Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation

Alliant Techsystems Inc.

Orbital Atk, Inc.

Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems, Inc.

Mark A Cvetnic

Behshad Baseghi

David Sharpin

Harold Kregg Hunsberger

Kent Carl Nelson

Mike Hutchings

James Tennison

James C Kolanek

Daniel B Nielson

Richard M Truitt

Paul C Braithwaite

Benjamin N Ashcroft

Michael T Rose

Jim Kolanek

Embodiments include active protection systems and methods for an aerial platform. An onboard system includes one or more radar modules, detects aerial vehicles within a threat range of the aerial platform, and determines if any of the plurality of 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 a rocket motor to accelerate the eject vehicle along an intercept vector, alignment thrusters to rotate a longitudinal axis of the eject vehicle to substantially align with the intercept vector, and divert thrusters to divert the eject vehicle in a direction substantially perpendicular to the intercept vector. The eject vehicle activates at least one of the alignment thrusters responsive to the intercept vector.

Methods and apparatuses for active protection from aerial threats

Weapons, weapon components and related methods are provided. In one embodiment a weapon component includes one or more discrete fragments embedded in a reactive material matrix. The weapon component may be used as a warhead that includes an explosive charge. In one embodiment the weapon component is configured such that, upon explosive launch, the reactive material matrix fractures to define one or more reactive material matrix fragments. The weapon component may be configured such that the discrete fragments are propelled at a first velocity over a defined distance while the reactive material matrix fragments are propelled at a second velocity over the defined distance, the second velocity being less than the first velocity. The weapon component may be used, for example, in a countermeasure weapon used to defeat a target weapon. Other embodiments of weapon components, weapons and related methods are also disclosed.

Weapons and weapon components incorporating reactive materials

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Chaska, MN, United States of America

Mark A Cvetnic