Abstract: By removing the aerodynamic fin forces from the fin lock mechanism, achieved by actuating the fin control system to apply a controlled force that counters the aerodynamic forces acting on the control fins, the system can reduce the transmission of aerodynamic forces onto the fin lock mechanism, which makes the fin lock mechanism easier to unlock with less force. Accordingly, a method for unlocking a fin lock mechanism that releasably holds one or more missile control fins in a locked position, where the control fins are prevented from rotating, includes the steps of (i) applying an alternating positive and negative rotational force to a control fin; (ii) monitoring the position of the control fin during the applying step; and (iii) while the position of the control fin does not exceed a predetermined value, repeating the applying step for a predetermined number of times or for a predetermined period.

Abstract: A system for guiding a gun-fired or mortared round towards an intended target, the system including a round having: a forward facing image pick-up device for capturing image data; a first transceiver; guidance device for varying a flight path of the round; and a first processor. The system further including a control platform remotely located from the round, the control platform having: a second transceiver; a second processor; an input device; and a display. Where the first processor transmits image data from the image pick-up device through the first transceiver to the second processor through the second transceiver, the second processor transmits guidance information from the second transceiver to the first processor through the first transceiver and the first processor controls the guidance device based on the guidance information to guide the round towards the intended target.

Abstract: A guidance unit system is configured to be used for a ground-launched projectile. The system includes a housing configured to be attached to a ground-launched projectile. The housing is coupled to an attachment region that attaches to the projectile, wherein the housing is configure to rotate relative to the attachment region. A motor is contained within the housing and a bearing surrounding the motor. The bearing is rigidly attached to the housing such that the motor rotates with the housing and shields the motor from inertial loads experienced by the housing.

Abstract: A fin lock assembly 12 for locking and unlocking missile fins 20 includes a piston 34 movable along a piston axis 44 between a locked position for preventing a fin from rotating and an unlocked position for allowing the fin to rotate. The fin lock assembly includes a camshaft 46 rotatable between a locked position and a relatively-rotated unlocked position about a cam axis 50 that is transverse the piston axis. The camshaft has an eccentric portion 66 connected to the piston such that rotation of the camshaft between the locked position and the unlocked position moves the piston between its corresponding locked and unlocked positions. The fin lock assembly includes a torsion spring 72 connected to the camshaft to bias the camshaft toward its unlocked position. A latch mechanism 100 holds a plurality of camshafts in their locked positions and simultaneously releases the camshafts to release their fins.

Abstract: A system and method for guiding a projectile is presented. A nozzle system includes a boom assembly body that can be attached to a rear end of a projectile. A gas tank in the boom assembly contains pressurized gas. Fins are attached to the boom assembly body to guide the projectile. A valve lets a pulse of gas out of the gas tank. A nozzle expels the pulse of gas to control an angle of attack and lift of the projectile to guide the projectile to a target.

Abstract: A shift lock assembly includes a drive member carried by a drive shaft and configured to rotatably couple to a drive motor and a shift mechanism disposed between the drive member and a ground plate, the shift mechanism configured to move between a first position and a second position relative to the drive member and the ground plate. When disposed in the first position, the shift mechanism is configured to couple the drive shaft to the ground plate and decouple the drive shaft from the drive member to allow rotation of the drive member relative to the drive shaft. When disposed in the second position, the shift mechanism is configured to couple the drive shaft to the drive member and decouple the drive shaft from the ground plate to allow rotation of the drive shaft in response to rotation of the drive member.

Abstract: A system and method of trajectory correction includes a voice coil coupled to the projectile and providing a linear force; a linkage assembly coupled to the voice coil and comprising: a linkage shaft; a slot coupled to the linkage shaft; and a pin loosely coupled to the slot to form a first pivot point, wherein the linkage assembly converts the linear force to a torque force through the first pivot point; and a canard assembly coupled to the linkage assembly and including a canard shaft coupled to the linkage shaft to form a second pivot point; and at least one canard coupled to the canard shaft, wherein the torque force is transmitted to canard shaft by the linkage shaft, and wherein the canard shaft transmits the torque force to the canard to correct the trajectory of the projectile.

Abstract: A fin retention and deployment mechanism includes a detent in each of a plurality of fins, a mechanism that engages the detent, and at least one spring clip that maintains each of the fins in a non-deployed position. The mechanism also includes a gas generator, a manifold, coupled to the gas generator and having a plurality of cylinders in fluid communication with gas from the gas generator, and a plurality of pistons disposed in the cylinders. A bottom of each of the pistons is coupled to each of the fins to provide deployment thereof when a corresponding top of each of the pistons is acted upon by gas from the gas generator. In response to the gas generator expelling gas, the pistons may move the fins to a deployed position.

Abstract: An advance is made in the art according to an aspect of the present invention disclosure directed to a pressure-activated, inertially locking base and fin mechanism for projectiles. Operationally, a base housing of a projectile contains both the fins, held within slots within the base, and a plunger. Which plunger has plurality of channels communicating with a chamber within base and which plunger is initially situated flush with the base. Upon firing the chamber is pressurized by the high-pressure firing gases being forced through the channels. When the projectile exits the barrel, the chamber's pressure vents through the channels, but, not fast enough to avoid a pressure differential that forces the plunger out of the base, causing a set of spring arms to flex upward and deploy the fins. When fully deployed, the fins are locked in place, in the deployed position, by a spring loaded pin.

Abstract: A method of actuating a control surface in a munition. The method including: coupling a pair of fins to an actuation device; generating pressurized gas to selectively actuate the actuation device; and converting the actuation of the actuation device to rotation of the pair of fins. The converting can convert a linear output of the actuation device to the rotation of the pair of fins or a rotary output of the actuation device to the rotation of the pair of fins. The generated gas can be directly provided to the actuation device or the generated gas can be stored in a storage device before being provided to the actuation device. The method can further include repeating the coupling, generating and converting for a second pair of fins.

Abstract: A device for opening and locking a tail unit is provided. The tail unit includes a body and at least one fin, pivotable relative to the body along a first axis, that has a projection that forms an element. The device comprises a control ring, slidable relative to the body along a second axis, that includes a component, forming an element, that bears against the projection to deploy the fin, the second axis being non-parallel and non-secant to the first axis. A means for shaping one of the elements during translation along the second axis of the control ring towards the projection of the fin is provided on the other element. The body includes a bearing surface to support the fin during shaping, in which the support of the fin on the bearing surface corresponds to the deployed position of the fin.

Abstract: A guided projectile may include a projectile body, an inertial measurement unit disposed within the projectile body, one or more control surfaces extendable from the projectile body, and a controller which controls the one or more control surfaces in response, at least in part, to measurement data received from the inertial measurement unit. The inertial measurement unit may include sensors to measure motion parameters relative to first, second, and third mutually orthogonal axes, wherein each of the first, second and third mutually orthogonal axes is oblique to a longitudinal axis of the projectile body.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods provide a guidance kit that can be attached to a projectile, such as screwed into a fuze well of an artillery round or a mortar round. A portion of the guidance kit is configured to spin constantly during flight. In the context of an artillery round that is shot from a rifled barrel, the direction of the spin torque is counter to the direction of the spin induced by the rifled barrel. Control surfaces are present in the portion of the guidance kit that spins constantly during flight. While the portion spins, the control surfaces are actuated to steer the projectile towards an intended target via, for example, GPS.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a missile or munition with a hierarchical, modular, closed-loop flow control system, more particularly to aircraft or munition with flow control system for enhanced aerodynamic control, maneuverability and stabilization. The present invention further relates to a method of operating the flow control system. Various embodiments of the flow control system involve elements including flow sensors, active flow control devices or activatable flow effectors, and logic devices with closed loop control architecture. The sensors are used to estimate or determine flow conditions on the surfaces of a missile or munition. The active flow control device or activatable flow effectors create on-demand flow disturbances, preferably micro-disturbances, at different points along the various aerodynamic surfaces of the missile or aircraft to achieve a desired stabilization or maneuverability effect.

Abstract: A system and method for propelling pellets from a launch tube in flight includes a payload section and a stabilizing section. The launch tube and its pellets are essentially the payload section. The stabilizing section is essentially the equivalent of an arrow, and it includes a connector for selectively engaging the stabilizing section with the payload section. In use, the stabilizing section is reusable with a sequence of payload sections.

Abstract: A vehicle for launching from a gas gun having a housing; preferably incorporating a precessional attitude control system; and utilizing a flared base, fins, or active use of the attitude control system during passage through the atmosphere. Subtly canting the fins can produce desired spinning of the vehicle. The propulsion system can employ liquid, hybrid, or solid fuel. A removable aero-shell assists atmospheric flight with thermal protection being provided by anticipated ablation, an ablative aero-spike, or transpirational cooling. And a releasable sabot enhances the effectiveness of the launch.

Abstract: A control actuation system for an air-breathing rocket motor propelled guided missile positions the drive motors and input gears in an inlet fairing extending aft of the air inlet towards the tail of the missile. The output gears are positioned coincident with and mechanically coupled to their respective tail fins spaced around the circumference of the missile. At least one of the tail fins is offset in a circumferential direction of the missile from its corresponding input gear and the inlet fairing. At least one ring gear is positioned around the exhaust tube to rotate in the circumferential direction of the missile. The ring gear comprises input and output teeth that engage the input and output gears, respectively, to actuate the tail fin.

Abstract: Disclosed are a wing device for a flight vehicle and a flight vehicle having the same, the wing device including a fixing shaft disposed in a lengthwise direction of a main body of the flight vehicle, a wing rotatably mounted to the fixing shaft so as to be deployed from a state of being laid on an outer circumferential surface of the main body to an erected state, and slidable along the fixing shaft, a fixing groove formed to face the wing in a sliding direction of the wing, and a spring unit configured to apply a first elastic force in an outer circumferential direction of the main body for deployment of the wing, and apply a second elastic force in a lengthwise direction of the main body for inserting the wing into the fixing groove, whereby the wing can be fixed after deployment so as to enhance stability of the flight vehicle.

Abstract: A multi-caliber fuze kit includes a fuze housing configured for coupling with multiple projectiles. One or more canards are moveably coupled with the fuze housing. The one or more canards are adjustable between two or more canard configurations. In a first canard configuration, the one or more canards are at a first canard angle relative to a bore sight of the fuze housing, and the first canard angle is configured for use with a first projectile. In a second canard configuration, the one or more canards are at a second canard angle relative to the bore sight of the fuze housing, and the second canard angle is configured for use with a second projectile. The first and second canard angles are different. In another example, in the first canard configuration the one or more canards include a first canard shape configured to provide a first specified trajectory with the first projectile.

Abstract: A method for stepping a first member relative to a second member associated with a projectile. The method including: providing one of the first and second members with one of a plurality of pockets and movable pins offset from each other with a first spacing; providing the other of the first and second members with the other of the plurality of pockets and movable pins offset from each other with a second spacing, where the first spacing is different from the second spacing; and engaging at least one of the movable pins into a corresponding pocket to step one of the first and second members a predetermined linear and/or rotary displacement.

Abstract: An actuator including: a housing; a piston movably disposed in the housing, the piston being movable between an extended and retracted position; a plurality of gas generation charges generating a gas in fluid communication with the housing; and an exhaust port for exhausting gas from the cylinder generated by the plurality of gas generation charges; wherein activation of each of the plurality of gas generation charges results in an increase in pressure in the housing causing the piston to move in the housing from the refracted to the extended position. The actuator can further include a return spring for biasing the piston in the retracted position and the plurality of gas generation charges can be disposed in the housing.

Abstract: A stand-off breaching device, for breaching a target, that includes a nose at a front end which is a rounded cone-shape and configured to cause the stand-off breaching device to rebound from a target after the nose impacts the target, and a body connected to the nose and extending to a back end of the stand-off breaching device. The body includes a main explosive fill that is detonated and explodes to provide an explosive breaching force, and a delay detonator that detonates the main explosive fill and that is triggered when the nose impacts a target. The delay-detonator is configured to delay detonation of the main explosive fill until the stand-off breaching device has rebounded to a determined stand-off distance chosen to cause effective breaching of the target. The nose, body, and their components are fabricated from material that will be substantially consumed by the explosion, minimizing any fragments.

Abstract: A flechette has a forward body (20) containing its center of gravity which is connected to a tail section (24). The tail section has a pair of fins (24A, 24B) each having a preselected longitudinal angle and radial angle. When the two fins are viewed from the aft of the flechette, the pair of fins demonstrate a S-shaped orientation. The size, shape and orientation of the pair of fins provide aerodynamic stability to the flechette while allowing the flechette to be stacked with like-shaped flechettes. The two-piece assembly of the flechette easily accommodates the use of different density materials for the respective pieces.

Abstract: A projectile body intended to evolve in a fluid, such body equipped with at least two radially deployable control surfaces, such control surfaces being accommodated prior to their deployment in housings made in the body, such that the housings communicate at their intersection point, each housing being blocked by sealing device preventing any fluid from the exterior of the projectile body from passing through the housings when the control surfaces are deployed.

Abstract: An optically guided munition and control system has a replacement fuse assembly mounted on the front of a munition body or shell casing. An optical seeker subsystem detects an illuminated target and supplies signals to a processor. The processor develops steering commands sent to a flight control subsystem having a plurality of guidance canards which are actuated by drive motors through gear assemblies. The roll of the munition is established and left/right and up/down steering commands are sent to the canard drive motors based upon the optical seeker subsystem detection of the target illuminator. Range adjustment is based upon bore sight lockdown angle and cross range control is based upon left/right centering error. A code is contained in the optical radiation received from the illuminated target which must be validated by a preset code in the system processor to arm the munition.

Abstract: A weapon and weapon system, and methods of manufacturing and operating the same. In one embodiment, the weapon includes a warhead including destructive elements and a guidance section with a target sensor configured to guide the weapon to a target. The target sensor includes a front lens configured to provide a cover to protect the target sensor from an environment and a fast fresnel lens behind the front lens to provide a multi-lens focusing system for the target sensor. In a related embodiment, the weapon includes an aft section including a tail fin having a modifiable control surface area thereby changing an aspect ratio thereof.

Abstract: A supercavitating projectile is disclosed that has deployable fins. The fins are pivotally coupled to the body of the projectile. The fins have two primary states: stowed within a recess at the surface of the projectile and deployed to a radially-extended position relative to the body of the projectile. The fins deploy as the projectile leaves its launch tube. The fins function as a control surface, interacting with the wall of the vapor cavity in which the supercavitating projectile travels.

Abstract: Some embodiments pertain to a projectile that includes a casing and at least one fin that extends from the casing. The projectile further includes a drive inside the casing and an adjustment mechanism inside the casing. The adjustment mechanism includes a first gear that engages the drive and a second gear that engages the fin and the first gear. The second gear includes teeth that are different distances from an axis of rotation of the second gear. The teeth of the second gear that engage the first gear may be the farthest from the axis of rotation of the second gear when the fin is aligned with a flight axis of the projectile. The engaging teeth of the second gear get closer to the axis of rotation of the second gear as the fin is maneuvered away from the flight axis of the projectile.

Abstract: A projectile, air vehicle or submersible craft with a spinning or rolling fuselage, rotating on its axis, has a collar which can be positioned relative to a longitudinal axis of the projectile using aerodynamic forces. Aerodynamic surfaces, such as lift-producing surfaces, for example tails or canards, are coupled to the collar, and rotate with the collar. An actuator system or mechanism controls orienting of the lift-producing surfaces, such as tilting of the lift producing surfaces, to direct the collar into a desired position relative to a longitudinal axis of the projectile, and to maintain the collar in that position. With such a control the projectile is able to be steered using bank-to-turn maneuvering. The actuator system may use any of a variety of mechanisms to move the lift-producing surfaces, thereby positioning the collar.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a missile or aircraft with a hierarchical, modular, closed-loop flow control system and more particularly to aircraft or missile with a flow control system for enhanced aerodynamic control, maneuverability and stabilization. The present invention further relates to a method of operating the flow control system. Various embodiments of the flow control system of the present invention involve different elements including flow sensors, active flow control device or activatable flow effectors and logic devices with closed loop control architecture. The sensors of these various embodiments are used to estimate or determine flow conditions on the various surfaces of a missile or aircraft.

Abstract: A projectile, air vehicle or submersible craft with a spinning or rolling fuselage, rotating on its axis, has a collar which can be positioned relative to a longitudinal axis of the projectile using aerodynamic forces. Aerodynamic surfaces, such as lift-producing surfaces, for example tails or canards, are coupled to the collar, and rotate with the collar. An actuator system or mechanism controls orienting of the lift-producing surfaces, such as tilting of the lift producing surfaces, to direct the collar into a desired position relative to a longitudinal axis of the projectile, and to maintain the collar in that position. With such a control the projectile is able to be steered using bank-to-turn maneuvering. The actuator system may use any of a variety of mechanisms to move the lift-producing surfaces, thereby positioning the collar.

Abstract: A flechette has a forward section or body (12) containing its center of gravity. A quill (10) is connected to the forward section and is integrally connected to a pair of fins (15A, 15B) each having a longitudinal angle and a radial angle. When the two fins are viewed from the aft of the flechette, the pair of fins demonstrate an S-shaped orientation. The size, shape and orientation of the fins provide aerodynamic stability to the flechette while allowing the flechette to be stacked with like-shaped flechettes in rows and columns or in a radial, circular arrangement. When stacked in rows and columns or in a circular arrangement, each flechette has its nose oriented in the same forward direction.

Abstract: A control actuation system for an air-breathing rocket motor propelled guided missile positions the drive motors and input gears in an inlet fairing extending aft of the air inlet towards the tail of the missile. The output gears are positioned coincident with and mechanically coupled to their respective tail fins spaced around the circumference of the missile. At least one of the tail fins is offset in a circumferential direction of the missile from its corresponding input gear and the inlet fairing. At least one ring gear is positioned around the exhaust tube to rotate in the circumferential direction of the missile. The ring gear comprises input and output teeth that engage the input and output gears, respectively, to actuate the tail fin.

Abstract: A missile and a method for reducing the required control forces during the flight of a missile, comprising providing to the missile movable parts that adjust center of pressure of the missile as they move and as fuel in the missile is consumed, moving the movable parts so as to continuously move the center of pressure toward the moving center of gravity of the missile.

Abstract: The roll orientation of a thrust vector control (TVC) or other missile section is measured and used to compensate the operation of the control surface. A measurement of a roll orientation of the control surface relative to the missile is obtained from a detector, memory or other source. Compensated control commands are determined at least in part based upon the measurement to account for the roll orientation of the control surface relative to the missile, and the compensated control command is provided to thereby actuate the control surface during operation of the missile.

Abstract: A multi-stage fin deployment assembly includes a rotary actuator configured to release a first spring-loaded stage that, when deployed, releases a second spring-loaded stage to deploy a set of deployable member or fins. By chaining these spring-loaded stages together, a relatively small input force, as provided by the rotary actuator, causes the second spring-loaded stage to generate a relatively large output force on the fins. This multistage force magnification makes it possible for the deployment assembly to utilize smaller actuators that require less power and take up less space, compared to conventional locking mechanisms.

Abstract: A foldable deployable panel device attached to a body of an object is disclosed. The device includes a panel pivotally attached to the body by a first pivot element at first pivot position and a second pivot element at a second pivot position. The first pivot element is disengageable from the first pivot position, when the panel is aligned in a predetermined orientation. The second pivot element is fixed at the second pivot position, when the first pivot element is engaged at the first pivot position. The panel is urged by an energy storing element, when the first pivot element is disengaged from the first pivot position, to move into the deployed position.

Abstract: A slow rolling projectile comprises a projectile body has a forward section and a rear section and having a longitudinal axis. Two or more canards in the forward section are capable of being extended from and retracted into the projectile body at predetermined frequencies and/or for predetermined times. Two or more tail fins in the rear section are fixed coextensive to or at an angle to the longitudinal axis, and an actuator extends and retracts the canards. The canards are capable of being extended and retracted at a rate based on the rotation of the projectile sufficient to correct for lateral movement. A GPS or INS navigational system activates an actuator to extend and retract the canards.

Abstract: A GNC device for use with a projectile, includes a rotating GNC portion and a non-rotating GNC portion, the rotating GNC portion being fixedly coupled to a projectile body, at least one bearing being interposed between the rotating GNC portion and a non-rotating GNC portion, the at least one bearing permitting the rotating GNC portion to rotate with respect to the non-rotating GNC portion. In a GNC device for use with a projectile, a method is further included.

Abstract: A deployable fairing is driven off of high-pressure gun gases to reduce aerodynamic drag and extend the range of the artillery shell. An artillery shell is provided with a fabric fairing and a piston attached thereto in a rear section of the shell in a stowed state and a chamber. During launch high-pressure gun gasses are captured and stored in the chamber. Once the shell clears the end of the artillery tube, the pressure aft of the shell drops from the high pressure inside the tube to atmospheric pressure outside the tube. The high pressure gun gasses stored in the chamber act over the top surface of the piston to drive the piston aft against the much lower pressure behind the projectile to deploy the fabric fairing attached thereto to reduce the base area of the projectile creating or extending the boat-tail of the shell, hence reduce aerodynamic drag. The aft driven piston engages a locking mechanism that locks the piston in a deployed position.

Abstract: Some embodiments pertain to a projectile that includes a casing and a plurality of fins which are secured to the casing. Each of the fins is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The fins are typically in the stowed position during storage and launch, and move to the deployed position as soon as possible after launch. Each fin includes a first foil that has a first set of openings and a second foil that includes a second set of openings. The first sets of openings in the first foils are aligned with the second sets of openings in the second foils when each of the fins is in the stowed position. The first sets of openings in the first foils are not aligned with the second sets of openings in the second foils when each of the fins is in the deployed position.

Abstract: A kit for upgrading a non-guided shell to an airborne guided shell includes a device to couple the kit to the body of the non-guided shell. A fastener provides for fastening the resulting airborne shell to an aircraft and for detaching it there from. The kit also provides for causing the trajectory of the shell to change once detached from the aircraft according to instructions received in the kit; for determining the position of the shell; and for transferring data from the carrying platform to the guidance kit.

Abstract: Some embodiments pertain to a projectile that includes a body and a support attached to the body. The projectile further includes at least one partial fin that is rotatably attached to the support such that the partial fin moves between a stowed position and a deployed position. The support moves relative to the partial fin as the partial fin moves between the stowed position and the deployed position such that the partial fin and the support form a complete fin when the partial fin is in the deployed position. The support may form a portion of the front edge of the complete fin when the partial fin is in the deployed position. The support may lock the partial fin in place when the partial fin is in the deployed position.

Abstract: A method for stepping a first member relative to a second member associated with a projectile. The method including: providing one of the first and second members with one of a plurality of pockets and movable pins offset from each other with a first spacing; providing the other of the first and second members with the other of the plurality of pockets and movable pins offset from each other with a second spacing, where the first spacing is different from the second spacing; and engaging at least one of the movable pins into a corresponding pocket to step one of the first and second members a predetermined linear and/or rotary displacement.

Abstract: A less than lethal cartridge for a projectile which when fired has a velocity which will not kill an individual struck by the projectile. The less than lethal cartridge has a rim which is deeper or thicker than a rim on a conventional lethal cartridge. The caliber of the cartridge is also selected so that regular lethal ammunition is not available in this caliber. The preferred caliber of the less than lethal cartridge is .490. The less than lethal cartridge contains a polymeric projectile or alternatively, a sealed filled polymeric pouch containing shot therein.

Abstract: Control surface assemblies have a torque tube base. In one embodiment, a method includes moving an aerospace vehicle through a medium; and moving at least a portion of a control surface assembly to generate a force for controlling the vehicle.

Abstract: An aircraft, such as a missile, has control surfaces that have segments that are hinged together. The control surfaces deploy from a closed position, for example with the segments folded against a fuselage, so as to allow for launching from a launch tube. Once the aircraft is launched the control surfaces deploy from the closed position to an open position, with the segments opening up farther from the body or fuselage. In the open position or deployed state the segments may be substantially planar. Locks of the control surfaces may be used to lock the segments in place in the open position. The locks may include hollow sleeves that slide over the control surface segments. The sleeves and the segments may include a protrusions and depressions that engage each other to hold the segments in the open configuration.

Abstract: A low-heat-transfer coupling or assembly is configured to mechanically couple together a pair of mating parts, one of which may be in a heat-producing environment. By roughening at least part of the surface of one of the parts, the contact area between the mating parts can be reduced, while still maintaining the structural integrity of the connection. The roughening can be a knurling process of all or part of the mating surface on one of the parts. This can produce a series of recesses on the surface that are in contact with the other part. The recesses can be small enough, interspersed with non-etched areas of the contact surface, that structural integrity of the coupling between the parts is still maintained. The coupling may be between a leading edge of an aircraft control surface, such as a missile fin, and a body of the control surface.

Abstract: A projectile is guided by employing heat, generated from the aerodynamic heating of a surface of the projectile while the projectile is in flight, to vaporize a material stored within the projectile. The resulting gas is used to guide the projectile.

Abstract: A frangible seal includes a first region penetratable by a deployable structure configured to selectably extend through an opening in a housing and extend beyond an outer surface of the housing, and a second region configured to adhere to a portion of the outer surface of the housing surrounding the opening. The first region and the second region includes a polymer layer having a metalized surface (e.g., aluminized polyimide) and a non-metalized surface, and an ablative coating provided on the metalized surface of the polymer layer.