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.

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.

There is provided an inflatable dummy target comprising a chassis wrapped with a sheet. The chassis can be formed by individual inflatable ducts and can comprise at least two ring-shaped ducts interconnected by one or more elongate ducts. The inflatable dummy target can further comprise rigidizing ducts. The inflatable dummy target geometry can be conical, cylindrical, etc. Optionally, the inflatable dummy target can comprise several attached axi-symmetrical sections, wherein each section has a chassis wrapped with a sheet, the chassis formed by individual inflatable ducts. Optionally, the shape of each section can be selected from the group consisting of conical, frustoconical and cylindrical forms.

There is provided an inflatable dummy target comprising a chassis wrapped with a sheet. The chassis can be formed by individual inflatable ducts and can comprise at least two ring-shaped ducts interconnected by one or more elongate ducts. The inflatable dummy target can further comprise rigidizing ducts. The inflatable dummy target geometry can be conical, cylindrical, etc. Optionally, the inflatable dummy target can comprise several attached axi-symmetrical sections, wherein each section has a chassis wrapped with a sheet, the chassis formed by individual inflatable ducts. Optionally, the shape of each section can be selected from the group consisting of conical, frustoconical and cylindrical forms.

A computer-implemented method of training a machine learning, ML algorithm to control spin-stabilized steerable projectiles is described. The method comprises: obtaining training data including respective policies and corresponding trajectories of a set of spin-stabilized steerable projectiles including a first projectile, wherein each policy relates to steering a projectile of the set thereof towards a target and wherein each corresponding trajectory comprises a series of states in a state space of the projectile (S2001); and training the ML algorithm comprising determining relationships between the respective policies and corresponding trajectories of the projectiles of the set thereof based on respective results of comparing the trajectories and the targets (S2002).

A computer-implemented method of training a machine learning, ML algorithm to control spin-stabilized steerable projectiles is described. The method comprises: obtaining training data including respective policies and corresponding trajectories of a set of spin-stabilized steerable projectiles including a first projectile, wherein each policy relates to steering a projectile of the set thereof towards a target and wherein each corresponding trajectory comprises a series of states in a state space of the projectile (S2001); and training the ML algorithm comprising determining relationships between the respective policies and corresponding trajectories of the projectiles of the set thereof based on respective results of comparing the trajectories and the targets (S2002).

A forebody flow control system and more particularly an aircraft or missile flow control system for enhanced maneuverability and stabilization at high angles of attack. The present invention further relates to a method of operating the flow control system. In one embodiment, the present invention includes a missile or aircraft comprising an afterbody and a forebody; at least one deployable flow effector on the missile or aircraft forebody; at least one sensors each having a signal associated therewith, the at least one sensor being used for determining or estimating flow separation or side forces on the missile forebody; and a closed loop control system; wherein the closed loop control system is used for activating and deactivating the at least one deployable flow effector based on at least in part the signal of the at least one sensor.

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 and methods of operating the flow control system. Various embodiments of the flow control system of the present invention involve flow sensors, active flow control device or activatable flow effectors and/or logic devices with closed loop control architecture. The sensors are used to estimate or determine flow conditions on surfaces of a missile or aircraft. The active flow control device or activatable flow effectors of these various embodiments create on-demand flow disturbances, preferably micro-disturbances, at different points along various aerodynamic surfaces of the missile or aircraft to achieve a desired stabilization or maneuverability effect. The logic devices are embedded with a hierarchical control structure allowing for rapid, real-time control at the flow surface.

A projectile including: a body having an internal space; and a mechanical stepper motor disposed in the body, the mechanical stepper motor including: a shuttle having one of a plurality of pockets and movable pins offset from each other with a first spacing; a body portion having 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 actuation means for engaging at least one of the movable pins into a corresponding pocket to step one of the shuttle and body portion a predetermined linear and/or rotary displacement; wherein the mechanical stepper motor outputs the predetermined linear and/or rotary displacement to an actuated device operatively connected to the shuttle.

A projectile including: a body having an internal space; and a mechanical stepper motor disposed in the body, the mechanical stepper motor including: a shuttle having one of a plurality of pockets and movable pins offset from each other with a first spacing; a body portion having 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 actuation means for engaging at least one of the movable pins into a corresponding pocket to step one of the shuttle and body portion a predetermined linear and/or rotary displacement; wherein the mechanical stepper motor outputs the predetermined linear and/or rotary displacement to an actuated device operatively connected to the shuttle.