A rocket stage having a frame is disclosed. The frame includes a nose part and a mid-section part. The frame is configured to separate into two or more gliding parts after the stage has fulfilled its main purpose. After separation, the gliding parts glide down to the ground. The gliding part comprises a section of the nose part and a section of the mid-section part and a flat gliding surface alongside the section of the mid-section part. The slope of the nose part of the gliding part is steeper than the slope of the mid-section part of the gliding part. The air flows around the frame of the gliding part and a vortex forms above the upper edges of the gliding part, forcing the gliding part in the gliding position when it is in the atmosphere.

A rocket stage having a frame is disclosed. The frame includes a nose part and a mid-section part. The frame is configured to separate into two or more gliding parts after the stage has fulfilled its main purpose. After separation, the gliding parts glide down to the ground. The gliding part comprises a section of the nose part and a section of the mid-section part and a flat gliding surface alongside the section of the mid-section part. The slope of the nose part of the gliding part is steeper than the slope of the mid-section part of the gliding part. The air flows around the frame of the gliding part and a vortex forms above the upper edges of the gliding part, forcing the gliding part in the gliding position when it is in the atmosphere.

Disclosed is a device for controlled separation of a first so-called stationary part and a second so-called mobile part, the stationary part having a stationary connecting surface opposite a mobile connecting surface of the mobile part, the stationary part having a different thermal expansion coefficient from that of the mobile part, the separation device including: at least one connecting agent arranged in a layer between the stationary connecting surface and the mobile connecting surface, at least one device for heating at least one of the stationary part and the mobile part, and at least one system for controlling the heating device.

Disclosed is a device for controlled separation of a first so-called stationary part and a second so-called mobile part, the stationary part having a stationary connecting surface opposite a mobile connecting surface of the mobile part, the stationary part having a different thermal expansion coefficient from that of the mobile part, the separation device including: at least one connecting agent arranged in a layer between the stationary connecting surface and the mobile connecting surface, at least one device for heating at least one of the stationary part and the mobile part, and at least one system for controlling the heating device.

Embodiments include active protection systems and methods for an aerial platform. An onboard system includes radar modules, detects aerial vehicles within a threat range of the aerial platform, and determines if any of the aerial vehicles are an aerial threat. The onboard system also determines an intercept vector to the aerial threat, communicates the intercept vector to an eject vehicle, and causes the eject vehicle to be ejected from the aerial platform to intercept the aerial threat. The eject vehicle includes alignment thrusters to rotate a longitudinal axis of the eject vehicle to substantially align with the intercept vector, a rocket motor to accelerate the eject vehicle along an intercept vector, divert thrusters to divert the eject vehicle in a direction substantially perpendicular to the intercept vector, and attitude control thrusters to make adjustments to the attitude of the eject vehicle.

An internally coupleable joint is disclosed. The joint can include a first component and a second component configured to mate with one another in an end-to-end relationship. An axially extending protrusion of the first component can interface with a corresponding recess of the second component. In addition, the first component and the second component can each have an internal coupling feature extending at least partially about an inner circumference of the respective component. The joint can also include a securing member having external coupling features configured to engage the internal coupling features of the first and second components to prevent separation of the first and second components.

An internally coupleable joint is disclosed. The joint can include a first component and a second component configured to mate with one another in an end-to-end relationship. An axially extending protrusion of the first component can interface with a corresponding recess of the second component. In addition, the first component and the second component can each have an internal coupling feature extending at least partially about an inner circumference of the respective component. The joint can also include a securing member having external coupling features configured to engage the internal coupling features of the first and second components to prevent separation of the first and second components.

An internally coupleable joint is disclosed. The joint can include a first component and a second component configured to mate with one another in an end-to-end relationship. An axially extending protrusion of the first component can interface with a corresponding recess of the second component. In addition, the first component and the second component can each have an internal coupling feature extending at least partially about an inner circumference of the respective component. The joint can also include a securing member having external coupling features configured to engage the internal coupling features of the first and second components to prevent separation of the first and second components.

An internally coupleable joint is disclosed. The joint can include a first component and a second component configured to mate with one another in an end-to-end relationship. An axially extending protrusion of the first component can interface with a corresponding recess of the second component. In addition, the first component and the second component can each have an internal coupling feature extending at least partially about an inner circumference of the respective component. The joint can also include a securing member having external coupling features configured to engage the internal coupling features of the first and second components to prevent separation of the first and second components.

An actuation device for ejecting a removable part of a missile includes a pyrotechnic actuator having a pyrotechnic charge configured to generate an overpressure and a piston configured to act on the removable part of the missile, at least one retaining rod, and at least one thermal insulation element configured to thermally insulate at least the pyrotechnic charge. The pyrotechnic actuator is configured to break the retaining rod.