Abstract: A separated lift-thrust (SLT) aircraft includes a longitudinal-thrust engine and articulated electric rotors, at least some of which are variable-position rotors having variable orientations based on rotor position signals. Control circuitry independently controls thrust of the longitudinal-thrust engine and the thrust and orientation of each of the variable-position rotors, relative to the aircraft lifting surface and longitudinal thrust engine, to provide for commanded thrust-vectoring maneuvering of the aircraft during VTOL, fixed wing flight, and intermediate transitional states, including maintenance of a desired pose of the lifting surface independent of orientation of the rotor orientations when hovering the aircraft in windy conditions. A flight and navigation control system automates flight maneuvers and maintains desired aircraft pose and position relative to static or dynamic coordinates during station keeping, tracking, avoidance, or convergence maneuvers.

Abstract: A weapon is capable of firing cased telescoped (CT) ammunition rounds. The weapon includes a barrel, a chamber member that defines a chamber configured to hold a CT round for firing from the weapon, a non-rotating carrier body, and linkage. The linkage is constructed and arranged to move the chamber member (i) from a firing position in which the chamber member is aligned with the barrel for firing the CT round to an ejection/loading position in which the chamber member is not aligned with the barrel for ejecting a spent CT round and receiving a next CT round in response to the non-rotating carrier body moving away from the barrel, and (ii) from the ejection/loading position to the firing position in response to the non-rotating carrier body moving toward the barrel.

Abstract: Techniques are directed to a modular vehicle belly armor kit, as well as systems and methods which utilize such a kit. The kit includes a bottom plate, a top plate, and a plurality of wall sections connecting with the bottom plate and the top plate to form an armor structure that protects a belly portion of the vehicle. After the modular vehicle belly armor kit is positioned underneath a vehicle, the bottom plate may be placed in contact with the vehicle. After the bottom plate is placed in contact with the vehicle, the bottom plate may be fastened to vehicle.

Abstract: Techniques involve utilizing a multi-track cargo handling assembly to guide individual cargo items in parallel tracks to an aft end of a deck of an amphibious air cushion vehicle when unloading from the aft end. Such a multi-track cargo handling assembly includes a framework constructed and arranged to couple with the deck of the amphibious air cushion vehicle, and a set of guide rails coupled with the framework. The set of guide rails defines the parallel tracks and is constructed and arranged to constrain movement of the cargo items along the parallel tracks.

Abstract: A light apparatus includes an array of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) in parallel arrangement, in which the LEDs have respective first terminals coupled together for connection to a supply node of a power source that provides the drive current to the LEDs during operation. Driver circuity is disposed between respective second terminals of the LEDs and a return node of the power source. The driver circuitry includes a respective LED driver for each of the LEDs, and each LED driver includes (1) a transistor connected to the second terminal of the respective LED, and (2) a resistor in series between the transistor and a return node of the power source, the transistors of the LED drivers having respective control inputs for receiving respective LED drive signals to control operation of the LEDs.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes a fuselage assembly, a further portion that attaches with the fuselage assembly, and a propulsion assembly coupled with the further portion. The propulsion assembly is constructed and arranged to provide propulsion for the UAV. The fuselage assembly includes a fuselage body constructed and arranged to operate as a forward portion of the UAV, lateral stringers coupled with the fuselage body and extending laterally along the fuselage body, and a set of interchangeable covers to cover at least a portion of a payload bay opening defined by the fuselage body. Utilizing such a fuselage assembly offers a highly configurable mounting architecture to accommodate a wide variety of payloads.

Abstract: A belt-fed weapon includes an upper part defining a feed tray cavity, and a feed tray in the feed tray cavity, wherein the feed tray and feed-tray cavity are co-configured for lateral sliding insertion and removal of the feed tray to and from an installed position in the feed tray cavity. The arrangement enables insertion and removal of the feed tray without interference with an installed scope or similar optic, enabling maintenance or field stripping without requiring removal or re-sighting of the scope.

Abstract: An aircraft includes an airframe having a fixed-wing section and a plurality of articulated electric rotors, at least some of which are variable-position rotors having different operating configurations based on rotor position. A first operating configuration is a vertical-flight configuration in which the rotors generate primarily vertical thrust for vertical flight, and a second operating configuration is a horizontal-flight configuration in which the rotors generate primarily horizontal thrust for horizontal fixed-wing flight. Control circuitry independently controls rotor thrust and rotor orientation of the variable-position rotors to provide thrust-vectoring maneuvering. The fixed-wing section may employ removable wing panels so the aircraft can be deployed both in fixed-wing and rotorcraft configurations for different missions.

Abstract: Techniques involve an air flow assembly to provide pressurized air, e.g., for use by an air-cushion vehicle (ACV) or other craft. The air flow assembly includes a volute having a central chamber, a lift duct, and a thruster duct. The air flow assembly further includes a set of guide members disposed between the central chamber and the thruster duct, and linkage coupled to the set of guide members. The linkage is constructed and arranged to transition the set of guide members between a closed configuration in which the set of guide members closes an opening between the central chamber and the thruster duct, and an opened configuration in which the set of guide members opens the opening between the central chamber and the thruster duct.

Abstract: A technique of managing communications among multiple modules of a munition includes receiving, by a first module of the munition, a first set of messages from a second module of the munition. The first set of messages is received in a first protocol used for communicating among the modules of the munition over a computer network. The technique further includes translating, by an interface assembly of the first module, the first set of messages in the first protocol into a second set of messages in a second protocol. The second protocol is a native protocol of the first module and is different from the first protocol. The technique still further includes providing the second set of messages from the interface module to an operational component of the first module, the operational component then responding to the second set of messages for performing a function of the munition.

Abstract: A technique for operating an aerial vehicle involves enabling a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) propeller of the aerial vehicle to rotate freely. The VTOL propeller is coupled with a VTOL motor (e.g., a 3-phase brushless DC motor). The technique further involves detecting when the VTOL propeller rotates to a predefined position relative to a direction of flight for the aerial vehicle (e.g., when blades of the VTOL propeller extend along an axis that is parallel to the direction of flight). The technique further involves, in response to detecting that the VTOL propeller has rotated to the predefined position, providing a load from the VTOL motor that inhibits further rotation of the VTOL propeller. Accordingly, while the aerial vehicle is in fixed wing horizontal flight, the controller is able to align the VTOL propeller in the direction of horizontal flight to minimize drag from the VTOL propeller.

Abstract: A technique for generating analog waveforms includes combining a desired, in-band signal with a randomizing, out-of-band signal at an input of a DAC, operating the DAC to generate DAC output based on a combination of the desired signal and the randomizing signal, and filtering the DAC output to pass the desired signal while removing the randomizing signal.

Abstract: Techniques involve releasing and/or capturing a fixed-wing aircraft using an aerial vehicle with VTOL capabilities while the fixed-wing aircraft is in flight. For example, the VTOL aerial vehicle may take off vertically while carrying the fixed-wing aircraft and then fly horizontally before releasing the fixed-wing aircraft. Upon release, the fixed-wing aircraft flies independently to perform a mission (e.g., surveillance, payload delivery, combinations thereof, etc.). After the fixed-wing aircraft has completed its mission, the VTOL aerial vehicle may capture the fixed-wing aircraft while both are in flight, and then land together vertically. Such operation enables the fixed-wing aircraft to vertically take off and/or land while avoiding certain drawbacks associated with a conventional VTOL kit such as being burdened by weight and drag from the VTOL kit's rotors/propellers, mounting hardware, etc.

Abstract: A feed tray assembly for a belt-fed weapon includes a bottom tray portion configured for mounting at a top of the weapon. The feed tray assembly further includes a feed tray cover mounted to the bottom tray portion and configured for lateral sliding opening and closing movement, such as on laterally extending pins riding in corresponding channels of the bottom tray portion. The feed tray cover has (1) a closed position in which it covers the bottom tray portion to retain the belt of ammunition during operation, and (2) an open position laterally displaced from the closed position to enable insertion of the belt of ammunition. Due to this lateral sliding movement of the feed tray cover, a sighting optic may be mounted on the weapon with a forward portion directly above the feed tray assembly without any undesired mechanical interference.

Abstract: An aircraft employs articulated, variable-position electric rotors having different operating configurations and transitions therebetween, as well as variable-pitch airfoils or blades, for generating vectored thrust in the different configurations. Control circuitry generates rotor position signals and blade pitch signals to independently control rotor thrust, rotor orientation and rotor blade pitch of the variable-position rotors in a manner providing (i) the transitions among the operating configurations for corresponding flight modes of the aircraft, which may include both vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) mode as well as a forward-flight mode, and (ii) commanded thrust-vectoring maneuvering of the aircraft in the different configurations, including tailoring blade pitch to optimize aspects of aircraft performance.

Abstract: A 1-to-N munitions adapter that includes a physical launcher interface, a physical munitions interface, and electronic control circuitry. The physical launcher interface is operable to connect the 1-to-N munitions adapter to a single munition launcher that is i) configured and arranged to carry and launch a single munition of a first type, and ii) integrated to an airborne platform. The physical munitions interface is operable to connect the 1-to-N munitions adapter to multiple munitions of a second type. The 1-N munitions adapter i) emulates a control interface of a single munition of the first type to the single munition launcher, in part by identifying the 1-to-N munitions adapter to the single munition launcher as a single munition of the first type, and ii) selectively controls the release of munitions of the second type while the airborne platform is in flight in response to signals received from the single munition launcher.

Abstract: A firearm for firing cased telescoped (CT) ammunition cartridges that includes a split chamber configured to fully support a CT cartridge when it is fired, and that includes i) a dynamic rear chamber portion defining a pocket in a face of a bolt, and ii) a static front chamber portion that is integral to the barrel and separate from the bolt. A cartridge extraction mechanism engages the CT cartridge prior to the CT cartridge being fired, and holds the CT cartridge in the pocket in the bolt face as the bolt moves rearward to pull the CT cartridge out of the static front chamber portion and into an ejection position. An ejector is operable to eject the CT cartridge from the pocket in the face of the bolt when the CT cartridge reaches the ejection position.

Abstract: A firearm for firing case-telescoped (CT) rounds includes a barrel configured for transit of a bullet of a live CT cartridge in a live-fire operating mode. The live CT cartridge is chambered and fired from a live-fire chamber installed in the live-fire operating mode. The firearm further includes a blank-fire chamber configured to chamber and fire a blank CT cartridge in a blank-fire operating mode, wherein the blank-fire chamber has a second diameter less than a first diameter of the live-fire chamber, to prevent chambering of the live CT cartridge in the blank-fire operating mode. The arrangement can enhance safety by preventing accidental firing of a live round during operation when it is assumed that only blanks are being fired.

Abstract: A firearm for firing cased telescoped (CT) ammunition cartridges that includes a split chamber configured to fully support a CT cartridge when it is fired, and that includes i) a dynamic rear chamber portion defining a pocket in a face of a bolt, and ii) a static front chamber portion that is integral to the barrel and separate from the bolt. A cartridge extraction mechanism engages the CT cartridge prior to the CT cartridge being fired, and holds the CT cartridge in the pocket in the bolt face as the bolt moves rearward to pull the CT cartridge out of the static front chamber portion and into an ejection position. An ejector is operable to eject the CT cartridge from the pocket in the face of the bolt when the CT cartridge reaches the ejection position.