An electrically-powered stores rack ejector for aircraft may be configured to carry and release stores (e.g., various munitions, such as missiles and/or bombs, and/or auxiliary fuel tanks). The stores rack ejector may include a housing and an ejector foot movably coupled to the housing, and the ejector foot may be configured to extend from the housing. The housing of the stores rack ejector may also include one or more suspension hooks movably coupled to the housing and the suspension hooks may be configured to release in conjunction with an extension of the ejector foot. One or more solenoids may be coupled to the ejector foot and may be energizable to cause the extension of the ejector foot. The stores rack ejector may also include a controller that may be configured to cause, based upon receiving a command associated with stores release, an energizing of the one or more solenoids.

An electrically-powered stores rack ejector for aircraft may be configured to carry and release stores (e.g., various munitions, such as missiles and/or bombs, and/or auxiliary fuel tanks). The stores rack ejector may include a housing and an ejector foot movably coupled to the housing, and the ejector foot may be configured to extend from the housing. The housing of the stores rack ejector may also include one or more suspension hooks movably coupled to the housing and the suspension hooks may be configured to release in conjunction with an extension of the ejector foot. One or more solenoids may be coupled to the ejector foot and may be energizable to cause the extension of the ejector foot. The stores rack ejector may also include a controller that may be configured to cause, based upon receiving a command associated with stores release, an energizing of the one or more solenoids.

Arming apparatus is installable between twin arming units of an ejector release unit in a military aircraft, and a single fuzing unit of a store. The arming apparatus comprises sequentially breakable links which ensure reliable ejection of the store in an armed state, or jettisoning of the store in an unarmed state, as desired.

An aerial vehicle platform, which may be unmanned, includes an engine rotatable along multiple axes to provide various modes of flight and movement. The platform may be scaled for different purposes. The purposes may range from defense, to reconnaissance, and to civilian or commercial applications. Other applications may also benefit from the embodiments disclosed. Embodiments may include a gimbal hub to control the orientation of the engine along different axes.

An aerial vehicle platform, which may be unmanned, includes an engine rotatable along multiple axes to provide various modes of flight and movement. The platform may be scaled for different purposes. The purposes may range from defense, to reconnaissance, and to civilian or commercial applications. Other applications may also benefit from the embodiments disclosed. Embodiments may include a gimbal hub to control the orientation of the engine along different axes.

A downhole explosive detonation comprises a high voltage electro-explosive initiator comprising an input high voltage power supply with a low impedance shunting fuse, a flexible electrical link and a capacitor discharge unit. Explosive is initiated in a direction approximately parallel, or in another version perpendicular to the capacitor discharge unit. A unique configuration and construction of the assembly allows installation through a small service port in the gun housing structure for more efficient gun arming. A real time downhole voltage monitoring is described that transmits voltage readings to the surface during a firing sequence.

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.

New forms of suppressive gunfire decoys are provided. In some aspects, a pin-pull device may be used to program and adjust several settings of the decoy devices, activating such devices immediately before deployment. In some aspects, the pin-pull device may serve as a remote control unit. In a preferred method of deployment, the devices are thrown to a location different from that occupied by the user(s), simulating another source of gunfire, distracting and misleading an enemy, and providing the effects of suppressive fire. In some embodiments, a networked computer system(s) may be used as a remote control unit, and the decoy device may include cameras and other sensors for tactical surveillance. In still other aspects, the gunfire decoy device may be capable of locomotion, and may be self-relocating in response to certain commands, or in reaction to stimuli, to confuse the enemy regarding sources of gunfire and troop locations.

A charging handle is disclosed. The charging handle may include an elongated body having a forward end and a rear end, a handle assembly disposed about the rear end of the elongated body, and a latch assembly disposed about the rear end of the elongated body in mechanical communication with the handle assembly. The charging handle may include an ambidextrous latch and/or interchangeable handles.