The Boeing Company

Mcdonnell Douglas Corporation

Richard E Meyer

James Victor Leonard

William J Ebert

Robert K Menzel

Aaron Lee Eggemeyer

William Joseph Ebert, Jr

Joshua Ryan Pollema

Todd J Palmer

Monroe A Lalumandier

James A Simms

Allan W Nelson

John D Musgraves, Jr

Patrick F Dudenhoeffer

Bobby J Wilson

A method and apparatus for simulating a missile. A simulation program for a weapon using a processor unit is executed in a simulation unit. A number of input signals is received from a control station in a vehicle through an interface system connected to a weapons interface on the vehicle. The interface system is in communications with the processor unit. The control station is capable of operating the weapon connected to the weapons interface. A number of output signals is generated using a simulation of the weapon. The number of output signals is sent through the weapons interface to the control station.

Missile simulator

An alignment system for coupling a component to a vehicle includes at least one sensor target coupled to the component, and a controller assembly configured to transmit a signal towards the sensor target and receive a reflected signal from the sensor target, wherein the controller assembly is configured to output an orientation dataset for the component relative to the vehicle using the reflected signal. The system also includes a processing device communicatively coupled to the controller assembly, wherein the processing device is programmed to translate the orientation dataset and cause a set of component positioning signals based on the orientation dataset to be displayed at a user interface.

System and method for coupling a component to a vehicle

Methods and systems are disclosed that automatically display an optimized aimpoint on a target image in received seeker data. In one embodiment, a method receives missile seeker target data. A seeker mode data is extracted from the received missile seeker target data. The location of a most vulnerable spot on a target is identified based on a comparison of target library data with seeker image data. A marker is generated at the location of the optimized aimpoint and output to a display.

Systems and methods for optimizing the aimpoint for a missile

A system and method are provided for testing the bus interface assembly in order to determine if the bus interface assembly is configured to interface with a data bus between an aircraft and a store. If the bus interface assembly is determined not to be properly configured, a troubleshooting routine can be deployed to more specifically identify a malfunction of the bus interface assembly, thereby facilitating the repair of the bus interface assembly. Moreover, the system and method may also program the bus interface assembly. By providing the capability to test and troubleshoot and, in some instances, program the bus interface assembly, the bus interface assembly may be more readily deployed and the performance of the bus interface assembly may be assured, thereby promoting the reliability of the bus interface assembly and the associated communications transferred across the data bus between the aircraft and the store.

Interactivity with a bus interface card

A system is provided for monitoring at least one data bus of an aircraft. The system includes an aircraft adapted to control the operation of stores of a second predetermined type (e.g., Harpoon Block I missiles). However, the aircraft is also capable of carrying a store of a first predetermined type (e.g., Harpoon Block II missiles), and capable of communicating with the store across a communication bus (e.g., MK-82 Digital Data Bus). The system also includes a bus monitor assembly capable of capturing data communications transferred across the communication bus between the aircraft and the store, the data communications being captured from the communication bus. The bus monitor assembly is also capable of preparing the data communications, and monitoring the communication bus across which the data communications are transferred, the communication bus being monitored based upon the prepared data communications.

System, bus monitor assembly and method of monitoring at least one data bus of an aircraft

A connector body component for a connector assembly in which the connector body component has a plurality of independent body segments secured together to form a single assembly. The connector body segments are held together within a housing member and may include interlocking structures on wall surfaces thereof. Forming the connector body in independent segments allows one body segment to be replaced in the event of damage to the connector body or one conductive element held in the connector body, thus eliminating the need to replace the entire connector body. This saves significant time and expense when repairing or modifying a connector body having a plurality of independent conductors coupled to it.

Connector assembly and method having segmented body portion

Methods and systems for testing and diagnosis of weapon control systems are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus for testing a weapon control system includes an interface unit and a simulator unit. The interface unit is adapted to be operatively coupled to the weapon control system, and the simulator unit is operatively coupled to the interface unit. The simulator unit receives and analyzes a control signal, and transmits at least one of a first type of responsive signal indicative of a properly functioning component, and a second type of responsive signal indicative of a malfunctioning component.

Methods and apparatus for testing and diagnosis of weapon control systems

A method and apparatus for testing the electrical power system of an aircraft uses existing unmodified test equipment not otherwise capable of reliably testing and certifying the aircraft for weapon store launching operations for a particular store type.

Test adapter for a weapon store test set

A system for operating and releasing a store of a first predetermined type includes an aircraft adapted to control the operation of stores of a second predetermined type and a bypass apparatus. The store is releasably secured to the aircraft, and the aircraft is capable of releasing the store. The aircraft is capable of being configured such that a store of the first predetermined type is capable of operating independent of operating instructions. The bypass apparatus is carried by the aircraft and adapted to facilitate operation of the store. The bypass apparatus can store operating instructions and thereafter transmit the operating instructions into the store. As such, after the aircraft releases the store the store is capable of operating according to the operating instructions. Also, the system can include an umbilical cable disposed between the aircraft and the store. The bypass apparatus can, therefore, be disposed within the umbilical cable.

System, bypass apparatus and method of operating a store of a first predetermined type

A signal conditioning system for translating communications between an aircraft and an associated store includes a store umbilical element that electrically and mechanically couples the aircraft and the store. The system also includes a signal conditioning element having an ASIC and electrically connected between the aircraft the store. The signal conditioning element is capable of being incorporated within the umbilical element and includes a translation element for receiving first predetermined format communications from the aircraft at the first predefined transfer rate and thereafter outputting corresponding second predetermined format communications to the store at at least one second transfer rate. Conversely, the translation element is also capable of receiving second predetermined format communications from the store at the at least one second transfer rate and thereafter outputting corresponding first predetermined format communications to the aircraft at the first predefined bit rate.

Method and apparatus for communicating between an aircraft and an associated store

An interface between an aircraft and a precision-guided missile having automatic target recognition capability receives target image data and target location data from the aircraft, translates the data into formats usable by the missile, and downloads the target data to the missile at any time prior to launch of the missile. The interface includes a mission-planning unit and a terrain and elevation data storage unit enabling the air crew to call up terrain and elevation data on a visual display for planning a missile mission, and to transmit mission parameters to the missile during aircraft flight.

Method and apparatus providing an interface between an aircraft and a precision-guided missile

A store interface for routing different types of store signal formats to multiple wing stations using pre-existing aircraft wing wiring. The store interface provides an interface between an aircraft and an associated store adapted to bidirectionally communicate with the aircraft according to one of a plurality of predetermined store signal formats. The store interface includes a store identifier that determines the type of the associated store, and an interface that bidirectionally communicates between the aircraft and the store, including a first and second communication links that communicate with the store using either a first set of store control signals configured in accordance with a first store signal format or a second set of store control signals configured in accordance with a second store signal format. The store interface also includes a switch that couples one of the communication links to the store in response to the store identifier allowing one of the sets of store control signals to be transmitted between the aircraft and the store.

Growing community of inventors

Florissant, MO, United States of America

Richard E Meyer