Abstract: A V-band clamp includes first and second clamp sections each having an arcuate shape with a first end, a second end, and inside surface defining a recessed channel. A hinge pivotably connects the second end of the first clamp section to the first end of the second clamp section. At least one fastener is configured to releasably connect the first end of the first clamp section to the second end of the second clamp section in a closed position. When the V-band clamp is in the closed position, each fastener extends through an opening in an end face on the first end of the first clamp section and into a bore in an end face on the second end of the second clamp section.

Abstract: A sensor determines the spin rate or rotation frequency of a munition body of a guided projectile relative to precision guidance munition assembly. The spin rate is used to determine launch velocity of the guided projectile early in flight before GPS is operationally active. The launch velocity is used to determine whether a corrective maneuver is needed to change the range of the guided projectile. Logic can control the canards on the canard assembly in response to the determination that a corrective maneuver is needed.

Abstract: Correlation interferometry direction finding (CIDF) processes that significantly improve processing time and cut memory requirements relative to the current memory requirements are provided herein. The presently disclosed processes further may utilize only the real portion of the correlation coefficient of the RF signal to further increase processing speed and decrease memory requirements while simultaneously improving direction finding accuracy and reducing the number of wild bearings reported.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for vision-based altitude estimation using one or more platform mounted cameras. An embodiment includes generating projected ground imagery of imagery provided by cameras of the platform, the projection based on a hypothesized altitude. The method also includes obtaining reference ground imagery based on the location of the platform, the location based on platform navigation data. The method further includes registering the projected ground imagery to the reference ground imagery and generating a match score associated with the registration. The method further includes selecting the hypothesized altitude as the estimated altitude based on the match score (e.g., if the match score exceeds a threshold value or is maximized over a set of hypothesized altitudes.

Abstract: A guidance kit for a projectile and method for suppressing a point-of-interest (POI) at a desired location away from the POI. The guidance kit includes at least one processor in the guidance kit. The guidance kit also includes a guidance protocol operatively in communication with the guidance kit and the at least one processor and having a set of angular offset modes. The guidance protocol of the guidance kit is configured to guide the projectile to at least one location relative to a desired point-of-interest (POI) upon or in response to activation of at least one angular offset mode of the set of angular offset modes.

Abstract: Correlation interferometry direction finding (CIDF) processes that significantly improve processing time and cut memory requirements relative to the current memory requirements are provided herein. The presently disclosed processes further may utilize only the real portion of the correlation coefficient of the RF signal to further increase processing speed and decrease memory requirements while simultaneously improving direction finding accuracy and reducing the number of wild bearings reported.

Abstract: A lithium-ion battery assembly includes a plurality of battery cells in a spaced-apart and generally parallel arrangement, each cell of the battery cells extending along a central axis and having a first end portion with a negative terminal and a second end portion with a positive terminal. The assembly includes a first capture plate and a second capture plate, where at least the first capture plate defines capture plate openings corresponding to the plurality of battery cells, the first capture plate spaced from and oriented generally parallel to the second capture plate. Each of the plurality of battery cells extends between the first and second capture plates and is coaxially arranged with one of the capture plate openings in the first capture plate. The assembly optionally includes a body between the capture plates, the body defining a void for each battery cell.

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: 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.

Abstract: A modular electronic warfare (EW) framework that is implemented into a first preexisting EW system with associated hardware and firmware to leverage the capabilities of the first preexisting EW system into a second, different preexisting EW system with associated hardware and firmware. The modular EW framework includes a tracking framework and a logic framework. The tracking framework is configured to receive a first set of objects from a preexisting EW system and augments the first set of objects with at least one parameter and outputs the second set of objects. The logic framework is configured to receive the set of second objects from the tracking framework and implements at least one process onto the second set of objects and outputs a third set of objects. A multi-core processor is used to operate the modular EW framework.

Abstract: A sealing arrangement having at least two seals for providing a sealing force against a rotating shaft in underwater applications. A replaceable fin assembly comprising a cartridge and a control fin for manned and unmanned underwater vehicles having the sealing arrangement.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) receiver includes a transceiver, a programmable logic device (PLD), and a digitally tunable high-pass and low-pass filter bank. The transceiver is configured to receive a mission data file (MDF) specifying a plurality of RF frequencies to be tuned by the receiver and to convert the MDF into a binary file. The PLD is configured to receive the binary file from the transceiver and, based on the binary file, to transmit one or more commands that cause the filter bank to enter a selected one of a plurality of predefined filter states corresponding to one or more of the RF frequencies. In operation, the receiver receives an input signal and the filter bank dynamically filters the input signal in response to the one or more commands from the PLD.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for displaying an operational area to an operative of a host platform, said operational area being defined within an external real-world environment relative to said host platform, the apparatus comprising a viewing device (12) configured to provide to said operative, in use, a three-dimensional view of said external real-world environment, a display generating device for creating images at the viewing device, and a processor (32) comprising an input (34) for receiving real-time first data representative of a specified target and its location within said external real-world environment and configured to receive or obtain second data representative of at least one characteristic of said specified target, the processor (32) being further configured to: use said first and second data to calculate a geometric volume representative of a region of influence of said specified target relative to said real-world external environment and/or said host platform, generate three-dimensional image da

Abstract: A digital radio includes an input configured to receive an input signal and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) configured to sample analog data in the input signal into a digital input signal. The digital input signal has first digital data encoded at a first data rate modulated at a first frequency. The digital radio further includes a signal processor configured to generate, based on the digital input signal, a digital output signal having second digital data encoded at a second data rate modulated at a second frequency. The first data rate is different from the second data rate and/or the first frequency is different from the second frequency. The digital radio further includes an output configured to provide the digital output signal to a target device, where the second data rate and the second frequency match a frequency plan of the target device.

Abstract: A method of recognizing a pattern in a signal is provided. The method includes receiving, by a processor and at an input, the signal comprising data; converting, by the processor and based on a plurality of features, the data from the signal into a collection of features; identifying, by the processor, one or more feature-to-feature transitions between features in the collection of features; plotting, by the processor, a directed graph of each of the feature-to-feature transitions, wherein each unique feature in the collection of features is represented by a single vertex and each feature-to-feature transition is represented by a directed edge between two vertices weighted by a corresponding number of each of the feature-to-feature transitions; and detecting, by the processor, a pattern in the data by comparing the weight of each of the feature-to-feature transitions in the directed graph to a user-defined threshold.

Abstract: A thin film-retaining washer with custom geometry that may further provide for a simple press-on installation while maintaining retention of fasteners during assembly, shipping, handling, and/or use of associated systems. The present retaining hardware is easily manufactured from sheet or film materials with minimal post-processing and may be scaled and optimized for use with multiple size and style of fasteners. Further, the thickness profile of the thin film retaining hardware facilitates lobe spring deflection to further provide secure retention of the associated fasteners.

Abstract: There is disclosed an aircraft configured to collect air data, the aircraft comprising: a wing structure; a forebody, forward of the wing structure; an afterbody, backward of the forebody; a skin covering the wing, the forebody and the afterbody; at least one recess formed at the skin, the recess being configured to affect the pressure of air flowing at the recess; at least one ambient sensor port for measuring ambient air pressure at the skin; and at least one recess sensor port for measuring the air pressure at the recess.

Abstract: A method and system method for estimating fatigue damage in a structure obtains fatigue damage data collected using at least one sensor associated with the structure during at least one test operation and also obtains structure use parameter data collected during the at least one test operation. The obtained fatigue data and the obtained use parameter data are used to compute coefficients of at least one generic polynomial function that outputs a fatigue damage value based on inputs representing use parameter data. The at least one generic polynomial function is used to output an estimated fatigue damage value based on inputs representing use parameter data collected during use of the structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for forming a pre-defined recess in a cured or cast explosive composition comprising the steps of: i) providing a female mould, ii) providing a male former, and locating said male former proximate to the female mould to create a gap between said male former and female mould, iii) forming an admixture of a curable/castable explosive composition, charging the gap with the admixture of explosive composition, causing the cure or cast of said curable/castable explosive composition, removing the male former to furnish a cured or cast explosive composition with a pre-defined recess.

Abstract: A method of friction-stir welding, FSW, a joint J, for example a T joint and/or a lap joint, between a first workpiece W1 and a second workpiece W2, is described.