New targeting systems, hardware and techniques are provided, in which an auxiliary probe is first launched and deployed at a target. Extremely precise, deliberate targeting for future projectiles, weapons or non-lethal measures is then made relative to the position and orientation of the probe. In one embodiment, a system enables a sniper to plan measures with extreme precision within an environment, evaluate their effectiveness, and execute them extremely rapidly once satisfied. A user may create, set, adjust and execute Impact Point indicators, corresponding with projected points of impact of a projectile on a target subject within a target environment. The system may counteract and otherwise adjust for certain ballistic and environmental factors in a firing mechanism to maintain such an Impact Point fire ready, in real time. Yet the system is unobtrusive, allowing the user to engage ordinary targeting activity.

A dual bidirectional input to single bidirectional output transmission (or gear box) comprising of unique gear ratios between each of the bidirectional inputs and the single, or common, bidirectional output is disclosed. The gear box has a gear train design with two bidirectional inputs and one (or common) bidirectional output. The device is configured to enable torque to be transmitted through either one or both of the bidirectional inputs to the bidirectional output. The gear train may be a constant mesh system which eliminates sliding splines, dog clutches or synchronizers to switch between operational modes. A locking feature/component/element allows the power or torque to be transmitted from a first bidirectional input to the common bidirectional output using a second bidirectional input as a fixed rotation reference. Similarly power or torque from the second bidirectional input to the common bidirectional output may use the first bidirectional input as a fixed rotation reference. The disclosure may also include a planetary gear set load combiner to cause both bidirectional inputs to transmit torque or power to the common output simultaneously. Additionally, the locking feature/component/element enables the transfer of torque from either inputs independently without back driving the other input.

An armed aerial platform (100) includes a weapon for firing a projectile from a barrel (102) that defines a weapon axis (104). The weapon is supported by a single-axis gimbal mechanism (116) within a central vertical slot (112) in a rigid body (108) of a UAV (108) carried by a propulsion system (114) including at least four rotary propulsion units. The gimbal mechanism (116) provides an elevation adjustment of the weapon axis (104), while the azimuth adjustment is provided by motion of the UAV (108) itself.

An armed aerial platform (100) includes a weapon for firing a projectile from a barrel (102) that defines a weapon axis (104). The weapon is supported by a single-axis gimbal mechanism (116) within a central vertical slot (112) in a rigid body (108) of a UAV (108) carried by a propulsion system (114) including at least four rotary propulsion units. The gimbal mechanism (116) provides an elevation adjustment of the weapon axis (104), while the azimuth adjustment is provided by motion of the UAV (108) itself.

A launching device comprising at least two tubes intended to receive an ammunition round and each secured to a mount, the mounts being carried by a base, each tube being orientable in elevation and in bearing by motors, a first motor ensuring the pointing in bearing of the two tubes simultaneously and a second motor ensuring the pointing in elevation of the two tubes simultaneously. The bearing pointing axes of the two tubes are parallel to each other and each mount includes a sleeve carrying the tube, the sleeve of each mount being mounted so as to pivot in elevation relative to a fork, the fork being itself mounted so as to pivot in bearing relative to the base.

A launching device comprising at least two tubes intended to receive an ammunition round and each secured to a mount, the mounts being carried by a base, each tube being orientable in elevation and in bearing by motors, a first motor ensuring the pointing in bearing of the two tubes simultaneously and a second motor ensuring the pointing in elevation of the two tubes simultaneously. The bearing pointing axes of the two tubes are parallel to each other and each mount includes a sleeve carrying the tube, the sleeve of each mount being mounted so as to pivot in elevation relative to a fork, the fork being itself mounted so as to pivot in bearing relative to the base.

The present invention is a remotely controlled weaponized vehicle, comprising: a vehicular base comprising, a mobilized vehicular device, a first computing system, wherein the first computing system controlled the vehicle device, a weapon system attached to the vehicular base, wherein the weapon system comprises, a mounting system connected to the vehicular base, a weapon mount attached to the mounting system, a weapon attached to the weapon mount, an ammunition feeding system connected to the weapon, a second computing system, wherein the second computing system controls the mounting system, the weapon mount, the weapon, and the ammunition feeding system; a plurality of sensors collecting data from the vehicular base and the weapon system, wherein data collected from the plurality of sensors is sent to the first or the second computing systems.

Rifle rests have a base, a rifle support configured to support a forward portion of a rifle, the support movably connected to the base and operable to move vertically and laterally with respect to the base to aim the rifle, an elevation mechanism operably connecting the support to the base and having an adjustable height, a windage mechanism operable to adjust a lateral position of the rifle support with respect to the base, the windage mechanism including an arm having a forward end and opposed rear end, the forward end operably connected to the rifle support to establish a lateral position of the support based on a lateral position of the rear end of the arm, such that lateral movement of the rear end of the arm adjusts the windage of the rifle, and the elevation mechanism including an elevation control element connected to the rear end of the arm.

Rifle rests have a base, a rifle support configured to support a forward portion of a rifle, the support movably connected to the base and operable to move vertically and laterally with respect to the base to aim the rifle, an elevation mechanism operably connecting the support to the base and having an adjustable height, a windage mechanism operable to adjust a lateral position of the rifle support with respect to the base, the windage mechanism including an arm having a forward end and opposed rear end, the forward end operably connected to the rifle support to establish a lateral position of the support based on a lateral position of the rear end of the arm, such that lateral movement of the rear end of the arm adjusts the windage of the rifle, and the elevation mechanism including an elevation control element connected to the rear end of the arm.

A method of operating a dual bidirectional input to single bidirectional output transmission is disclosed. The method includes providing said transmission. The method includes activating a computer controller capable of receiving torque data signals from a first bidirectional torque input, a second bidirectional torque input, and a single bidirectional torque output. The method includes determining torque input from said first and second bidirectional torque input, and determining whether to transmit torque to said single bidirectional torque output. In cases where it is so determined, the method involves transmitting torque to said single bidirectional torque output.