Abstract: A variable buoyancy device has an inner region and an outer cavity. The outer cavity extends at least partially around the inner region and is adapted to contain fluids, such as a liquid and a gas, the relative proportions of which can be varied to vary buoyancy. The inner region provides an advantageous location for equipment, while the outer cavity provides a significant volume for achieving a wide range of buoyancy adjustments.

Abstract: A technique for managing an attachment between first and second portions of a device. The technique includes a retaining component having a first state in which the retaining component maintains the attachment between the first and second portions by virtue of a rigid characteristic and a second state in which the retaining component loses the rigid characteristic and no longer maintains the attachment. The retaining component transitions from the first state to the second state upon exposure to liquid water.

Abstract: A robotic system which includes a fluid controller, an arm portion, and a soft end effector apparatus coupled with the fluid controller and the arm portion. The soft end effector apparatus includes a base constructed and arranged to mount to the arm portion, a set of wrist assemblies coupled with the base, and a set of finger assemblies coupled with the set of wrist assemblies. Each wrist assembly of the set of wrist assemblies (i) couples with a respective finger assembly and (ii) provides movement to that respective finger assembly relative to the base during actuation of that wrist assembly and during independent actuation of that respective finger assembly in response to control from the fluid controller. Along these lines, the fluid controller may individually provide pressurized fluid to each wrist assembly and each finger assembly when controlling interaction between the soft end effector apparatus and an external object.

Abstract: A technique for managing an attachment between first and second portions of a device. The technique includes a retaining component having a first state in which the retaining component maintains the attachment between the first and second portions by virtue of a rigid characteristic and a second state in which the retaining component loses the rigid characteristic and no longer maintains the attachment. The retaining component transitions from the first state to the second state upon exposure to liquid water.

Abstract: A variable buoyancy device has an inner region and an outer cavity. The outer cavity extends at least partially around the inner region and is adapted to contain fluids, such as a liquid and a gas, the relative proportions of which can be varied to vary buoyancy. The inner region provides an advantageous location for equipment, while the outer cavity provides a significant volume for achieving a wide range of buoyancy adjustments.

Abstract: A rocket propelled grenade shield including a flexible net and a frame secured to the flexible net supporting the flexible net. Spaced hard points are attached to the net, the hard points including a base portion with a cavity therein and a plug received in said cavity locking each hard point to the flexible net.

Abstract: An armor module including a flexible, spacing structure configured to prevent detonation of an RPG striking the structure. Hard points are attached to the flexible spacing structure in a spaced relationship to each other to engage an RPG striking the structure and spaced via the flexible spacing structure from a vehicle or other target sufficiently to dud the RPG before the RPG strikes the vehicle or other target.

Abstract: A rocket propelled grenade shield including a flexible net and a frame secured to the flexible net supporting the flexible net. Spaced hard points are attached to the net, the hard points including a base portion with a cavity therein and a plug received in said cavity locking each hard point to the flexible net.

Abstract: A rocket propelled grenade shield including a flexible net and a frame secured to the flexible net supporting the flexible net. Spaced hard points are attached to the net, the hard points including a base portion with a cavity therein and a plug received in said cavity locking each hard point to the flexible net.

Abstract: A rocket propelled grenade shield including a flexible net and a frame secured to the flexible net supporting the flexible net. Spaced hard points are attached to the net, the hard points including a base portion with a cavity therein and a plug received in said cavity locking each hard point to the flexible net.

Abstract: A vehicle and structure shield includes an array of hard points laterally spaced and outwardly supported, in one example, by a net subsystem and frame.

Abstract: A vehicle and structure shield hard point includes a forward facing base portion defined by a front face, sidewalls extending rearward from the front face including slots therethrough for the cords of a net, and a cavity surrounded by the sidewalls. A plug is sized to be frictionally received in the cavity of the forward facing base portion locking the cords of the net with respect to the forward facing base portion.

Abstract: A surrogate RPG includes a warhead with an outer conductive portion and an inner conductive portion spaced from the outer conductive portion. A sabot includes an electrical circuit configured to monitor conductivity between the inner and outer conductive portions. The surrogate RPG can be used to test the effectiveness of various RPG defeat technologies.

Abstract: A vehicle and structure shield includes a flexible net subsystem including an array of rods or hard points supported by the net subsystem and configured to impact a projectile striking the net. A frame includes mounting brackets attached thereto positioning the frame in a spaced relationship with respect to the vehicle or structure. A first releasable fastener subsystem releasably secures the net subsystem to the frame and a second releasable fastener subsystem releasably secures the mounting brackets of the frame to a vehicle or structure.

Abstract: A vehicle and structure shield includes a flexible net subsystem including an array of rods or hard points supported by the net subsystem and configured to impact a projectile striking the net. A frame includes mounting brackets attached thereto positioning the frame in a spaced relationship with respect to the vehicle or structure. A first releasable fastener subsystem releasably secures the net subsystem to the frame and a second releasable fastener subsystem releasably secures the mounting brackets of the frame to a vehicle or structure.

Abstract: A vehicle and structure shield includes a flexible net subsystem including an array of rods or hard points supported by the net subsystem and configured to impact a projectile striking the net. A frame includes mounting brackets attached thereto positioning the frame in a spaced relationship with respect to the vehicle or structure. A first releasable fastener subsystem releasably secures the net subsystem to the frame and a second releasable fastener subsystem releasably secures the mounting brackets of the frame to a vehicle or structure.

Abstract: A vehicle and structure shield includes a flexible net subsystem including an array of rods or hard points supported by the net subsystem and configured to impact a projectile striking the net. A frame includes mounting brackets attached thereto positioning the frame in a spaced relationship with respect to the vehicle or structure. A first releasable fastener subsystem releasably secures the net subsystem to the frame and a second releasable fastener subsystem releasably secures the mounting brackets of the frame to a vehicle or structure.

Abstract: A vehicle and structure shield includes a flexible net subsystem including an array of rods or hard points supported by the net subsystem and configured to impact a projectile striking the net. A frame includes mounting brackets attached thereto positioning the frame in a spaced relationship with respect to the vehicle or structure. A first releasable fastener subsystem releasably secures the net subsystem to the frame and a second releasable fastener subsystem releasably secures the mounting brackets of the frame to a vehicle or structure.

Abstract: A vehicle and structure shield hard point includes a forward facing base portion defined by a front face, sidewalls extending rearward from the front face including slots therethrough for the cords of a net, and a cavity surrounded by the sidewalls. A plug is sized to be frictionally received in the cavity of the forward facing base portion locking the cords of the net with respect to the forward facing base portion.

Abstract: A vehicle and structure shield system including a flexible structure with a fabric border including one of a hook and loop type fastener thereon, a frame for the flexible structure including frame members with the other of hook and loop fastener thereon for releasably securing the flexible structure to the frame, and hard points attached to the flexible structure.