According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a fuze arming system for a submunition, comprising: a first stage, arranged to detect launch of the submunition and its associated carrier; a second stage, arranged to detect expulsion of the submunition from the carrier, and to at least partially arm a submunition fuze based on such detection; wherein the second stage is unable to at least partially arm the submunition fuze without the first stage detecting launch of the submunition and its associated carrier.

The present disclosure relates to a nose arrangement (100) for an underwater vehicle (10). The nose arrangement comprises a first separation section (110) comprising a first inflatable structure (113) and a second inflatable structure (114) arranged within the first inflatable structure (113). The first separation section (110) is arranged store the first inflatable structure (113) and the second inflatable structure (114) in a first state, and to inflate the first inflatable structure (113) and the second inflatable structure (114) in a second state. The first inflatable structure (113) is arranged to protrude along the longitudinal axis of the nose arrangement and underwater vehicle in the second state. The disclosure also relates to a method for deploying a nose arrangement (100) of an underwater vehicle.

A device is disclosed for deflating a gas cavity about a projectile formed upon entry of the projectile into a liquid. The device can include a wall coupleable with a body operable as a projectile and defining an exterior and an interior space. The wall can be oriented toward a trailing end relative to a leading end defined by the body. The device can also include at least one inlet to facilitate gas flow from the exterior to the interior space. An outlet can facilitate gas flow from the interior space to the exterior and can be oriented toward the trailing end relative to the at least one inlet. Upon entry of the body and the wall into a liquid and formation of a gas cavity about a portion of the body and the wall, the at least one inlet can be located within the gas cavity and the outlet can be located outside the gas cavity, such that gas flows from the exterior through the at least one inlet to the interior space, and from the interior space through the outlet to the exterior to deflate the gas cavity.

Projectile launch apparatus (20) for use in a fluid environment. The apparatus (20) comprises a launch tube (21) having a supercavitating projectile (24) with cavitator (29) received within the launch tube (21). A means for generating expulsion gas (not visible) is arranged to provide expulsion gas to propel the projectile (24) from the launch tube (21), with means for bleeding expulsion gas (31, 32) being provided to bleed a portion of expulsion gas around the projectile (24). This allows expulsion gases to contribute to the formation of the gas cavity around the supercavitating projectile (24) as the projectile (24) is launched from the launch tube (21). Particularly suited to the deployment of supercavitating projectiles underwater, such as in underwater mine disposal applications.

A marine vessel comprising: at least one buoyant tubular foil; and at least one baffle plate positioned about the perimeter of the at least one buoyant tubular foil so as to protrude into the flow of water passing by the perimeter of the at least one buoyant tubular foil, whereby to create a high-pressure zone fore of the at least one baffle plate and a low-pressure zone immediately aft of the at least one baffle plate, whereby to create a dense stream of supercavitated water immediately aft of the at least one baffle plate.

A system and method of combusting aluminium comprising i) feeding aluminium wire to a substantially oxygen-free furnace comprising a. a first low-temperature section in communication with b. a second high-temperature section ii) forming aluminium particles with an average particle size ranging from 1 .Math. to 200 .Math. from said aluminium wire in said first section iii) feeding water and/or steam to said first and/or second section to provide an oxidizer for oxidizing said aluminium particles in the second section iv) conveying aluminium particles from the first section to the second section v) oxidizing said aluminium particles in the presence of steam in said second section.

A system and method of combusting aluminium comprising i) feeding aluminium wire to a substantially oxygen-free furnace comprising a. a first low-temperature section in communication with b. a second high-temperature section ii) forming aluminium particles with an average particle size ranging from 1 .Math. to 200 .Math. from said aluminium wire in said first section iii) feeding water and/or steam to said first and/or second section to provide an oxidizer for oxidizing said aluminium particles in the second section iv) conveying aluminium particles from the first section to the second section v) oxidizing said aluminium particles in the presence of steam in said second section.

A device is disclosed for deflating a gas cavity about a projectile formed upon entry of the projectile into a liquid. The device can include a wall coupleable with a body operable as a projectile and defining an exterior and an interior space. The wall can be oriented toward a trailing end relative to a leading end defined by the body. The device can also include at least one inlet to facilitate gas flow from the exterior to the interior space. An outlet can facilitate gas flow from the interior space to the exterior and can be oriented toward the trailing end relative to the at least one inlet. Upon entry of the body and the wall into a liquid and formation of a gas cavity about a portion of the body and the wall, the at least one inlet can be located within the gas cavity and the outlet can be located outside the gas cavity, such that gas flows from the exterior through the at least one inlet to the interior space, and from the interior space through the outlet to the exterior to deflate the gas cavity.

A system and method of combusting aluminium comprising i) feeding aluminium wire to a substantially oxygen-free furnace comprising a. a first low-temperature section in communication with b. a second high-temperature section ii) forming aluminium particles with an average particle size ranging from 1 m to 200 m from said aluminium wire in said first section iii) feeding water and/or steam to said first and/or second section to provide an oxidizer for oxidizing said aluminium particles in the second section iv) conveying aluminium particles from the first section to the second section v) oxidizing said aluminium particles in the presence of steam in said second section.

A system and method of combusting aluminium comprising i) feeding aluminium wire to a substantially oxygen-free furnace comprising a. a first low-temperature section in communication with b. a second high-temperature section ii) forming aluminium particles with an average particle size ranging from 1 m to 200 m from said aluminium wire in said first section iii) feeding water and/or steam to said first and/or second section to provide an oxidizer for oxidizing said aluminium particles in the second section iv) conveying aluminium particles from the first section to the second section v) oxidizing said aluminium particles in the presence of steam in said second section.