Devices and methods for detection of evidence of life or ore bodies on or near the surface of extraterrestrial bodies (e.g., Mars) are described. In particular, a ground penetrating probe capable of s conducting life detection or other experiments and transmitting the data from the experiments to a satellite relay is described. Methods of use for such devices and apparatus are described.

A device for generating power in a gravity dropped munition. The device including: a drum; a cable wound around a drum; a generator for producing electrical energy; a spring configured to convert rotation of the drum to energy as the cable is unwound from the drum; and an intermediate member selectively engaging the drum to the generator; wherein the intermediate member is disengaged from the drum when the cable is being unwound from the drum and the intermediate member is engaged with the generator when the cable is released from the drum to produce power from the generator.

A device for generating power in a gravity dropped munition. The device including: a drum; a cable wound around a drum; a generator for producing electrical energy; a spring configured to convert rotation of the drum to energy as the cable is unwound from the drum; and an intermediate member selectively engaging the drum to the generator; wherein the intermediate member is disengaged from the drum when the cable is being unwound from the drum and the intermediate member is engaged with the generator when the cable is released from the drum to produce power from the generator.

A munition has preformed fragments at two radial distances from a center axis, for instance having inner fragments in or within or adjacent to a casing, and outer fragments outside of the casing. The outer fragments may be between the casing and an outer enclosure that surrounds the casing. The casing may be part of a warhead, and may be a penetrator casing. The fragments at different radial distances from the center may have different sizes, different materials, and/or different shapes. The use of fragments at different radial distances aids in providing enhanced fragmentation effects, such as controlling dispersal of fragments to limit fragmentation effects and/or provide more even distribution of fragments.

A munition has preformed fragments at two radial distances from a center axis, for instance having inner fragments in or within or adjacent to a casing, and outer fragments outside of the casing. The outer fragments may be between the casing and an outer enclosure that surrounds the casing. The casing may be part of a warhead, and may be a penetrator casing. The fragments at different radial distances from the center may have different sizes, different materials, and/or different shapes. The use of fragments at different radial distances aids in providing enhanced fragmentation effects, such as controlling dispersal of fragments to limit fragmentation effects and/or provide more even distribution of fragments.

An ordnance for air-borne delivery to a target under remotely controlled in-flight navigation. In one embodiment, self-powered aerial ordnance includes upper and lower cases. A plurality of co-axial, deployable blades is powered by a motor positioned in the upper case. When deployed, the blades are rotatable about the upper case to impart thrust and bring the vehicle to a first altitude above a target position. An explosive material and a camera are positioned in a lower case which is attached to the upper case. The camera generates a view along the ground plane and above the target when the ordinance is in flight. When the vehicle is deployed it is remotely controllable to deliver the vehicle to the target to detonate the explosive at the target. The ordnance may drop directly on a target as a bomb does.

There is provided an arming apparatus for a store, the apparatus comprising: a first attachment system and a second attachment system; a linking connector coupled with the first attachment system and the second attachment system; and an arming clip; wherein each of the first attachment system and the second attachment system comprises: a first frangible connector coupled with the arming unit and the linking connector; and a second frangible connector comprising a first end coupled with the linking connector and a second end comprising a clip, the second end being configured to pass through a lug of said store and then couple to the second frangible connector.

There is provided an arming apparatus for a store, the apparatus comprising: a first attachment system and a second attachment system; a linking connector coupled with the first attachment system and the second attachment system; and an arming clip; wherein each of the first attachment system and the second attachment system comprises: a first frangible connector coupled with the arming unit and the linking connector; and a second frangible connector coupled with the linking connector and the store. The linking connector is coupled to the first attachment system via a first coupling arrangement and is coupled to the second attachment system via a second coupling arrangement, wherein the first coupling arrangement and the second coupling arrangement are different. Each of the first coupling arrangement and the second coupling arrangement are manually secure.

A method for generating power in a gravity dropped munition, the method including: winding a cable around a drum of a generator associated with the munition; attaching the cable from the generator to a portion of an aircraft; separating the munition from the aircraft to unwind the cable from the drum to release the cable from the drum after a predetermined amount of rotation of the drum; converting the rotation of the drum to energy in a spring as the cable is unwound from the drum; restricting movement of an intermediate member connecting the drum to the generator while the cable is being unwound from the drum; and ending the restricting when the cable is released from the drum allowing the intermediate member to engage the drum with the generator to produce power from the generator.

A method for generating power in a gravity dropped munition, the method including: winding a cable around a drum of a generator associated with the munition; attaching the cable from the generator to a portion of an aircraft; separating the munition from the aircraft to unwind the cable from the drum to release the cable from the drum after a predetermined amount of rotation of the drum; converting the rotation of the drum to energy in a spring as the cable is unwound from the drum; restricting movement of an intermediate member connecting the drum to the generator while the cable is being unwound from the drum; and ending the restricting when the cable is released from the drum allowing the intermediate member to engage the drum with the generator to produce power from the generator.