Abstract: A microwave signal frequency multiplier is used to produce a harmonic signal derived from a microwave pump signal. In a selected embodiment, a Ka pump signal is converted to a W band microwave signal. The frequency signal multiplier includes a housing having a signal input port and a harmonic signal extraction port. The interior of the housing comprises a pump signal cavity which is tuned to the pump signal. Within the pump signal cavity, there is provided a non-linear material which converts the pump signal to a harmonic, preferably a third harmonic, of the pump signal. A frequency selective barrier within the pump signal cavity defines a harmonic signal cavity. An extraction port is coupled to the harmonic signal cavity for removing the harmonic signal from the multiplier. The frequency selective barrier is essentially transparent to the pump signal but is reflective to the harmonic signal.

Abstract: A band cutter transversely cuts a band having a longitudinal axis and major and minor transverse dimensions perpendicular to the band's longitudinal axis, the major dimension of the band being greater than the minor dimension of the band. The band cutter has a housing having a barrel chamber and a support channel formed therein, the barrel chamber and the support channel having longitudinal axes which are generally parallel and coaxial to each other. A band slot, extending through the housing and transversely intersecting the support channel, is adapted to receive the band and prevent significant lateral and rotational movement of the band during cutting. A blade is positioned within the support channel and is sized to move along the support channel.

Abstract: An optical system transmits a first radiation beam along a first axis and receives a reflected beam along that axis; the first beam having a first wavelength and a p-planar polarization; the second beam having the first wavelength, a p-planar polarized component, an s-planar polarized component, and a greater cross-sectional area than the first beam. The system includes a transmit/reflect mirror positioned at a 45.degree. to the first axis and free of apertures in its optical area, a radiation source, an element for directing radiation from the source along the first axis toward the mirror; an element for directing radiation outwardly from the mirror along the first axis, and for directing the second beam along the first axis toward the mirror. An antireflection coating on the primary side of the mirror passes radiation having the first wavelength and a p-planar polarization.

Abstract: A secondary heat shield is positioned within a heat shielding radome and spaced from the nose of the radome in order to protect an antenna against thermal radiation from the inner surface of the radome. The secondary heat shield can be a single unitary component integrally formed of a lightweight ceramic which can be easily fabricated in the desired shape and which maintains its shape. The secondary heat shield can be formed of a lightweight ceramic material having a dielectric constant at 17 GHz and 21.degree. C. in the range of about 1 to about 3.5, a thermal conductivity of less than 0.7 W/M-K, and a density at 21.degree. C. of less than 3.2 g/cc. The most preferred ceramic material has a dielectric constant at 17 GHz and 21.degree. C. in the range of about 1.01 to about 2.0, a thermal conductivity in the range of about 0.04 to about 0.08 W/M-K, and a density at 21.degree. C. of less than about 1.0 g/cc.

Abstract: A rack system (10) is disclosed for use on a vehicle (12) which carries weapons containers (48, 50) containing one or more missiles or rockets (52). A crane mounted on the system pivots each weapons container independently from a storage position to a vertical launch position. Locking devices lock the weapons containers in the storage position for transport and in the vertical, launch position.

Abstract: Fiber reinforced composite products of enhanced interlaminar ply strength and processes of producing same. In forming the products, layers of fibrous reinforcing material and resinous matrix material are established. The matrix material contains unset resin and short fibers of an average particle length of 0.2-0.6 mm in a weight ratio of short fibers to resin in the range of 0.4-1. The reinforcing material comprises fibers of a length substantially greater than the length of the short fibers in the matrix material. The fiber and matrix layers are integrated in order to cause the resin and short fibers which comprise the strengthened matrix material to enter into the interstitial spaces of the longer fiber reinforcing material. Thereafter, the matrix resin is solidified in order to arrive at the fiber reinforced composite product.

Abstract: Fiber reinforced composite products of enhanced interlaminar ply strength and processes of producing same. In forming the products, layers of fibrous reinforcing material and resinous matrix material are established. The matrix material contains unset resin and short fibers of an average particle length of 0.2-0.6 mm in a weight ratio of short fibers to resin in the range of 0.4-1. The reinforcing material comprises fibers of a length substantially greater than the length of the short fibers in the matrix material. The fiber and matrix layers are integrated in order to cause the resin and short fibers which comprise the strengthened matrix material to enter into the interstitial spaces of the longer fiber reinforcing material. Thereafter, the matrix resin is solidified in order to arrive at the fiber reinforced composite product.

Abstract: A cooperative dual-control strategy actuates forward and aft control devices simultaneously to significantly improve a missile's maneuverability/dynamic capability. A substantial, and measurable, operational effect of the inventive control strategy is a dramatic improvement in a missile's divert capability. To effect a maneuver in accordance with the inventive strategy, a missile's aft fins are initially deflected to generate a force OPPOSITE that conventionally used (pushing the missile's tail in the direction of the commanded maneuver) while simultaneously actuating forward thrusters to also push the missile's nose in the direction of the commanded maneuver but at a faster rate than the tail section. This causes the missile body to simultaneously rotate and translate in the direction of the commanded maneuver.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for making a microwave radar transparent window material operable at temperatures above 2000.degree. C., and which material possesses high tensile strength, is resistant to .erosion as well as particle impact at such temperatures, and is highly machinable. The method comprises: blending a powder mixture of 20-60% by weight silicon nitride, 12-40% boron nitride, 15-40% boron nitride, 15-40% silica, and 1-20% oxygen carrying sintering aids; (b) molding the mixture to shape as a preform; and (c) densifying the shaped preform into a monolithic window having high temperature stability and transparency at high temperatures.

Abstract: A photoconductive isotype heterojunction impedance-matched infrared detector has blocking contacts which are positioned on the bottom side of the detector. The blocking contacts prevent transfer of minority carriers from the active region of the detector, thereby extending the lifetime of these carriers. The detector is formed by first fabricating an active layer followed by an isotype blocking layer on a growth substrate. These layers are etched and appropriate passivation layers and contacts are applied. A mechanical supporting substrate is applied to the detector and the growth substrate is removed. Etch stop holes are formed which extend into the active layer of the detector. A precision thickness of the active layer required in an impedance-matched detector design is produced by thinning the active layer in an etching process until the surface of the active layer reaches the etch stop hole.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for passive tracking and guidance in missile systems is disclosed. The system is utilized in conjunction with a target acquisition system such as a scanning infrared detection system. The target and missile are sensed and the measured displacement therebetween is utilized in conjunction with calculated nominal trajectory data to generate guidance control signals. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the guidance control signals are transmitted to a receiver on the missile utilizing a radar frequency transmitter.

Abstract: A broadband absorber for absorbing a broad spectrum of incident microwave radiation is provided comprising a plurality of strips of inductive absorbing material having magnetic particles dispersed throughout an organic binder; the width, thickness, and composition of the strips being selected such that each strip absorbs a specific region of the microwave spectrum. The plurality of strips of absorbing material are supported by a substrate that is electrically conductive to microwave radiation. The substrate has a plurality of grooves and ridges in a repeating pattern, the grooves being of varying depths. A facing sheet, electrically transparent to microwave radiation, is provided for coupling the incident microwave radiation to the plurality of strips of inductive absorbing material.

Abstract: A heat transfer element having longitudinally thermally conductive fibers is disclosed. The fibers extend between two substances that heat is to be transferred between in order to maximize the heat transfer. For instance, a plate having fibers extending generally perpendicular to the plate is disclosed. The plate is formed and/or arranged to remove heat from a fluid. The heat transfer element may take many forms, including the form of a rigid member having complex contours or a flexible member that may be routed in a cord-like fashion.

Abstract: An infrared detector array includes a plurality of detector pixel structures, each of which comprises a plurality of elongate quantum well infrared radiation absorbing photoconductor (QWIP) elements. The group of QWIP elements are spaced such that they comprise a diffraction grating for the received infrared radiation. Top and bottom longitudinal contacts are provided on opposite surfaces of the QWIP elongate elements to provide current flow transverse to the axis of the element to provide the required bias voltage. An infrared radiation reflector is provided to form an optical cavity for receiving infrared radiation. A plurality of detector pixel structures are combined to form a focal plane array. Each detector pixel structure produces a signal that is transmitted through a conductive bump to a terminal of a read out integrated circuit. The group of the signals from the detector pixel structures produces an image corresponding to the received infrared radiation.

Abstract: The oxidation protection for a surface of a carbon/carbon composite substrate having a primary protective coating previously formed thereon is improved by applying to said surface a layer of a coating material comprising titanium diboride, colloidal silica, and an intermetallic compound, e.g., silicon carbide. The primary coating can be a boronated silicon carbide coating.

Abstract: A plurality of objects is deployed in generally radial directions at a low velocity in order to achieve a predetermined pattern of the deployed objects. The device has an inner wall member (20), an annular body (43) of low velocity explosive, at least a first plurality of objects (56) in a first annular array (51) and a second plurality of objects (56) in a second annular array (52) positioned coaxially with and exteriorly of the annular body (43) of low velocity explosive, the arrays being positioned at different locations along the length of the annular body (43) of low velocity explosive such that the objects in each array are provided with an amount of energy different from that provided to each of the objects in the adjacent array. Each of the objects (56) has a shape which minimizes aerodynamically induced deviations in the path of the object during deployment, a mass of at least 50 grams, and a density of at least 15 g/cc.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a composition of matter is provided for forming a coating for protecting carbonaceous substrates from degradation at elevated temperatures. The composition is a mixture of particulate silicon, silicon carbide and boron. The mixture contains between about 25% and 40% silicon by weight of the total composition, between about 50% and 70% by weight silicon carbide by weight of the total composition, between about 1% and 15% boron by way of the total composition and a minor amount of magnesium. The compositions can be used in a method for forming a primary protective coating on carbonaceous substrates including, in particular, reinforced carbon-carbon materials produced using chemical vapor deposition techniques.

Abstract: A Finite Impulse Response (FIR) digital signal processing circuit uses a double-accumulator technique to drastically reduce the number of multiply-accumulate operations which are necessary per sample of input data. The amount of reduction is dependent upon the shape of the filter function to be convolved. A double-accumulator (D-A) can be implemented by first providing a set of D-A coefficients, which are derived from the filter coefficient stream (FCS). Each D-A coefficient is multiplied by a separate input data sample. The products are summed together along with the result of a previous multiplication of the same D-A coefficients with different input data samples. This first sum is added to another number to form a second sum. The other number is the previous value of the second sum. The second sum is the result.The derived D-A coefficients are fewer and simpler than that required by the conventional FIR implementation.

Abstract: An expandable ogive is disclosed which incorporates a plurality of sections (20, 22, 24) which move into an extended position. The ogive is locked in the extended position by mating tapered surfaces on the piston sections of an actuator (44) which are tapered at an angle of less than about 2.degree. relative to the center line axis of the missile or rocket. The mating surfaces lock sufficiently tightly to resist the aerodynamic loadings on the ogive during missile or rocket flight and therefore maintain the proper ogive configuration independent of the gas pressure in the actuator (44) which initially moves the ogive sections into the extended position.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) is provided for measuring the excess carrier lifetime in a semiconductor material, such as an HgCdTe wafer (MCT). The apparatus includes a computer controller (56) which automates the functions of the apparatus, including the operation of the shutter (28) to control the time the testing samples are exposed to the excitation energy from a laser (14), the laser energy intensity on the sample, the position of the wafer controlled by the computer controller operating a motorized sample positioner (39) and maintaining the temperature of the sample. Multiple samples are taken by the apparatus which are averaged and analyzed to result in a characterization of the carrier lifetime.