Abstract: A system for triggering improvised explosive devices (IEDs) with an alternating magnetic field. In one embodiment, the magnetic field is produced by a magnetic field projector in the shape of one-half of a torus, the half-torus being composed of several conductive segments referred to as toroidal wedges. A poloidal current flows in each toroidal wedge, producing a magnetic field that is projected by the half-torus. The magnetic field may induce a current, producing heating, in a conductive loop in an IED and triggering the IED.

Abstract: A multiple input loop antenna comprising one or more half-loop antennas disposed above a ground plane wherein the plane of each half loop is perpendicular to the ground plane such that the multiple input loop antenna is a three-dimensional structure and electromagnetic waves are radiated from points within the volume occupied by the antenna rather than from a two-dimensional surface. For this reason, the multiple input loop antenna can radiate levels of peak power without inducing excessive air breakdown which are relatively high compared with peak power levels of conventional antennas having comparable transverse dimensions. Also described is an array antenna comprised of an array of multiple input loop antennas.

Abstract: A system for triggering improvised explosive devices (IEDs) with an alternating magnetic field. In one embodiment, the magnetic field is produced by a magnetic field projector in the shape of one-half of a torus, the half-torus being composed of several conductive segments referred to as toroidal wedges. A poloidal current flows in each toroidal wedge, producing a magnetic field that is projected by the half-torus. The magnetic field may induce a current, producing heating, in a conductive loop in an IED and triggering the IED.

Abstract: A multiple input loop antenna comprising one or more half-loop antennas disposed above a ground plane wherein the plane of each half loop is perpendicular to the ground plane such that the multiple input loop antenna is a three-dimensional structure and electromagnetic waves are radiated from points within the volume occupied by the antenna rather than from a two-dimensional surface. For this reason, the multiple input loop antenna can radiate levels of peak power without inducing excessive air breakdown which are relatively high compared with peak power levels of conventional antennas having comparable transverse dimensions. Also described is an array antenna comprised of an array of multiple input loop antennas.

Abstract: A multiple input loop antenna comprising one or more half-loop antennas disposed above a ground plane wherein the plane of each half loop is perpendicular to the ground plane such that the multiple input loop antenna is a three-dimensional structure and electromagnetic waves are radiated from points within the volume occupied by the antenna rather than from a two-dimensional surface. For this reason, the multiple input loop antenna can radiate levels of peak power without inducing excessive air breakdown which are relatively high compared with peak power levels of conventional antennas having comparable transverse dimensions. Also described is an array antenna comprised of an array of multiple input loop antennas.

Abstract: A multiple input loop antenna comprising one or more half-loop antennas disposed above a ground plane wherein the plane of each half loop is perpendicular to the ground plane such that the multiple input loop antenna is a three-dimensional structure and electromagnetic waves are radiated from points within the volume occupied by the antenna rather than from a two-dimensional surface. For this reason, the multiple input loop antenna can radiate levels of peak power without inducing excessive air breakdown which are relatively high compared with peak power levels of conventional antennas having comparable transverse dimensions. Also described is an array antenna comprised of an array of multiple input loop antennas.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a cargo container. The novel system (100) includes a sensor module (10) mounted in each target area (20) and a central monitoring system (40). Each sensor module (10) includes one or more sensors (22) and a transceiver (28) for transmitting data from the sensors to the central monitoring system (40). The central monitoring system (40) includes a transceiver (44) for receiving the data from all sensor modules (10) and a local master processor (46) for processing and analyzing the data. In the preferred embodiment, each transceiver (28) is capable of receiving and retransmitting signals of other sensor modules to relay signals of a particular sensor module (10) in a daisy chain fashion to and from the central monitoring system (40).

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a cargo container. The novel system (100) includes a sensor module (10) mounted in each target area (20) and a central monitoring system (40). Each sensor module (10) includes one or more sensors (22) and a transceiver (28) for transmitting data from the sensors to the central monitoring system (40). The central monitoring system (40) includes a transceiver (44) for receiving the data from all sensor modules (10) and a local master processor (46) for processing and analyzing the data. In the preferred embodiment, each transceiver (28) is capable of receiving and retransmitting signals of other sensor modules to relay signals of a particular sensor module (10) in a daisy chain fashion to and from the central monitoring system (40).

Abstract: An explosively-driven magneto-cumulative generator that employs a Bitter coil with configurable electromagnet windings and insulation in its stator. An armature with a conducting metal liner filled with high explosive is initiated by an initiator and a switchable seed capacitor. The stator is coaxially aligned with and surrounds the armature and comprises the Bitter coil. A load is coupled between the armature and the Bitter coil. The Bitter coil comprises a series of conducting annular disks with an azimuthal sector of conductor removed. The disks are stacked with interleaved insulation, and are connected turn-by-turn. The windings of the Bitter coil can be modified, turn-by-turn, to change the inner and outer radii, and thickness, of each winding, and the material, size, and spacing of the interleaving insulation. This design variability solves many performance problems of conventional magneto-cumulative generators.

Abstract: A plurality of thin metal film battery cells (12) are stacked together to form a stick (14). An array of the sticks (14) are carried in a case (16) and are connected in series to provide a high voltage output at the case terminals (20, 22). A switching arrangement managed by a control unit (52) is used to test and recharge the battery cells. If one of the sticks (14) is defective, it is bypassed and replaced with a replacement stick in order to maintain the desired output voltage.

Abstract: A wire antenna having a Vivaldi taper that is used to radiate or receive low frequency RF energy from or to an airborne platform. The antenna comprises two conducting wires that trail from the platform, and which comprise a radiator having a Vivaldi taper. The shape of the conducting wires is maintained by a combination of aerodynamic drag on the conducting wires, a weight connected to the end of the lower wire, a chute connected to the end of the upper wire, and nonconducting guy-wires connecting the upper and lower conducting wires. The nonconducting guy-wires are positioned at locations between the upper and lower conducting wires to form and maintain an optimal taper between the conducting wires. A method of deploying a Vivaldi antenna from an airborne platform is also disclosed. A lower conducting wire is attached to the enclosure, and an upper conducting wire is attached to a chute. The antenna and chute are stored in the enclosure, and the enclosure is disposed beneath the platform.

Abstract: A relativistic magnetron device comprising an elongate cathode shank extending along the axis of the device and a cylindrical anode surrounding the cathode shank along at least part of its length to define an annular interaction area. The anode has an even number of resonator cavities facing the cathode, and microwave extraction devices are connected to alternate resonator cavities to extract power from the device. The cathode has a central, emission band extending from the center of the interaction area in opposite directions and terminating short of the ends of the anode, while the remainder of the cathode is non-emitting.