A data recovery device configured to store data onboard a hypersonic vehicle travelling at hypersonic speeds. The data recovery device is released from the hypersonic vehicle upon a release command or an anomalous event. Upon release, the data recovery device is configured to receive Global Positioning System (GPS) position data and configured to broadcast the GPS position data in short bursts during decent to a surface of the Earth and upon impact with the surface of the Earth to aid in recovery of the data recovery device.

Airborne LiDAR bathymetry systems and methods of use are provided. The airborne LiDAR bathymetry system can collect topographic data and bathymetric data at high altitudes. The airborne LiDAR bathymetry system has a receiver system, a detector system, and a laser transmission system.

In one implementation, a method includes receiving versions of a message from a first satellite-based receiver and a second satellite-based receiver that both received a radio frequency (RF) transmission of the message, the message comprising a self-reported position of a transmitter of the message. The method also includes determining a time difference between a first arrival time of the RF transmission of the message at the first satellite-based receiver and a second arrival time of the RF transmission of the message at the second satellite-based receiver. The method further includes determining a measure of the likelihood that the self-reported position of the transmitter is valid based on the time difference between the first and second arrival times. The method still further includes transmitting an indication of the measure of the likelihood that the self-reported position is valid.

The presently disclosed subject matter includes an active proximity system (APS) mountable on an unmanned autonomous vehicle (UxV), the APS comprising: one or more proximity sensors and a processing circuitry; the one or more proximity sensors are configured to sense one or more proximity signals, each of the signals is indicative of the presence of a respective emitter in proximity to the UxV; the processing circuitry is configured, responsive to a sensed proximity signal, to repeatedly: generate maneuvering instructions dedicated for causing the UxV to move and increase the distance between the UxV and the respective emitter; and then generate maneuvering instructions dedicated for causing the UxV to move and decrease the distance between the UxV and the respective emitter; and thereby maintain the UxV within a certain range from the respective emitter defined by the sensed proximity signal.

A landing zone designation system is provided that includes a master and a slave landing strobes. A detector on an aircraft can detect master and slave optical signals, and a processor can be coupled to the detector to compute placement of the aircraft relative to the master and slave landing strobes. A method is provided for designating a landing zone for an aircraft. The method includes emitting first and second optical signals, where a determination is made whether the aircraft is to land at a first landing zone or a second landing zone depending on a difference between the first optical signal and the second optical signal. A distance to landing within the determined first landing zone or the second landing zone can also be determined.

A system for housing a drone for locating a source in an electrical structure includes a plurality of drones capable of hovering in positions to form a virtual enclosure around an electrical structure and a server communicably coupled to the drones. The virtual enclosure is divided into a plurality of cells. The drone is configured to measure a plurality of time difference of arrival (TDOA) values from signals originating from the source; calculate a plurality of propagation times comprising a propagation time for a calibration signal that travels from a drone to each of the plurality of cells; and send the TDOA values and the propagation times to a server. The server is configured to receive the TDOA values and the propagation times from the plurality of drones; and determine a location of the source based on the plurality of TDOA values and the plurality of propagation times.

In one implementation, a method includes receiving versions of a message from a first satellite-based receiver and a second satellite-based receiver that both received a radio frequency (RF) transmission of the message, the message comprising a self-reported position of a transmitter of the message. The method also includes determining a time difference between a first arrival time of the RF transmission of the message at the first satellite-based receiver and a second arrival time of the RF transmission of the message at the second satellite-based receiver. The method further includes determining a measure of the likelihood that the self-reported position of the transmitter is valid based on the time difference between the first and second arrival times. The method still further includes transmitting an indication of the measure of the likelihood that the self-reported position is valid.

A landing zone designation system is provided that includes a master and a slave landing strobes. A detector on an aircraft can detect master and slave optical signals, and a processor can be coupled to the detector to compute placement of the aircraft relative to the master and slave landing strobes. A method is provided for designating a landing zone for an aircraft. The method includes emitting first and second optical signals, where a determination is made whether the aircraft is to land at a first landing zone or a second landing zone depending on a difference between the first optical signal and the second optical signal. A distance to landing within the determined first landing zone or the second landing zone can also be determined.

The ADS-B power transcoder extracts transponder data from parasitic oscillations on the aircraft power line induced by transmissions of ownship radar transponder reply signals (e.g., responses to interrogations of the transponder). The radio is configured for replacement installation of an aircraft lighting assembly, and connection thereby to legacy onboard power sources without resorting to wireless or wired radar transponder, or pneumatic connections.

An aircraft detection system supplements the identification of aircraft with information that is obtained from two or more different detection channels. The system may obtain a first set of identifying information about a particular aircraft or flight via a first detection channel at a first time, may determine that the first set of identifying information lacks commonality with previously received sets of identifying information for other detected aircraft of flights, and may track the particular aircraft or flight based on the first set of identifying information. The system may then obtain a second set of identifying information via a different second detection channel at a second time, may determine commonality between the second set of identifying information and the first set of identifying information, and may update the tracking of the particular aircraft or flight by incorporating or adding identifying information from the second set of identifying information.