A modulator device for modulating a gas ejection section, which device is for placing in a nozzle upstream from the throat of the nozzle and includes a plunger. The plunger has both a proximal portion connected to a control guide and also a distal portion in the form of a body of revolution, the plunger being movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The plunger presents, in its distal portion, a first section of concave shape and a second section of concave shape situated downstream from the first section.

A thrust vector control actuator is provided including a ram, a first plate housed within the ram, a second plate housed within the ram, and a dividing wall housed within the ram. The dividing wall being located between the first plate and the second plate. The dividing wall defines a first chamber within the ram comprising the first plate and a second chamber within the ram comprising the second plate. The actuator also includes an output rod housed within the ram. The output rod having a first end and a second end. The second end is configured to operably connect to an output link. The actuator also includes a load relieving mechanism located within the ram. The load relieving mechanism configured to operatively connect the ram and the output rod. The load relieving mechanism is configured to absorb at least one transient load on the output rod.

A method and concept for employing a T-sin-alpha kill vehicle with energy flexibility is disclosed. The energy flexibility method applies divert pulses at multiple phases of the kill vehicle flight time and allows for range extension to increase the kill vehicle coverage of targets outside the normal reach, reaction to target updates, removal of navigation error, and homing divert to intercept the target. Each of these capabilities is essential to the successful intercept of exo-atmospheric ballistic targets in their midcourse phase of flight. A flight vehicle includes a main body, a number of attitude control mechanisms, a control unit, a divert system, a sensor unit, and an attitude control system. The divert system provides acceleration of the flight vehicle in a desired direction. The sensor unit tracks a target along a line of sight (LOS) of the sensor unit. The attitude control system maintains an orientation of the main body.

A rocket motor assembly (3) for use with an aircraft ejection seat comprises a rocket motor (4) having a rocket motor housing (5) and an exhaust outlet (6-9) to permit exhaust gas to be output from the rocket motor (4) along a thrust vector. The rocket motor assembly (3) comprises a first rotational coupling (12) which is configured to rotationally couple a first part (13) of the rocket motor housing (5) to a support structure (10) and a releasable coupling (14) which is configured to releasably couple a second part (15) of the rocket motor housing (5) to the support structure (10). The releasable coupling (14) is configured to release the second part (15) of the rocket motor housing (5) to permit the rocket motor housing (5) to rotate about the rotational coupling (12) to change the angle of the thrust vector of exhaust gas output from the exhaust outlet (6-9).

A liquid fuel rocket engine according to one example includes a combustor, a liquid fuel repository connected to the combustor via a fuel line and a first valve, an oxidizer repository connected to the combustor via an oxidizer line and a second valve, a valve controller configured to output a valve control current to the first valve, the valve controller storing instructions for determining at least one actual minimum impulse bit of a valve based on a current profile and a voltage profile of a single operation of the first valve, and to adjust valve controls to account for the at least one actual minimum impulse bit.

A variable flow area injector for a liquid rocket engine. The injector has a poppet with a variable outer width portion and a housing with a variable inner width portion. An annular flow path is defined between the variable width portions. Increased throttling of the engine passively increases the annular flow area of the injector by forcing the poppet in a distal direction. Decreased throttling allows a restoring spring to move the poppet in a proximal direction to decrease the annular flow area. A bellows can be included to dampen movement of the poppet. The bellows may be in a propellant-filled cavity separate from the main propellant flow path and have a series of openings through which the separate propellant flows.

A turbine pump assembly has a turbine, a centrifugal pump, and a passive electrical speed control system. The turbine has a peak efficiency at a first speed that is lower than a second speed at which the centrifugal pump is operating at a peak power requirement. A rocket thrust vector control system is also disclosed.

A variable flow area injector for a liquid rocket engine. The injector has a poppet with a variable outer width portion and a housing with a variable inner width portion. An annular flow path is defined between the variable width portions. Increased throttling of the engine passively increases the annular flow area of the injector by forcing the poppet in a distal direction. Decreased throttling allows a restoring spring to move the poppet in a proximal direction to decrease the annular flow area. A bellows can be included to dampen movement of the poppet. The bellows may be in a propellant-filled cavity separate from the main propellant flow path and have a series of openings through which the separate propellant flows.

A rocket motor assembly (3) for use with an aircraft ejection seat comprises a rocket motor (4) having a rocket motor housing (5) and an exhaust outlet (6-9) to permit exhaust gas to be output from the rocket motor (4) along a thrust vector. The rocket motor assembly (3) comprises a first rotational coupling (12) which is configured to rotationally couple a first part (13) of the rocket motor housing (5) to a support structure (10) and a releasable coupling (14) which is configured to releasably couple a second part (15) of the rocket motor housing (5) to the support structure (10). The releasable coupling (14) is configured to release the second part (15) of the rocket motor housing (5) to permit the rocket motor housing (5) to rotate about the rotational coupling (12) to change the angle of the thrust vector of exhaust gas output from the exhaust outlet (6-9).

A modulator device for modulating a gas ejection section, which device is for placing in a nozzle upstream from the throat of the nozzle and includes a plunger. The plunger has both a proximal portion connected to a control guide and also a distal portion in the form of a body of revolution, the plunger being movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The plunger presents, in its distal portion, a first section of concave shape and a second section of concave shape situated downstream from the first section.