Abstract: Apparatus for a Directed-Energy Weapon An apparatus for a directed-energy weapon comprises: an assessment system arranged to, during an assessment phase, perform an assessment of a target environment, wherein the target environment comprises a target, and the assessment comprises determining a possible engagement efficiency of the target by the directed-energy weapon; and a controller arranged to, during an engaging phase, control the directed-energy weapon to direct energy towards the target environment conditionally upon the possible engagement efficiency.

Abstract: There is provided an arming apparatus for a store, the apparatus comprising: a first attachment system and a second attachment system; a linking connector coupled with the first attachment system and the second attachment system; and an arming connector coupled with the linking connector and a first fuze input of the store; wherein each of the first attachment system and the second attachment system comprises: an arming unit; a first frangible connector coupled with the arming unit and the linking connector; and a second frangible connector coupled with the linking connector and the store.

Abstract: Disclosed is an unmanned Aerial Vehicle, UAV, comprising a plurality of rotors, a camera and an explosive payload, wherein the UAV comprises a generally elongate body, and the camera and the payload are arranged substantially in-line within the body.

Abstract: A vehicle control system (110) for use with at least one fluidic control effector (102) for a vehicle, the vehicle control system (110) comprising a controller (110), wherein the controller is configured to: receive a vehicle control input indicating a demanded vehicle manoeuvre, wherein the input is further configured to receive condition data; determine a fluid mass-flow for the at least one fluid control effector based on the received vehicle control input and the condition data, wherein the relationship between the fluid mass-flow and the vehicle control input is substantially non-linear; and output data relating to the determined fluid mass-flow to effect the demanded vehicle manoeuvre, wherein the fluid mass-flow is determined to provide a substantially linear relationship between the vehicle control input and the effected demanded vehicle manoeuvre.

Abstract: A vehicle surface 30, preferably wherein the vehicle is an aircraft, is described. The vehicle surface 30 comprises thereon and/or therein a set of retroreflectors 300, including a first retroreflector 300A, configured to reflect, at least in part, incident hostile light towards a source thereof.

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: 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. 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 transmits a signal.

Abstract: A folded optical arrangement for use in a view-through display to transmit an image from an image source to a user's eye, the arrangement providing a folded optical transmission path and comprising: an optical system having a first optical element comprising a first plurality of optically powered surfaces; and a second optical element comprising at least one optically powered surface, the optical system configured to receive light forming the image from an image source, and to present a virtual image of the image source to the user with an apparent focus between a predetermined distance and optical infinity; wherein the first plurality of optically powered surfaces and the at least one optically powered surface of the second optical element are arranged to define a plurality of interfaces along the folded optical path and wherein a refractive index change at each interface is predetermined to control the direction of light passing through the or each interface; and wherein one surface of the first optical ele

Abstract: There is provided a method for fabricating a waveguide master grating imprint tool. The method comprises: coating a substrate with at least one photoresist layer; selectively exposing a first diffraction grating master profile onto a first area of the at least one photoresist layer; selectively exposing a second diffraction grating master profile onto a second area of the at least one photoresist layer; and processing the substrate to form the first diffraction grating master profile and the second diffraction grating master profile.

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: 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 multi-aperture free-space optical communications receiver comprises a plurality of telescopes each having a clear objective aperture with a diameter between 50 mm and 250 mm and arranged for receiving light collectively from an optical communications light source. A coherent combiner unit is configured for coherently combining the collectively received light to produce a combined optical signal therewith. Each telescope is arranged in association with, respectively, a wavefront detector to determine a wavefront of said received light directed to it by the respective telescope, a steerable reflector unit including a deformable mirror controllable to deform according to said determined wavefront such that said received light is reflected by the deformable mirror with a modified wavefront, and an optical signal receiver comprising a single-mode optical fibre.

Abstract: A hybrid coupler for dividing an input electrical signal to produce first and second output electrical signals which are substantially out of phase, the hybrid coupler including an input port for receiving the input electrical signal, and an input line for coupling the input electrical signal to a slotline. The hybrid coupler further includes an output line for coupling the first and second output electrical signals to a first output port and a second output port, respectively. The output line has a junction with the slotline. The hybrid coupler further includes a co-planar waveguide electrically connected to said output line and having a first end and an opposing second end, and defining, at the second end, a sum port configured to divert common mode signals received at said first and second output ports to said second end. The slotline transitions into the first end of the co-planar waveguide.

Abstract: A packer for application to an aircraft airframe, the packer comprising: a sheet of material having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface; and a plurality of voids defined through the sheet of material from the first surface to the second surface, thereby to provide that the sheet of material is flexible. The sheet of material may define a frame and a plurality of struts extending from one side of the frame to an opposite side of the frame. The frame and the struts may define, at least in part, the voids.

Abstract: An airborne redirection unit (ARU), for deflecting an RF energy beam, the ARU comprising: A canopy comprising a surface for slowing the rate of descent, A beam director supported at the canopy, the ARU being configured to focus the RF energy beam.

Abstract: An equipment enclosure (1) for electromagnetically isolating an electronic device, the equipment enclosure 1 comprising a conductive housing (3) and a plurality of conductive sheets (5). Each sheet (5) includes an aperture (7). The sheets (5) are stacked in a spaced-apart relationship within the housing (3) thereby defining a plurality of electromagnetically-isolated cavities (9) each within a respective Faraday cage formed by the conductive housing (3) and the conductive sheets (5). The apertures (7) form a channel (11) that extends through the enclosure (1) providing a route for connections between the cavities (9).

Abstract: A system for robot and human collaboration. The system comprises: a multi-axis robot; one or more torque sensors, each torque sensor being configured to measure a torque about a respective axis of the multi-axis robot; and a controller configured to: receive one or more torque measurements taken by the one or more torque sensors; compare the one or more torque measurements or a function of the one or more torque measurements to a threshold value; and control the multi-axis robot based on the comparison.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for pulse charging of a load capacitor, the apparatus comprising: a ferrous cored transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding; a primary circuit connected to the primary winding; a secondary circuit connected to the secondary winding, the secondary circuit comprising the load capacitor; and an uncoupled inductance in the primary circuit or the secondary circuit, the uncoupled inductance reducing the coupling coefficient between the primary circuit and the secondary circuit.

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: Methods and apparatus for detecting a modulating element of an object in a scene are described in which an element in a scene is illuminated with a modulated light source. A signal is obtained from an optical detector based on light received from the illuminated element. An intermediate frequency signal is detected from the signal obtained from the optical detector, the intermediate frequency signal being related to a frequency of the modulated light source and a frequency of modulation of the element within the scene. The modulating element is detected based on the intermediate frequency signal.