Abstract: A watercraft system (10). The watercraft system (10) comprises a submarine or a submersible configured to be submerged in water. The submarine or submersible have an external hull (12) which defines a hull outer surface (20). There is provided a releasable mounting system (100) for carrying a payload unit (202, 204) external to the hull outer surface (20). The releasable mounting system (100) is operable to release the payload unit (202, 204) from the hull (12). The watercraft system (10) further comprises a payload unit (202, 204) which is neutrally buoyant.

Abstract: There is provided a method for determining an intended orientation and/or position of a user's head when the orientation of the user's head is being changed involuntarily by vibratory or buffeting forces transmitted through the user's body from a point of contact of the user's body with said forces.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a control system for a vehicle, comprising: at least one compressor arranged to generate compressed fluid having a massflow rate; at least one fluidic control effector in fluidic communication with the at least one compressor and arranged to change the direction of travel of the vehicle when the compressed fluid is incident on the at least one fluidic control effector; a dump duct for expelling excess compressed fluid not delivered to the at least one fluidic control effector out of the vehicle; a dump valve for controlling the massflow rate of compressed fluid delivered to the dump duct; and a controller electrically coupled to the dump valve and configured to adjust the dump valve. The present disclosure also relates to an aircraft having the control system and a method of controlling a vehicle.

Abstract: A projector for use in a head-up or head-worn display is described. The projector comprises a display source, an output screen, and a variable aperture assembly. The variable aperture assembly is positioned on an optical axis between the display source and the output screen and is adjustable to change a geometry (e.g. size and/or shape) of an aperture that is aligned with the optical axis and thereby change the efficiency of the optical train of the projector. The geometry that is changed may be a physical geometry or an effective geometry.

Abstract: There is provided an ammunition belt link comprising, a sprung wire, said sprung wire arranged to form a first receiving portion suitable for retaining a first ammunition cartridge, a second receiving portion suitable for retaining a second ammunition cartridge, a spacer between said first receiving and second receiving portions; and an ammunition cartridge locator aide, said aide locates in an ejector groove of a received cartridge.

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 using a set of targets disposed on and/or in the cell floor; 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: A laser controller with backscatter detection includes an electromagnetic radiation source operable to transmit radiation into the environment, a backscatter detector operable to detect backscattered radiation from the environment, and a processor operable to generate a laser control signal based on characteristics of the detected backscattered radiation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting a modulating element of an object are described in which signal values are obtained from one or more optical detectors. A determination is made if there is a time dependent variation in the obtained signal values at the one or more optical detector and a modulating element is detected based on the determination.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided an anti torpedo system, suitable for use on a ship, comprising operably linked; a combat management system comprising a high frequency hull mounted sonar, to determine the current positon and track (depth and underwater trajectory) of a torpedo, a plurality of (direct fire) munitions, each comprising an ogive portion terminating with a water drag reduction element, an energetic payload and a programmable fuze for initiating said payload, an auto-fuze setting system, for setting the time of initiation of the programmable fuze, and a gun management system for: receiving the current position and track of said torpedo from the combat management system, and aiming and firing of said munitions, based on the received position and track of the torpedo, such as to cause each fired munition to arrive at or proximate to said torpedo and to cause detonation of the payload.

Abstract: In some examples, a computer-implemented method for generating a pipe layout for a platform comprises receiving design data representing a pipe geometry defining an initial pipe layout, generating, using the design data, geometry data representing a set of pipework runs comprising at least one pipe section for the pipe layout, a pipe section defined by a conduit comprising a point of ingress for the conduit in fluid communication with a point of egress for the conduit, determining, using the design data, a set of pipe layout features, generating, using the geometry data, an editable simulated pipe layout, receiving data representing at least one of a component for the editable simulated pipe layout, an annotation for the editable simulated pipe layout, an additional pipework run, and a corrected pipework run, and generating, using the editable simulated pipe layout, output layout data defining the pipe layout for the platform.

Abstract: A rotor unit assembly includes a rotor unit having a chamber and a rotor located within the chamber. The rotor has a piston which extends radially outward from the main body of the rotor; and a valve flange with an aperture. The rotor unit further comprises a rotatable hub, with a cavity configured to receive the piston. The rotor unit further comprises a first low pressure port provided in a path described by the piston; a first high pressure port positioned in a path described by the valve flange aperture around the clearance volume; and a second high pressure port positioned in a path described by the cavity around the hub axis.

Abstract: A system comprises a camera for capturing an image, at least one processor and at least one memory, the at least one memory storing instructions configured to cause the processor to: obtain an image of a scene captured using the camera, the scene comprising a footprint of a user of the system; identify the footprint in the image; identify a first plurality of reference points each having a fixed position relative to the footprint in the image; identify a second plurality of reference points each having a fixed position relative to a three-dimensional model of the user's foot constructed based on at least one known dimension of the user's foot; determine a transformation matrix by mapping the second plurality of reference points of the three-dimensional model to the first plurality of reference points; and determine, based on the transformation matrix, a three-dimensional position of the camera relative to the footprint in the scene at the time of capturing the image.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improvements in the active welding helmets, specifically for providing welding information to the user. There is provided an active welding helmet for a user welding components, comprising a welding helmet, wherein the helmet comprises at least one operational parameter monitor, operably linked to an indicator, wherein said indicator provides an output stimulus to the user related to an operational parameter.

Abstract: According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reconnaissance and communication assembly, adapted to be launched from a gun barrel into the air over a body of water. The assembly comprises a carrier (with a cavity) and a payload (within the cavity). The payload is arranged to be controllably expelled from the carrier and once expelled from the carrier, the payload is adapted to enter the water; and the payload transmits a signal after entering the water.

Abstract: An antenna 300 comprising a housing 310 with an internal cavity 315. The cavity 315 holds an adjustable amount of electrically conductive liquid, and a twin-conductor feedline 350 connects the antenna 300 to a receiving and/or transmitting device. The conductive liquid in the cavity 315 of the antenna housing 310 acts as a first element and receives/transmits signals from/to the first feedline conductor, whilst the second feedline conductor is attached to electrical ground 320.

Abstract: A method of producing a shim for use in an aircraft, the method comprising: providing an aircraft airframe; measuring a surface of the airframe; creating a digital model of the airframe using those measurements; providing an aircraft skin; measuring a surface of the aircraft skin; creating a digital model of the aircraft skin using those measurements; digitally assembling the digital model of the airframe with the digital model of the aircraft skin; using the digitally assembled models, creating a digital model of a shim, the digital model of the shim substantially filling a gap between the digitally assembled digital models of the airframe and the skin; and producing a physical shim using the digital model of the shim.

Abstract: A structural damper (2) having an acoustic black hole (5), at least one sensor (7), a damper structure (4), an actuator (8) configured to apply an actuating force to the damper structure (4) and a controller (H) configured to control the actuator in dependence on a signal from the at least one sensor so as to provide structural damping of a primary structure (3).

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: 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: In some examples, a non-incendiary tracer projectile structure for housing an electrically powered illumination source comprises a jacket comprising a generally pointed forward end and a generally blunt rearward end defining a rear opening, an internal retaining structure disposed towards the rearward end of the jacket to support a protective window that is transparent to a selected electromagnetic wavelength, wherein a portion of the rearward end of the jacket tapers in a radially inward direction whereby to define a circumferential narrowing of the rear opening so configured as to mechanically protect the internal retaining structure.