A propulsionless munition configured to be launched from a hypersonic aerial includes a munition body that is free of any propulsion system for producing thrust. The munition body includes a forward section including a radome assembly and an aft section including a control system. The radome assembly includes a nose radome and a frangible radome cover disposed over the nose radome for shielding the nose radome from high temperatures resulting from aerodynamic heating at hypersonic speeds. The frangible radome cover is detachable from the nose radome upon detection by the control system of a predetermined threshold comprising at least one of a predetermined speed, a predetermined altitude, and a predetermined temperature.

A propulsionless munition configured to be launched from a hypersonic aerial includes a munition body that is free of any propulsion system for producing thrust. The munition body includes a forward section including a radome assembly and an aft section including a control system. The radome assembly includes a nose radome and a frangible radome cover disposed over the nose radome for shielding the nose radome from high temperatures resulting from aerodynamic heating at hypersonic speeds. The frangible radome cover is detachable from the nose radome upon detection by the control system of a predetermined threshold comprising at least one of a predetermined speed, a predetermined altitude, and a predetermined temperature.

A projectile including an ejectable aft fin housing assembly. The aft fin housing assembly includes aft fins that increase a distance between a center of gravity and a center of pressure of the projectile, improving passive stabilization of the projectile. Once the projectile has been passively stabilized, the aft fin housing assembly is ejected, decreasing a distance between the center of gravity and the center of pressure, improving active stabilization of the projectile.

A hinge includes internal on-axis stopping mechanisms that cause the hinge to shear and break at an on-axis weakened region of the hinge when rotation of the hinge reaches a predetermined angle with a specified torsional load. The on-axis configuration is compact, has minimal impact on the outer mold line (OML) of the object to which it is mounted both pre and post detachment and allows for accurate tailoring of the torsional load that will detach the hinge.

A hinge includes internal on-axis stopping mechanisms that cause the hinge to shear and break at an on-axis weakened region of the hinge when rotation of the hinge reaches a predetermined angle with a specified torsional load. The on-axis configuration is compact, has minimal impact on the outer mold line (OML) of the object to which it is mounted both pre and post detachment and allows for accurate tailoring of the torsional load that will detach the hinge.

The present invention relates to projectiles and munitions, and more specifically to such in flight. More particularly the present invention relates to projectiles and munitions in flight equipped with one or more image sensors adapted for acquiring image data of the environment surrounding the projection or munition in flight. The present invention further relates to systems and methods for correcting or stabilizing motion effects and artifacts present in the image data related to the movement or motion of the projectile or munition in flight, including spin or rotation of the projectile or munition.

Projectile guiding assemblies, caps and methods of delivering power for testing and optionally data over spring-mounted fin(s) of the guiding assembly are provided. The guiding assemblies are configured to have continuous electrically conductive path(s) from the fin(s), through the respective spring(s) on which the fin(s) are mounted, and into the electronics module, which may receive power for testing and guiding data from external source(s) over the electrically conductive path(s). In the testing state, cap mechanically secures the fin(s) to contact(s) thereupon to assure continuous power and data transfer, sparing surface area that was previously dedicated to power and data transfer and simplifying these processes, especially under field conditions.

A projectile delivery module to be mounted on an aerial vehicle includes a projectile delivery system including a kinetic projectile and a base system. The kinetic projectile includes a projectile body, an RF receiver, and an onboard steering system including: a steering mechanism operable to change an attitude, orientation, and/or direction of flight of the kinetic projectile; and a steering actuator. The base system includes: an RF transmitter to communicate with the RF receiver; a projectile holder; a target tracking system; and a projectile guidance system including a projectile tracking system and a projectile control system. The base system is configured to: release the kinetic projectile from the projectile holder such that the kinetic projectile is driven toward a target by gravity; track the target using the target tracking system; track the released kinetic projectile using the projectile tracking system; and automatically control the onboard steering system using the projectile control system to adjust a trajectory of the falling kinetic projectile to steer the kinetic projectile to the target.

A projectile delivery module to be mounted on an aerial vehicle includes a projectile delivery system including a kinetic projectile and a base system. The kinetic projectile includes a projectile body, an RF receiver, and an onboard steering system including: a steering mechanism operable to change an attitude, orientation, and/or direction of flight of the kinetic projectile; and a steering actuator. The base system includes: an RF transmitter to communicate with the RF receiver; a projectile holder; a target tracking system; and a projectile guidance system including a projectile tracking system and a projectile control system. The base system is configured to: release the kinetic projectile from the projectile holder such that the kinetic projectile is driven toward a target by gravity; track the target using the target tracking system; track the released kinetic projectile using the projectile tracking system; and automatically control the onboard steering system using the projectile control system to adjust a trajectory of the falling kinetic projectile to steer the kinetic projectile to the target.

A lock assembly includes a housing, a lock shaft, a reset shaft, and a transfer gear. The lock shaft is disposed partially within and extends from the housing and is movable between a lock position and an unlock position. The reset shaft is disposed at least partially within the housing, is spaced apart from the lock shaft, and is movable between a first position and a second position. The transfer gear is disposed between, and engages, the lock shaft and the reset shaft, and is configured to transfer motion between the lock shaft and the reset shaft. When the lock shaft moves from the lock position to the unlock position, the reset shaft is moved from the first position to the second position, and when the reset shaft moves from the second position to the first position, the lock shaft is moved from the unlock position to the lock position.