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.

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.

A turbine pump system includes a turbine pump assembly including a housing, a pump located in the housing, a turbine located in the housing and operably connected to the pump, and a heat exchanger located between the pump and a hydraulic fluid load. The heat exchanger is configured to reduce a temperature of a hydraulic fluid flow output by the pump and directed to the hydraulic fluid load. The heat exchanger is operably connected to a turbine gas flow and utilizes the turbine gas flow to cool the hydraulic fluid flow at the heat exchanger.

A projectile with selectable angle of attack for increased impact on a target includes an active charge and controllable initiation device for initiation of the active charge, wherein the projectile also includes at least one side-acting impulse motor for tilting the projectile relative to its trajectory from a substantially vertical position, in which the front face of the projectile is directed toward the target, into a more horizontal position, in which the outer surface of the projectile is directed toward the target.

A monolithic attitude control motor frame includes a monolithic structure including an outer surface of revolution and a plurality of side walls defining a plurality of cavities extending from the outer surface of revolution. Adjacent cavities of the plurality of cavities share a side wall or side wall portion therebetween. Each of the cavities is configured to receive an attitude control motor. A monolithic attitude control motor system includes a monolithic frame including an outer surface of revolution and a plurality of side walls defining a plurality of cavities extending radially from the outer surface of revolution. The system further includes a plurality of attitude control motors corresponding to the plurality of cavities, such that an attitude control motor of the plurality of attitude motors is disposed in each cavity of the plurality of cavities.

A mechanism for steering and maneuvering an airborne body comprised of at least one actuator comprising an electric motor having a first axis, and a gear transmission for transmitting power from the electric motor to an angular motion axis of a fin that has an angular motion around a second axis to steer the airborne body, and wherein the mechanism is characterized in that the gear transmission is a beveloid gear type of transmission, an airborne body that comprised the mechanism, and a method for achieving the desired flight path of an airborne body implementing the mechanism.

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.

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 attitude control system for a guided missile includes a gas generator, an accumulator coupled to the gas generator, and a valve positioned between the gas generator and the accumulator. The gas generator contains propellant that burns to provide hot gas to pressurize the accumulator. The valve is opened to recharge the accumulator with hot gas and closed when it is full. A vent valve can be included to extinguish the propellant in the gas generator. The accumulator can be coupled to thrusters that use the stored hot gas to adjust the attitude of the guided missile.

A turbine pump system includes a turbine pump assembly including a housing, a pump located in the housing, a turbine located in the housing and operably connected to the pump, and a heat exchanger located between the pump and a hydraulic fluid load. The heat exchanger is configured to reduce a temperature of a hydraulic fluid flow output by the pump and directed to the hydraulic fluid load. The heat exchanger is operably connected to a turbine gas flow and utilizes the turbine gas flow to cool the hydraulic fluid flow at the heat exchanger.