic radiation reflected from a rogue drone operating in the cone of sky, the detector comprising a notch filter for selecting the coded electromagnetic radiation and for disregarding light from other sources; and a controller for determining the position of the rogue drone based on the received coded electromagnetic radiation. The present invention also provides an air vehicle for intercepting a rogue drone and a method of intercepting a rogue drone.

Abstract: An apparatus that allows for access to any and all registers of a central processing unit in a line replaceable unit (LRU) without a need to open the housing of the LRU is provided. The apparatus may receive write or read packets from an external device and relay the same to an LRU. The apparatus may receive state information from one or more registers of the LRU in response. The apparatus may transmit or transfer the state information to an external device. The apparatus may be used to update firmware in the LRU, for diagnostics or testing.

Abstract: A laser transmission assembly for shearography and related systems utilizing transmissive geometric phase plate pairs in place of Risley prism pairs or movable mirrors therein. Transmissive geometric phase plates provide for a system that is more compact than systems utilizing mirrors or Risley prism pairs while maintaining or improving the adjustability of the system and further offering beamshaping to provide desired illumination patterns.

Abstract: There is disclosed a rotorcraft comprising: an array of lift devices supported at a structure; a first group of the lift devices configured to generate thrust in a first common direction; a second group of the lift devices being tilted or tiltable relative to the first group of devices so as to generate thrust in at least a second common direction; and a flight control system.

Abstract: The system and method for a scalable optically pumped CO2 laser. The optically pumped CO2 laser having a Tm fiber laser configured to pump a Q-switched Ho laser that is configured to pump a molecular isotopologue mix of CO2 above atmospheric pressure, to produce a broadband, high energy, tunable output beam.

Abstract: A multi-bit, asynchronous e-fuse macro, the macro comprising: the following inputs: an input output enable, a power on reset, a write address, an input write enable, a ground clamp enable, and a write clock; a plurality of e-fuse bits; a supply voltage configured to allow programming at least one of the e-fuse bits; at least one fuse output; and self-timing and control circuitry configured to perform signaling, wherein each of the inputs is in electrical communication with said e-fuse macro.

Abstract: The system and method of retractable solar arrays for underwater vehicles. In some cases, the retractable solar arrays for underwater vehicles contain anti-biofouling mechanisms. The retractable solar arrays may extend in a linear or a fan-like manner. In some cases, the solar array may be wrapped around the outside of the underwater vehicle or within a cylindrical housing. In some cases the solar array is a single flexible member with a series of connected panels.