A pneumatic actuator for imparting velocity to a resting object, comprising a fixed member and a ram, the ram having two or more generally elongated ram members, wherein the fixed member is formed with a base plate having an inlet hole therethrough, the ram members are formed and disposed concentrically about the center axis so as to lie one within another and to move in a telescopic arrangement, the innermost one of the ram members is configured to enable it to be driven by any pressurized gas fed through the inlet hole and to drive the object, and each of the other ram members is configured to move only behind the innermost ram member; the actuator being operative to move the innermost ram member along its entire range of motion and thereby impart velocity to the object.

An effector launching system includes an environment that has external components located within the environment. The effector launching system may include a modular controller located in the environment of an effector launching system and the external components may be located in the environment externally to the modular controller for executing an effector launching sequence. The modular controller may include a core processor module that is configured to execute a plurality of different effector launching sequences using the external components and a plurality of converting modules that each have an electro-mechanical interface and is connectable between the core processor module and one of the external components. The plurality of converting modules are configured to send and receive data with the core processor module and the plurality of external components.

An effector launching system includes an environment that has external components located within the environment. The effector launching system may include a modular controller located in the environment of an effector launching system and the external components may be located in the environment externally to the modular controller for executing an effector launching sequence. The modular controller may include a core processor module that is configured to execute a plurality of different effector launching sequences using the external components and a plurality of converting modules that each have an electro-mechanical interface and is connectable between the core processor module and one of the external components. The plurality of converting modules are configured to send and receive data with the core processor module and the plurality of external components.

A submersible vessel comprises a hull. The hull contains a plurality of subsystems. The subsystems comprise a sensor subsystem configured to sense potential target information regarding a potential target, a database subsystem configured to store target characterization information, a processing subsystem coupled to the sensing subsystem and to the database subsystem, and an ordnance subsystem. The processing subsystem is configured to process the potential target information according to the target characterization information to confirm the potential target as being a confirmed target. The ordnance subsystem comprises an ordnance magazine configured to store ordnance. The ordnance is deployable against the confirmed target, wherein the confirmed target is an aircraft.

The present disclosure relates to a launch system, a launch vehicle for use with the launch system, and methods of launching a payload utilizing the launch vehicle and/or the launch system. The disclosure can provide for delivery of the payload at a terrestrial location, an Earth orbital location, or an extraorbital location. The launch vehicle can comprise a payload, a propellant tank, an electrical heater wherein propellant, such as a light gas (e.g., hydrogen) is electrically heated to significantly high temperatures, an exhaust nozzle from which the heated propellant expands to provide an exhaust velocity of, for example, 7-16 km/sec, and sliding electrical contacts in electrical connection with the electrical heater. The launch vehicle can be utilized with the launch system, which can further comprise a launch tube formed of concentric electrically conductive tubes, as well as an electrical energy source, such as a battery bank and associated inductor.

In a method of carrying a munition on a munition launcher platform, the munition launcher platform is provided with a data tag activator and a data tag reader. A munition is attached to the munition launcher platform, the munition being provided with a data tag. An activation signal is transmitted from the data tag activator to the data tag. As a result of receiving the activation signal, the data tag returns a data response to the data tag reader. The receiving of the data response provides the munition launcher platform with an indication that the munition is still attached to the munition launcher platform.

In a method of carrying a munition on a munition launcher platform, the munition launcher platform is provided with a data tag activator and a data tag reader. A munition is attached to the munition launcher platform, the munition being provided with a data tag. An activation signal is transmitted from the data tag activator to the data tag. As a result of receiving the activation signal, the data tag returns a data response to the data tag reader. The receiving of the data response provides the munition launcher platform with an indication that the munition is still attached to the munition launcher platform.

An effector launching system includes an environment that has external components located within the environment. The effector launching system may include a modular controller located in the environment of an effector launching system and the external components may be located in the environment externally to the modular controller for executing an effector launching sequence. The modular controller may include a core processor module that is configured to execute a plurality of different effector launching sequences using the external components and a plurality of converting modules that each have an electro-mechanical interface and is connectable between the core processor module and one of the external components. The plurality of converting modules are configured to send and receive data with the core processor module and the plurality of external components.

An effector launching system includes an environment that has external components located within the environment. The effector launching system may include a modular controller located in the environment of an effector launching system and the external components may be located in the environment externally to the modular controller for executing an effector launching sequence. The modular controller may include a core processor module that is configured to execute a plurality of different effector launching sequences using the external components and a plurality of converting modules that each have an electro-mechanical interface and is connectable between the core processor module and one of the external components. The plurality of converting modules are configured to send and receive data with the core processor module and the plurality of external components.

A method for authorizing and executing an operation for at least one portable launch assembly in a potential area is disclosed. An initial launch parameter set corresponding to an intended area is provided to a launch unit. An airspace deconfliction (AD) module within one or more electronic devices is provided an authorization to launch the launch unit based on an airspace collision avoidance status that is determined by ensuring there are no possible points of intersection between the launch unit and an air vehicle in an airspace surrounding the launch unit. After launch, the launch unit confirms an intended launch status according to one or more measured launch parameters, and, based upon the confirmed launch status, guides the launch unit to the intended area.