Abstract: A nuclear fission reactor system (10) which comprises a nuclear reactor unit (12) having a fuel block (400) with a central axis (402) extending along the length of the fuel block (400) between a first surface (412) and a second surface (422). The fuel block (400) defines a plurality of fuel assembly chambers (404) which extend from an inlet opening (410) on the first surface (412) of the fuel block (400) to an outlet opening (420) on a second surface (422) of the fuel block (400). There are also provided a plurality of fuel assemblies (100). Each fuel assembly (100) comprises a fuel compact (200) which defines a flow passage (202) running from a flow inlet (204) provided at a first end (206) of the fuel compact (200) to a flow outlet (208) provided at a second end (210) of the fuel compact (200), the passage (202) defining an internal surface (222) of the fuel compact (200).

Abstract: A laser weapon countermeasure device is described. The laser weapon countermeasure device comprises a sealed capsule having a filler disposed therein. The filler comprises either: a reflective particulate metal; or a precursor for a reflective metal or reflective metal alloy. The capsule is configured to burst in air such that the filler disperses into an aerosol. A countermeasure launcher and a vehicle comprising a countermeasure launcher are also described.

Abstract: According to the present disclosure there is provided a switch for controlling electrical power supplied by a power source to an electronic safe and arm unit, ESAU, the switch comprising: a contact assembly arrangement comprising a contact assembly of a first type movable from a first arrangement defining a first switch state to a second arrangement defining a second switch state; and an actuator configured to act on the contact assembly of the first type to cause said movement of the contact assembly, wherein the actuator is configured to act on the contact assembly of the first type under the influence of centrifugal force caused by rotation of the switch.

Abstract: According to the present disclosure there is provided an active acoustic control system for controlling an acoustic signal propagating along a propagation path, the system comprising: an active control unit configured to: receive information from a first sensor arrangement, the information related to the acoustic signal propagating along the propagation path; generate a control signal for controlling the acoustic signal based on the information from the first sensor arrangement, by being arranged to control: a first control source arrangement comprising a finite 2D array of first control sources for generating a first control signal for controlling a first component of the acoustic signal.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a modular muzzle brake assembly for an artillery weapon or cannon. The modular muzzle brake assembly comprises a plurality of modules configured to be releasably coupled together to define a passage for a projectile such that, when the artillery weapon or cannon is fired, propellant gas urges the projectile to pass through the passage. The plurality of modules include a plurality of baffles configured to divert at least a portion of the propellant gas in the passage. The present disclosure also relates to a kit of parts for a modular muzzle brake assembly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to shell and tube heat exchangers, specifically to compact heat exchangers without the need for a tube sheet. There is provided a shell and tube heat exchanger having an outer shell and a series of heat exchange tubes located therein, said shell comprising a shell side fluid inlet and a shell side fluid outlet for transfer of a first fluid, said tubes, capable in use of permitting flow of a second fluid, said tubes comprising a first end and second end, wherein said tubes are arranged such that they are touching, forming a hypocycloidal enclosure gap, which provides a path for the transfer of said first fluid, wherein said tubes comprise a first region of reduced diameter located proximate to said shell side fluid inlet nozzle and second region of reduced diameter located proximate shell side fluid outlet nozzle, to allow said first fluid to form a flow path through said hypocycloidial enclosure gap.

Abstract: An artillery weapon (10) comprising a carriage (100) and an ordnance (200) having a barrel (202) operable to travel between an in-battery position and an out-of-battery position. The artillery weapon (10) further comprises a multifunction cylinder (300) mounted to, and moveable with the ordnance (200). The multifunction cylinder (300) comprises a regulator unit (302) comprising a fluid housing (304) for retaining a working fluid (306), the fluid housing (304) being in fluid communication with a buffer system (308), the buffer system (308) configured to deliver fluid to, and receive fluid from, the fluid housing (304) in response to the barrel (202) moving relative to the carriage (100). The regulator unit fluid housing (304) is in fluid communication with a hydraulic accumulator chamber (310) via a first flow aperture (312). There is also provided an accumulator piston (314) provided in, and operable to move along the accumulator chamber (310).

Abstract: A self-propelled gun system (10) defining a recoil mitigation system (100). It comprises a chassis (200); a gun barrel (300) and a chassis suspension system (400) comprising a first wheel arm (402) extending away from the chassis (200) to a first wheel (404), the first wheel (404) being rotatably mounted on the first wheel arm (402), the first wheel (404) configured for engagement with a support surface (500). The first wheel arm (402) and first wheel (404) are configured to support the chassis (200) a distance (Dz) apart from the support surface (500). The recoil mitigation system (100) is operable such that a maximum recoil damping distance (Dz_max) of the chassis (200) from the support surface (500) in the z-axis for a gun firing condition is controlled to be set according to a predetermined relationship by pivoting the first wheel arm (402) relative to the z-axis.

Abstract: According to the present disclosure there is provided an active acoustic control system for controlling an acoustic signal propagating along a propagation path, the system comprising: an active control unit configured to: receive information from a first sensor arrangement, the information related to the acoustic signal propagating along the propagation path; generate a control signal for controlling the acoustic signal based on the information from the first sensor arrangement, by being arranged to independently control: a first control source arrangement for generating a first control signal to control a first component of the acoustic signal; and a second control source arrangement for generating a second control signal to control a second component of the acoustic signal.

Abstract: A method of training a machine learning, ML, algorithm, is described. The method is implemented, at least in part, by a computer comprising a processor and a memory. The method comprises: providing training data comprising a set of audio signals, including a first audio signal, as respective bitstreams, corresponding with respective sets of watercraft (S501); training the ML algorithm using the provided training data comprising detecting the respective sets of watercraft and classifying the detected respective sets of watercraft according to a set of classes, including a first class, based, at least in part, on a set of labels, including a first label, wherein the set of labels relates to propeller, propulsor, prime mover and/or submerged equipment associated with watercraft (S502).

Abstract: A Laser Designator Pod (LDP) protective system, the LDP protective system comprising: a protective hood a laser detector arranged within the protective hood to generate a signal when exposed to laser radiation within a predefined range of wavelengths; and a computing device to record the generated signal.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a mobile gun system. The mobile gun system comprises a chassis and a gun barrel mounted to the chassis such that when a projectile is fired from the gun barrel a recoil force causes recoil movement of the chassis. The mobile gun system further comprises a braking system for retarding the recoil movement of the chassis due to the recoil force from the firing of the projectile from the gun barrel. The mobile gun system further comprises a controller configured to control the braking system to retard said recoil movement of the chassis after a peak loading condition due to the firing of the projectile has passed. The present disclosure also relates to a method of operating a mobile gun system.

Abstract: A controller for an unmanned vehicle is described. The controller comprises: a receiver for receiving a deconflicted route from a deconfliction engine, the deconflicted route comprising at least one waypoint; a first communications interface for enabling electrical communication between the controller and a corresponding communications interface on an unmanned vehicle; and a processor. The processor is configured to: receive the current position of the unmanned vehicle; generate a vehicle control signal for instructing the unmanned vehicle to perform a manoeuvre which moves the unmanned vehicle from its current position to the at least one waypoint; and transmit the vehicle control signal to the unmanned vehicle through the first communications interface. An unmanned vehicle, a system and method of controlling an unmanned vehicle are also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a battery management module, for interconnecting at least one battery and at least one charger, the battery management module having at least one battery monitoring hardware element. The battery management module arranged to charge and monitor a battery in a safety critical environment. The battery management module comprises: at least one safety parameter monitoring hardware element, each element generating a respective monitor output; and a hardware logic unit arranged to receive the respective monitor output and calculate a state output indicative of a state of a charger; wherein the hardware logic unit is configured to determine an operational status of the charger based on the output.

Abstract: In some examples, a method for generating a set of slot activation configurations for a holographic radial line slot antenna array comprising multiple slots defining a preconfigured slot pattern, each slot activation configuration defining a beam pattern for a signal to be emitted by the antenna, comprises generating a measure for the mutual coupling between the multiple slots in the presence of a signal to be applied to the antenna, the measure comprising a set of scattering parameters defining a scattering matrix for the antenna, using the measure for the mutual coupling, generating a set of impedance parameters for the array, controlling the resonance of at least one of the multiple slots by regulating a value of capacitance of a variable capacitance device provided across the slot, measuring a value for antenna gain of a beam pattern associated with the value of capacitance, selecting a final value of capacitance resulting in the highest measure of gain for the beam pattern, and selecting a slot activatio

Abstract: An active vibration control system includes an electromagnetic actuator; a magnetic element; and a solenoid, the electromagnetic actuator being operable to apply a force on a base structure to which the active vibration control system is attachable such that vibrations of the base structure are actively controllable by the application of said force, wherein the electromagnetic actuator is operable to cause movement of the magnetic element through the solenoid and the solenoid is operable to apply a force on the magnetic element.

Abstract: A suspension system (400) for supporting a chassis (200) of a vehicle (100). The suspension system (400) comprises a suspension unit (442). The suspension unit (442) comprises a wheel arm assembly (444) comprising a first wheel arm (402) having a chassis mount end (410) and a wheel mount end (412). The chassis mount end (410) of the first wheel arm (402) is provided with a chassis mounting member (414), the chassis mount end (410) of the first wheel arm (402) and chassis mounting member (414) being pivotable relative to one another around a chassis mount pivoting axis (230). The chassis mounting member (414) is configured to support the chassis mount end (410) of the first wheel arm (402) so that the first wheel arm (402) and chassis mounting member (414) are operable to pivot 180 degrees relative to one another about the chassis mount pivoting axis (230).

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of training a machine learning, ML algorithm to control spin-stabilized steerable projectiles is described. The method comprises: obtaining training data including respective policies and corresponding trajectories of a set of spin-stabilized steerable projectiles including a first projectile, wherein each policy relates to steering a projectile of the set thereof towards a target and wherein each corresponding trajectory comprises a series of states in a state space of the projectile (S2001); and training the ML algorithm comprising determining relationships between the respective policies and corresponding trajectories of the projectiles of the set thereof based on respective results of comparing the trajectories and the targets (S2002).

Abstract: A robot cell, having a cell floor defining an array of nodes corresponding with a predetermined two-dimensional coordinate system and defining a volume for receiving a workpiece W therein, is described. The robot cell comprises: a set of robots, including a first robot, having respective bases, end effectors and working envelopes and defining respective three-dimensional coordinate systems, located according to the array of nodes; a set of detectors, including a first detector, configured to detect respective locations and/or bearings of the set of robots; a set of sensors, including a first sensor, configured to sense respective poses of the set of robots; and a controller, communicatively coupled to the set of robots and to the set of detectors, configured to control movement of the set of robots using the detected respective locations and/or bearings of the set of robots.

Abstract: An image generation system and method for displaying an Augmented Reality “AR” image of a real-world environment having one of more objects located therein and one or more AR objects each corresponding to a respective object, the system comprising: a display on which the image of the real-world environment and the AR objects are displayed; a processing and control module configured to: receive, from one or more sensors, data relating to the real-world environment and objects therein; create the one or more AR objects from the objects by determining additional information relating to the object which is represented by at least one of symbols, annotations and fonts to be attached to the AR object to act as a displayed component: displaying the AR image comprising the real-world image and one or more AR objects; wherein the AR objects once created are stored for future retrieval based on a unique identifier for the AR object which remains active as long as the object is of interest.