Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, an apparatus comprises a passive cooling system and a portion of an air vehicle which receives thermal energy. The passive cooling system is disposed adjacent the portion of the air vehicle and comprises a fluid transfer chamber. A fluid transfer element and a coolant are disposed within the fluid transfer chamber. The fluid transfer element wicks a portion of the coolant towards the portion of the air vehicle. The portion of the coolant wicked towards the portion of the air vehicle absorb at least a portion of the thermal energy in a boiling heat transfer.

Abstract: The disclosed compositions and methods for producing composite materials that are suitably adapted for use in elevated temperature environments generally include the use of oxyarylbisorthodinitrile matrix resins in conjunction with aromatic amines to produce an improved phthalonitrile-based composite. Various features and specifications may be controlled, adapted or otherwise optionally modified to improve the temperature-rated performance of the disclosed composite materials. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention generally provide composite materials that offer improved strength at temperatures in excess of 600° F.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention a method of creating a composite with an object having a central axis is provided which comprises wrapping a first fabric layer around the object in one of a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction around the central axis of the object. A second fabric layer is wrapped over the first fabric layer. The second fabric layer is wrapped around the object in the other of the clockwise or the counterclockwise direction around the central axis. The object is placed in a mold and resin is injected into the mold to form the composite.

Abstract: An obturator is provided for a projectile launched from a gun barrel. The obturator includes an annular ring that is fabricated from a high-temperature resistant composite material. The annular ring has an inner surface that is in contact with the projectile. In addition, when the projectile is fired from the gun barrel, an outer surface of the annular ring contacts an inner surface of a bore of the gun barrel. When the projectile is fired from the gun barrel, the radial distance between the inner surface and the outer surface of the annular ring substantially equals or exceeds the radial distance between an outer surface of the projectile and the inner surface of the bore of the gun barrel at at least one point. This configuration restricts a flow of charge gases from an aft end of the projectile to a forward end of the projectile as the projectile is fired from the gun barrel.

Abstract: A ramming brake is provided for use with a projectile launched from the barrel of a gun having a tapered portion. The ramming brake includes a braking ring that has a tapered surface configured to wedge into a tapered portion of the gun barrel. In a particular configuration, the braking ring wedges in the tapered breach of the gun barrel. The ramming brake further includes a retaining mechanism that is used to couple the braking ring to the projectile. This retaining mechanism restrains and controls the movement of the projectile after the braking ring wedges into the tapered portion of the barrel.