High speed actuation systems

A projectile, comprising:

• a spinning structure configured to spin in-flight;
• a mass operatively connected to spinning structure to rotate with the spinning structure about a spin axis of the structure, wherein the mass is configured to be moved relative to the spinning structure during a spin of the spinning structure;
• and
• an actuation system configured to move the mass relative to the spinning structure, wherein the actuation system is further configured to control movement of the mass and to synchronize the movement of the mass to a rotation angle of the spinning structure, thereby inducing a synchronous precession torque to the spinning structure in a desired direction to steer the projectile.

A non-transitory computer readable medium, comprising computer executable instructions configured to cause a computer to perform a method, the method comprising:

• receiving or determining a rotation angle and/or rate of spin of a mass attached to a spinning structure;
• determining a timing and amplitude to move the mass as a function of the rotation angle and/or rate of spin to induce a synchronous precession torque on the spinning structure to steer the spinning structure in a desired direction;
• and
• outputting a command to an actuator to move the mass and to synchronize the movement of the mass to a rotation angle of the spinning structure.