Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a broadband antenna are disclosed. The antenna can include a current sheet array having a plurality of antenna elements. Each antenna element includes dipole arms. The dipole arms can be configured as first and second dipole arm pairs for transmitting or receiving signals of different polarizations. A resistive-capacitive (RC) loading structure is provided for each antenna element, in a layer between the antenna elements and a surface of an antenna substrate. Each RC loading structure includes a set of conductive surfaces and a set of resistive surfaces. A dielectric layer separates the RC loading structure elements from the dipole arms.

Abstract: Multi-spectral methods and systems for the day and night remote sensing (detection, identification, and quantification) of greenhouse gas emission sources from space are provided. The sensor system includes a telescope assembly that passively collects light from an observation area and directs that light through spectral, optical filters and to a sensor array having a plurality of rows and columns of pixels. Different groups of sensor array pixel rows are aligned to receive light that has passed through different optical filters. The filters have passbands corresponding to the reflective and emissive bands of gases of interest, as well as associated reflective and emissive reference bands, and broadband spectral bands. A set of image data frames is obtained as the field of view of the sensor system moves over an observation area and an aggregate image showing locations of detected gas emissions is generated using the collected data.

Abstract: Flexure structures, assemblies incorporating flexure structures, and methods utilizing flexure structures to support objects are provided. A flexure structure as disclosed can be formed monolithically from a single piece of material, includes a center aperture to accommodate at least portions of other elements or structures, allows for rotation of a supported object in two axes with very little translational movement of the supported object, provides mounting fixtures on opposite sides of the flexure structure, and has a relatively high load capacity. Flexure structures include base mounts that can each be joined to a first side of an interconnect structure by flexure blades, and object mounts that are each joined to a second side of the interconnect structure by flexure blades. The flexure structure can be a generally annular structure, with the center aperture formed or defined at least in part by the interconnect structure.

Abstract: The system and method described herein utilizes spectral data, spatial data, and temporal data, simultaneously, to provide an improved clutter suppression technique to provide an improved output for feeding into an object detection protocol. This clutter suppression technique that uses spectral data, spatial data, and temporal data, simultaneously, results in improved processing capabilities by reducing the amount of processing power needed to obtain the resultant output. The present disclosure utilizes particular protocols and processes to effectuate the usage and processing of spectral data, spatial data, and temporal data, simultaneously.

Abstract: GaAs IR window slabs having largest dimensions that are greater than 8 inches, and preferably greater than 12 inches, are grown using the Horizontal Gradient Freeze (HGF) method. Heat extraction is simplified by using a shallow horizontal boat that is only slightly deeper than the desired window thickness, thereby enabling growth of large slabs while also minimizing material waste and fabrication cost as compared to slicing and shaping thick plates from large, melt-grown boules. Single crystal seeds can be used to optimize the final orientation of the slabs and minimize secondary nucleation, thereby maximizing yield. A conductive doped GaAs layer can be applied to the IR window slab to provide EMI shielding. The temperature gradient during HGF can be between 1° C./cm and 3° C./cm, and the directional solidification can be at a rate of between 0.25 mm/h and 2.5 mm/h.

Abstract: An antenna element suited for direction finding (DF) with omni-directional radiation patterns utilizing a pair of chevron slots fed using a ridged waveguide magic tee (magic-t) and connected microstrip probes. The provided antenna element provides improved performance, power handling, and improved bandwidth compared to current monocone and/or slot antenna elements. The antenna element may be further realized utilizing additive manufacturing processes in combination with standard metal and polymer production techniques.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing thermal systems having one or more radiators that each incorporate one or more heat pipe matrices are provided. Each heat pipe matrix includes at least one spreader heat pipe element and a plurality of lateral heat pipe elements. The lateral heat pipe elements can extend in a direction that is generally transverse to a direction in which the spreader heat pipe element extends. Each lateral heat pipe element includes a portion that is thermally coupled and parallel to a portion of at least one spreader heat pipe element. Multiple heat pipe matrices can be thermally coupled to one another by jumper heat pipes to form heat pipe networks.

Abstract: A chassis configured to hold a cards of at least two form factors comprising: slots disposed in an inner portion the chassis, wherein the slots are aligned with one another and configured to act as card guides; a mid-height structure disposed adjacent a side wall of the chassis, the mid-height structure comprising a second plurality of slots and a third plurality of slots disposed on top and bottom surfaces of the mid-height structure that are substantially parallel to top and bottom walls of the chassis; and a plurality of cooling channels disposed within the walls of the chassis as well as within the mid-height structure, wherein the second and third plurality of slots are configured to align with at least a subset of the plurality of slots disposed in the top and bottom chassis walls and to act as card guides.

Abstract: A rake assembly for measuring fluid flow parameters in a fluid flow rig, comprises: a rake assembly support frame; a housing mounted on the rake assembly support frame; the housing comprising a wall which defines a flow passage, with a flow inlet and a flow outlet, the flow passage extending from the flow inlet to the flow outlet. The housing is cylindrical and is centred on a longitudinal axis. An instrumentation arm extends from a leading edge end to a trailing edge end, and the instrumentation arm extends from the housing wall to extend at least part of the way across the flow passage, the leading edge end located in an Aerodynamic Instrument Plane (AIP); the housing being rotatably mounted to the rake assembly support frame; such that the housing and instrumentation arm are operable to rotate at least part of the way around the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A guided vehicle that includes a body, a propulsion system operably engaged inside of the body, a housing operably engaged with the body and encasing a guidance device inside of the housing, a viewing window of the guidance device, and a cover moveably engaged with the housing, wherein the cover is moveable between a pre-flight configuration and a flight configuration. In the pre-flight configuration, the cover covers the viewing window. In the flight configuration, the cover is configured to expose the viewing window in the flight configuration in response to an impulse of acceleration generated by a launch of the guided vehicle.

Abstract: Various countermeasure dispensing systems (or CMDSs) and method of use are described herein. CMDS may include a dispenser assembly operably engaged with a platform where at least one electrical connection provides electrical communication between the dispenser assembly and a sequencer. CMDS may also include a magazine assembly operably engaged with the dispenser assembly, wherein the magazine assembly comprises a magazine configured to hold at least two countermeasure expendables. CMDS may also include a breechplate assembly operably engaged with the magazine assembly and adapted to dispense the at least two countermeasure expendables. CMDS may also include at least one magazine identification switch (MIS) operably engaged with the magazine assembly and the breechplate assembly. CMDS may also include that the at least one MIS is configured to enable the sequencer and the breechplate assembly to selectively dispense at least one countermeasure expendable from the at least two countermeasure expendables.

Abstract: Systems and methods for pointing a high gain antenna or other directional instrument connected to a platform by a gimbal are provided. A control system as disclosed can include a flight computer having a processor for executing software and a motor control board having a controller for implementing at least portions of a control algorithm. The software executed by the processor generates pointing commands and implements a Kalman filter included in a feedback loop in the form of a linear Kalman filter disturbance estimator of the control algorithm implemented by the controller. The control algorithm can further implement a proportional control position loop and a proportional control rate loop. Each axis of the gimbal is provided with an instance of the control algorithm and the Kalman filter. Moreover, the processor can be operated at a rate that is less than a rate at which the controller is operated.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for leveraging legacy countermeasure dispensing systems (CMDSs). The legacy CMDSs are leveraged through the expansion of breechplates and magazines in a CMDS by expanding the amount of expendables carried by a CMDS while still maintaining the legacy sequencer and dispenser in a legacy military platform, such as an aircraft. In addition, various circuitry systems are included in a circuit card of the breechplate for duplicating and/or expanding the firing lines provided in a legacy CMDS.

Abstract: A sample and hold amplifier output buffer with the low leakage of metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFET) combined with the linearity and dynamic range of silicon-germanium (SiGe) bipolar junction transistors (BJT). In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a sample and hold amplifier output buffer placing a MOSFET input device between the base and emitter of a high linearity SiGe BJT.

Abstract: An energy management system (EMS) for an aircraft is provided. The aircraft may have one of a plurality of propulsion systems such as a parallel hybrid electric propulsion system, a parallel turbo electric propulsion system, an electric propulsion system, a turbo electric propulsion system and a turbo hybrid electric propulsion system. The EMS comprises redundant control paths for controlling safety critical operation. Each redundant control path is configured to independently determine whether to electrically isolate a line replaceable unit (LRU) from a high voltage DC link (HVDC link) based on status information from the LRU. The isolation is based on the independent determination. The HVDC link is used for propulsion. The number of the redundant control paths and components may be depending on the type of the propulsion system.

Abstract: A distributed control system includes an electronic control unit to establish secure communication with a distributed control module. Upon determination that a previously negotiated session key is stored on the electronic control unit, the electronic control unit transmits encrypted communications with the distributed control module using the previously negotiated session key, negotiates a new session key with the distributed control module, and stores the new session key. Upon determination that the previously negotiated session key is not stored on the electronic control unit, the electronic control unit negotiates the new session key with the distributed control module. After negotiating the new session key with the distributed control module, the electronic control unit ceases transmission of unencrypted communications with the distributed control module, transmits encrypted communications with the distributed control module using the new session key, and stores the new session key.

Abstract: A collet for multiple wire elements is disclosed. In an example, the collet has a body made of a polymeric material and extends along a central axis from a first end to a second end. The body defines a first passageway extending axially through the body, the first passageway in communication with the environment via a first insertion opening extending along an entire length of the first passageway. The body defines a second passageway extending axially through the body and in communication with the environment along an entire length of the second passageway via a second insertion opening, the second passageway spaced circumferentially from the first passageway. When installed, the collet frictionally engages wire elements when a first wire element is seated in the first passageway and a second wire element is seated in the second passageway.

Abstract: Charging apparatus and systems are provide for charging an energy storage system in respective vehicles using grid power where the vehicles are connected to the same transformer. The apparatus and system coordinate the charging and may use field weakening techniques to reduce a peak line-line voltage when a need is determined based on a minimum energy storage system voltage of the vehicles connected to the same transformer.

Abstract: A Laser Designator Pod (LDP) protective system, the LDP protective system comprising: a protective hood a laser detector arranged within the protective hood to generate a signal when exposed to laser radiation within a predefined range of wavelengths; and a computing device to record the generated signal.

Abstract: A wide angle MWIR F-theta lens with an F# of 2. The lens is deployed on airborne platforms for remote sensing applications. The lens is corrected for monochromatic and chromatic aberrations over the wavelength range 5000 nm-3300 nm. The image of the remote target is formed on a focal plane which may constitute CCD or CMOS with micro lenses. The lens comprises four groups of optical elements with a cold shield/aperture stop located behind the last group. One embodiment of the lens includes five types of optical materials and while another embodiment of the lens includes only two types of optical materials.