Embodiments include active protection systems and methods for an aerial platform. An onboard system includes one or more radar modules, detects aerial vehicles within a threat range of the aerial platform, and determines if any of the plurality of 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 a rocket motor to accelerate the eject vehicle along an intercept vector, alignment thrusters to rotate a longitudinal axis of the eject vehicle to substantially align with the intercept vector, and divert thrusters to divert the eject vehicle in a direction substantially perpendicular to the intercept vector. The eject vehicle activates at least one of the alignment thrusters responsive to the intercept vector.

The invention relates to a wing arrangement (10) for a projectile (1). The wing arrangement (10) comprising: a wing shaft (20) extending longitudinally between a proximal end (21) and a distal end (22) along a wing shaft axis (R), the proximal end (21) being configured to be inserted into a wing shaft aperture (6) in a circumferential wall (2) of the projectile (1), the wing shaft (20) being rotatable around the wing shaft axis (R); a wing blade (30) connected to the distal end (22) of the wing shaft (20); a deployment arrangement (40) configured to control a rotational movement of the wing shaft (20) around the wing shaft axis (R), whereby the wing blade (30) is deployed from a folded state to a deployed state. The deployment arrangement (40) comprising a pre-tensioned torsion spring (41) arranged coaxially with the wing shaft (20), wherein a first end (42) of the torsion spring (41) is coupled to the wing shaft (20) and a second end (43) of the torsion spring (41) is configured to be coupled to the circumferential wall (2) of the projectile (1). The invention also relates to a method for deploying a wing blade (30), use of a wing arrangement (10), a projectile (1) and a method for assembly of a wing arrangement (10).

The invention relates to a wing arrangement (10) for a projectile (1). The wing arrangement (10) comprising: a wing shaft (20) extending longitudinally between a proximal end (21) and a distal end (22) along a wing shaft axis (R), the proximal end (21) being configured to be inserted into a wing shaft aperture (6) in a circumferential wall (2) of the projectile (1), the wing shaft (20) being rotatable around the wing shaft axis (R); a wing blade (30) connected to the distal end (22) of the wing shaft (20); a deployment arrangement (40) configured to control a rotational movement of the wing shaft (20) around the wing shaft axis (R), whereby the wing blade (30) is deployed from a folded state to a deployed state. The deployment arrangement (40) comprising a pre-tensioned torsion spring (41) arranged coaxially with the wing shaft (20), wherein a first end (42) of the torsion spring (41) is coupled to the wing shaft (20) and a second end (43) of the torsion spring (41) is configured to be coupled to the circumferential wall (2) of the projectile (1). The invention also relates to a method for deploying a wing blade (30), use of a wing arrangement (10), a projectile (1) and a method for assembly of a wing arrangement (10).

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) adapted for transit in and deployment from a projectile casing is provided. The UAV includes a wing assembly coupled to the projectile casing and the wing assembly moveable between a closed position and a deployed position. The UAV further includes a propulsion system including at least one rotor disposed on the wing assembly to generate lift, wherein in the closed position, the wing assembly is substantially integral with the projectile casing and in the deployed position, the wing assembly is extended outwards from the projectile casing.

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) adapted for transit in and deployment from a projectile casing is provided. The UAV includes a wing assembly coupled to the projectile casing and the wing assembly moveable between a closed position and a deployed position. The UAV further includes a propulsion system including at least one rotor disposed on the wing assembly to generate lift, wherein in the closed position, the wing assembly is substantially integral with the projectile casing and in the deployed position, the wing assembly is extended outwards from the projectile casing.

A guided projectile includes a body and a deployable wing in which the deployable wing is coupled to and enclosed by the body. A linear distance from the leading edge to the trailing edge of the wing defines a chord line that, in the stowed position, forms an angle with a plane containing the chord line and extending parallel to a longitudinal dimension of the wing in a deployed position.

A guided projectile includes a body and a deployable wing in which the deployable wing is coupled to and enclosed by the body. A linear distance from the leading edge to the trailing edge of the wing defines a chord line that, in the stowed position, forms an angle with a plane containing the chord line and extending parallel to a longitudinal dimension of the wing in a deployed position.

A tail for a projectile includes a body having a longitudinal axis. A steering assembly is secured to the body. The steering assembly includes a flap movable from a first position in which the flap does not extend radially beyond the body to a second position in which the flap extends radially beyond the body and at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis, and a flap release mechanism. A projectile including a tail according to the present disclosure is also provided.

A tail for a projectile includes a body having a longitudinal axis. A steering assembly is secured to the body. The steering assembly includes a flap movable from a first position in which the flap does not extend radially beyond the body to a second position in which the flap extends radially beyond the body and at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis, and a flap release mechanism. A projectile including a tail according to the present disclosure is also provided.

An effector having an extendible range and a method for extending the range of an effector includes using an axially translatable center body that is movable from a stowed position, in which the center body is stowed in an outer body of the effector, to a deployed position in which the center body extends out of the outer body to extend the axial length of the effector. The effector includes a ramjet assembly and the subsystems of the effector are contained in the center body. The movement of the center body exposes radially positioned ramjet fuel in the outer body, such that the air entering the ramjet inlet may be heated by combusting the air with the fuel for additional fuel and propulsion of the effector.