The present invention relates to a casing intended to be externally applied, connected or fixed to the fuselage or to a wing of an aircraft or to a central or wing station/hardpoint of an aircraft, the casing entirely or partly delimiting a housing zone (HZ) of a super-orbital, orbital or sub-orbital launch vehicle.

In a countermeasures control interface for use in deploying countermeasures in response to user commands, which are deployed from a first countermeasure dispenser that deploys a first type of countermeasure and a second countermeasure dispenser that deploys a second type of countermeasure different from the first type. A user interface receives user commands regarding countermeasures deployment and includes a display that shows a user-selectable image formats. At least one of the user-selectable image formats includes a graphic representation of a loadout of the first countermeasure dispenser and the second countermeasure dispenser, as well as a graphical representation of currently-available countermeasures deployment options. The user interface also receives input regarding a user countermeasure deployment choice and generates a signal corresponding to the countermeasure deployment choice. An electronic circuit controls the display and generates the user-selectable image formats, receives the countermeasure deployment choice from the user interface and activates the countermeasure dispensers.

In a countermeasures control interface for use in deploying countermeasures in response to user commands, which are deployed from a first countermeasure dispenser that deploys a first type of countermeasure and a second countermeasure dispenser that deploys a second type of countermeasure different from the first type. A user interface receives user commands regarding countermeasures deployment and includes a display that shows a user-selectable image formats. At least one of the user-selectable image formats includes a graphic representation of a loadout of the first countermeasure dispenser and the second countermeasure dispenser, as well as a graphical representation of currently-available countermeasures deployment options. The user interface also receives input regarding a user countermeasure deployment choice and generates a signal corresponding to the countermeasure deployment choice. An electronic circuit controls the display and generates the user-selectable image formats, receives the countermeasure deployment choice from the user interface and activates the countermeasure dispensers.

The present disclosure provides a flying body for detecting a living body. The flying body includes a sensor unit, that detects living body information related to the living body; a support component, that supports the sensor unit and is retractable; a gimbal, that rotatably supports the support component; a processing unit, that performs processing related to detection of the living body information; and a camera unit, that captures images. The processing unit makes the camera unit capture an image of an investigation area, controls the flight of the flying body such that the flying body approaches the investigation area, makes the support component extend to an investigation target located in the investigation area, and makes the sensor unit, which is supported by the gimbal supported by the extended support component, detect the living body information.

The present disclosure provides a flying body for detecting a living body. The flying body includes a sensor unit, that detects living body information related to the living body; a support component, that supports the sensor unit and is retractable; a gimbal, that rotatably supports the support component; a processing unit, that performs processing related to detection of the living body information; and a camera unit, that captures images. The processing unit makes the camera unit capture an image of an investigation area, controls the flight of the flying body such that the flying body approaches the investigation area, makes the support component extend to an investigation target located in the investigation area, and makes the sensor unit, which is supported by the gimbal supported by the extended support component, detect the living body information.

A drone deployable power line fault detection sensor. The sensor can include a clamp mechanism having a clamp ring with first and second ring portions movably connected to each other and a resilient member positioned to urge the first and second ring portions toward a closed configuration. A latch can be positioned to retain the first and second ring portions in an open configuration whereby the sensor can be positioned on a power transmission line with a drone. A trigger can be coupled to the latch and operative, under the weight of the sensor, to disengage the latch thereby releasing the first and second ring portions to close around the transmission line under the force of the resilient member. One or more sensors are carried by the clamp mechanism and positioned to detect a line fault on the power transmission line, which is reported to a power station control system to de-energize the power transmission line.

A drone deployable power line fault detection sensor. The sensor can include a clamp mechanism having a clamp ring with first and second ring portions movably connected to each other and a resilient member positioned to urge the first and second ring portions toward a closed configuration. A latch can be positioned to retain the first and second ring portions in an open configuration whereby the sensor can be positioned on a power transmission line with a drone. A trigger can be coupled to the latch and operative, under the weight of the sensor, to disengage the latch thereby releasing the first and second ring portions to close around the transmission line under the force of the resilient member. One or more sensors are carried by the clamp mechanism and positioned to detect a line fault on the power transmission line, which is reported to a power station control system to de-energize the power transmission line.

Methods and apparatus for performing repair operations using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). A UAV carries a repair patch ensemble containing all repair materials (including a repair patch, a heating blanket and other ensemble materials) in a prepackaged form to the repair area. During flight of the UAV, the repair patch is vacuum adhered to the heating blanket. Vacuum pressure is also used to hold the repair patch ensemble in position on the composite surface of the structure. Then the hot bond process is enacted to bond the repair patch to the repair area. In accordance with one embodiment, the hot bond process involves heating the repair patch to adhesively bond the repair patch while applying vacuum pressure to consolidate the composite material. Then the repair patch is released from the ensemble and residual ensemble materials (heating blanket, bleeder material, and release films) are removed by the UAV.

Methods and apparatus for performing repair operations using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). A UAV carries a repair patch ensemble containing all repair materials (including a repair patch, a heating blanket and other ensemble materials) in a prepackaged form to the repair area. During flight of the UAV, the repair patch is vacuum adhered to the heating blanket. Vacuum pressure is also used to hold the repair patch ensemble in position on the composite surface of the structure. Then the hot bond process is enacted to bond the repair patch to the repair area. In accordance with one embodiment, the hot bond process involves heating the repair patch to adhesively bond the repair patch while applying vacuum pressure to consolidate the composite material. Then the repair patch is released from the ensemble and residual ensemble materials (heating blanket, bleeder material, and release films) are removed by the UAV.

Various systems and methods for leveraging legacy countermeasure dispensing systems (CMDSs). The legacy CMDSs are leveraged through the expansion of breechplates and magazines in a CMDS by expanding the amount of expendables carried by a CMDS while still maintaining the legacy sequencer and dispenser in a legacy military platform, such as an aircraft. In addition, various circuitry systems are included in a circuit card of the breechplate for duplicating and/or expanding the firing lines provided in a legacy CMDS.