Abstract: A spark gap switch, including a first planar electrode including a discharge portion and a support portion. The spark gap also includes a second planar electrode parallel to and spaced apart from the first electrode and includes a discharge portion and a support portion. The discharge portions are mutually opposite, and the support portions are mutually staggered.

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 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: An optical system for receiving an incoming beam of electromagnetic radiation, for dividing it into a transmitted beam, containing a part of the wavelength band of the incoming beam, and a reflected beam, containing the remainder of the wavelengths in the incoming beam, and for transferring the transmitted beam continuously to a detector. The system is capable of switching the reflected beam between any one of two or more detectors. The system comprises an objective lens, a dichroic beamsplitter cube, a first detector, capable of detecting radiation in a first wavelength band, a second group of two or more detectors, each capable of detecting radiation in a second wavelength band and means of rotating the dichroic beamsplitter cube, so as to switch between the detectors of the second group.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for generatig superheated steam from industrial grade hydrogen peroxide, Hydrogen peroxide and a combustible fluid are injected into a first part of the combustion chamber to form a reactant mixture. The reactant mixture is ignited, to allow for the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide and the generation of superheated steam, which exits from a second part of the combustion chamber. An improved combustion efficiency is realized with the implementation of a flame holder.

Abstract: A method of determining an orientation of a body. The method includes the steps of measuring an acceleration of the body in a first direction, measuring an acceleration of the body in a second direction different from the first direction, the first direction and the second direction defining a plane. Measuring an acceleration perpendicular to the plane in a coordinate system rotating about an axis perpendicular to the plane, and inferring the orientation of the body from the three measurements.

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 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: Method and apparatus for removing acid gases from the exhaust of lasers, which comprises adding to the effluent of the laser generator a reactive, solid, powdery material, consisting in a metal oxide or hydroxide, preferably chosen from among magnesium or calcium oxide or hydroxide, and allowing the effluent to be dispersed in the environment with the reaction products of the metal oxide with the HF/DF gases and with any unreacted amount of the metal oxide. The reactive, powdery material may be fed into laser exhaust plume formed by the laser effluent or into the primary stream which drives the exhaust gases through the ejector. The amount of metal oxides that can be used may be at least stoichiometric with respect to the HF/DF gases.

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.