Abstract: An air vehicle having a bilaterally asymmetric configuration for reducing wave drag may include a body having a longitudinal axis. The air vehicle may further include longitudinally offset engine nacelles, asymmetrically lengthened engine nacelles, and/or longitudinally offset protruding aerodynamic surfaces for reducing wave drag.

Abstract: A method for relaying a radio signal between two points having an obstacle therebetween is described. The method includes maintaining an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in an orientation with respect to the two points, the UAV having at least one passive reflective device having an elongated configuration thereon, transmitting a signal from one of the two points, the transmitted signal impinging the at least one passive reflective device, and receiving the signal at the other of the two points, the received signal being a signal reflected from the at least one passive reflective device.

Abstract: A method to enhance efficiency of a propellant heat exchanger is described. The method includes spacing a plurality of propellant tubes of the propellant heat exchanger within defined flux bins, the flux bins defined as a function of total beam energy to be received by the propellant tubes, the propellant tube spacing resulting in each defined flux bin operable to receive a substantially equal amount of beam energy, and configuring each flux bin such that any beam energy that impinges the flux bin is directed to the propellant tube therein.

Abstract: An apparatus for directing thermal infrared energy toward or away from a target is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a covering having a plurality of retroreflective elements. The plurality of retroreflective elements are configured to retroreflect electromagnetic beams primarily at thermal infrared wavelengths, receive the electromagnetic beams from the target along beam reception paths, and reflect the electromagnetic beams back toward the target along beam reflection paths. The beam reflection paths have substantially the same elevation angle and/or azimuth angle as their respective beam reception paths.

Abstract: An apparatus for inhibiting heating of an enclosure is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a covering configured to shade at least a portion of a surface of the enclosure and includes a plurality of retroreflective elements. The plurality of retroreflective elements are configured to retroreflect electromagnetic beams primarily at wavelength in a range between about 380 nm and about 780 nm or sub-range thereof. The plurality of retroreflective elements receive the electromagnetic beams along beam entry paths and reflect the electromagnetic beams along beam exit paths. The beam entry paths and the beam exit paths have substantially the same elevation angle and may also have substantially the same azimuthal angle. Further, the plurality of retroreflective elements may include retroreflective elements configured to diffusively and/or specularly scatter audible sound wavelengths, RF wavelengths, and/or thermal infrared energy.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detection of clear air turbulence are provided. One system includes an image capture device suitable to capture one or more images of an optical phenomenon caused by non-horizontally oriented ice crystals. The system also includes a computer processor configured to receive the one or more images from the image capture device, analyze the one or more images by comparing one or more characteristics of the one or more images to one or more threshold values, and determine based on the comparing, an occurrence of clear air turbulence.

Abstract: A method for producing a heated fluid for use within an engine for propulsion of a vehicle is described. The method includes receiving cooled fluid from a fluid source, directing the cooled fluid between a first window configured to operate as a structural member of the engine and a second window configured to separate the cooled fluid from a heated fluid, passing an electromagnetic beam through the first window and the second window, absorbing the passed electromagnetic beam with a heat exchanger within the engine, and directing the cooled fluid through the heat exchanger to become heated fluid.

Abstract: Data is remotely collected from a plurality of fasteners in response to a query signal wirelessly transmitted by a reader. Each of the fasteners includes a sensor for measuring a parameter related to the stress on the fastener. A device adapted to be attached to each of the fasteners receives the query signal, activates the sensor to measure the parameter and wirelessly transmits the data including the parameter to the reader.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a method for controlling the shape and direction of an explosion may include sensing the direction of an incoming threat, calculating an intercept vector for the threat, and triggering an explosive device in a manner that may generate an intercepting force directed along the intercept vector. According to one embodiment, a system may include a sensor configured to detect the direction of an incoming threat, an explosive device including an explosive and a plurality of embedded detonators, and a firing sequence calculator connected to receive information from the sensor regarding the direction of the threat and to trigger the detonators sequentially to produce an explosion having a selected shape, direction and intensity to create a counteracting force in response to the incoming threat.

Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed that includes a propellant tank, an optical absorber operable to transform optical energy into thermal energy, a quantity of solid lithium within the propellant tank, a heat exchanger, and an engine. The heat exchanger is operable to transfer thermal energy from the optical absorber to the quantity of solid lithium to liquefy at least a portion of the solid lithium, and further operable to boil the liquefied portion of the solid lithium. The engine is operable to utilize lithium vapor from the boiled lithium to propel the vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and systems for measuring atmospheric water content, are provided. The method includes measuring a first air temperature and a first air pressure at a first location in a compressor, measuring a second air temperature and a second air pressure at a second location in the compressor, computing a ratio of specific heats from the first and second air temperatures and the first and second air pressures, and determining an atmospheric water content from the ratio of specific heats.

Abstract: Data is remotely collected from a plurality of fasteners in response to a query signal wirelessly transmitted by a reader. Each of the fasteners includes a sensor for measuring a parameter related to the stress on the fastener. A device adapted to be attached to each of the fasteners receives the query signal, activates the sensor to measure the parameter and wirelessly transmits the data including the parameter to the reader.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for attenuating a shockwave propagating through a first medium. The method may include the steps of detecting a shockwave-producing event, determining a direction and distance of the shockwave relative to a defended target, and interposing a second medium between the shockwave and a defended object. The second medium is different from the first medium and the shockwave is attenuated in energy as it passes through the second medium prior to reaching the defended object.

Abstract: An enhanced control system for an unmanned aerial vehicle adds constraints to the process of choosing a flight path in the event of an in-flight contingency, such as engine out or an encounter with jamming, which forces a diversion or unplanned landing. The constraints are: (1) ensure communications are available when needed during contingency operations; and (2) ensure signals from a global positioning system (or other navigation system) are available when needed during contingency operations.

Abstract: An unmanned vehicle is provided. The unmanned vehicle includes a navigation system configured to navigate the unmanned vehicle relative to a beam of energy emitted from a beam source, a power receiver configured to receive energy from the beam, and an energy storage system configured to store received energy for use in selectively powering the unmanned vehicle.

Abstract: A method and system for attenuating a shockwave propagating through a first medium. The method and system may include providing a sensor for detecting a shockwave-producing event, which may include detecting an explosive device or detecting an explosion from an explosive device, determining a direction and distance of the shockwave relative to a defended target, calculating with a computer control a firing plan, and interposing a second medium between the shockwave and a protected asset if cost effective to do so. The second medium may be different from the first medium and the shockwave may be reflected, refracted and dispersed, or absorbed as it passes through the second medium prior to reaching the protected asset, and thus may be attenuated in force as it reaches the protected asset.

Abstract: A system and method directed to using a PV array and laser beamed-power for aircraft and satellites is provided. More specifically, a system and method directed to a PV receiver that reduces power losses caused by variations in irradiance is provided. The use of a sloped array with a grooved cover glass coated with reflective coating allows the system and method to receive the laser beamed power at an angle and reduce any losses while producing a maximum power output. In addition, the use of capacitors in parallel with the PV cells in the array reduces resistive losses caused by short-term optical fluctuations and assists in maximizing power output for the array.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a method for attenuating shock waves may include detecting at least one of an incoming hostile threat or electromagnetic radiation from an explosion from the hostile threat and filling an enclosure with a gas, the enclosure being positioned between the explosion and a region to be protected. According to one embodiment, a system may include a sensor configured to detect at least one of the direction of an incoming threat and an explosion from the incoming threat, an inflatable enclosure, and an inflation device configured to receive a trigger signal from the sensor indicating the arrival of the threat or explosion from the threat and inflate the inflatable enclosure in time to allow the inflated enclosure to reflect, absorb and/or refract and defocus at least a portion of the shock wave from the explosion before it reaches the protected region.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transferring power through an aircraft window and thereby powering temporary externally mounted equipment, such as flight test instrumentation, without cutting or drilling holes in the airplane to run wire for a flight test or experiment. One embodiment uses a light source and a photovoltaic cell to transfer power from inside to outside the aircraft. Another embodiment uses an RF source and a rectenna to transfer power from inside to outside the aircraft.

Abstract: Onboard systems and methods for detection of airborne volcanic ash. One or more cameras are added to an aircraft. Each camera is configured to view a volume of air illuminated by a standard aircraft light, such as a strobe warning light (e.g., located on a wing tip) or a forward-facing landing light (e.g., located in the nose). Each camera is connected to a data processor. When diffuse volcanic ash is present, it scatters light transmitted from the standard aircraft light. Each camera converts impinging backscattered light into digital data which is sent to the processor. The processor processes the data from the camera or cameras to derive a measurement of the backscattered light and issues an alert when the amount and type of backscatter are compatible with the presence of volcanic ash.