Abstract: A thermodynamic apparatus (10) comprising a compressor module (100), a turbine module (200), and a regenerative heat exchanger (300) centred on a central axis (12). The compressor module (100), turbine module (200) and regenerative heat exchanger (300) are arranged in series along the central axis (12) such that the regenerative heat exchanger (300) is provided between the compressor module (100) and the turbine module (200).

Abstract: A method of producing a component part (202, 204) of an aircraft airframe (200), the method comprising: providing a first digital model, the first digital model being a digital model of the component part (202, 204); producing an initial physical part using the first digital model; measuring a surface of the initial physical part; creating a second digital model using the measurements of the surface of the initial physical part, the second digital model being a digital model of the initial physical part; specifying one or more fastener holes (606) in the second digital model; and drilling one or more fastener holes (606) in the initial physical part using the second digital model with the one or more fastener holes specified therein, thereby producing the component part (202, 204) of an aircraft airframe (200).

Abstract: According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an object for moving through a fluid, the object comprising: an outer housing, arranged to be exposed to a hydrostatic pressure exerted by the fluid; a strain gauge, arranged to obtain an indication of the hydrostatic pressure, wherein a first part of the strain gauge is arranged to be in contact with the outer housing, such that the strain gauge is arranged to obtain an indication of the hydrostatic pressure by obtaining an indication of the strain on the housing.

Abstract: In some examples, a method for determining a communication structure to communicatively link a set of delivery unmanned aerial vehicles, UAVs, with a base unit, the communication structure defined by a minimum number of communication UAVs positioned relative to a set of delivery routes of the delivery UAVs at multiple transitory static positions, wherein a communication UAV at a transitory static position supports a communication region, comprises determining a subset of delivery UAVs outside of a communication region of a first communication UAV at a first transitory static position, the subset of delivery UAVs representing a number of unsupported delivery UAVs that are not communicatively linked, via the first communication UAV, to the base unit supplementing the number of communication UAVs with a second communication UAV, and selecting a second transitory static position for the second communication UAV, the second transitory static position minimising a metric representing a number of unsupported deliver

Abstract: According to the present disclosure there is provided a transmitter unit for providing power and data to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the transmitter unit comprising: a free-space optical transmitter configured to generate and transmit a combined free-space optical beam comprising a power beam and a data beam; and a controller for controlling generation and transmission of the combined free-space optical beam by the free-space optical transmitter. Also disclosed is a receiver unit mountable on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for receiving power and data at the UAV, the receiver unit comprising an optical receiver configured to receive at least a portion of a combined free space optical beam comprising a power beam and a data beam, the receiver unit configured to convert the received power beam portion into local electrical power and convert the received data beam portion into one or more data signals.

Abstract: There is disclosed a fluid sensor for measuring the pressure of a fluid, the fluid sensor comprising: a surface; a recess formed at the surface, the recess being configured to affect the pressure of the fluid flowing at the recess, at least one ambient sensor port for measuring ambient fluid pressure at the surface, and at least one recess sensor port for measuring the fluid pressure at the recess.

Abstract: A dynamic light source for a display is disclosed. The dynamic light source comprises a first light source located inside a first device; and a second light source. The first device is configured to allow light from the first light source to exit the first device in a first cone of angles and to reflect light incident outside the cone of angles back towards the first light source. The first device is configured such that injected light from the second light source is reflected by the first light source in a second cone of angles substantially coincident with the first cone of angles and that light output by the first device from the second light source is attenuated more than light output by the first light source, and an amount of attenuation is based on an intended dynamic power range of the dynamic light source.

Abstract: A mount for adjusting a mounting plane is disclosed. The mount comprises a first adjustable device, a second adjustable device and a third adjustable device. A first intersection between the first adjustable device and the second adjustable device forming a first principal axis and a second intersection between the second adjustable device and the third adjustable device forming a second principal axis substantially perpendicular to the first principal axis. The first adjustable device, second adjustable device and third adjustable device rigidly coupled together. The first adjustable device is configurable to be adjusted in a first translational degree of freedom, and substantially constrain the first adjustable device in remaining translational degrees of freedom, wherein adjustment of the first adjustable device in the first translational degree of freedom causes a rotation of the mounting plane about the second principal axis.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of triggering an explosive charge of each of a plurality of munitions, the method comprising: launching a first munition, into the air, from a first gun barrel, and into water to engage with a target location, the first munition comprising a first explosive charge and a first fuze system, adapted to trigger the first explosive charge in the water, launching a second munition, into the air, from a second gun barrel, and into water to engage with the target location, the second munition comprising an second explosive charge and a second fuze system, adapted to trigger the second explosive charge in the water, the method comprising co-ordinating the timing of the triggering of the first explosive charge and the second explosive charge to establish a co-ordinated explosive event at the target location.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a head pose of a user are described. Images captured by a head-mounted camera worn by the user are received, the images comprising captured markers, wherein each captured marker is one of a plurality of markers on a surface that are in the FOV of the head-mounted camera. Stored markers having a predetermined orientation and corresponding to each captured marker are identified from a database, the stored markers comprising coordinates for its corresponding surface marker. An orientation of the captured marker relative to its corresponding stored marker is calculated and the stored marker is obtained. Based on the stored marker and the orientation, an absolute pose of each marker is determined. Based on the absolute pose of each marker, the head pose of the user relative to the surface is calculated.

Abstract: A combiner assembly for a ceiling mounted projection head up display system for an aircraft cabin has an optical combiner (10), and a support mechanism (30, 32, 35) for supporting the optical combiner to be movable between an operational position and a stowage position, above the user, and laterally displaced, and facing an underside of the projector assembly by means of a lateral component of movement and a rotation component to reach the stowage position under the projector assembly (20). Such a two axis movement can make better use of limited headroom in cabins such as those of small aircraft, by enabling a stowage location offset to one side of the line of sight, while providing sufficient clearance from the user's head and from cabin structure, during the movement and/or when in the storage position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cast explosive composition, particularly to a pre-cure castable explosive composition comprising an explosive material, a polymerisable binder, a microencapsulated cross linking reagent, said microencapsulated cross linking reagent, comprising a cross linking agent encapsulated in a microcapsule.

Abstract: There is disclosed a rotorcraft comprising: an array of lift devices; a pilot housing; connecting lines attaching the pilot housing to the array of lift devices; and an actuator interface at the pilot housing such that the pilot can 5 steer the rotorcraft.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cast explosive composition. A process for formulating a homogenous crosslinked polymer bonded explosive composition comprising the steps of: i) forming an admixture of precure castable explosive composition, comprising an explosive material, a polymerisable binder, and a cross linking reagent which comprises at least two reactive groups each of which is protected by a labile blocking group, wherein the labile blocking groups, comprise at least one resonant acoustic mixing stimulus labile linkage, ii) applying resonant acoustic mixing stimulus to the admixture, causing the at least one resonant acoustic mixing stimulus labile linkage to be removed and release said cross linking reagent, to cause the cure process to start.

Abstract: A network, or part thereof for example a link, 1 is described. The network 1 is for data communication through a medium, preferably wherein the medium comprises and/or is, at least in part, a liquid medium LM. The network 1 comprises a set of transmitters 11, including a first transmitter 11A comprising a controller 110A, wherein the first transmitter 11A is configured to transmit a set of polarised optical signals S, including a first polarised optical signal S1 comprising first data D1 of set of data D. The network 1 comprises a set of receivers 12, including a first receiver 12A comprising a controller 120A, wherein the first receiver 12A is configured to receive the first polarised optical signal S1.

Abstract: A method of fabricating, at least in part, an article from a precursor thereof, the method comprising: providing the precursor, wherein the precursor comprises a metal having a closed pore therein; and hot isostatic pressing, HIPing, the precursor at an Nth temperature of a set of temperatures, at an Nth pressure of a set of pressures and for an Nth duration of a set of durations, thereby fabricating, at least in part, the article; wherein HIPing the precursor comprises regulating the set of temperatures, the set of pressures and/or the set of durations to control, at least in part, a morphology of the closed pore.

Abstract: An electroacoustic transducer 400 is described. The electroacoustic transducer 400 comprises an active element 410. The electroacoustic transducer 400 comprises an acoustic coupling layer 430 arranged to acoustically couple, in use, the active element 410 to a transmission medium. The electroacoustic transducer 400 further comprises a cavity 420 arranged between the active element 410 and the acoustic coupling layer 430 to receive a fluid. In this way, acoustic coupling of the electroacoustic transducer 400 and the transmission medium is improved.

Abstract: A fabrication fixture suitable for retaining a workpiece. The fabrication fixture includes a first housing having a plurality of reversibly connected modular subsections and a plurality of independently adjustable supports. A second housing has a plurality of reversibly connected modular subsections and a plurality of independently adjustable supports. In use, the first and second housings at least in part envelop the workpiece such that the independently adjustable supports retain the workpiece within the first and second housings, so as to allow the retained workpiece to be moved. A method of moving a workpiece is also disclosed.

Abstract: A tracking system for use with a head mounted display on a watercraft is disclosed. The tracking system comprises: optical tracking circuitry to determine first tracking information of the head mounted display using optical tracking means; non-optical circuitry to determine second tracking information of the head mounted display using non-optical tracking means; and correction circuitry to determine an updated tracking information of the head mounted display based on the first tracking information and the second tracking information. The selection of at least the optical tracking means or non-optical tracking means to use to determine the first tracking information and the second tracking information is based on a location of the head mounted display.

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.