Abstract: Spent cartridges router means in a configuration of a four bars or four bar linkage mechanism for routing spent cartridges ejected from a chain fed automatic weapon towards means for gathering cartridges that is installable as an ad-on and independent (stand alone) mechanism on a weapon station of the type that comprises a base assembly that is rotatable for traverse motion, a cradle assembly that is located on the base assembly and linked with it in axial (pivotally) manner and chain fed automatic weapon that is affixable on the cradle assembly in a manner that it will be rotatable for elevation and lowering around the cradle's axis.

Abstract: An internally illuminated transparent rail, such as a handrail, is disclosed. The rail is fabricated from polycarbonate or the like, and contains one or more series of lighting elements such as LEDs. The LEDs are connected to a programmable controller which stores preloaded programming control sequences and features, and which can also receive commands wirelessly from e.g. a hand held user interface such as a cellular telephone. The rail includes stanchions for mounting to an environmental object such as a transport vehicle or a static structure.

Abstract: A wind turbine includes: (a) a plurality of blades; and (b) a base supporting the plurality of blades and having a first portion provided with a first type of camouflage and a second portion provided with a second type of camouflage that differs from the first type of camouflage. Such a wind turbine may be included in a system further including: at least one light emitting element which, when activated, directs light onto a surface of the wind turbine; a power source for powering the at least one light emitting element; and a controller for controlling at least one of (A) a quantity of light emitted by the at least one light emitting element, (B) a color of light emitted by the at least one light emitting element, and (C) a pattern of light emitted by the at least one light emitting element.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for a three-dimensional camouflage applied to the exterior of a man-made article. The camouflage comprises a surface with a visible topography defined by a predetermined arrangement of three-dimensional elements.

Abstract: A marine vessel comprising a command module, first and second buoyant tubular foils, and first and second struts for connecting the first and second buoyant tubular foils to the command module, respectively, wherein the first and second buoyant tubular foils provide substantially all buoyancy required for the marine vessel, and wherein the marine vessel further comprises first and second engines enclosed within the first and second buoyant tubular foils, respectively, and first and second propulsion units connected to the first and second engines, respectively, for moving the marine vessel through water, and means for reducing drag on the vessel as the vessel moves through water.

Abstract: The invention relates to an armed stealth surface vessel (1) comprising a hull (2), a deck (5, 6) and superstructures (3). The inventive vessel is equipped with sensors, transmitters, arms and, optionally, handling means. The invention is characterized in that the outer casing (4) of the deadworks comprises walls which are all inclined inwards such that the outer faces thereof are oriented upwards and form an angle that is greater than or equal to 20° with the vertical at least above a line located 5 m above the waterline and, along at least 50% of the length of the vessel, above a line located less than one meter above the waterline. The invention is also characterized in that that the essentially-vertical joint lines between two adjacent walls are inclined inwards and form an angle of more than 20° with the vertical. The invention is further characterized in that the sensors and transmitters, the arms and the handling means are concealed or can be concealed in or under the outer casing of the deadworks.

Abstract: The foldable ramp is intended to store, carry and launch relatively large size tube-launched missiles typically on board of relatively small sized naval surface ships. Accordingly, the foldable ramp comprises a frame suitable for carrying one or more canisters for launching rockets or missiles and support elements, which are pivotably attached to the frame and which are adapted to pivotably connect to the launching platform so as to allow rotary movement of the frame with respect to the launching platform. A lifting device lifts the front end of the frame whereby the rear end of the canisters displace a horizontal distance towards the rear of the ramp as said lifting device lifts the frame. Adverse effects of the aft flame of the launched rocket or missile is securely displaced to the outside of the vehicle while foldability of the ramp enables to prevent or reduce radar and eye visibility of the launcher, particularly when mounted on a naval surface ship.

Abstract: An improved system and operating method for a smoke generator machine and control room to be enclosed into a single trailer for the training of personnel in the art of visible smoke opacity compliance monitoring of industrial smoke discharge from smoke stacks by distinguishing the variations of smoke opacity emission based on the requirements set forth by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency EPA said smoke generator is principally used for production of white and black smoke for simulating smoke discharge from industrial smoke stacks by heating various fuels to the flash point in burn boxes to create white or black smoke and venting said smoke through a duct system to a smoke stack by creating a artificial draft by a speed control fan.

Abstract: The invention relates to an armed stealth surface vessel (1) comprising a hull (2), a deck (5, 6) and superstructures (3). The inventive vessel is equipped with sensors, transmitters, arms and, optionally, handling means. The invention is characterised in that the outer casing (4) of the deadworks comprises walls which are all inclined inwards such that the outer faces thereof are oriented upwards and form an angle that is greater than or equal to 20° with the vertical at least above a line located 5 m above the waterline and, along at least 50% of the length of the vessel, above a line located less than one metre above the waterline. The invention is also characterised in that that the essentially-vertical joint lines between two adjacent walls are inclined inwards and form an angle of more than 20° with the vertical. The invention is further characterised in that the sensors and transmitters, the arms and the handling means are concealed or can be concealed in or under the outer casing of the deadworks.

Abstract: A method for defeating or reducing the effectiveness of efforts to detect, track or target a naval vessel by means of its characteristic underwater and electrical fields. In this method, a wave form which mimics the characteristic electrical field produced by a particular type of naval vessel is first ascertained. A decoy which is able to produce, amplify and transmit this wave form which mimics the characteristic electrical field produced by said particular type of naval vessel is then deployed.

Abstract: An apparatus for adaptive camouflage with independent control of both temperature and apparent color. The apparatus has cells or individual pixels behind a transparent outer layer. The temperature of the outer layer is controlled by a heat transfer fluid flowing in a closed circuit in each cell, the fluid being cooled or heated by Pelletier elements located behind the assembly. Color changes can be activated separately at the back of the transparent layer by the rotation of metallic triangles whose sides are covered with various color paints, the triangles being located behind the transparent layer. Radar absorption is obtained by the transparent layer and heat transfer fluid and by the selective orientation of the metallic triangles in various directions. The apparent signature of the assembly can then be varied by adapting the signature of the various cells to current environmental conditions when background conditions alter.

Abstract: Adaptive modification of surface properties such as color, temperature and reflective properties by adjustably varying the temperature of a surface perceived by an observer, utilizing Peltier devices at the surface for temperature adjustment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for discharging signature free exhaust gas from underwater vehicles, the exhaust gas being a by-product of the production of electric energy in energy converters and being directed by means of pressure into a pipe length through which outboard water is flowing. Gas bubbles of the exhaust gas in the at least one pipe length are reduced using static mixers arranged inside of the pipe length through which water is flowing, with the gas being dissolved by the high turbulence of the fluid. As the exhaust gas is dissolved inside of the underwater vehicle, no gas bubbles that might be located are produced outside the vehicle. Since the working pressure of the method equals the immersion pressure in the pipe, the method consumes only a small amount of energy.

Abstract: A lighting system for a watercraft which provides a visual indication of the watercraft at a distance during darkness or other inclement conditions. The lighting system comprises a light source or a plurality of light sources which are directed to directly illuminate the hull of the watercraft such that a distinct portion or portions of the hull is directly illuminated and visually identifiable at a distance. Preferably, the port side of the hull is directly illuminated by a red light, the starboard side of the hull is illuminated green and the stern portion of the hull is illuminated yellow so that one observing the watercraft can determine the correct orientation of the watercraft relative to the observer's position. The light source which directly illuminates the hull of the watercraft is also designed to intermittently flash or strobe based upon the movement of the watercraft, or lack thereof.

Abstract: A system is provided to coalesce bubbles in the wake of a structure that rces the surface of the water. Acoustic sources mounted to the structure produce a plurality of plane waves above and below the surface of the water. The plane waves intersect to create a plurality of standing wave fields both above and below the surface of the water. The standing wave fields operate on bubbles in the wake to coalesce same.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a device to suction off the portion of the boundary layer closest to the hull and expel it alongside the ship is provided. The invention comprises a casing mounted in substantially parallel spaced alignment to the ship hull for diverting the portion of the ship boundary layer in immediate proximity to the underwater hull, at least one pump in communication with the casing for drawing up water from the ship boundary layer that enters into the casing, and at least one outlet nozzle in communication with the pump for expelling the water alongside the hull. The invention removes the portion of the fluid with the highest concentration of vorticity thereby removing the mechanism by which the "inverse bubbles" and floating drops persist far downstream of the ship's stern and thus suppressing the source of the most detectable features of the ship's wake radar image.

Abstract: A method for operating submerged submarines and a submarine are disclosed which are used to camouflage submerged submarines which, while submerged and travelling, draw a trail of heated cooling water behind themselves. In order to reduce the risk of detection of such submerged submarines by means of heat-sensitive detectors, either the density of the heated cooling water is increased through the introduction of additives, or, the heated cooling water is brought, by mechanical means, to a depth far below the submarine for preventing heated-up cooling water to rise up to the sea surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a Diesel engine in which there is obtained a very low permanent magnetic signature by embodying some of its component parts with high volume/mass ratio in a magnetic material, and by reducing or annulling the permanent magnetism of its component parts which are for constructional reasons made of magnetic material by individual demagnetization treatment.