Abstract:
A radar surveillance system is described in which the radar beam re-visits each area of interest after a short period of time, by electronically reconfiguring a scanned beam to an offset position for an interleaved sub-dwell, within a scan period. This ‘look-back’ capability, where the area under test is re-visited after approximately 1 second, allows the natural de-correlation of sea clutter to take place between the initial and look-back samples of the surveillance area. The re-visit time can be adjusted to best exploit the de-correlation characteristics of the sea clutter return.
Abstract:
A de-icing system for a hemispherical protective housing mounted on an aircraft structure is described. The system can include a series of piezo-electric devices mounted at the boundary of the housing. The piezo-electric devices generate ultrasonic frequencies and resonance of the protective housing is induced. One of the piezo-electric devices senses the frequency generated in the protective housing and acts as part of a feedback loop to maintain structural resonance of the protective housing. The structural resonance of the protective housing prevents the build-up of ice. Additionally, higher power resonances can be generated to remove ice already built up on the protective housing. The system also enables detection of ice build-up on the protective housing by monitoring any change in the frequency required to maintain structural resonance of the protective housing.
Abstract:
Modern military aircraft are prime targets for surface to air and air to air RF guided missiles. Modern missile systems in particular are difficult to counter and have an array of Electronic Protection Measures at their disposal. Expendable Active Decoys provide effective protection for fast jet platforms by creating a realistic false target that seduces the missile away from the protected platform. They can be fitted to almost all military platforms as they are expended from standard chaff and flare dispensers. Simple repeater devices have been produced in the past but they lack the sophistication to defeat modern threats. Digital RF Memory based jammers have the necessary capability but have always been too large due to their complexity. A system architecture, design features and technologies are disclosed to reduce the size of a Digital RF Memory 12 based jammer to fit within a volume 0.5I.
Abstract:
A portable antenna with a housing in which the antenna is held when not in use, and a mechanism to cause the antenna to pop-up from, and sit on top of, the housing when it is to be used. The mechanism can function to collapse the antenna into the housing when not in use.
Abstract:
A protective housing for a camera system mounted on a platform is described. The housing is formed in a domed shape and covers sensitive optical systems. The housing is mounted on or forms part of the external housing of the seeker system. The housing is optically transparent whilst also being conductive. In this way, the housing allows transmission of multiple wavelengths of radiation through the housing whilst also acting so as to reduce radar cross section of the platform and preventing transmission of electromagnetic rf pulse in to the sensitive optical systems of the seeker system.
Abstract:
A method and system for purifying contaminated refrigerants is described. The refrigerant is heated in a controlled manner to separate it into fractions, one fraction having the pure refrigerant and the remaining fractions containing the contaminants. The temperature of the refrigerant fraction output being closely monitored and controlled to ensure that it is the correct required fraction.
Abstract:
A portable antenna is disclosed that can be collapsed into, and erected from, a housing. There is also a pull cord mechanism arranged, when pulled, to cause the antenna to revert between the erect or collapsed configurations. The pull cord extends from the antenna to a position in easy reach of the soldier's hand so that the antenna can be erected/collapsed remotely.
Abstract:
A tow cable for a decoy on a fast jet aircraft is described. The tow cable has a composite structure with a high friction fibre outer containment braiding, and low friction fibre internal strength members. Additional to these internal fibres may be electrical conductors and optical fibres. The whole composite providing a tow cable with high towing endurance and reliable in-flight performance, for flight profiles including high performance manoeuvres and in-flight refuelling.
Abstract:
A system and method for calibrating an imaging system includes a shutter that is moveable in to the optical path of the imaging system to generate an image of the shutter surface, which is flat and uniform. The shutter can be moved in and out of the optical path between first and second positions. The shutter is heated whilst in the second position and then returned to the first position. Data sets generated at two different temperatures enable the image generated by the imaging system in normal use to be to be adjusted for responsivity and variation in DC offset of the specific pixel array.
Abstract:
An infrared detector system is described in which a despeckle filter is applied to image data generated by a High Operating Temperature (HOT) detector array. The filter reads the data associated with each pixel of the image generated and compares it with selected neighboring pixels. The comparison yields a series of values that are compared to predetermined thresholds and the pixel is scored according to the number of values that exceed the threshold set. The score assigned to the pixel then determines the treatment of the pixel in the image to be generated. The data value of the pixel may be ignored, included or substituted with an alternative calculated value.