Abstract: There is provided a vehicle for protecting an entity against directed-energy weapons, comprising: a housing; and a shield for absorbing or reflecting a laser beam, the shield, in use, extending in a plane from the housing. There is also provided a system of vehicles and a method of coordinating a plurality of vehicles to protect an entity against directed-energy weapons.

Abstract: There is provided a method for fabricating a waveguide. The method comprising fabricating a first master grating tool comprising a first tool substrate having a surface with an area corresponding at least to the area of a surface of the waveguide and having a first grating profile formed over substantially all of the surface of the first tool substrate. Fabricating a second master grating tool comprising a second tool substrate having a surface with an area corresponding at least to the area of the surface of the waveguide and having a second grating profile formed over substantially all of the surface of the second tool substrate. Using the first master grating tool to replicate the first grating profile over substantially all of a surface of a first waveguide substrate. Using the second master grating tool to replicate the second grating profile over substantially all of a surface of a second waveguide substrate.

Abstract: A releasable clamp includes: a first jaw and a second jaw, arrangeable to hold an article therebetween; a spacer, arrangeable to space apart the first and second jaws; and a set of retaining members, arrangeable to space together the first and second jaws. The first and second jaws include a first region for contacting the article, a second region defining a portion of a coupling member, a third region for contacting the spacer, and a fourth region for contacting a respective retaining member of the set of retaining members.

Abstract: An airframe or a part thereof 3, for example a skin assembly or a profile such as a structural profile, comprises: a wall W having an aperture A therethrough, wherein the wall W provides a frame F surrounding, at least in part, the aperture A; a panel P conforming with the aperture A; and wherein the airframe or the part 3 thereof is configurable in: a first configuration, wherein the panel P and the frame F are mutually spaced apart; and a second configuration, wherein the panel P is received in the frame F and wherein the frame F resists movement of the panel P in two or three mutually orthogonal directions.

Abstract: A waveguide for use in a head-up or head-worn display, the waveguide comprising: a prism having an entrance pupil for receiving an image; a plurality of gratings configured to direct illumination through the prism towards first and second semi-reflecting surfaces; wherein the semi-reflecting surfaces each reflect a different amount of illumination towards an exit point to produce an output image.

Abstract: Disclosed is an underwater charging arrangement comprising a first connector coupled to a daughter craft and a second connector coupled to a mother craft, wherein the first and second connectors are arranged to couple underwater to facilitate the transfer of energy from the mother craft to the daughter craft.

Abstract: At least one encoder processor of a simulator data processing system receives simulator data from a plurality of simulators comprising a plurality of video data, including first and second data having different frame rates, and non-audio/visual data, and outputs a respective plurality of compressed video streams. A scheduler of the at least one encoder processor uses frames of the video data to generate scheduled items, specifies a frame rate for capturing the frames, and generates encoded data based on the compressed video streams and the non-audio/visual simulator data. At least one further processor receives, decodes, and processes the encoded data. The at least one further processor executes a media player/renderer application that processes the compressed video streams and displays on the display a plurality of the decoded video data are simultaneously displayed on a display at the specified frame rate, together with information based on the non-audio/visual simulator data.

Abstract: There is provided a user-vehicle interface, comprising: a gesture control system, arranged to sense a gesture of a user of the vehicle; the gesture control system being arranged to process the sensed gesture to control interaction with content on a display, in accordance with that sensed gesture; the vehicle comprising a physical actuator for controlling the vehicle, and the gesture control system is arranged to facilitate interaction with content on the display, when a body part of the user associated with a provision of the gesture is engaged with the actuator.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided an underwater vessel comprising: a body; a thruster operable to produce thrust, wherein the thruster is deployable from the body; an actuator assembly connected to the thruster and operable to deploy the thruster, wherein the actuator assembly is operable to deploy the thruster in a first configuration in which the thruster is oriented to produce a thrust having a vertical component when the thruster is operated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for classifying and/or identifying materials by means of their spectral response to gamma radiation. Classification is carried out by irradiating multiple different samples with gamma radiation, detecting a spectral response in the backscatter direction, sorting the spectral response into energy bands and selecting a combination of energy bands to define a relationship that best distinguishes between clusters of spectral responses for different material classes. Two or more of the energy bands may overlap.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system comprising: a first, underwater, vessel provided with a substantially flat lower surface; and a second, surface, vessel, comprising a floodable well deck arranged to receive and accommodate the first vessel.

Abstract: Apparatus and method suitable for use with a munition According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a fuze arming system for a munition, comprising: an arming circuit arranged to detect a setback event and, in response to the setback event, generate a signal indicating that an arming event has occurred, wherein the arming circuit comprises a sensor configured to produce a graduated output when the setback event occurs, and fuze arming system is arranged to use that graduated output.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of improved ammunition production, particularly to a metal matrix composite(MMC) end cap, suitable for forming a cartridge case, said end cap comprising an admixture of a metal powder, a binder matrix material, wherein said admixture has been caused to solidify in the shape of said end cap.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of improved ammunition production, more specifically to a cellular structure end cap, suitable for an ammunition round, said end cap comprising a porous 3D spatial structure in the shape of said end cap, wherein in said porous 3D spatial structure comprises a surface skin.

Abstract: A system comprising: a substrate; a fixture for receiving the substrate; and four fasteners. The substrate has two axes, and a build surface. The substrate comprises four slots through the substrate from the build surface to an opposite surface. Lengths of first and second slots are aligned along a first axis. The first and second slots are at opposite sides of the build surface to each other. Lengths of the third and fourth slots are aligned along the second axis. The third and fourth slots are at opposite sides of the build surface to each other. The fasteners fit through respective slots. The lengths of the slots are greater than diameters of portions of the fasteners that are positioned through the slots.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an article by fused filament fabrication.

Abstract: A watercraft system (10), wherein the watercraft system (10) is a submarine or a submersible configured to be submerged in water. The watercraft system (10) may comprise: a hull (12) having a longitudinal axis (14) which extends between an aft end (16) and a forward end (18). The hull (12) may comprise at least a first hull module (100) and a second hull module (200). The first hull module (100) may define the aft end (16) and a first interface element (102) which defines a first hull module opening (106). The second hull module (200) may define the forward end (18) and a second interface element (202) which defines a second hull module opening (206). The first interface element (102) and second interface element (202) being configured to couple with each other to form a sealed joint. The first interface element (102) and second interface element (202) may be configured to be uncoupled from one another.

Abstract: A lightweight end cap for an ammunition cartridge, said end cap having a central axis along its axial length, with a first radius; wherein said end cap further comprises a swept volume rebate; having a second radius less than the first radius, wherein the second radius is at least 10% smaller than the first radius, and wherein the swept volume rebate extends along at least 10% of the axial length of said end cap, wherein the end cap further comprises an extractor groove suitable for receiving an ejection mechanism.

Abstract: A method of training a machine learning, ML algorithm to control a watercraft is described. The watercraft is a submarine or a submersible submerged in water. The method is implemented, at least in part, by a computer, comprising a processor and a memory, aboard the watercraft. The method comprises: obtaining training data including respective sets of sensor signals, related to respective deterrents, and corresponding actions of a set of communicatively isolated watercraft, including a first watercraft; and training the ML algorithm comprising determining relationships between the respective sets of sensor signals and the corresponding actions of the watercraft of the set thereof. A method of controlling a watercraft by a trained ML algorithm is also described.