A flare including: a casing; and a grain assembly, at least a portion of the grain assembly being slidably disposed in the casing, the grain assembly including: a shell structure; and a grain component at least partially disposed in the shell structure, the grain component including at least one combustible material and at least one reactive material positioned relative to the combustible material and configured to ignite combustion of the at least one combustible material; wherein the shell structure includes one or more nozzles at an aft end of the shell structure for generating a thrust resulting from ignition of the at least one combustible material.

An electronic unit for a missile comprising a potted electronics in a housing: the unit being adapted to compensate for a difference in coefficient of thermal expansion between the potted electronics and the housing, the unit further comprising: a first ramp; and a second ramp slidably arranged against the first ramp, wherein the first and second ramps are disposed within the housing, the first or the second ramp abutting the potted electronics so as to provide an interference fit between the potted electronics and the housing; wherein the first ramp and second ramp each comprise a coefficient of thermal expansion selected to maintain the interference fit between the potted electronics and the housing throughout a temperature range.

A rotor system lock for a gas turbine engine is described which blocks movement of rotating wheel assemblies relative to static vane assemblies in a gas turbine engine in order to block unintended rotation (or windmilling) of the gas turbine engine when it is exposed to high winds while at rest or to ram air during pre-launch flight and thereby avoid damage to components of the engine.

A rotor system lock for a gas turbine engine is described which blocks movement of rotating wheel assemblies relative to static vane assemblies in a gas turbine engine in order to block unintended rotation (or windmilling) of the gas turbine engine when it is exposed to high winds while at rest or to ram air during pre-launch flight and thereby avoid damage to components of the engine.

A system for transporting hydrogen from where it can be economically made to where it is most needed using airships. Green technologies can be used to generate electricity near to the primary energy sources. This electricity can then be used to produce hydrogen directly from water. Hydrogen can be delivered using an airship in which the hydrogen gas can also be used for generating lift, providing propulsion energy and serving ancillary needs. In other embodiments of the invention, the airship of the present invention can be used to dramatically reduce the cost of transportation of freight, the cost of passenger transportation, and to save on the area required for landing at the points of loading/unloading and embarkation/debarkation. And in another embodiment, the airship of the present invention can be used for transporting water and food to areas where needed.

A system for transporting hydrogen from where it can be economically made to where it is most needed using airships. Green technologies can be used to generate electricity near to the primary energy sources. This electricity can then be used to produce hydrogen directly from water. Hydrogen can be delivered using an airship in which the hydrogen gas can also be used for generating lift, providing propulsion energy and serving ancillary needs. In other embodiments of the invention, the airship of the present invention can be used to dramatically reduce the cost of transportation of freight, the cost of passenger transportation, and to save on the area required for landing at the points of loading/unloading and embarkation/debarkation. And in another embodiment, the airship of the present invention can be used for transporting water and food to areas where needed.

An energy source provides electrical energy in a missile, which is configured to heat at least one structural section during an intended flight, so that heat is available there. At least one thermal battery has at least one cell, which contains an electrolyte. The electrolyte is to be heated by the input of heat for providing the electrical energy at the thermal battery. At least one electrolyte can be thermally coupled to the structural section in order to transfer at least part of the heat provided at the structural section during flight from there to the electrolyte. A missile contains the energy source in which at least one electrolyte is thermally coupled to the structural section.

An energy source provides electrical energy in a missile, which is configured to heat at least one structural section during an intended flight, so that heat is available there. At least one thermal battery has at least one cell, which contains an electrolyte. The electrolyte is to be heated by the input of heat for providing the electrical energy at the thermal battery. At least one electrolyte can be thermally coupled to the structural section in order to transfer at least part of the heat provided at the structural section during flight from there to the electrolyte. A missile contains the energy source in which at least one electrolyte is thermally coupled to the structural section.

A radar-absorbing material projectile system including a projectile with an outer layer of radar-absorbing material (RAM). A carrier or armature is disposed around the projectile, protecting the layer of RAM during the firing sequence. In some embodiments the carrier is a discarding carrier which falls away after firing, rendering the projectile low-observable with regard to radar detection due to the layer of RAM.

A method of making a projectile apparatus is provided that includes making one or components of the apparatus using an additive manufacture technique such as 3-D printing or laser-aided additive manufacture. The projectile apparatus can have a projectile, a propellant, and one or more optional components such as a wading, a sabot, and an intermediary device. The projectile can be fired through a barrel having a smooth bore. Additive manufacture methods can be used that involve forming components from superalloys having nanoparticles incorporated therein. The projectile apparatus can convert gas pressure or gas velocity into a high rate of projectile spin. The projectile has long-range accuracy due to a high or sustainable velocity and high rate of spin.