Abstract: A blast countermeasure for a vehicle, such as an armoured vehicle, is provided. The blast countermeasure comprises: at least one explosive; a detonator for detonating the explosive; and at least one reflector, located at least partially above the at least one explosive, for reflecting a shock wave generated by detonation of the at least one explosive groundwards in order to apply a groundwards force to the vehicle. The vehicle may comprise: control circuitry configured to respond to detection of an explosion local to the vehicle by activating an actuator to generate a groundwards force and cause a cabin floor of the vehicle to move groundwards.

Abstract: A blast countermeasure for a vehicle, such as an armoured vehicle, is provided. The blast countermeasure comprises: at least one explosive; a detonator for detonating the explosive; and at least one reflector, located at least partially above the at least one explosive, for reflecting a shock wave generated by detonation of the at least one explosive groundwards in order to apply a groundwards force to the vehicle. The vehicle may comprise: control circuitry configured to respond to detection of an explosion local to the vehicle by activating an actuator to generate a groundwards force and cause a cabin floor of the vehicle to move groundwards.

Abstract: An emergency landing apparatus for an aircraft and a method of operating the emergency landing apparatus is provided. The emergency landing apparatus comprises: one or more rocket motors arranged to eject efflux in order to provide upwards thrust to control descent of the aircraft during emergency landing of the aircraft; and control circuitry configured to: cause the one or more rocket motors to eject efflux and provide upwards thrust to control descent of the aircraft during emergency landing of the aircraft; and cause redirection of the efflux ejected by the one or more rocket motors, during the emergency landing of the aircraft, in order to reduce the upwards thrust provided by the one or more rocket motors.

Abstract: An emergency landing apparatus for an aircraft and a method of operating the emergency landing apparatus is provided. The emergency landing apparatus comprises: one or more rocket motors arranged to eject efflux in order to provide upwards thrust to control descent of the aircraft during emergency landing of the aircraft; and control circuitry configured to: cause the one or more rocket motors to eject efflux and provide upwards thrust to control descent of the aircraft during emergency landing of the aircraft; and cause redirection of the efflux ejected by the one or more rocket motors, during the emergency landing of the aircraft, in order to reduce the upwards thrust provided by the one or more rocket motors.

Abstract: A vehicle, comprising: pressure detection means; vehicle stabilizing means; means for receiving an input from the pressure detection means, in response to the pressure detection means detecting an increase in pressure caused by an explosion; and control means for controlling, in response to reception of the input from the pressure detecting means, the vehicle stabilizing means to apply a force to the vehicle, in order to stabilize the vehicle in response to the explosion.

Abstract: An armoured vehicle undershield for a land-based armoured vehicle, comprising: an underside guard; one or more casings coupled to the underside guard; and a fibre reinforced composite material encased by the one or more casings.

Abstract: A vehicle and a sensor for use in the vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle includes: a sensor array configured to detect an explosion by sensing, at different heights within a base of the vehicle, mechanical deformation of the base of the vehicle caused by the explosion; and control circuitry configured to respond to detection of the explosion by causing a groundwards force to be applied to the vehicle that depends upon inputs, characterizing the explosion, provided by the sensor array. The sensor includes: at least one support; a first frangible electrical connection, for conveying an electrical signal, held by the at least one support at a first height; and a second frangible electrical connection, for conveying an electrical signal, held by the at least one support at a second height different from the first height.

Abstract: A vehicle, comprising: pressure detection means; vehicle stabilizing means; means for receiving an input from the pressure detection means, in response to the pressure detection means detecting an increase in pressure caused by an explosion; and control means for controlling, in response to reception of the input from the pressure detecting means, the vehicle stabilizing means to apply a force to the vehicle, in order to stabilize the vehicle in response to the explosion.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods and computer programs are provided. In one example, an apparatus is a rocket motor, comprising: a casing having a length dimension, a width dimension and a depth dimension, wherein the length dimension is greater than the width dimension and greater than the depth dimension; and propellant, located inside the casing, arranged to generate a force in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the length dimension of the casing.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided which includes a vehicle support structure having a casing of a rocket motor that is arranged to sustain an inertial load generated, at least in part, by the vehicle when the rocket motor is inactive. In some examples, the vehicle is a land-based vehicle and the vehicle support structure includes a roll cage. In other examples, the vehicle is a helicopter and the vehicle support structure is a skid structure.

Abstract: A vehicle and a sensor for use in the vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle includes: a sensor array configured to detect an explosion by sensing, at different heights within a base of the vehicle, mechanical deformation of the base of the vehicle caused by the explosion; and control circuitry configured to respond to detection of the explosion by causing a groundwards force to be applied to the vehicle that depends upon inputs, characterising the explosion, provided by the sensor array. The sensor includes: at least one support; a first frangible electrical connection, for conveying an electrical signal, held by the at least one support at a first height; and a second frangible electrical connection, for conveying an electrical signal, held by the at least one support at a second height different from the first height.

Abstract: A vehicle, apparatus, method and computer program are provided. The vehicle comprises: vehicle stabilizing means for ejecting at least one non-gaseous mass; means for detecting an explosion local to the vehicle; and control means for controlling, in response to detection of an explosion local to the vehicle, the vehicle stabilizing means to eject at least one non-gaseous mass in order to apply a force to the vehicle and stabilize the vehicle in response to the explosion.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods and computer programs are provided. In one example, an apparatus is a rocket motor, comprising: a casing having a length dimension, a width dimension and a depth dimension, wherein the length dimension is greater than the width dimension and greater than the depth dimension; and propellant, located inside the casing, arranged to generate a force in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the length dimension of the casing.

Abstract: A vehicle, apparatus, method and computer program are provided. The vehicle comprises: vehicle stabilizing means for ejecting at least one non-gaseous mass; means for detecting an explosion local to the vehicle; and control means for controlling, in response to detection of an explosion local to the vehicle, the vehicle stabilizing means to eject at least one non-gaseous mass in order to apply a force to the vehicle and stabilize the vehicle in response to the explosion.

Abstract: A vehicle, apparatus, method and computer program are provided. The vehicle comprises: vehicle stabilizing means for ejecting at least one non-gaseous mass; means for detecting an explosion local to the vehicle; and control means for controlling, in response to detection of an explosion local to the vehicle, the vehicle stabilizing means to eject at least one non-gaseous mass in order to apply a force to the vehicle and stabilize the vehicle in response to the explosion.

Abstract: A vehicle (2), comprising: pressure detection means (16), vehicle stabilizing means (18); means (14) for receiving an input from the pressure detection means (16), in response to the pressure detection means (16) detecting an increase in pressure caused by an explosion; and control means (12) for controlling, in response to reception of the input from the pressure detecting means (16), the vehicle stabilizing means (18) to apply a force to the vehicle (2), in order to stabilize the vehicle (2) in response to the explosion.

Abstract: A method of detecting damage in a rail includes the step of running a vehicle on the rail, detecting the sound produced by the rail as a result of the vehicle running on the rail and analyzing the detected sound to provide an indication of any damage to the rail. Alternatively or additionally, the light reflected by the rail (including laser light directed at the rail) and/or the temperature of the rail may be detected. The method is particularly aimed at detecting complete breaks in rails. the method may be carried out while the train is operating a normal commercial service, thus minimizing disruption and providing continuous analysis of the condition of the rail network.

Abstract: A pressure transmitter for use in the curing of composite components may take the form of a caul plate, pressure intensifier or vacuum bag and is formed from a curable elastomeric material which is partially cured, normally when supported on a mould, at a temperature not exceeding 100° C. It is subsequently further cured at, for example 175° C., while unsupported. It may incorporate a reinforcing layer formed from a curable resin pre-impregnated fibrous material.

Abstract: A pressure transmitter for use in the curing of composite components may take the form of a caul plate, pressure intensifier or vacuum bag and is formed from a curable elastomeric material which is partially cured, normally when supported on a mould, at a temperature not exceeding 100° C. It is subsequently further cured at, for example 175° C., while unsupported. It may incorporate a reinforcing layer formed from a curable resin pre-impregnated fibrous material.

Abstract: A pressure transmitter for use in the curing of composite components may take the form of a caul plate, pressure intensifier or vacuum bag and is formed from a curable elastomeric material which is partially cured, normally when supported on a mold, at a temperature not exceeding 100° C. It is subsequently further cured at, for example 175° C., while unsupported. It may incorporate a reinforcing layer formed from a curable resin pre-impregnated fibrous material.