Abstract: A fire control system for a boost phase threat missile includes sensors for generating target-missile representative signals, and a multi-hypothesis track filter, which estimates the states of various target hypotheses. The estimated states are typed to generate hypotheses and their likelihoods. The states, hypotheses and likelihoods are applied to a multihypothesis track filter, and the resulting propagated states are applied to an engagement planner, together with the hypotheses and likelihoods. The engagement planner initializes the interceptor(s). Interceptor guidance uses the initialization and the propagated states and typing information to command the interceptor.

Abstract: A stable aqueous pigment slurry and a process for preparing same. The slurry contains about 50 to 90 wt. %, based on the weight of the slurry, of a pigment such as titanium dioxide and about 0.2 to 3.0 wt. %, based on the weight of the slurry, of a smectite clay such as bentonite, hectorite or montmorillonite. Preferably, the pigment slurry also contains about 0.1 to 2.0 wt. %, based on the weight of the slurry, of a dispersant. The process involves admixing a pigment slurry and a smectite clay slurry and preferably also the dispersant by milling the three components together under high shear conditions.

Abstract: An improved process for preparing an aqueous clay slurry having superior gellation properties. The process involves the bead milling of the clay in an aqueous medium for a period of about 0.5 to 20 minutes at an energy input level of about 44 to 146 kilowatt-hours per metric ton of dry clay. The milling may carried out using any suitable horizontal or vertical sand mill or ball mill such as the "Morehouse Cowles Sandmill" or the "Polymill" containing a grinding medium such as zirconium silicate or zirconium oxide. The clay is preferably a smectite clay such as montmorillonite and is present in the slurry in the range of about 3 to 30 wt. %, based on the total weight of the slurry. The aqueous clay slurry is useful as a rheological additive in water-based coating formulations.

Abstract: Organoclay compositions which comprise the reaction product of a smectite-type clay having an ion exchange capacity of at least 50 meq. wt. per 100 g. clay (active basis), and an alkoxylated quaternary ammonium compound having one or two alkoxylated chains containing 0-10 moles ethylene oxide and 3-15 moles of propylene or butylene oxide residues are useful thixotropic materials, especially for the preparation of aqueous systems.

Abstract: Unusually high loading levels of smectite minerals are found to provide excellent pigment spacing in aqueous-based coatings, as will enable desired improved hiding, thereby extending the pigment. The level of smectite used in accordance with the invention is sufficiently high that the high gelling efficiency smectites previously used as thixotropes would be inappropriate, and would yield viscosities so high as to render the aqueous coating composition lacking in desired flowability properties. Thus in accordance with the present invention, there is mixed with the aqueous carrier and pigment at least 0.5% by weight of the total composition, of a particulate water swellable smectite which has a gelling efficiency such as to display a 20 rpm Brookfield viscosity of less than 900 cps when subjected to the standard gelling test herein, with the amount of the smectite in the composition not exceeding that which would raise the viscosity of the composition above 110 Krebs Units (KU).

Abstract: An aircraft control system for an unique-trim, model-following system includes a feedforward shaping function that provides quickening of pilot input, and an automatic trim function that accommodates return of the cockpit controller to an unique, centered position during trimmed flight. The basic control law is reconfigured in response to the changing state of landing gear contact to support transitions between ground state and fly state conditions. The state of the landing gear is monitored continually to recognize the occurrence of initial ground contact and whether the aircraft is constrained about a rotational axis due to ground contact. The control is altered progressively as the transition proceeds so that command of the control surface is consistent with the degree of constraint imposed by ground contact.