Abstract: A panoramic field of view acquiring system comprises three telescopes, which acquire three separate images, each typically covering a little over one third of the total required scene and a multiplexer, which is used to transmit the three images, one at a time, to an appropriate detector. Standard imaging techniques are then used to coordinate the images to form a complete picture and display them as required.

Abstract: A thruster for exo-atmospheric vehicles with electro-thermal thrust augmentation and having internally embedded heating elements for direct contact heating of gaseous products released by a propellant, particularly hydrazine, so as to increase the Specific Impulse (Isp) of the thruster. The electrical heating elements are resistant to hydrazine products. The thruster is configured as a closed sealed chamber divided into a decomposition section upstream and a heating section downstream. At least one heating element is disposed in the heating section, directly in a mixture catalyst forming a porous bed, or within a concentric ceramic tube operative as a heat exchanger, to heat the gaseous products by direct contact. The heater indirectly heats the catalyst in the decomposition section and directly heats the heating section. The thruster is operable both in space and at sea-level gravity and barometric pressure.

Abstract: A radar decoy having radar reflectors disposed in the interior of the inflated canopy of a descending parachute as a first set of four corner reflectors, and a second set of corner reflectors disposed on the exterior of the canopy integral with the first set of corner reflectors, to form an octahedron of eight corner reflectors. The radar decoy is pliable and folded with the parachute for stowage in the interior of a canister. When loaded on a vehicle flying in a trajectory, the canister may open at a point P on the trajectory, to release the parachute, and thereby deploy the radar decoy to become operative.

Abstract: The invention is a detachable hanger assembly for attaching a flying object to a launch rail on a launch platform. The detachable hanger assembly is attached to the flying object by one or more bolts and is adapted to slide in a slot in the launch rail when the flying object is launched. When the flying object is launched, the detachable hanger assembly slides in the slot until it impacts upon a stopper, which is fixedly located in the slot. The force of the impact of the hanger assembly with the stopper creates shearing forces that break one or more of the bolts thereby separating the main body section of the hanger assembly from the flying object.

Abstract: An information system for dynamic distribution of location-related information between users with different perspective views includes a number of user units each including a viewing arrangement defining a viewing direction and a registration subsystem for deriving a mapping between the current perspective view and a shared location reference. The user units also include a data management system and a wireless communication arrangement. At least one of the user units further includes a user input interface for designating a viewed location within the current perspective view for association with location-related information to generate a new location-related information entry for sharing with others of the plurality of user units. At least one other of the user units further includes a display device associated with the viewing arrangement for displaying location-related information correctly positioned in the context of the current perspective view.

Abstract: An armor assembly for protecting a body disposed behind said armor assembly, wherein the armor assembly comprises at least one layer of material made of an essentially brittle material, said layer extending slanted relative the expected trajectory of an oncoming firearm projectile.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring a region of interest are presented. Incident radiation is transmitted towards the region of interest with a certain transmitting angle and with a predetermined angular intensity distribution of the incident radiation. The transmitting angle defines a plane of propagation of the incident radiation, the region of interest being located within this plane. Reflections of the incident radiation are collected with a solid angle of collection intersecting with said plane. A region of intersection presents a detecting window of a predetermined geometry containing at least a portion of the region of interest. The collected radiation coming from within the detecting window is detected, and output signals indicative thereof are generated.

Abstract: A method for generating a thermal target. The method includes generating hot-body thermal radiation from a heated source, the thermal radiation emanating from a projection region with a first maximum dimension, and employing an optical arrangement to project at least part of the thermal radiation onto a target region of a surface, the target region with a second maximum dimension greater than the first maximum dimension.

Abstract: The present invention provides elements for making a protective reactive armor to be fitted on the outside of an enclosure liable to be exposed to attack by shaped-charge warheads and other threats, such as kinetic energy projectiles and fragments, to thereby enhance survivability of the enclosure and its contents.

Abstract: An airborne reconnaissance system comprising: (1) Gimbals having at least two degrees of freedom; (2) At least one array of light sensors positioned on the gimbals, for being directed by the same within at least two degrees of freedom; (3) Map storage means for storing at least one Digital Elevation Map of an area of interest, divided into portions; (4) Inertial Navigation System for real-time providing to a gimbals control unit navigation and orientation data of the aircraft with respect to a predefined global axes system; (5) Portion selection unit for selecting, one at a time, another area portion from the area of interest; and (6) servo means for directing the gimbals. The system uses data from the inertial navigation system and from the digital elevation map for real-time calculating direction to selected area portions, and for maintaining the direction during integration of light from the terrain, and for producing corresponding images of area portions.

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 method and a facility for the protection of a crowd from terrorists by screening each individual in search of concealed prohibited articles possibly carried by one of the individuals in the crowd. Each individual is monitored by sensors controlled by a monitoring unit while passing in single line queue over a fenced walkway and through a confinement structure containing a one-way passage control device. When a prohibited object is detected, response is provided and the passage control device is locked to detain the suspect individual in the confinement structure interior. The confinement structure is configured to deflect the blast created by an explosion initiated therein, and to prevent harm to the individuals residing on the fenced walkway.

Abstract: A method and a system for monitoring access of a person from an exterior to an interior of a partition via a passage having an openable closed opening, using a detection device and supervision of an operator. A monitoring unit is coupled to both the detection device on the exterior, for handling in manual self-scanning procedure, and an input/output unit on the interior, for use by the operator. The monitored person handles the detection device, which transmits at least a first type handling signal, and at least a second type recognition signal to the monitoring unit. The operator rates the monitored person and transmits a third type rating signal to the monitoring unit, indicating crossing permission or crossing denial. The monitoring unit then derives an access signal from the three types of signals received from at least two sensors to allow or to deny access via the passage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hollow bullet for a light weapon which comprises within said hollow: (a) At least one proximity sensor at the front portion of the bullet for sensing an object, and for providing a sensing indication of a proximity object to a control unit;—A control unit for providing a detonation signal to an explosive charge within the bullet upon receipt of said proximity indication;—and An explosive charge for detonating upon receipt of said detonation signal from said control unit.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for sensing the displacements of micromachined devices and sensors. The method is referred to as the enhanced modulated integrative differential optical sensing (EMIDOS). The target micromachined proof-mass, for which displacements are measured, includes a grid of slits. The micromachined device is bonded to a CMOS chip containing a matching photodiodes array and their readout electronics. The grid is aligned with the photociiodes. An illumination source, such as an LED, is then mounted above the micromachined device. A model for the noise equivalent displacement (NED), including mechanical, electrical and optical domains, as well as all noise sources is derived. The model predicts that displacements below 10?3 [?{square root over ( )}Hz] can be measured. The design comprises innovative inertial sensors, an accelerometer and a rategyroscope employing the EMIDOS. Performance models for the noise equivalent acceleration (NEA) and noise equivalent rate (NER) are also derived.

Abstract: An armor module comprising a rigid casing having a front face, a top face and a bottom face, and a plurality of multi-layer planner cassettes fixedly mounted within the casing. Each cassette has a top base plate and a bottom base plate, sandwiching between them at least a one other layer. The top base plate of an uppermost cassette constitutes the top face of the casing, and a bottom base plate of a lowermost cassette constitutes the bottom face of the casing.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a temperature compensation device for optical instruments which comprises a lens assembly, motor means for rotating the lens assembly about the optical axis thereof, kinematic means for producing rectilinear motion of the lens assembly in response to the rotary motion of the lens assembly, and means for determining the linear displacement and therefore the actual linear position of the lens assembly. Additionally, the device comprises thermometric means, e.g. a temperature detector, which measures the temperature of the environment and transmits the temperature to a processor which controls the actual linear position of the lens assembly through an electronic circuit. The relationship between the temperature detector reading and the corresponding desired linear position is defined by memorized means, preferably by a LUT (look-up table) or, e.g., through optimization on a sensor (ccd, IR, etc.) output (picture).

Abstract: The invention relates to an IFF apparatus for ground applications, which comprises: (a) an encoder for forming an interrogating or response sequence of pulses, and conveying the same to a UWB transmitter; (b) an UWB transmitter for getting said interrogating or response sequence of pulses, forming a corresponding interrogating or response signal of a sequence of UWB pulses, and transmitting the same via a UWB transmitting antenna; (c) a plurality of UWB receiving antennas, disposed away one from the other, for receiving either an interrogating signal or a response signal sent by another IFF apparatus; (d) a decoder for getting from at least one of said UWB receiving antennas received signals, decoding the same, comparing the decoded signal with a bank of pre-stored signals, and determining whether a received signal is an interrogating or response signal; and (e) a processing unit for, upon receipt of a signal of response to an interrogation signal sent by the present IFF apparatus, calculating the location of

Abstract: A vehicle such as a combat aircraft, and methods of operating one or more such vehicles. In each vehicle, a processor receives status reports from a plurality of vehicle subsystems faster than the pilot can assimilate them. The processor presents to the pilot, on a display, selections of at least one course of action, based on the current status reports. When a plurality of vehicles are operated, with one of the pilots being a commander of the plurality of vehicles, the selections are presented to the commander, who assigns initial courses of action to the other pilots. Subsequently, either the commander or the pilot of each vehicle may select the course of action for the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a projectile seeker which comprises: (a) A hollow in the projectile for accommodating a light sensor; (b) A light sensor located within said hollow for sensing light which is emitted or reflected from a target, and for producing an electronic signal upon sensing such emitted light; and (c) A longitudinal shaped opening at the slanted front-side surface of the projectile for enabling a shaped field of view to said light sensor which is limited by the boundaries of said opening, the opening width varies in a direction from the front to the back of the projectile in order to cause said electronic signal to depend on the spinning of the projectile and to be proportional to the orientation of the projectile with respect to the object.