Abstract: An airframe (10) for an air vehicle comprising an outer skin layer (12) and a support layer (13) defining a fuselage of said air vehicle, wherein said outer skin layer (12) is magnetically coupled to said support layer (13).

Abstract: A scannable-latch random access memory (SLRAM) is disclosed. The SLRAM includes two rows of memory cells. The SLRAM includes a functional data input, a scan data input, a first and second functional data outputs, a scan data output, and a scan enable. The functional data input is connected to a first memory cell in a first and second rows of memory cells. The scan data input is connected to the first memory cell in the first or second row of memory cells. The first and second functional data outputs are connected to a last memory cell in the first and second row of memory cells, respectively. The scan data output is connected to the last memory cell in the first or second row of memory cells. The scan enable allows data to be output from the scan data output or the first and second functional data outputs.

Abstract: A method of producing part of an aircraft comprising: providing a frame having a first surface, a second surface, and one or more side edges between the first and second surfaces; mounting the frame to a first tool, the first tool comprising a support surface that contacts the second surface of the frame to opposing movement of the frame; while the frame is mounted to the first tool, machining the first surface to form attachment features; mounting the machined frame to a second tool which contacts with the frame at only the one or more side edges; and, while the frame is mounted to the second tool, attaching, using the attachment features, to the first and second surfaces, aircraft panels to form an outer skin.

Abstract: An electroacoustic transducer, comprising a piezoelectric part comprising a piezoelectric material having a first acoustical impedance and an acoustical thickness, a substrate part comprising a material having a second acoustical impedance, and an intermediate part comprising a material having a third acoustical impedance and at least partially sandwiched between the piezoelectric part and the substrate part for acoustical communication therewith. The first acoustical impedance and the second acoustical impedance each has a respective value within a range of values for which the value of third acoustical impedance: is an upper limit if said acoustical thickness is less than 0.4?, or is a lower limit if said acoustical thickness is greater than 0.4? where ? is an acoustical wavelength in the material of the piezoelectric part.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for displaying an operational area, the apparatus comprising a headset (10) for placing over a user's eyes, the headset including a viewing device (12) configured to provide to said user, in use, a view of a real-world environment, a display generating device for depicting an operational area, said operational area being defined within said real-world environment and comprising a plurality of functional regions each defining a different one or more selectable functions or operations that can be performed in respect of said operational area, the apparatus being configured to transfer image data from said display generating device into said user's view of said real-world environment at said viewing device to generate an augmented reality environment, the apparatus further comprising a control module (26) including a control device (28) configured to be selectively communicably coupled to all of said functional regions to enable a user to selectively perform the respective one or more fun

Abstract: A display 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, a user input (33) configured to receive user input data (35) representative of a specified target or region in respect of which an operation is to be performed, and thereby defining an initial geometric volume for the operational area, said user input data including data representative of the location within said external real-world environment of said specified target or region and data representative of said operation to be performed in respect thereof; and a processor (32) configured to: use said user input data to generate or obtain three-dimensional image data represe

Abstract: There is disclosed an acoustic transducer for communications within an operational bandwidth, the transducer comprising: A signal generator for generating a signal at a centre-frequency within the operational bandwidth; A piezoelectric element having a dielectric constant that varies with temperature; A driving electrode at the surface of the piezoelectric element; A matching network, having a natural frequency at a given temperature, and operable to transfer the signal from the signal generator to the piezoelectric element whilst mitigating electrical loss, the matching network being connected to the driving electrode; Wherein the matching network comprises a temperature compensating capacitor connected in parallel with the piezoelectric element, the temperature compensating capacitor being for counteracting temperature-induced changes to the dielectric constant of the piezoelectric element such that the electrical natural frequency of the transducer is substantially constant over a range of temperatures.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for a laser designation verification device and a method of laser designation verification using the device. The laser designation verification device includes: a lens to sense a first reflection, the first reflection coming from an encoded first laser beam reflecting off a first target; an electronic processing element to decode the sensed first reflection into a first code; and a portable electronic annunciator to provide identification of the first target to an operator of the device based on the decoded first reflection. The method includes: sensing a first reflection using the lens, the first reflection coming from an encoded first laser beam reflecting off a first target; decoding the sensed first reflection into a first code using the processing element; and providing, by the annunciator to an operator of the device, identification of the first target based on the decoded first reflection.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a construction method for improved tracer ammunition production. There is provided a method of forming a component for a round, said method comprising the step of causing said component to be drawn through at least one floating die.

Abstract: A system for lossless compression of high frame rate imagery includes at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium having instructions encoded thereon that, when executed by at least one processor, implement operations to compress high frame rate imagery in a lossless manner, the at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium including: logic to encode frame deltas to decrease pixel dynamic range; logic to localize frame deltas; and logic to encode subframes with lookback history to further decrease pixel dynamic range for temporary obstructions.

Abstract: A clock distribution and alignment system includes at least three clock generators, each including a clock receiver circuit to receive a first clock signal having a first frequency, and a clock divider circuit to divide the received first clock signal into a second clock signal having a second frequency lower than the first frequency, each of two or more of the clock generators further including a phase detector circuit to compare the phase of the second clock signal with the phase of the second clock signal for a next one of the clock generators, and a clock adjuster circuit to adjust the phase of the received first clock signal based on the compared phases of the second clock signals. In some cases, the clock adjuster circuit is further to align the phases of the second clock signals to within a predefined tolerance of each other.

Abstract: Methodology for calibrating a rotating mirror system includes: measuring a normal of a first fiducial of the mirror system; measuring vectors to a second fiducial of the mirror system, each vector being measured at a different angle of rotation about an azimuth axis of rotation of the mirror system; calculating the azimuth axis of rotation using the measured vectors; creating a base coordinate system from the measured first fiducial normal and the calculated azimuth axis of rotation; and for each of a first mirror and a second mirror of the mirror system, measuring normals of the mirror at multiple angles of rotation, calculating an axis of rotation of the mirror using the measured normals, creating a mirror coordinate system from the measured normals and the calculated axis of rotation of the mirror, and calculating a translation and rotation matrix from the mirror coordinate system to the base coordinate system.

Abstract: A system and method for generating high-resolution imagery using electromagnetic signals includes a moveable vehicle and a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) radar system carried by the vehicle. The MIMO radar system includes an antenna array having a plurality of antenna elements. One or more of the antenna elements transmits electromagnetic signals towards a target area and one or more of the antenna elements receives back-scattered electromagnetic signals reflected from the target area. The system generates high-resolution three-dimensional imagery based on back-scattered electromagnetic signal data with system performance characterized by: (a) down range resolution ?R; (b) cross-range resolution ?X; and (c) vertical resolution ?H. The system exploits effective synthetic apertures to improve cross-range resolution ?X and vertical resolution ?H based on, at least in part, the movement of the vehicle along the trajectory and a width and height of the antenna array relative to the target area.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of geolocating a target includes: receiving, from a plurality of sources, a corresponding plurality of angle estimates of the target relative to the respective sources; generating a corresponding plurality of planar renditions of the received angle estimates; selecting a combination of two or more planar renditions whose intersection defines a polygon; in response to multiple such combinations, selecting one having a largest number of planar renditions; and determining a center of the polygon of the selected combination.

Abstract: There is disclosed a surveillance apparatus comprising: —a retractable support member; the retractable support member comprising an upper section and lower section, wherein at least one of the upper or lower sections are constructed from at least one deformable material, wherein upper and lower sections are arranged to form a substantially rigid cavity throughout their length, and are retained by a retaining means, wherein said retractable support member comprises a first end and a second end; a housing; a spooling mechanism mounted at the housing, and being rotatable relative to the housing, and being attached to the second end of the retractable support member, the spooling mechanism being: operable to rotate in a first direction to convert the retractable support member from a spooled condition to an extended condition and thereby pay-out the retractable support member from the housing, operable to rotate in a second direction opposite to the first to convert the retractable support member from the exte

Abstract: An MCM-HIC device flexibly adds enhanced features to a VLSI “core” IC that are not directly supported by the core IC, such as unsupported communication protocols and/or support of cold spare operation. The core IC is mounted on an interconnecting substrate together with at least one “chiplet” that provides the required feature(s). The chiplet can be programmable. The chiplet can straddle a boundary of an interposer region of the substrate that provides higher density interconnections at lower currents. The disclosed method can include selecting a core IC and at least one active, passive, or “mixed” chiplet, configuring a substrate, and installing the core IC and chiplet(s) on the substrate. In embodiments, the core IC and/or chiplet(s) can be modified before assembly to obtain the desired result. Cost can be reduced by pre-designing and, in embodiments, pre-manufacturing the chiplets and modified core ICs in cost-effective quantities.

Abstract: An auto-ICAS compliant system and method of avoiding collisions between aircraft linked by a Link 16 network comprises establishing an ICAS datalink between aircraft less than 10 nautical miles apart. Datalink messages generated and processed by ICAS datalink modules are transmitted and received by Link 16 receivers rather than dedicated ICAS transceivers. The datalink messages are embedded within the propagation delay portions of Link 16 timeslots and exchanged among up to 10 nearby aircraft at a data rate of up to 20 Hz each. Because each Link 16 timeslot can contain a Link 16 message and two 768-bit ICAS datalink messages, conventional Link 16 communication is not impeded. Datalink messages can be software encrypted. Link 16 messages can be encoded using an enhanced throughput Link 16 protocol that includes fewer preamble pulses and/or eliminates STN information. Embedded datalink messages can be transmitted at 1 Watt by a MIDS-JTRS CMN4.

Abstract: A system and method for using an embedded microprocessor in an RF amplifier. The use of an embedded microprocessor avoids manual calibration. The Microprocessor collects initial amplifier performance data based on a set of parameters and calculates the needed corrections. The microprocessor can change levels within the circuit to achieve those operating points. The embedded microprocessor sets voltage levels with internal circuitry and communicates this information externally through a serial communication port, or the like, to allow a user to communicate with and look at the amplifier data and readjust the internal bias levels, as needed. Thus, the internal microprocessor provides for calibration, self-testing, and monitoring of the RF amplifier and also functions as an in situ bias and temperature compensation controller for use in the presence of temperature variation and provides bias sequencing control to protect against improper applied timing of voltage inputs to the amplifier.

Abstract: A guiding kit for guiding a projectile to a target comprises a front part and a rear part. The front part and the rear part are rotatably connected to each other to enable relative rotation about a common central longitudinal axis of rotation. The front part comprises a front transceiver (T/X) unit that is disposed next to the rear end of the front part and coinciding with the longitudinal central axis of rotation and adapted to transmit signals towards the rear part. A rear transceiver unit is disposed against the front transceiver unit and adapted to communicate with front transceiver unit when the front part and the rear part are rotating with respect to each other.

Abstract: A control system (400) for an active inceptor (103) for a fly by wire aircraft permits a zero force null point to settle to a non-zero displacement trim position. An internal position state of a second order mass spring damper model is moved in conjunction with force-displacement characteristic coordinates. This results in no second order dynamics being superimposed on the feel of the inceptor (103) when dynamically adjusting the trim position, thereby eliminating the possibility of any unpleasant buzzing been felt by the operator of the inceptor during a trimming operation.