Abstract: A store ejection system for ejecting a store from an aircraft includes a store ejector having a plurality of suspension hooks for releasing the store, and a plurality of ejector pistons for pushing the store downward and away, a force adjuster configured to adjust a force setting that determines a force the ejector pistons of the store ejector to push the store, a pitch adjuster configured to adjust a pitch setting that determines a pitch the ejector pistons of the store ejector to push the store, and a controller configured to continuously receive current flight conditions of the aircraft, to signal the force adjuster to adjust the force setting to a desired force based on the current flight conditions and the pitch adjuster to adjust the pitch setting to a desired pitch based on current flight conditions, and to signal the store ejector to release and eject the store.

Abstract: An emergency vehicle flotation system has bladder(s) attached in a compressed state on a vehicle. An inflation initiating component comprising a selected one or more of a submersion sensor attached to the vehicle to detect water pressure indicative of submersion of the vehicle and a user interface device. Selectable force gas generator(s) (SFGGs) have one gas-generating propellant cells that are individually fired. The SFGG(s) have conduit(s) that receive gas from fired gas-generating propellant cells and direct the gas to inflate the bladder(s). A controller is communicatively coupled to the inflation initiating component and the gas-generating propellant cells of the one or more SFGGs. The controller enables the emergency vehicle flotation system to receive an inflation signal from the inflation initiating component, and to fire a selected number of the more than one gas-generating propellant cells to at least partially inflate the bladder(s).

Abstract: An adaptive force vehicle airbag (AFVA) system includes airbag(s) stowed in a compressed state within an interior of a vehicle. An impact sensor detects a change in motion of the vehicle indicative of a collision. Selectable force gas generator(s) (SFGGs) gas-generating propellant cells that are individually fired. The SFGGs have conduit(s) that receive gas from fired gas-generating propellant cells and direct the gas to inflate at least one of the airbag(s). A controller is communicatively coupled to the inflation initiating component and the gas-generating propellant cells of the SFGGs. The controller enables the AFVA system to: (i) receive an inflation signal from the impact sensor; and (ii) fire a selected number of the gas-generating propellant cells to at least partially inflate the at least one airbag.

Abstract: A modular weapon carriage and deployment (MWCD) system includes a strongback structure mountable to an aircraft. Left and right guide struts have respective upper ends attached to the strongback structure in spaced lateral positions. Each guide strut extends downward in a parallel arrangement. Each guide strut comprising a vertically-extending first engaging surface. Left and right suspension modules are engageable to opposite lateral sides of a first airborne store. Each suspension module includes a vertical channel that receives the engaging surface of the corresponding one of the left and right guide struts for relative vertical translation. A locking mechanism controllably locks to first engaging surface of the corresponding one of the left and right guide struts.

Abstract: An adaptive force vehicle airbag (AFVA) system includes airbag(s) stowed in a compressed state within an interior of a vehicle. An impact sensor detects a change in motion of the vehicle indicative of a collision. Selectable force gas generator(s) (SFGGs) gas-generating propellant cells that are individually fired. The SFGGs have conduit(s) that receive gas from fired gas-generating propellant cells and direct the gas to inflate at least one of the airbag(s). A controller is communicatively coupled to the inflation initiating component and the gas-generating propellant cells of the SFGGs. The controller enables the AFVA system to: (i) receive an inflation signal from the impact sensor; and (ii) fire a selected number of the gas-generating propellant cells to at least partially inflate the at least one airbag.

Abstract: A selectable force gas generator (SFGG) includes support material of honeycomb structure and a gas collection chamber contained in a housing. Gas-generating propellant cells are partially embedded in the support material. Each of the gas-generating propellant cells includes a steel jacket having a convex portion exposed to the gas collection chamber. The steel jacket has an orifice through the convex portion. Each propellant cell includes a propellant packet contained in the jacket. Each propellant cell includes a fire wire electrically connectable to an electrically-fired initiator and electrically connected to the propellant packet. The fire wire transmits a firing signal that causes the propellant packet to produce gas. A cap is positioned between the propellant packet and the jacket. The cap has a tip that blocks the orifice of the jacket and the thickness of the jacket is sufficient to prevent sympathetic detonation of the propellant packet.

Abstract: An emergency vehicle flotation system has bladder(s) attached in a compressed state on a vehicle. An inflation initiating component comprising a selected one or more of a submersion sensor attached to the vehicle to detect water pressure indicative of submersion of the vehicle and a user interface device. Selectable force gas generator(s) (SFGGs) have one gas-generating propellant cells that are individually fired. The SFGG(s) have conduit(s) that receive gas from fired gas-generating propellant cells and direct the gas to inflate the bladder(s). A controller is communicatively coupled to the inflation initiating component and the gas-generating propellant cells of the one or more SFGGs. The controller enables the emergency vehicle flotation system to receive an inflation signal from the inflation initiating component, and to fire a selected number of the more than one gas-generating propellant cells to at least partially inflate the bladder(s).

Abstract: An airborne store support assembly includes an ejector housing assembly that receives a fluid-actuated ejector piston. Extension of the piston pushes apart an airborne store from an aircraft for separation after release. A selectable force gas generator (SFGG) includes a total number of more than one gas-generating unit in fluid communication with the ejector housing assembly to actuate the fluid-actuated ejector piston with a selected amount of force. A communication interface in communication with the SFGG supplies at least one firing signal that causes a selected subset of the more than one gas-generating unit that corresponds to the selected amount of force that is dynamically determined by a controller based on flight parameters of at least one of an attitude, a rate of motion, and a rate of acceleration of the aircraft.

Abstract: A selectable force gas generator (SFGG) includes support material of honeycomb structure and a gas collection chamber contained in a housing. Gas-generating propellant cells are partially embedded in the support material. Each of the gas-generating propellant cells includes a steel jacket having a convex portion exposed to the gas collection chamber. The steel jacket has an orifice through the convex portion. Each propellant cell includes a propellant packet contained in the jacket. Each propellant cell includes a fire wire electrically connectable to an electrically-fired initiator and electrically connected to the propellant packet. The fire wire transmits a firing signal that causes the propellant packet to produce gas. A cap is positioned between the propellant packet and the jacket. The cap has a tip that blocks the orifice of the jacket and the thickness of the jacket is sufficient to prevent sympathetic detonation of the propellant packet.

Abstract: An airborne store support assembly includes an ejector housing assembly that receives a fluid-actuated ejector piston. Extension of the piston pushes apart an airborne store from an aircraft for separation after release. A selectable force gas generator (SFGG) includes a total number of more than one gas-generating unit in fluid communication with the ejector housing assembly to actuate the fluid-actuated ejector piston with a selected amount of force. A communication interface in communication with the SFGG supplies at least one firing signal that causes a selected subset of the more than one gas-generating unit that corresponds to the selected amount of force that is dynamically determined by a controller based on flight parameters of at least one of an attitude, a rate of motion, and a rate of acceleration of the aircraft.

Abstract: A modular weapon carriage and deployment (MWCD) system includes a strongback structure mountable to an aircraft. Left and right guide struts have respective upper ends attached to the strongback structure in spaced lateral positions. Each guide strut extends downward in a parallel arrangement. Each guide strut comprising a vertically-extending first engaging surface. Left and right suspension modules are engageable to opposite lateral sides of a first airborne store. Each suspension module includes a vertical channel that receives the engaging surface of the corresponding one of the left and right guide struts for relative vertical translation. A locking mechanism controllably locks to first engaging surface of the corresponding one of the left and right guide struts.