Abstract: A method for sharing visual situational information of objects among a number of command and control units. The method includes the steps of providing to each command and control unit a mechanism for storing a digital reference map of a geographical area, receiving by one or more command and control unit an image of a scene which includes one or more object within the geographical area, registration of the received image of the scene to the digital reference map, updating a situational information of the object in the reference map, and transferring the updating of the situational information to one or more other command and control unit.

Abstract: A planar, ray-imaging, electronically steered array antenna, whose radiating array elements are disposed on a planar surface above an electrically conductive ground plane that enhances the antenna gain. The conductive ground plane forms an integral part of the antenna, and the required dimensions of this ground plane depend on the array height, and on the lowest elevation coverage angle from the (possibly tilted) ground plane. The antenna is further characterized by a modular design that tailors the required antenna gain and azimuthal directivity through the stacking of identical antenna segments side by side. The antenna can generate, with the aid of a multiple-beam microwave network or a two-ended series-feed network, a pair of symmetrically steered beams from an incident wavefront received by a linear (column) or planar array, in conjunction with reflections from a bottom metal plate.

Abstract: A wall breaching warhead 10 for forming a hole through a brick wall includes a shaped charge 12 of explosive material having a central axis 14. The front surface of shaped charge 12 includes a central portion 16, adjacent to central axis 14, having a generally convexly-curved shape, and an annular portion 18, circumscribing central portion 16, having a generally concavely-curved shape. A metallic liner 20, adjacent to at least annular portion 18 of the front surface of charge 12.

Abstract: A cylindrical, ray-imaging, electronically steered array antenna, whose radiating array elements are disposed on a cylindrical surface sector above an electrically conductive ground plane that enhances the antenna gain. The conductive ground plane forms an integral part of the antenna, and the required dimensions of this ground plane depend on the array radius, and on the lowest elevation coverage angle from the (possibly tilted) ground plane. The antenna of the present invention is further characterized by a modular design that tailors the required antenna gain and azimuthal directivity through the stacking of identical antenna segments side by side. The antenna design uses the multiple-beam ray focusing property of a microwave lens when feeding a circular ring array, while producing at the same time coherent ray imaging from a bottom metal plate.

Abstract: A system and method for providing images of a searching area and for assisting the visual orientation of a user observing the images of the area is provided. The system includes a reference memory, a camera, a transformation unit and a display unit. The reference memory stores a wide field of view (FOV) reference image of the searching area. The camera produces zoomed images of selected portions of the searching area, the zoomed images of the selected portions having an FOV not greater than the wide FOV of the reference image. Transformation means generate transformations between each of the zoomed images and the reference image, and the display means displays both the wide FOV reference image and one of the zoomed images currently viewed by the camera and, on the reference image, displays a frame indicating where, within the searching area, the camera is currently viewing the selected portion of the searching area.

Abstract: The invention relates to a heat exchanger, which includes a pipe, heat conductive fins having an elongate cross-section, and a coating of silver applied to the outer surface of the fins and the outer surface of the pipe adjacent to the fins. The fins of the heat exchanger, are a metal wire helically wound around the pipe, are connected to the pipe solely by the coating of silver.

Abstract: An infrared radiation (IR) detector device that comprises a casing, having an optical window for admitting radiation; a cold shield having a detector mounted therein and having a filter mounted between the optical window and the detector; a cooler tube in coiled configuration, having an inlet in communication with a pressurized gas source and an expansion nozzle located in the vicinity of the detector and a pre-cooling jacket, enclosing the cooler tube and having a gas inlet in the vicinity of the detector and a gas discharge vent to the outside. The cooler tube comprises a first section, beginning at the gas inlet, a second section, terminating at the expansion nozzle, and a communication between the first and second sections. The pre-cooling jacket comprises a first section, housing the first section of the cooler tube, a second section, housing the second section of the cooler tube, and a communication between the first and second sections.

Abstract: A method for guiding an intercepting missile to a body-to-body contact with an airborne target in the atmosphere. The method includes the steps of guiding the intercepting missile to within an appropriate distance from the airborne target, illuminating the airborne target, using an illuminator carried by the intercepting missile, acquiring an image of the illuminated airborne target and, steering the missile in accordance with an aimpoint on the image.

Abstract: A method for operating a short range, air-to-air missile carried by an aircraft flown by a pilot. The missile includes a seeker operative to track a target. The method comprises providing a first indication to the pilot when the seeker is tracking a target, providing a second indication to the pilot when a rate of angular motion of the seeker falls below a given value for a predefined period.

Abstract: An airborne platform comprising: (a) an aerodynamic body; (b) a protected element within the aerodynamic body; and (c) a cover, reversibly secured to the aerodynamic body, for protecting the protected element from an external atmosphere. The present invention is particularly suited for an electro-optical detection system equipped with an optical dome or window. Optical windows carried on airborne platforms are known to be particularly sensitive to the high temperatures generated by air friction at super-sonic speeds. By covering such a window when the airborne platform is in flight, and releasing the cover just before use, the electro-optical detection system equipped with the optical window can be made operative, even at airborne platform speeds of several Mach and higher.

Abstract: An optical window assembly including an outer window, an inner window and a housing. The outer window and the inner window are mounted in the housing, holding the outer window and the inner window apart, forming an intervening space between the outer window and the inner window.

Abstract: A method for velocity match transfer alignment between a carrier vehicle and a carried vehicle. The method includes repeatedly measuring a velocity difference between the carrier vehicle and the carried vehicle, updating a state vector that include a predicted value of the velocity difference, propagating the vector forward in time, and moving the carrier vehicle and the carried vehicle along a trajectory.

Abstract: A method for providing a pilot with information associated with at least one region of a field of view visible to the pilot from within a cockpit without requiring a visual display. The method includes the steps of determining an eye gaze direction relative to a given frame of reference for at least one eye of the pilot, determining a reference direction relative to the given frame of reference, comparing the eye gaze direction with the reference direction, and if the eye gaze direction and the reference direction are equal to within a given degree of accuracy, generating audio output audible to the pilot and indicative of information associated with the reference direction.

Abstract: A micro-electromechanical optical inertial sensing device comprises a CMOS chip (3), comprising at least one integrated photodiode (6) and analog electronics; an elastically suspended proof mass (1); and a light source (4). A light beam from the light source casts a partial shadow of the proof mass over the photodiode when the proof mass is at rest. When subjected to an inertial movement, the proof mass swings causing the partial shadow to shift and modulate the illumination of the photodiode. An output current signal from the photodiode is processed by the analog electronics to generate measurement results.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the storage and delivery of process gases to laser generators. The process gas is cooled to a few degrees K, at the required work pressure, to reach a desired density, in the order of hundreds of kg/m3. The cooled gas is then stored in a cryogenic environment at the work pressure. At the moment of use, the process gas is gradually released from the cryogenic environment and concurrently heated. the process gas flow rate from the cryogenic environment is controlled, so as to obtain the required work flow rate. The heat supplied to the gas is controlled, so as to maintain it constantly at the required work pressure. The heating of the process gas may be controlled synchronically with the flow rate of its release from the cryogenic environment to maintain the pressure substantially at its work value.

Abstract: An acoustic warning assembly capable of being launched from an underwater vehicle while being underwater. The acoustic warning assembly includes an acoustosensitive member for collecting above-surface acoustic signals. The acoustic warning assembly also includes a carrier member launchable from the underwater vehicle, the carrier member is designed to carry the acoustosensitive member above-surface. The acoustic warning assembly also includes a communication medium for communicating between the acoustosensitive member and the underwater vehicle, for transmitting the above-surface acoustic signals collected by the acoustosensitive member to the underwater vehicle.

Abstract: A resistance type pulse welding apparatus for workpieces, including a handpiece, a pair of electrodes mounted at the tip of the handpiece adapted for delivering weld current pulses to a workpiece to be welded, an electrochemical capacitor providing a high-current, low-voltage power source, and a triggering means located between the electrochemical capacitor and the electrodes to discharge the energy stored in the electrochemical capacitor through the electrodes upon the sensing of a threshold pressure between the electrodes, indicative of the forcing of the electrodes against the workpiece.

Abstract: A tracking device, a related combat simulator, and methods for their use. The tracking device comprises a SPS receiver, a communications interface for reversibly mounting therein a communications card, a combat simulation device interface, and a control unit for receiving location data from the SPS receiver, for transmitting the location data via the communications interface, and for exchanging combat simulation data between the combat simulation device interface and the communications interface. The combat simulator includes a control center for controlling several tracking devices. For civilian applications, the combat simulation device interface is replaced with an alarm button.

Abstract: A device for reducing base drag on cylindrical rear truncated objects moving in a fluid, caused by the shedding of vortices at the base of the object. The device consists of ring shaped winglets attached to the rear of the object which may be sub-divided into a plurality of hinged partial winglets. The parameters of distance of winglet from cylinder shaped object, winglet circumference, angle, profile and chord length may be varied automatically for optimum drag-reducing capability.

Abstract: A daylight operable, scan-free, laser spot locating device for locating a laser spot pointed at an object.